Warning: Sunday made me grumpy. Rain, cold, and more rain – but my misanthropic tramping up deserted hill and down lonely vale was considerably lightened by, as ever, some real gems in the form of Artists Open Houses.

I started out at Into the Woods at 4a Florence Road (Venue fw6), which was packed. It was a great collection of jewellery, 3D scenes, and ceramics reminiscent of a darkly appealing fairy tale come horror story – don’t miss this if you have a sense of humour.

One of Alice Maplesden's one-off plates

Lux & Love’s vintage jewellery is as enticing for its glamour as for its amazing shrine-like displays, while Alice Maplesden’s crockery and badges are great fun.

They’re all one-offs, so you can be sure that, unlike those bobbly Ikea cups everyone had for a while, no-one else has your mug or grumpy plate (see right).

A highlight from David Ward's work

Further up the hill there was a greater dampness of spirit as the rain deepened, though luckily there were some welcoming doors ajar. I enjoyed the mix of work presented at Ned Hoskins’ house (Venue fw18) by triumvirate David Ward (wonderfully tactile sculpture, left, though touch at your peril!), Laurence Cutting (paper collages) and the host himself (paintings). Nicola Jackson’s house nearby (Venue fw19), especially Gill Parry’s ceramics, is also well worth a visit.

Woodchild at 37 Cleveland Road

37 Cleveland Road (Venue fw21) was a welcomingly bright and cheery treat before I trudged off home with my sodden trouser hems. Woodchild’s cushions and dolls were lovely, with a glimpse at the work involved available on the sofa (see right). It also had the most amazingly decorated cupcakes I’ve ever seen – a work of art in themselves.

I’m looking forward to next weekend, especially if the sun can be bothered to make an appearance. Have a good week and see you there!

Kinetic art outside Embassy Court

Well, it’s less than a week until the Xmas AOH Festival of Open Houses kicks off. Harriet Mancey-Barratt and myself will be blogging here to keep you informed of what’s happening over the next couple of weekends, and during next year’s May festival. But first let me introduce myself. I’m Fred Pipes and AOH’s official Twitterer. If you’re already on Twitter, join us at http://twitter.com/artistshouses and I’ll retweet any Open House news you send me. Some houses have been open already, you may have noticed, mainly to avoid clashing with the crafts fair Made 09 at the Corn Exchange last weekend – but they won’t be in the brochure because it’s only just hit the streets! Embassy Court (AOH house 18) opened on Sunday night for a film show about kinetic art (in the open air!). I was down there in the afternoon, delivering a print, and  boy was it windy! Ideal weather in fact for all the amazing kinetic sculptures by Circus Kinetica – all made from recycled materials. Open Houses come in all shapes and sizes and the exhibition at Embassy Court, the Modernist masterpiece designed by Wells Coates and built 1934-36, is in the basement. Check out their website (and my print!) and there are more photos on the AOH Flickr site.

There are 75 Open Houses this year and so there will be loads of Private Views (or PVs as we say in the trade) this coming Friday – and Saturday morning – if you’re lucky enough to be invited to one (or two). I’m particularly looking forward to seeing 6 Clifton Street, where Peter Chrisp and Lisa Wolfe will be showing their Wild West Diorama in the bathroom – if you are a member of our AOH Facebook group, you will already have had a sneak preview! As well as underneath Embassy Court, my prints will be on show at the Dragonfly House, 48 Ditchling Rise. Check the brochure with the swans on the front or this very website for times.