Linoprinting at the speed crafting event.......

Last Thursday night was the speed crafting event at the Brentwood Road Gallery and I just wanted to share some of the great prints that people created on the night. These were their first attempts which I thought were brilliant. Thanks to everyone who came and had a go and made it a really enjoyable evening!



The whole night flew by and I got so busy I didn't get the chance to get more pictures of the other results from the youngsters that had a go. I didn't even get the chance to look at the other great crafts on offer and the exhibition next door which was celebrating its finale night. I got told there were some amazing lino prints in the exhibition so i'm gutted I missed that!

Lorraine was also there on the night showing her brilliant knitting skills. Lorraine runs the group Clickers that's at the centre on a Thursday night, 7-9pm. If you're interested in knitting or anything crafty then pop along as its a lovely group and Lorraine is a little fountain of knowledge that can show you anything you want to learn! I used to go to the group before I had the little one and made so many great things.

Kirsten

Busy, busy, busy.........

So to start off with thanks everyone who came along to the Private View and have been visiting the exhibition at the Arc in Old Harlow. It's still running so if you're near by pop along as it's a lovely venue with a little cafe. It's a converted church which is being used as a community centre with a new extension on the side which houses the gallery and cafe. It's also in the middle of Old Harlow which has some lovely old buildings.

It's another busy week and this Thursday is the speed crafting event at The Brentwood Road Gallery. I'll be demonstrating linoprinting and if you fancy making your own valentines card pop along and have a go.




This Saturday is the Valentine's Vintage Fair at Wanstead, next to the library. I designed the poster and drew the girl especially so i'm going to add her to my range of cards. I've also been making some valentines cards from vintage papers especially for the event and got asked by my other half if he could have mates rates! If I sell one to him atleast i'm gauranteed to get one!




If you're around Walthamstow this Saturday it's the launch of the Wood Street Indoor Market. They've completely filled the space with lots of artists, designers and vintage sellers and this Saturday is a whole array of fun activities to entice you along......

Collective exhibition......

I'm very excited to announce we have our first exhibition of the year starting this week at St Johns Arc Gallery in Harlow. It's a collective exhibition along with the staff and workers of Sap Studios, at the Snaresbrook Arts Project. The Project, for those of you that haven't heard us talking about it before, is an arts project which employs adults with learning difficulties who make and sell art and craft items. The staff at the Project are a wide and talented group of people and this exhibition is a chance for them to exhibit their artistic talents along side work from the artists at the studios. It's a wide mix of work from photography, painting, textiles and print so hopefully something for everything.

The Private View is this Thursday night 6-8pm at the gallery where you can meet all the artists, hope to see you there.

Kirsten

Speed Crafting night......

Pop along to The Brentwood Road Gallery at Frances Bardsley School on 9th February for a night of speed crafting. I'll be demonstrating lino printing but there's also knitting, cross stitch, jewellery making, cupcake decorating and you can even make your own bath salts.

So come along meet some crafty people, grab a glass of wine and even get the chance to pick up a gift for Valentines day or just treat yourself!

Kirsten x

Flowers and our first fair....

Last week end my friend came round for a visit and bought me these lovely flowers which inspired me to paint. There's something about flowers that inspires me to draw and paint them...


The irises are looking a bit sorry for themselves now but here they were in their full glory.....


Also if you have no plans this Saturday then pop along to the January Sale Fair in Wanstead - with loads of bargains to be had! This is our first fair of the year so starting in full swing! I designed the poster for the event as well, the inspiration was Victorian black and white adverts.

Kirsten x

Happy New Year......

I was really quiet last year as I wasn't too well, with my asthma and I have been in hospital a few times and I am still waiting for more tests.

The family kept me busy, having grand children is the best! I went to see Maisie in her nativity at playschool, she also won the angel competition at the mother and toddler group, apparently they had never seen so much glitter on an angel - I think she gets that from me, and she was awarded a prize and certificate at the Chris Dingle service which I had never been to before. We also took Ellie and Maisie to see Father Christmas, which was lovely.

At Christmas I had a full house again and cooked a goose, as my son Nathan fancied it, a turkey and a leg of lamb, as Kirstens partner is a kiwi and doesn’t eat turkey or goose! It was a lovely day with no kitchen disasters! Here's Maisie 'helping' Eloise open her presents....



I have still been working hard and have had some very good classes. I have been teaching City and Guilds Machine Embroidery and City and Guilds Patchwork as well as my day at Snaresbrook art project. I also started attending a jewelry making class in Romford with a girl called Di. She is brilliant and has a shop in romford (www.dizzydi.co.uk) the classes are £10 for a two hour session and you get all the materials too!!!!!!!!!!

Here are some of the things I have been making, as you can see i've got a bit addicted....



I have been working on bits and bobs as Kirsten and I have been selling our work, most of the time I have been working on things that sell rather than on exhibition pieces.

My husband and I have been going to Barleylands on a lampwork course, making glass beads, it has been really nice to do something together and after the class we go for lunch, another added bonus. Talking of Barleylands, I went to see Linda Monk of Purple Missus on Sunday Craft Arena where she was signing her book and had all the samples on show, I have done a class with Linda and she is brilliant so needless to say I bought her book. I also bumped into Sharie from Sharne's Bit 'n' Bobs and Jill from Vintagerockchick. So needless to say I felt very inspired when I left everyone so watch this space I think I will start a piece for an exhibition...

Sharon

Thawing out......

We braved the cold at the week end to do the craft fair at The Old Slate Yard in Forest Gate. There were lots of numb toes all round but it was a really good atmosphere especially on Sunday when everyone came by to see the nativity and join in the christmas carols.......





We've got this week end off but am back next week end at The Sparkle Fair in Wanstead, luckily inside for this one so we'll be nice and cosey. It'll be a great chance to get any last minute christmas presents.


I'm off to Winter Wonderland tomorrow for our girlie annual trip to Hyde Park for a good old dose of Christmas joy. If I can manage buggy, baby and camera in between all the crowds i'll try to take some pics. Also it's the first time of braving the underground with 2 buggies and hoards of Christmas shoppers, so wish us luck!

Kirsten x