Well I have nearly finished the two pieces for the Embroidery Guilds exhibition.

Wendy bought white canvas for all the Guild members to take home and then sew whatever way they wanted, the only clause being that it had to be white. I started well and all was looking white until I thought why not add some iridescent white sequins and some iridescent machine embroidery, both seem to be white but then I discovered they change to pink when being used!! Oops so I’ve broken the rules already and I’ve only just started!

They should have been handed in on Saturday but I have been so busy that I haven’t managed to finish them but they are nearly there. Here are some pics…..




The grey one I am calling French beach. I bought an experimental pack by Stef Francis from Craft Arena and with my embellisher made a background with the pack. I love using the embellishing machine as its so quick and easy. I then took it to France to sew but I didn’t do much sewing, having too much fun on my bike! So it seems like I have been working on it for ages and at long last I now have to take it off to the framers for them to put in a box frame.


The Guild Exhibition is called Stitched Up and it runs from 08/02/11 till 18/02/11 It’s being held at the Visual Arts Centre, Romford. For more information please go to the Romford Embroiders Guild web site and look under exhibitions.

Sharon

Etsy Craft Party at the VAC in Romford....

Yes it's true Etsy has finally come to Romford - I can hardly believe it myself and I bet there won't be any fake tan or hair extensions in sight! I can feel the Essex girl stereotype beginning to fade - at long last!

Anyway so The Visual Arts Centre, which is a gallery and workshop space owned and managed by the Frances Bardsley School for Girls is hosting a whole craft month starting off with a craft party tonight from 7-9pm.

From Etsy:
Throughout the evening (and the entire Craft Month) you'll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the Craft Council's exciting new CraftCubes (walk-in installations with audiovisuals allowing you to explore makers' studios and processes) and get tactile with a selection of pieces from their Handling Collection dating from the early 1970s up until today. All ages welcome!

When: Thursday, September 23, 2010. 7 - 9 p.m.

Where: The Visual Arts Centre, Brentwood Road, Romford, Essex. Map.

What: Chat with fellow crafters, delight your senses in the exhibitions and keep your hands busy at the Craft Stations, which will include projects such as bookmaking, felting, jewellery making, crocheting and knitting.

How: Please RSVP to djh_fbs@yahoo.co.uk. Closest train station is Romford, easily accessible from Liverpool Street and Stratford. From Romford station, it’s a short walk or Bus Ride to the venue.

Who: Anyone and everyone!

What to Bring: Feel free to bring along any portable crafts you'd like to work on during the evening.

VAC Craft Month Full Programme Of Events — 2010

The courses and workshops are suitable for those aged 16 and above. An exciting programme for the underaged will also take place during October Half Term. Contact Deborah for more info (details below).

Short Day Courses cost £17.50
2 Hour Workshops cost £12
Prices include materials and refreshments.

Thursday, September 23, 7 - 9 p.m. — Free to attend!
Craft Month officially opens with an Etsy Craft Party!

Saturday, October 9, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
1) Paper making course.
2) Wire-wrapping techniques jewellery course.

Saturday, October 16, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
1) Bookmaking course.
2) Cupcake decorating course.

Thursday, October 21, 4 - 6 p.m. or 7 - 9 p.m. — Free to attend!
Beginner's How to Sell on Etsy workshop with AmityUK.
These workshops are intended for newcomers to Etsy, but Amity will also be happy to share the tips for selling successfully, which she's accumulated since setting up her shop in 2006.

Thursday, October 28, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. or Friday, October 29, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Traditional Japanese paper-making course: Creative Landscapes.

Saturday, October 30, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. or 1 - 3 p.m.
Screen-printing Festive Cards workshop.

Saturday, October 30, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Finding Felt workshop: Simple felt ball purses with a festive twist.

Saturday, October 30, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. — Free to attend!
Craft Market. £10 per stall.

For more info or to book your place:

Contact Deborah Holland on 01708 477 368 or email djh_fbs@yahoo.co.uk

To see the full page click here
See you at some of the events....

Kirsten

Material girl’s exhibition:

Some of my friends and old students are having an exhibition as part of the Material Girls. I went along today with Jill, one of the exhibitors and friend who I met at college quite a few years ago. Although I was invited to the private view I don’t usually like them as they are usually busy and you don't get a good chance to see the work properly, so I was lucky today and got to view the work at a quiet time.

Jill's recent work in this exhibition is based around skeletons and as we meet up every Monday and work together I have been living with these skeletons for a while now and have grown to love them. So it was great to see little red spots on over her work and 3 commissions on order, well done Jill!

The other work was good too so if you live near by please pop in. It's at the visual arts centre on Brentwood Road in Romford until Saturday 6th Feb.
Phone for opening times on 01708 447368 ext 238

Sorry the photos aren't that great as I took them on my new phone, I think I need a bit more practice!


Sharon