WASPS Open Studio Update

Finally (I can hear you all sigh), I'm updating on the WASPS open studio which happened a couple of weeks ago now. I have a good excuse in the fact that I took a little break away straight after the event and since coming back have been a busy bee producing Christmas stock! So here is some images from the event, the first two aren't my own doing (as you can probably tell from the quality and that I appear in one of them!), a lovely lady called Christine popped along with her very glam camera and I asked if she could pass the photos onto me, which she kindly did. All these very talented people. The one below is the lead into my little space, I had screens, squeegees and portfolios on show so people could see how my textiles are made.

The weekend was very much a success; I chatted, I ate (far too much yummy home-baked goods), I listened to brilliant music and I even sold some work...which I guess is the whole goal of the show! Thanks to everyone who turned out and took part in the fun and frolics. There was live music throughout the weekend and this year Selkirk WASPS was supporting Children 1st with their charity wall.

And, check out the cool cards that were produced on the craft table by the kids, teenagers and adults of the Borders...the man with moustache makes me smile everytime I see him...amazing!

Selkirk WASPS Open Studio...This Weekend!!

This weekend (1st & 2nd October) sees the annual WASPS open studios, where the nosy among us get the chance to have a peek inside a working artist's studio. I'm highlighting the one I'm involved with in Selkirk, tucked away in the Scottish Borders, but you'll find them across the country (Scotland). Why not join us for yummy cakes, live music, arts and crafts to make and the chance to buy directly from the artist themselves. This year we are supporting Children 1st with our special charity wall.

Crossing Borders Art Trail

As I mentioned in my last post the weekend just past was the Crossing Borders Art Trail, it's an opportunity for Visual Artists and Designer-Makers to open their doors across the Scottish Borders and let the general public see where they work and what they make and hopefully sell a few goodies along the way! (I'll be taking part in the WASPS Open Studios in October and that is why I took part at someone elses studio)

Just thought you might like to see a few pics from the event, top one is of Julia and I outside her house with our sheep. Everyone that takes part gets a sheep to decorate to entice people through the door, Julia's sheep was all fluffy and due to are 'brilliant' climate had to be kept inside (you can see Woolamina in the window) and mine was a little more hardy ( sadly we never named mine...opps!)

We took over Julia's dining room for the event (I wasn't allowed to be left in the house by myself as I seriously would have done tours of the house while she was away...it's so beautiful...she has a very keen eye). Julia up-cycles locally sourced tweeds & fabrics and you should know by now that I'm a screen-printing extraordinaire, check out the pics above and below to see our pop up shop, Julia did a great job of getting the place set up and making it really accessible for everyone, we are now thinking of turning it into a shop for real...only joking!

Thanks to everyone that came out to support us, it was a great weekend with about 150 people through the doors over the three days with many sales, cups of tea and chocolates eaten. Stayed tuned for more exciting joint ventures in the future.

Hoorah! Russian Dolls finally make it to print...

It's been a long time coming but the first of my new Russian Doll pattern has been printed onto canvas bags in a pretty purple colour, just got to decide what colour ribbon to accessorise with. They'll be making their debut at next weekends Crossing Borders Art Trail, where artists and crafts people in my local area (Scottish Borders) open their doors so you can see where the magic happens! I'll be taking residence at a friend's house for the duration as a few weeks later my studio will be opening its doors for the WASPS open studio weekend extravaganza.

WASPS Spring Exhibition...it came...it went!

Wow! What a weekend. The Selkirk WASPS open studio was the weekend just past and was an amazing event, really happy that so many people came to support the group of artists and designers and many sales were made which is an added bonus! The Private View on the Friday night was buzzing, just a shame that we were all so busy having a good time that we forgot to take some photos...opps. Above is Saturday during the day, a really nice feel as people chatted and viewed the stunning artwork on show. Find out more about the individual artists here.

This is my pile of well lit cushions in the corner, thanks must go to Rob for sorting out the lighting for me as they looked really good and stood out with the light on them.

And here is the rest of my stand, I tried to go for an artwork hanging on the wall approach again to try and keep it within the style of the event, however I've been given a couple of good ideas for next time which I might try. I spent the weekend replacing the Tea-towels and Canvas Bags as they sold which I suppose can only be a good thing! Also I had a couple of framed prints which was a little different than usual.

And here is the other goodies that were for sale, plenty of cards for those (like me) that can't afford the artwork! Such a good idea as you can easily frame them and have your own mini artwork at home. I believe the next open will be in October and that one is nationwide so looking forward to that...keep checking the WASPS site for more information.

WASPS Spring Exhibition

WASPS (workshop and studio provision scotland) in Selkirk will be holding an exhibition of their members work between Friday May 20th to Sunday May 22nd. That includes me (!) and a whole host of other very talented practitioners from the Scottish Borders region. Hope to see some of you there...get in contact if you would like anymore information.

What a wonderful WASPS weekend

I should be heading for my bed (it's been a very busy weekend), but while I'm still buzzing from the WASPS open studio in Selkirk this weekend I thought I better let anyone that couldn't make it know what they missed out on!!

This was my display (above) within the communal space that is inside the industrial unit that Wasps occupies in Selkirk, to keep it in line with the other artwork being showcased (which is mainly framed artworks) I kept it sleek and simple and tried to display my tea-towels like works of art instead of kitchen linen. I took a few orders for my tea-towels over the event, which is great, and will be busy busy over the next week fulfilling those orders.

Here is a sneek-peek into my working space where all the magic (!) happens, it's looking very clean and tidy which has to be said isn't a common occurence...especially when it comes to the way I work!

This is a picture of the wonderful activities which were on offer for kids and adults alike, everyone went away very sparkly. Overall there was over 500 people through the doors which was an amazing turn out and it was great to see loads of familiar faces (as well as meeting some wonderful new people too). Thank you to all those that could make it along, it's great to know that WASPS is supported throughout the local community! There was great performances from two local folk bands and plenty of yummy cakes too which altogether combined to create a fantastic weekend, I'm now going to sleep for a week!

'Prints of the Orient' Exhibition

Throughout October, GraceInk Design will be showcasing Hong Kong inspired interior furnishing products at the Pushing Print Event taking place in Margate. The work was selected by Qing Art based in Margate to work alongside their own collection of home furnishings and furniture, which is a beautiful selection of throws, tables, lamps and cushions bursting with colour and pattern from the Orient. The website is well worth a look if you can't make it to Margate yourself...check it out here! (I'm saving my pennies for one of the beautiful throws)

And below, I finally managed to transfer my hand-drawn birdcage design onto screen and here are two of the finished results below (that are currently making their way to Margate), this design has become so popular that it's also adorning tea-towels and notebooks and I'm sure in the near future a whole host of other products. The notebooks will be on sale from Saturday, launching at the WASPS open studios!

WASPS Open Studio

The weekend after next (2nd & 3rd October) is the annual WASPS open studios which is happening Scotland wide and will be showcasing some of the artists and designer-makers Scotland has to offer. I'm based at WASPS in Selkirk in the Scottish Borders, where there will be live music, cakes and plenty of inspiring artwork and artists...so if you live near by why not pop along or see if there's a studio closer to you!