Made by Hand 2012 at Tredegar House

Here are my stand images from Made by Hand Contemporary Craft fair from last weekend. I had an enjoyable 3 days exhibiting, took some good sales and met some lovely people.. All round a successful show! My new Jewellery range, Lace bird on vitreous enamel proved be popular, as well as the enamel postcard series. I now hope to get some pieces in galleries before christmas!

My enamel work, jewellery and tiles on exhibition at Washington Gallery Penarth.

Cardiff Arts Collective at Eisteddfod 2012

Preparing to sell-Made by Hand 2012

An informative morning spent at Tredegar House today. Lovely people and lots of handy advice shared!

Preview of Summer show at Craft in the Bay last week

Great news!..I have just heard that I've been selected to show at this years summer exhibition at Craft in the Bay' Cardiff.

LOST & FOUND

This recent work has just been accepted to sell with online retailer  'notonthehighstreet'...

Chapter Arts car boutique!

Stitch and line

Since starting this project I have began to draw comparisons between the aesthetics of lace and the hand written word. The definition of lace as a decorative open work fabric in which pattern of spaces is as important as the solid areas gives a close description of the text that I have been collecting. The various techniques and construction of lace are nearly as diverse as the variety and expression of the hand written word. Some heavy and coarse, others delicately intertwined. The manipulation of line similar to the looping and knotting of the thread. The tension of line and the push and pull of the needle, one to make motif or patterning of  fabric and the other a signature of handwriting.

As the crow flies, brooch.

This printed map design on a pre cut copper bird is one of my experiments using digitally produced transfers from my own images. I have a fascination with old postcards (pre 1940), maps, and hand written text.

The content of the written card allows a glimpse into the thoughts and feelings of an individual from a bygone age, often revealing a small piece of domestic, romantic or personal social history. The postcard was the equalivant of modern email or text but yet seems to carry more meaning, probably from the character of the hand written word and the evidence of it's journey through time, the stamp and franking, all add to its authenticity as a document from the past.

   

Design development-Print and Stitch.

Visit to C.I.R.I.C ..the home of the water jet cutter! and Illustrator training

This process is becoming a little clearer to me now. It has been worth while visiting CIRIC before I start the IllustratorCS5 workshop, as there are certain design perimeters that I need to consider first. This could greatly effect cost of the cutting. If I don't stick to these restrictions I could waste time and money.
As for illustrator...it's practice, practice  all the way hope I can crack the pen tool soon!!

Above are some pics from a previous visit to CIRIC. I was experimenting with laser etching a lace pattern into wood and lino cut. I have also acid etched this image into copper for blind printing.

Transfer printing onto vitreous enamel

Previously, I have screen printed my own transfers, although a lengthy process they seem far more user friendly and more robust in the kiln. The decals I have had digitally printed are difficult to get spot on and a little frustrating to use.
I intend to experiment with the kiln ramp rate, slowing the temperature up to max to see if that helps.

These photo's are my first experiments with my new kiln showing both types of decal, hand printed and digital.  I have used imagery from vintage postcards and handwritten lists, showing measurements and weights of wool and knitting yarn! the names of the different types of yarn are great, Big chief, Penguin Tweed, Beehive Bouclet.

Enamel test samples. Antique lace, dolies and haberdashery finds!

I have just ordered another range of colours to test in the kiln.. this can be an expensive business for sure! These pics are my tests in stencilling royal blues and blacks and various shades of green. I particularly like the royal blue and black combination, it really shows the luminosity of colour well and reminds me of silhouettes in cameo jewellery.

CPD- Support for makers and designers in Wales, Cardiff

Fantastic day at Craft in The Bay, an informative and enjoyable way to spent the afternoon with like minded folk!..looking forward to attending more!

Screen prints created at PrintMarket Project, Canton.

Following images show work created last year at the Print Market project .
An Arts Council of Wales funded Master class with Artist Pete Williams.

Here, I screen printed directly onto old, handwritten postcards with added stitch. I particularly like the fragments of words that can be seen through the printed dragon fly. I hope to re create this image in my enamel work.