New Year New start.

Workshops at your fingetips......

Well, it has taken me a while, but finally I have managed to add online booking to my website.

It's simple, (at least I am hoping it is......!).  All you have to do is take a look at all the different workshops available, (of which there are many more this year....),  decide which one(s!) you would like to come on, go to the 'online booking tab', choose the workshop and add to basket!  And Bob's your flip!  (Whatever that means??!   I've always wondered....)

 And, I  just happen to have had two cancellations for my Feltmaking day workshop on Sunday, January 15th, so now is your chance to get those creative juices flowing and start the new year as you mean to go on!!  (More details available by clicking the workshop tab.)  There are three places available.  It should be a great day - and it is a 'you can make anything you like' day, so now's your chance.  And beginners are very welcome, it doesn't matter if you haven't felted before.

I am also in the throws of adding an online shop for my scarves and wraps, although that may take me a little while while as I catch up with myself after the Christmas rush.  Tidying is the order of the day - out with the old, in with the new and all that!   Organisation is the key word. Lets hope it lasts.

Happy New year everyone - wishing you a very creative year ahead.

Well - Entwined is now on, so if you haven't had chance to see it yet, it would be great if you could come to Woodend Creative Workspace Gallery to take a look..   The preview evening was absolutely amazing -   so many people - it was buzzing!   Thankyou to all of you who supported us on the night, and those of you who have been since or intend to come.   We have had some great comments about the exhibition.

So maybe now I can relax a little!?

For those of you who like to come on workshops, you will be pleased to hear that finally (sorry for the wait!) my new workshop dates are now online. Click here to find out more   .

This year I have upped the anti, and have increased the number of workshops, including some mid week courses, and textile, print and dyeing workshops as well as my usual   feltmaking techniques.  

I'm taking bookings, so now's your chance!!!

Until the next time.................. any bets on when the next one will be?

Entwined

Well once again, I have let things slip! My promise to write regularly seems to have gone out of the window.

Due to unforseen events, my summer did not go exactly to plan and has left me a little behind, so I have been frantically trying ot catch up with  myself.  September / October is most definitely my busiest time of year, and with lots of new opportunities arising, time seems even more elusive.

Firstly, if you are ever in or near Crystal Palace, please go and see The Scarf Gallery on Chapel St.  This is my latest outlet, and they have a great selection of my scarves and wraps, as well as exhibitions by various artists.

Also the Ropewalk Contemporary Craft gallery in Barton on Humber are another new stockist.

My latest challenge, and keeping me very very busy!  is getting ready for my next exhibition, (alongside Artist Jan Bee Brown and Jeweller Samantha Birch) ENTWINED.  Jan and Sam did a great job of styling the photoshoot, and Polly Robinson took some great shots, with models Tim, Rob, Angela and Issy doing a fantastic job, (considering the weather, which was pretty wet, although you would never know from the shots!)

If you get the chance please come and see it - we are hoping it will be a real experience - with lots of scarves and wraps, felt art and silver jewellery.  It is being held at Woodend Creative Workspace, from 12th November to 10th December 2011. More information available on website www.entwinedexhibition.co.uk.

Well, how exciting, I have just had a real flurry of scarf sales, and considering the time of year, it is quite unexpected, but greatly appreciated.  And my new 'pots' seem to be going down quite well with the general public, so I am all in all a very happy bunny.

Since Woolfest and Open Studios, my stocks have been severely depleted, so I can see a busy time ahead filling up my shelves again, and getting ready for September when all the galleries will be needing my new creations ready in time for Winter. (Do you always shudder a little when you hear that word!?  Still better than Christmas!!!)

If you are interested in Felt, and can manage to get there, Region 10 of the International Feltmakers Association have an exhibition, 'In the Garden' at the Signature Gallery in Kendal.  If you do make it, please be sure to look out for my 'Flowerpots' which are also on exhibition.  All work is for sale!

Photograph by Richard Wood Photography .

What a busy few weekends!  First of all, two weekends of Open Studios, followed directly by Woolfest! 

I'd just like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported me by visiting my studio and or my stand at Woolfest, and for appreciating my work.  (And once again to Chelsea, my work experiencer, for all the help she gave dyeing lots of wool nepps, slubs and cotton scrim!)

Journying up to Cockermouth for Woolfest with my friend Jan Bee Brown , (Artist, curator, set and costume designer!), we took our time, enjoying the freedom of a weekend away, getting sidetracked within the first hour by a short distraction in Helmsley! Fighting our way through the pouring rain we dashed into Agnus and Co, on Church Street, where we met Jan, a lovely lady, selling  scarves, jewellery and  fashion accessories; this followed by a visit to The Saltbox Gallery which is a beautiful gallery with a great selection of artists and artwork. A few pounds ligher, we continued on our way, stopping off at Hardraw in the Dales to visit Andrea Hunter's (felt artist) gallery. All very inspirational.  Continuing on upto Cockermouth to set up our stands at Woolfest. 

The whole weekend went very smoothly, with loads of visiors and lovely people, and some very positive feedback - so all being well, we both hope to repeat it again next year.  Well worth the effort, so for those of you who are a bit 'woolly', I definitely recommend a visit. Unfortunately/ fortunately, we were so busy, we didn't get much time to see everyone elses stands, which is probably a good job, otherwise may have spent far more than we earned!!

Well, here I am again!! Don't die of Shock!!

Another busy week getting ready for Woolfest  on 24th + 25th June.  My friend Jan Bee Brown and I are heading upto Cockermouth on Thursday.  We are Woolfest Virgins, but having heard how wonderful it is, we decided to  get a table each and exhibit our wares!  We can't wait to be amongst other felters, spinners, weavers and generally' woolly' people!

On the way we are hoping to stop off at Andrea Hunter's  gallery in Hawes.  Andrea's  felt pictures are amazing, so we are looking forward to seeing the real thing. 

Once again Chelsea has been an invaluable help, and I can't believe that two weeks is almost gone, tomorrow being her last day.   I shall miss her.  We have been dyeing, dyeing and more dyeing, in the hope that everyone will want to buy some of our beautiful wool nepps and hand-dyed scrim!! 

  Hand dyed scrim  hanging to dry outside my studio, and wool slubs.

Well what a great weekend with Open Studios .  After a slow start on Friday, Saturday and Sunday were non stop visitors, so thankyou to those of you who came, old and new! (And despite the inclement weather!)   It was great to see familiar faces, and people returning, especially when there are so many wonderful artists out there to see.

On Friday evening I went to the Gallery opening of Helen Birmingham  at 5 Belleview Parade in Scarborough.  It is well worth a look, with some wonderful work on show by Helen herself.  She also has a gallery space available for hire for those of you wanting somewhere to exhibit. As part of the renovation of the building, Helen  comissioned two beautiful pieces of glass by Rachel Welford, (also an Open studio artist), which have pride of place above the entrance door - they look fabulous, so definitely worth a look.

Today, Chelsea, (my workplacement student), has been helping me dye lots of wool nepps and  slubs in readiness for Woolfest, in Cockermouth, starting on 24th June. Chelsea has been a great help this last week getting ready for Open studios,  I don't know how I would have managed without her. (And of course my mum too!)

 I also have to thank my friend Maureen, for threading my loom last week! She wanted to do it!!! Honest.

For those of you who have been here before, you can't help but be impressed - only a week or so gone by, and here I am with another blog post!!!  I wonder how long it will last!?  Until the next time..............

Hi Everyone,

Well, for those of you who  know me - I'm not so hot on the BLOG front!  I think my last attempt was about two years ago!

So time for a new resolution!!  Feel free to contact me and tell me off (or remind me) if I  haven't 'blogged' you in a while.

I now have a new website - (still needs tweaking a little, so if you have any 'constructive' comments, get in touch.)  Contact me here....

A new online shop is planned in the near future, so you will be able to buy my scarves, bowles, artwork and many other wonderful felty things, as well as some wonderful felting materials such as hand-dyed scrim and wool nepps - so watch this space!

Open studio's is coming up next weekend (10/11/ 12th & 18/19 June) , so I am frantically trying to get organised for that, followed immediately by Woolfest on the 24/25th June , where I have a stand (next to my good friend Jan Bee Brown, and hopefully close to Jenny Pepper and Jackie Lunn - all great felters), where I will be selling all of the above.  Also info on workshops etc.  so it would be nice to see you at any or all of these events.

NEW

My latest creations.... Felt bowls with a difference.....