Our Saturday Share at Ally Pally (virtually!)

Hello hello! Grace here

I hope this finds you safe & content, wherever you are and whatever you’re upto!

In normal circumstances, we would have been at Ally Pally (in London) this weekend. That was one of my FAVOURITE shows. Alexandra Palace.

As a young kid and teenager, I used to love going to that one. Perhaps because it was a chance to get out of the countryside and venture into nearby London. Perhaps it was the EPIC view of the city from atop the hill!

Perhaps it was the huge ice skating rink next door, that my little brother and I would disappear to for hours on end. I even booked a party bus from Kent for my 18th birthday and took a bunch of friends up there for ice skating!

Or perhaps it was the hundreds of familiar crafty faces we got to see.We were always right at the front, as the doors opened, you couldn’t miss the Clarity stand! So many of you I know FROM Ally Pally (or other various exhibitions). But that was always my real favourite. Good memories eh?

To celebrate those memories we have a little weekend discount offer to share with you…

Enter ALLYPALLY21 for a 20% discount on all orders over Β£30. 

The offer ends midnight on Monday! πŸ™‚

We have another solid reason to spend this weekend… We finally have to increase our postage costs. I’ll just share with you the lovely message my Mum sent out via email, incase you missed it! I’m sure you’ll understand πŸ™‚

“Here at Clarity all is good, although COVID still continues to have a considerable impact on our company. Whilst we have kept our product prices the same throughout the past year, the cost of packaging, shipping and raw materials has increased month on month. We have absorbed these price increases until now, and although we will endeavour to hold our product prices, we have had to review our dispatch costs. The unprecedented surge in online shopping has caused a global shortage of cardboard and packaging materials. Therefore, from Monday 12th April 2021 the Free Shipping threshold within the UK will increase from Β£10 to Β£20, and the cost of P&P for UK mainland orders less than Β£20 will increase from Β£3 to Β£3.75. 

It is our mission to keep you company, keep you entertained with arty tricks and tips, bring you beautiful new designs and products of the highest quality, and continue to offer the best customer service we possibly can. 

Stay safe.
Love always, Barb xxx

I hope you agree that this is fair. We’re doing what we can to keep the good ship Clarity afloat!


Now, on to the usual Saturday Share πŸ™‚ Check out these gorgeous cards I came across!

Dee Paramour
Elizabeth Libby Swiffen
Elizabeth Sykes
Ellen Koren
Helen Tilley
Jacky Williams
Janice Beattie
Karen Jackson
Katharine Peace
Nettie Kramer
Phyllis Cameron
Rachel Howkins
Sheila Bradley
Sue Flitcroft
Sue Ticehurst
Wendy Smith

Absolutely brilliant! As always. Virtual round of applause eh?

Right! I better get back to packing *wipes brow*. It’s exciting, but BOY IS IT A LOT OF WORK!

Lotsa love, Grace xo

Clarity – The Home of Art, Craft and Well-Being.

15 thoughts on “Our Saturday Share at Ally Pally (virtually!)

  • 10th April 2021 at 7:27 pm
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    Hope your move goes ok.
    Was not surprised that Clarity had to increase post and packaging. Would definitely prefer that it be done timely than put Clarity at risk.

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    • 10th April 2021 at 7:46 pm
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      Looks wonderful the Area around Ally pally , would love to go there, maybe one day ……all the art works are beautyful as well….have nice weekend all and do whatever is possible….good that there is somebody in n.y….πŸ™‹β€β™€οΈ

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      • 10th April 2021 at 8:11 pm
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        Ally pally is the best show I agree. I always remember you standing guard over the table with the teeny stamps on. Boy did we rummage through them. Spoke with you a few times aswell. Seems an age ago. The packing will be worth it. Easier to unpack and decide where everything is going to live. Exciting. Love and joy in your new home.❀

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  • 10th April 2021 at 8:31 pm
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    Hi Grace, Ally Pally was indeed a fabulous show, I was lucky enough to travel to the show, once, it took me for ever to get there on 5 trains and underground and 4 on the way home, I was exhausted when I eventually got back home, but it was well worth the effort, a fantastic show.
    Stunning work shown, as usual.
    Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
    Love from Patricia xx

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  • 10th April 2021 at 10:31 pm
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    I hope your move goes well and you are really happy in your new home. May you need no repairs.

    I am sad today but we are in 8 days of national mourning until Prince Philip’s funeral next Saturday afternoon, so I am not alone. He changed millions of lives for the better but I can’t help thinking about his family grieving and Beverley who told us that day on your mum’s blog that her mum had died. I hope they are all managing.

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  • 10th April 2021 at 10:58 pm
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    As far as I am concerned, Barbara has done a lot of things for us all in the last year, and so has the company and her family and all who work there. We have enjoyed her time and energy through her hard times and good times, and all her hard work and free classes and the Shack Shac that she has given freely so that all us artists have a place to be during this miserable time. Though we do buy her products, she has never charged us for her time or classes. All the other art companies charge for classes’ and teaching at outrageous prices, as well as their merchandise. So — adding a few bucks to the shipping world should not be a problem at all for any of us. She should also be paid for her “therapy sessions” that she gives to each of us every Monday, Wednesday and Friday !!!!!! Also, don’t forget her blogging and she answers herself with her own time. All I have to say is that nobody should be complaining at all – art is a hobby and stress release – it’s not required and should be appreciated when it is freely given. Ruth Finn

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  • 10th April 2021 at 11:23 pm
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    Grace – I hope your move is wonderful and it is always good to move up in life. Your Mom was really excited that you are moving, and all Moms want to see their children do well and succeed. Congratulations – Ruth & Drew from Florida.

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  • 10th April 2021 at 11:26 pm
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    Hi Grace, hope your move goes ok, all the packing will be worth it when you are settled in your new apartment. Your Mom was making us laugh with the tale about the doormen & the lack of at your present apartment.
    Lovely selection of artwork again this week. I started the week with all good intentions but we went over to see our daughter & granddaughters in their new house or at least the garden which turned into a trip over 4 times this week to tidy up the old sheds at the top of the garden ( turning part of it into a place to sit in the afternoon/evening sun). I also spent nearly 4 hours getting weeds out of the small paving stones around the lawn at the front of the house, cutting the lawn & planting some pansies. I now ache in places that I didn’t know could ache !!
    I will try to finish off the projects & post them next week. Mustn’t forget the Facebook live on Wednesday night either & its Groovi Sunday again tomorrow.
    bfn

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  • 11th April 2021 at 6:21 am
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    Hello Grace. No complaints here re increase in p&p: it’s a sound business decision that needs no justification but typical of your thoughtful mum to want to explain it to us all.
    In my humble opinion (which, as your mum says, are like noses etc) Clarity won’t lose customers because we all understand and selfishly want the business, with Barbara at the helm, to survive and thrive.
    Hope the move goes smoothly and am very excited for you both in this next chapter in your life together.
    (The story about the “doorman” you’re leaving behind was so funny. Hope you’ll tip him well to keep his hands off your stuff as you move it all out.πŸ˜‚)

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  • 11th April 2021 at 6:59 am
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    Would been up really early this. Morning for early start to ally pally loved are trips not keen on London driving but so worth it first stop on arrival was to go see your mum Barbara and clarity team before they got to busy high light of trip do hope we get to go again soon. May be even get to see you one day there Grace Stay safe love Joy x

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  • 11th April 2021 at 9:24 am
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    Good luck with your move Grace. Exciting times. I don’t believe anyone can complain about paying an extra 75p postage! Lovely choice of cards as always xx

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  • 11th April 2021 at 9:55 am
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    Oh Grace I loved going to Ally Pally. The views over London were amazing. I loved the spring with all the blossom trees. The craft show was good too. I am not surprised that postage costs have gone up. These are difficult times for those in business. I love the artwork you have chosen. Have a good weekend. Take care. Hugs xxx

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  • 11th April 2021 at 2:53 pm
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    Ruth Peer-Finn expressed our feelings about Clarity very well. Thanks Ruth,

    I only went to AllyPally once. The journey was hideous and it was packed solid. Couldn’t get near to most of the stands I wanted to see and got fed up with all the pushing and shoving. Now I do 95% of my craft shopping on Clarity and the rest on the internet.

    The inspiration we get from Barbara and the team is phenominal and I for one would not to like to be without it.

    There is nothing to compare with moving into new premises and putting your own stamp on it to make it a home. Hope all goes well with your move.

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  • 11th April 2021 at 6:23 pm
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    As always, these are fabulous cards. I love the Ally Pally show – it’s very much my local one. I used to drive through the park every day on my way to work (and home again) for about 9 years – that view always lifted me in a morning. Hope the packing all goes smoothly!

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  • 12th April 2021 at 9:50 am
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    Hi Grace
    Never been to Ally Pally – hope to be able to visit one day…………………
    Thank you for choosing my card as one of those showcased – always an honour!

    Good luck with the move – hope all goes well, smoothly and with no snow!!!
    Best wishes
    Katharine

    Reply

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