Fox Tails Creative

A look back at an earlier piece today.
This pine chest of drawers was painted around nine years ago when the shop was open in Aberaman.

Looking at it now, it’s interesting how similar the approach is to this week’s vase — layering, soft ageing, and working carefully with tone rather than just adding colour.
Pine has quite a distinctive grain, so building up the finish slowly was always important to create depth without losing the structure of the piece.

Different project, different time — but the same focus on giving solid, well-made furniture a fresh direction.

Some of you might remember this one from the shop days.

Hi — it’s been a little while.

This week started with an image of an aged ceramic vase. It was the surface that caught my attention — the variation in tone, the gentle texture, that time-worn feel that gives a piece real presence.

The middle photo shows a teardrop vase from a second-hand shop. The shape was strong, but the finish felt a little flat.
Using layered Annie Sloan paint techniques, building texture gradually and adjusting the tones in stages, the aim was to create something with more depth and softness — closer to that aged reference.

A small project, but a good reminder of how much a surface can change the whole character of an object.
Which do you prefer — the original smooth sheen or the layered, aged finish?

👋 Welcome to Fox Tails Creative – formerly known as James Interiors!
🦊 This time around there’s no physical shop – instead I’ll be working from my home & studio in Lewis St, focusing on:

* Painted furniture commissions (open now 🎨)

*Creating new handmade products

*Vintage & refinished products

💌 Thank you for sticking with me – and if you’re new here, welcome!
👉 Message me any time for commission enquiries.

Thank you so much to everyone that attended today's lino cutting workshops and became the first adult workshop to be run in the studio.

You were all so great, I have many more photos as well, too many to post 🥰

I look forward to seeing you all and those that could not attend this week, Michelle

# NOW FULLY BOOKED #

Looking for a day time class?
Come and join us in Aberdare for our fully funded craft workshops every Friday till the end of February.

Take some time out for yourself and come along to learn new techniques every week, in a friendly laid back class no previous experience needed.

Message me for details, Michelle

FULLY BOOKED #
Free workshop this Friday morning, pre booking is essential - just message me

Learn lino cutting & printing this Friday for free in our new Studio.
Just message me for more details,
Text or Whatsapp Michelle 07984015430.

Well hello there!
I hope everyone has had a good year and is ready for 2025?
Here at James Interiors there have been many changes and after a long break, a new project which has been in the pipeline is now ready to to bring to you.
We have been working on a workshop space and am now able to deliver creative workshops. The first of which is brought to you in collaboration with Educ8 delivering the multiply project.
We will be delivering a series of craft workshops through January & February starting next Friday. These 2hr workshops are available to people over the age of 19 without A'level maths. They are free and I will be your host.
It's all very exciting 🤗, if you and a friend would like a space on these workshops please message me. Spaces are limited and once they are filled I won't be able to offer more free workshops.
We will be covering linocutting & printing, microgreens, faux leather jewellery, bookmarks & keyring, and lino embossing.
So please share this with anyone that would love abit of wellbeing, creative time. They will be run on a Friday morning in Trecynon.
Hope to see you soon, Michelle Xx

We've been working hard over the Christmas break to get the new workshop space ready for this coming weeks workshops 😍.
We would live to welcome you to come and join us and Educ8 this coming Friday for fully funded creative workshops, message me for details & to book a space, Michelle x

Morning, our SHOP PREMISES is NOW CLOSED & we will just be online from now on.
The website stock will be updated over the next month & I will keep posting our great bargains for you on facebook.
Collections can still be made from Lewis St & we will be delivering as well.