New felted pieces....

We finally got together at the week end to have a felting day. Although it wasn't as productive as our last day, due to too much chatting over tea, we did manage to make a few new bowls and beads for jewellery.

Here's some pics of us in action, just before I put my hand into my tea instead of the soapy water!!



And here are some pics of our new creations.....


I've left a few on the radiator drying but when they're done i'll post a few pics as well.

Kirsten

'Inspired by Morris' starts this week end.....

Make sure to pop along to the start of a great new exhibition, starting this week end and running until Christmas at the William Morris gallery. 50 artists have taken inspiration from the legendary William Morris from textile artists, ceramics and even film makers. So pop along and see how the artistic legacy of Morris still lives on through modern contemporary artists today.

The exhibition has also been selected as part of the Story of London 2010

Plus my mum's piece got selected, which always makes me proud to see her work hanging in an exhibition.

Here's a reminder of her amazing work.....


Kirsten

It's official.....

the single Shame by Imani Hekima has been released on itunes. It's very exciting to see something i've designed out there for everyone to see.

Imani has a great soulful voice which you can check out on his myspace page, it's amazing that he produced every element from all the instruments and vocals.

Hope you enjoy and please share with friends and family.

Kirsten

Rishta Desigs

This is the work of an innovative, inspiring, creative textile designer who loves to experiment with colour, texture, and different fabrics, to produce unusual "unique" individual pieces, such as cushions, canvas art, and wall hangings.

Please contact Rishta designs for more information or email if you are interested in viewing more of her collection.

Hamlila.patel@googlemail.com mobile 07961796298.

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

Printing follow up.....

Here are the other prints I was working on which I finally managed to print up. It's so satisfying when you peel up the paper once its gone through the press to see the final images. Especially after spending hours bent over the lino carving it out. I love this blue printing ink I got recently. I tried to mix in some red to get a purple which didn't quite work but I did get this lovely plum colour instead. That's the other great thing about printing you never quite know what you're going to end up with. I'll be adding them to our Etsy shop soon, so keep an eye out for them there.






After spending a weekend on a boat I think that's going to be my next attempt on some prints. In my next life I am definitely going to live on a boat and be a hippy artist. It's so peaceful and calming, here is where Paul's dad lives, in a marina just outside Nottingham. So you can see why I am always trying to fit in a visit to the in-laws!

Kirsten

Do you value the arts? Support the campaign today!

It's a little late but i've just heard about the petition to save the arts funding so please quickly sign today if you can.....

If you are interested in the arts in the UK then you might be interested in signing this petition to the Government to try and prevent radical cuts to current levels of arts funding, which will decimate what has been one of the UK's chief success stories over the past 20 years.

The Prime Minister has pledged to take seriously any issue backed by a petition with 100,000 signatures. The DCMS meeting about the future of arts funding is taking place on Tues 14th September. So time is short.

The petition is part of a national campaign that is organised by a consortium of London galleries, arts organisations, and artists.

Please spread the word and share the link provided below via your forums, blogs, sites, and social networks.

www.savethearts.org.uk