Transforming Beer Cans

These cans were like mini samples for me. I played around on smaller surface areas and then returned the can to its original state which was far more fun than keeping them flat.

Exciting News.....

After exhibiting this year at New Designers in London I was spotted by The Embroiderers Guild and have been selected to to take part in The Knitting and Stitching Show - Graduate Showcase in London, Dublin and Harrogate. These shows take place in October and November of this year and so I have a lot of work to do to get ready for it! Better get started........

'I heard it in the news'

As part of my final degree show as well as making lampshades I made a table. You can't see the table clearly on my degree show pictures and I have not had my table photographed professionally yet. So I have put up a few pictures I have quickly taken myself so you can have a closer look. This table is based on stories that I have read in the media regarding alcohol abuse and is named 'I heard it in the news'.

Bolton News

Here I am proudly appearing in the Bolton News after they had taken my picture at the open evening of my degree show.

 

New Designers 2011

I had a great time at New Designers this year and enjoyed speaking to people about my work. I received interest from various galleries and shops as well as the embroiders guild which was very encouraging. 

Degree Show

After many late nights in my studio, blood, sweat and tears..... my degree show is finally up.

Working towards my final degree show

Intrigued by the overwhelming amount of stories regarding alcohol abuse communicated in the media has led me to evaluate the society we live in. By illustrating the media’s representations as well as academic theories and personal experiences, my artwork inevitably contains narrative. The used cans also communicate ideas of recycling and what we perceive as worthless or waste, transformed and given new life and meaning.

To achieve an inventive and contemporary means of communication, I have experimented with textile techniques including print and embroidery in combination with processes such as sanding and punching on a non textile surface.

Using the original colour in the cans, translucent metal paints as well as embroidery threads I have created an innovative marriage of colour. After months of drawing and sampling I am pleased to introduce my lampshades which are made completely from beer cans.

I started off by making a simple lampshade to see how the cans would behave and then moved on to a more difficult shape.

Taking a last look at my lampshade before I attached the tassles.

Here are my tassles. These tassles are made from beer cans too... in fact they contain around 5400 individually hand punched pieces of beer can which are then sewn together. I am still amazed that my punch did not break whilst making these tassles!! 

Finally the tassles are attached! Please ignore the mess in my studio :-)

Bradford Textiles Society Design Competition

Earlier this year I entered the Bradford Design Competition and won First Prize as well as the Premier Vision Award. I have uploaded some of my design development for this competition as well as final samples. Working with beer cans was a new thing for me and since winning these awards I have developed this idea further. Me and the cans get along much better these day with fewer broken needles and cuts!