beginnings...

my job for 2012... well some of it.

this is the stage where one knows not where it will go and how it shall end up; the project and the year...

of course it's never how you imagine (and that's about as deep as I get).

It's happening...

finally...
because I got my new sketchbook - yey.

(thread by Chris)

At a loose end today?...

HURRY! Go to OUseburn Open Studios...

Update...

• Folio, Church Square, Hartlepool opens to the public this Thursday (with some of my things in it).


• Cobalt Studios, Newcastle are holding open studios at the end of this month 26th & 27th where you can buy quality products direct from the makers (with some of my things in it).


• And...some more of my 'things' are now firmly ensconsed in the DLI glass cabinet, just in case you're visiting that little gem.

I love my packaging

even if I do say so myself...

treasure

architectural salvage yard gorgeousness...

new outlet 'FOLIO'

a new shop that 'would not look out of place in Columbia Road', in...Hartlepool!

my own front window display (shared I admit).

styling by the FABULOUSLY talented Lyndon with paper hand-shredded snow and everything 'ooo'.

there is a slight fly in the ointment in that no-one knows exactly when the shop will be open, mmm, I guess that makes it all the more exclusive.

Design Event Weekend...

just a quickie... am off to meet the fabulous Stephen for lunch...and perhaps a little shopping.

be happy

and I shall see you at the preview tonight. read all about it here...
http://blog.artsthread.com



and get your free downloadable brochure here!

job well done...

NK and me...Sunday morning busy.

my mother - the brooch...

will soon be available to buy in the 'FOLIO' - the new shop/gallery at CCAD, Church Square...sometime in October...
providing the selection panel select it.

I'm back...

Trying out this new thing- posting from my phone... I quite like it .
Unfortunately I have nothing to blog about today so I took a picture of a pile of letters.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Design Event 2011...be prepared

I am now feverishly working on producing my pieces for the 'presents' section of this years Design Event Mart... from an initial product my 'range' has now developed into FOUR new products, a nice little selection, hopefully it will look more interesting when displayed too. The inspiration for these pieces comes from an ongoing fascination with militaria, and vintage ephemera particularly associated with wartime adornments; especially medals, insignia and emblems. Past work from these sources feels somehow unresolved in my mind and I have a passion in this area which compels me to continuously do more research, gaining further and still new, inspiration, allowing me to generate new ideas and ensuring I am constantly developing the related concept.
Materials used during the development, sampling and prototyping process included non valuable and workhorse materials not commonly considered to be aesthetically pleasing such as offcuts of plywood and clear acrylic sheet, together with papers - either used or ready to be discarded – some were taken from the bin in my studio… I found these papers the most interesting as they would ensure that every piece is very slightly different, giving an extra significance and added exclusivity.
I examined the use of traditional stitch as a binding process as an alternative to mass manufacturing processes or time consuming silversmithing techniques as a way to instill the personal and warm feeling that hand stitching evokes by using vintage army issue linen thread that was actually given to soldiers during WW2 to repair their uniforms and kit.
During the interpretation of Design Event’s theme of ‘Happiness’ my main thought was that purely by wearing an adornment or a beautiful piece of jewellery one would feel ‘happy’ although I did also play with the idea of using ‘joyous’ words, as I do consistently incorporate text within my work. Through natural progression and the design process, incorporating a level of ambiguity and allowing personal interpretation I finally considered (and used) the words ‘I AM...’ which would allow the owner to decide on their level of happiness (or otherwise) at the time of wearing, alternatively the simple statement ‘It’s a beautiful life’ – just a little reminder.

regarding nostalgia...

this does beg the question 'what is an emerging artist?'... someone who has not yet had a 'retrospective' exhibition, someone who has not shown at the TATE (for example), someone who does not (yet, hopefully) make stacks of money from their art, someone who is freshly graduated? I am all of those things except one, so I think I do qualify...

hot off the press...ooo

my copy has arrived... I am on page 298, don't know how I managed it looking at all the other gorgeousness in there! Buy/order here -Bargain !

I am here....

delicious. Rhodes.

my photo of the week...

on the way to the crypt in Middlesbrough Town Hall...particularly ironic are the nicotine stains I feel...

street...

...gallery
Birmingham -August '11

nostalgia...

exhibition at the biscuit factory cafe/kitchen:

22nd August to 13th November 2011

please go and if you like buy this. it's gorgeous.

This is NOT steam punk.

- just a use for some antique watch and clock parts I came across in a forgotten box in a cupboard in my studio... I scanned a dilapidated watch face and etched/ cut it from offcuts of plywood, stained them with coffee and ink and added the bits and jewellery findings. I feel they will be the last things I make for a while.

you win some, you lose some more...

this is about a brilliant idea, well I thought it was, unfortunately the panel didn't select it.
I recently pitched my idea for designing and making a limited edition commemorative product; which I enjoyed doing immensely I have to say. I would like to be VERY dramatic at this point but they were so nice it feels wrong... so I will just tell you all about my idea for a series of new pieces (medals!??!!)...which is still in the pipeline but will have to be for another project in some way, shape or form.

actually on second thoughts I don't know whether I can explain it in writing very well so I will just show you my sample/ design boards and dwell on the 'not being selected' business...




I think it's time to throw in a few old sayings for 'boosting' purposes...any more suggestions -please add...

• onwards and upwards
• I will get my reward in heaven
• practice makes perfect...
• it is all meant to be :-)
• there's plenty more commissions in the sea (ah - scratch that)
  

don't expect clever styling...(from me)

right here, right now (well on Saturday at Middlesbrough Town Hall it's DesignersMarketplace)! I am going through the usual last minute un-preparedness... but I shall do my best to appear to be organised and calm and pleasant (hard one that) with some good (!) stuff... it's always a good day for socialising and chatting and drinking lots of coffee (when I can persuade the lovely public to go to the coffee shop for me)...AND if every person who comes in spends a pound on my 'high quality goods' I can go on holiday...how cool is that, no pressure of course :-)

new !!!

I can't actually show you my final medal piece for Design Event Presents... it's strictly under wraps but will be unveiled at The Baltic in October 2011... hold your breath and save your money...it's a limited edition :-)

a little extra...

currently in testing for 'fitness for purpose' , this ring is currently standing up to a LOT of washing up (unfortunately I am having to do it).

thinking thoughts on paper...

Initial ideas and samples for Design Event Presents October 2011...a sneak preview (don't tell anyone).

the medaller...

a new medal is on it's way... am still working out idea's and in the early stages of trial and error. I am completely unsure as yet which will be taken through to production.
I may have to have a little poll...when I return.
I am off to London tomorrow for New Designers with 14 fabulous graduates for the week, can't believe it's come around again already...

collar and thread....

lots more development needed but I think it has potential...

and...I intend to make good use of these BEAUTIFUL threads from Chris within this collection...

as the crows fly...

I tidied my studio today as one simply cannot start a new project until this is done and I tied up some more birds. now I know this is not strictly 'tidying' but some embellishment is always good.

let the flutter begin.

leatheretch...

the title is a play on the word 'leatherette' cleverly indicating the etching done on the laser cutter...not the word 'retch'.

I am going to do something with this...

eventually...
I think I still need these...
http://bit.ly/kW9Tpz