Ever wondered what 32
GraceInk purses look like just after they've been printed?
If the answer to this question is 'No' then look away now, scroll to the end of the posting...quick march!
Because here is a picture of my print bed looking very colourful after a couple of hours printing a selection of different designs to be made into beautiful purses in the not to distant future.
Anyway, enough of what a busy bee I've been today, just wanted to let you all know that I'm not shy about a bit of manuel labour (of the printing variety of course). In other news, it is just ONE month until the
BCTF (that's what the preparation mention in the title is all about), for those not in the know it stands for the
British Craft Trade Fair and is happening down in Harrogate. The purses are part of my prep, I'll only need one of everything when I'm exhibiting because its a trade event and hopefully customers/clients will put in lots of lovely orders. However it is rather time consuming and illogical to produce one of everything, so I've made 32 of these, 6 different designs, so that I'll have some in stock if the need arises to send them out to some lovely shops in the near future.
And last but by no means least,
Rob Thomson (of Rob Thomson Furniture...check his work out
here), helpfully delivered some of my work to
Paxton House last week for the official opening of the season this Saturday 17th March.
Crossing Borders will once again be showcasing work from across the Borders and North Northumberland region including framed artworks (including some of my prints above), textiles, woodwork, jewellery and ceramics. Paxton House itself is a bit of a gem of a find, play crochet on the lawn, watch the salmon fishing on the tweed, check out the red squirrels in their own custom built home & enjoy a tour of this amazing stately home.
This is Paxton House which is a Scottish Palladian Mansion built in 1758 by John and James Adam and is situated on the banks of the River Tweed. And this is also where I will be finding myself one day a month until October, looking after the permanent exhibition presented by Crossing Borders members, of which I am one.
Crossing Borders is an arts organisation representing creative talent across the eastern border of England and Scotland. At the exhibition you'll find an array of hand-made merchandise including wood-work, ceramics, textiles, framed prints and fine art including a few pieces of mine for sale.
My first opportunity to spend the day looking after the goods on sale came back in June, I managed to sell a couple of pieces by other artisans and only had a handful of people through the door which I thought was pretty impressive. Because it was quiet (it wasn't quite the school holidays yet), I managed to draw this picture above of a friends and fellow crafter's house. We are doing some bartering at the moment! This will eventually be printed and framed (& I hope take pride of place in her home)!
Anyway, why am I telling you all this, it's just to let you know that I will be there this Wednesday (July 13th) for another day, so if you happen to be passing by this part of the world then I would really recommend a visit. It is a hidden gem, I took another friend for a bit of birthday crochet (they also have a putting green and woodland walk) the other week and won extra brownie points because they have lots of highland cows hanging about...amazing creatures and my friends favourite animal.
