Merry Christmas from Firecatcher! We're definately feeling Christmassy this week after dressing the Christmas window (pictures to follow shortly!) and making various presents and cards. Bex has made a fab concertina book to send out as our Firecatcher card, click here to see it.

It's been a snowy week here in Bolton. So much so that Tuesday saw us snowed in which meant no shop but much sledging! As well as snowball fighting we've been busy developing some contemporary craft workshops. We've had customers interested in classes since we opened in 2006 so we thought it high time we sorted some out! We should have a website up and running within the next week or so with dates, times etc but to start off we'll be running evening workshops in creative bookbinding, recovering books, creating your own Christmas wrap, lovely lavender birds and make your own soap to name but a few! Check back soon for more details!

Pop-Up Exhibition

Wednesday saw us catching a tram through freezing Manchester to see a 'round the world' pop-up exhibition at the Lowry. Being massive Robert Sabuda fans we were really looking forward to seeing works of his in the flesh (or paper!) as well as other pop-up creators. We weren't disappointed, it was beautifully laid out with lovely vibrant colours dividing the different countries. As well as the books on display there was a chance to create your own pop-ups, well worth a look if you're in the area!


One of our favourites that we sell in the shop, Alice in Wonderland.
The Wizard of Oz, the Emerald City complete with spectacles!

Manchester Artist Book Fair

This years book fair took place on the Saturday 8th November and saw a great turn out of artists and book lovers alike. This year we thought we'd better have a table and try and sell some books as opposed to previous years where we've gone round drooling over the beautiful books and buying lots!
Needless to say there were some truly gorgeous and inspiring things that we couldn't resist but at least we managed to recoup some money from the stall! We shared a table with Bec Garland (thank you Bec!) and had a really great day meeting lots of lovely arty book people.

Every month we select a few items of interest from the shop.
This month we have...

'Fancy a brew' by Alice Melvin

A beautiful screen printed book that 'endeavours to teach the secret of a good brew in 8 easy steps', and comes complete with free tea bag! Alice's website is well worth a look to as there's lots more gorgeous illustration, books and design.


Cavallini Press Stationery
A brand new range for Firecatcher from the US, including beautiful journals, postcards, stickers and erasers.



'The Great Paper Caper' by Oliver Jeffers
One of my favourite illustrator/authors, Oliver Jeffers' new book is just as great as his previous ones. His unique style combines quirky illustration with a wry sense of humour and a great story.

October Window

Window design at Firecatcher has become a bit of a tradition which started with our Harry Potter window (see archive!) and has continued with us trying to out do the previous! We use the space as more of an art installation than a promotional area and as well as our own designs have had other artist's using the window as an exhibition space.

For this Autumn's window we decided to go gothic to tie in with Halloween and one of our favourite books 'Twilight' by Stephenie Meyer. We've been pretty much hooked (and slightly obsessed!) with the Twilight saga and when planning the window this time around thought it would be a good way to spread the word and create something dark and striking at the same time.


The nature of the window means the photo's are quite dark but the main essence of the design uses a black, red and white theme with eight beautiful roses hung equal distance apart to create a quite graphic look. 'Wickedly Wonderful' is written in black vinyl lettering across the top, with 'Go Gothic this Autumn' below. The idea with the roses was that they would gradually wilt and die giving that dark feel.

Bec Garland Window

Firecatcher Books are proud to announce the launch of their first 'Exhibition Window' by local artist Bec Garland titled A Gallery of Animals.

Bec Garland is an artist and illustrator from Manchester, working as resident artist for Manchester Metropolitan University. Her exhibition 'A Gallery of Animals', consists of intricate black and white line drawings of creatures with splashes of colour suspended between exotic images of trees.
The exhibition opens in Firecatcher's window in The Last Drop Village on Monday 10th March and will be open for six weeks. After that, the work will be turned into a book by the Artist. For more information on Bec Garland click on the image below.