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.

Art Trail...Last Day Sunday 11th September

It's the Crossing Borders Art Trail this weekend, it also happens to be Saturday already so this is a little late to be letting you know about it, but I thought you might forgive me if I posted a few pictures taken of my screen-printing demonstration/s; what started out as one demo at 1pm turned into 3 demos throughout the day as lots of people were very interested and I do like to please!

I have set up my temporary studio in Julia Cunningham's kitchen, a textile buddy who let me camp out at her fabulous abode over the weekends activities. And I managed not to get dye everywhere...very pleased with myself!

Thanks to everyone who has made it along so far and hopefully see some of you there tomorrow...

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.

Long time...No See

It has been a while since my last update, about a month and a half, however this hasn't been because I haven't been doing anything worth writing home about but more that I've been so busy I haven't had time to update you on what GraceInk has been doing! So a quick update, I did my stint at The West End Fair in Edinburgh at the beginning of August (what a busy run up to that one) which was with a couple of textile friends (we're named the Borders Textile Trio if you're wondering) and then I ran a workshop at the Fringe Conference in Doncaster last week. See picture above to catch some screen-printing action!

And then I had myself a little holiday back in my home town, which was great. I got the chance to catch up with friends and family and not do any work, which was just what the Doctor ordered after a very hectic 2 months. (I also squished in an appearance at the craft fair at Harestanes and the Morningside Makers Market since last we talked). Check out above for a cool stencil one of my lovely participants created at my workshop in Doncaster. And I promise that it won't be as long again until next we talk...

Paxton House & Crossing Borders

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.