MA Textiles

During my last year of university I started to think more and more about doing an MA in Textiles. I took part in the Research Conference at my university which was a challenge that I enjoyed. I recognised a personal and professional development at BA level which I would like to continue at MA level. I feel that completing an MA in Textiles would help me to expand my knowledge and allow me to progress in a new and innovative direction. I feel that I would benefit greatly from a higher level of education, conceptually and personally.

I would like to continue to explore old processes in a new way and make use of facilities such as the print room, library and archives as well as taking full advantage of the feedback and guidance from staff and students.

I am intrigued by the things that I hear and read as well as the things I see. The desire for my work to be meaningful influences the things that interest and astound me which in turn influence the way I work. I am interested in social issues and the way in which they are portrayed in the media. This has meant that my work has contained narrative and has made me think about the way in which people perceive things and think about the way I draw. Drawing more figuratively and carrying out market research on people’s perceptions has been invaluable to me and this is something that I would like to do more of.

By trying to manipulate stereotypical notions and changing a viewer’s perception of an object or the order in which their mind registers what their eyes see is something I am keen to develop in the future. At MA level I would like to investigate these ideas further and look into recycling other materials/objects. Perhaps by looking at things that are not currently recycled or are not efficiently recycled and continue to use and develop skills that I already have in an innovative way.

Studio conversion!

When I started this conversion project, I didn't realise how much work was involved! So far, a velux window has been installed to let more light into the room, the walls have been pinned retrospectively to make it safe, all the electrics have been rewired and moved around, and most recently the plumbing has been done! There will be hot water - how exciting! Next on the agenda is insulating the roof. My dad and husband will be installing this.... so it may take some time!!

I'm still alive and sewing!

The last two years of my life have been a bit of a whirlwind! I have been engaged, married, bought a house and had a baby - in that order. With all of this going on, my passion, embroidery took a bit of a back seat. 

My baby Samuel was born at the beginning of this year and now he is four months old I have a few hours back to myself in the evenings. I have not yet had a full night's sleep since he was born but my body has now adjusted (as much as it ever will anyway). You realise what a precious commodity time is when you have a baby and the speed at which you can get things done increases tenfold. It is almost like a little game every day to see how much you can actually do while the baby sleeps. I have found this is far more appealing than actually sleeping myself! 

Now we have decorated the baby's bedroom and our own bedroom the next step is to get a studio space for myself. I was originally planning on using the third bedroom - the box room, as this was already kitted out like an office. Having unpacked all of my arty farty stuff in there, I was just not feeling the love for this space. I have now decided that the second half of my garage would make a much more suitable space. However, the conversion is quite a big project! I am planning on having a velux window in the roof and I need a lot of the electrics moving around and a bigger sink fitted! Obviously this all costs money and so it won't be done over night but I am aiming for September. I am starting off by clearing it out! I wonder how many naps it will take for me to get this done? I will keep you updated with the progress!

Knitting and Stitching Shows Graduate Showcase

The last of the Knitting and Stitching Shows is now over...... boo hoo. I had a great time in London, Dublin and Harrogate and is thankful to everybody that stopped to speak to me or bought something from me whether it be something big or small. I am extremely grateful to the Embroiderers' Guild for selecting me to be part of the Graduate Showcase. It was an amazing experience! Now that the shows are over I am looking forward to starting my next project and putting all of my effort into my MA in Textiles.

Dublin

Harrogate

Some of the brooches I was selling

Location, location, location.....

Last week I took my lampshades out and about with me so that I could get some different shots of them. I am interested in how they can be perceived differently depending on the location that they are set in. It was really good fun taking the pictures and chatting to the passers by that couldn't help but stop for a nosey.

Pinterest

I have just noticed that I am featured on Pinterest

http://www.plink.co.uk/wordpress/2011/08/new-designers-part-one-2011-futuristic/

Check out the link to see some of the other exhibitors featured on there. It was really nice to read that I was described as one of the 'top future inspired picks' from the New Designers Exhibtion this year.

Featuring on AVA Books Blog.....

At New Designers Exhibition in London I was approached by AVA Books and I am now feautured on their blog. Check out my student profile by clicking on the link http://blog.avabooks.com/?p=1883

Getting ready for my next project.....

I have been collecting beer cans for my next project and now I have three black bags full I thought it was about time I started to clean and prepare them. I have spent the evening outside washing them out so they are ready to work with. That is the worst part over..... thankfully

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!

Berlin S/S 11 Interiors

Aluminium Car Art

I am experimenting with using beer cans as a surface for my textiles designs. I have been on google to see what other people have made using beer cans and found these little cars. 

Tord Boontje - Kean Street Installation

Tord Boontje - Garland

A long metal garland of flowers that can be wrapped around a light bulb..

WGSN - A/W 11/12 Interiors Pattern: 360°

Tokujin Yoshioka - Recycled Aluminium

Aranda/Lasch - Fauteuil Chair

Press release....

The portrayal of social issues in the media compels me. I can't help but wonder what impact or influence they leave on the readers, especially when we are simultaneously faced with contradicting stories.

Working with new media...