The Holmfirth Art Market

I went down to see my chums at the first day of the Art Market - it was amazing! There were some very talented people exhibiting today... and will be next week too. Although I was too late to get my name on the flyer, I will be there on Sunday 13th June. Please pop down to see me and say hello!

Screenprinting at Factory4

I recently took a 6 week screen printing course at Factory4 workshop and enjoyed it so much. I think I was trying to run before I could walk etc - desperate to try and come up with my own designs and more importantly, take away something of use. But that's exactly what I ended up doing. By the end I had 30 screen printed paper bags for the next craft fair, one tote bag and 4 T-shirts. Here are a few photos from the classes.

Presenting Emily Farncombe and my beautiful new piano stool

I bought an antique piano stool about 10years ago thinking that I might re-upholster it myself but after all these years, it was time to face up to the fact that I was never going to do it. So who better to re-upholster this but the lovely Emily Farncombe (another fellow Artsmix award winner alongside myself this year!). Emily and I did a 'skill swap' (swapped a piece of art for the piano stool to be re-vamped) we are both really chuffed. I'm using the piano stool at the Holmfirth Art Market; not only to sit on, but to store my packaging in also. I think Emily is pleased with her piece too! The very sophisticated tweed used for my stool is also the same material as Emily's cushions in her living room - so her butterfly piece was made from deep purples, pinks and beige. Emily worked on my piano stool down at Factory4. This is where I did my screenprinting course (photos to follow shortly). Check out the website if you are interested in doing any of the courses.

I also made Emily a cute little brooch - handcut perspex with a vintage map from Stainton (near Penrith) which just happens to be where Emily went to primary school! Hopefully the Factory4 workshop will be getting a laser cutter soon (to prevent me from almost cutting my fingers off making one of these with a jewellery saw!).