May on the way out

Lots of rain again, then some sun late afternoon. They say that April was unusual and May has certainly been unusual as far as the weather is concerned. Visited more Art Week sites today, came home to find the first comments on this blog, which was good. One day of May left to catch up on jobs and then I have to get on with the challenge that I have set myself. I am going to try putting some of my altered art on ETSY to see what response I get.

Family History

I have discovered that we have another Huguenot relative, Mary Ann Touchard, so far I have not been able to find any anything out about her, her name is clearly stated on Sarah Bayless's birth certificate. These photographs show the work that I put together for Bridget.
Cut the grass, may not sound like much, but as it's been soooooooo wet it was very long.
This first picture shows the printing on the calico ready to be mounted on painted villene.

These are the small panels that I hole punched and used eyelets at the corners.


All the panels were joined together with galvanised garden wire and suspended from a painted dowling rail tied together with ribbons.

Cheddar

Helped Bridget celebrate her birthday, good to see most of my family. The photographs are the birthday card in various stages of being made. Will load work on family tree tomorrow.
I am planning on creating something new each day in June, just hope that I can manage that.

Gloucestershire Guild of Craftsmen

I am going to their spring show at Barrington. Will visit some other Art Week venues as well. Had lunch at Burford, which was good. Visited six different sites and saw some interesting work, the main jewellery one made me want to come home and get creating.

Catch up Day

The list of jobs that need to be done today is rather daunting, so I best make a start. The weather has started to turn as they said it would, just hope that it stays dry for Bridget's birthday tomorrow.
I tried for the first time altering some photographs, this is just one of the experiments that I wish to work on. Here are some after sanding and with the first layer of water colour paint. Will embellish another day.

Daylesford

I am being taken to lunch at one of my favourite places, by a really good friend who always makes me laugh, a great tonic to see her. It is an amazing organic farm shop, that sells all sorts of interesting items, I just love exploring the various barns to see what they have found to delight us all. First of all I have to get my sweet peas planted out and other seedlings potted on.
Cloth Paper and Scissors arrived today, so many interesting articles to read.
My lime green ring has been in a treasury, here is a part of it.

Summer has Returned

It's been a beautiful day. I have started on a new textile project, lovely to be doing that again.
I need to get some more work displayed on Etsy and make the existence of this blog known to
more. Still catching up from Art Week.

Dead of the Night Thoughts

I was wide awake at 3 thinking through ideas, not the best time to be doing that. Connections is the key word that came to me and I will work on that tomorrow. I have to make Bridget's birthday present first, it is going to be something special as she has a special birthday. Will add photographs next week.

JR

Have been to be infused in the medical way. Have brought home the filter used on the drip to see what I can create from it. Spent the time reading Country Living and thinking about the way I could use the advertizing leaflets that drop out of any magazine or weekend paper that one purchases. This time there was a lovely booklet about produce from Italy with some great photography that I may well turn into an altered art book or possibly a collage.

Art Week - Day Eight and Nine

Had a really busy day on Saturday, so much so, that there was not enough time to add anything to this. I am sure that the sun helped with visitor numbers, it certainly helped my jewellery shine.
Today, Sunday has been much quieter. Busy mulling ideas over in my head about new work, looking forward to having a chance to experiment with various media.
I have been lucky enough to have two of my pieces included in a treasury, a purple ring and carnival earrings.

Art Week - Day Seven

A beautiful sunny morning. I managed to get a treasury on ETSY yesterday and this is a part of it., showing just a few of the JET members lovely work.

I had a real brain storming session with a good friend who is an artist about my work today. I am going to work on some new projects including combining family history with journals and some more wearable art. I feel quite inspired and want to start, will do after Art Week is over.

Art Week - Day Six

I am going to visit a silver smith and an artist today. I open up again tomorrow.
Here are some of my bags, the first is made from velvet that I have decorated with fabric paints, it is lined with contrasting blue silk. The second one is silk predominately fabric designed by Liz Lippiatt, it is embellished with ribbons and machine embroidery.



I have just had a quick look at StyleHive and to my amazement there was the button galore necklace Amy purchased on display under ETSY which was a favourite shop - quite rightly.

Art Week - Day Five

The photographs of my display
I have been to see other artists including one jeweller who has the most amazing silver work, who has also designed ranges for the TATE, it was fascinating to hear about the design process, to see the finished range and to see the packaging, which was so clever.

Oxfordshire Art Weeks is celebrating it's twenty fifth anniversary this year, I can remember visiting venues in the early days when there was a black and white brochure, now there are almost 400 taking part and it's a thick glossy brochure. It is a county wide open studio event, you may just visit someone in a room of their home, a purpose built studio or a group who are exhibiting together in a public venue. Meeting the artist and talking to them about their work is something special and is inspiring, I always want to come home and make something new.

Art Week - Day Four

Some blue sky first thing, but they say it will rain again. I am open at noon for six hours. Tomorrow and Thursday I am going to visit other artists that are exhibiting.

The Spring Beading Challenge pack arrived from Beads4You this morning and it's pink which I love.

Art Week - Day Three

Well, guess what we have another wonderful British day, grey, rain and a light wind. Tomorrow is expected to be better. Maureen, who was at college with me when I did my City and Guilds Creative Textile/Embroidery course is coming to help me today.

I sold several items including a silk scarf, friendly plastic earrings, and a pearl necklace. Made some more silver earrings including these with pearls. Adding some pictures of necklaces that I made for Art Week.

Art Week - Day Two

A dry if rather grey start to the day. I am going to plant my courgette plants, been going to all week, they have baby courgettes on them already. Really looking forward to Amy coming, have not seen her since December.
We had a visitor in the first hour and a second just after two. The afternoon picked up and I made several sales including my Spring Tide bracelet. The sun has returned and it's a wonderful evening.
Sold two items on ETSY this evening, so feel pleased with the weekend.

Art Week - Day One

Art Week has been quite interesting so far. I made some new earrings today, these included Sea Foam with African Opals.

Two hours to go before I open for my fourth Art Week Exhibition, feel excited as I have many new pieces of jewellery. Louise and Olivia are helping me today and then Amy is coming tomorrow.

12:40 now and not a sole has made it to my front door. It's pouring with rain yet again

Art Week starts tomorrow and I am almost ready. Business cards have been made this afternoon with my new design, which was created for me by Holly, I am really delighted with it, this is a snapshot of the design.

Oxfordshire Art Weeks 12th - 26th May 2007

I have just been to the launch party for Art Weeks at the Castle in Oxford, though damp, well actually raining, everyone seemed in a buoyant mood.

http://www.artweeks.org/

ETSY

I have a web shop on ETSY, see the link below. This week I joined
the newly created Street Team "JET" - Jewellery on ETSY Team, run
by two enterprising ETSY members, it feels good to belong to the
street team.

A New Adventure

Have decided to see if I can set up a blog, so here goes, it will take time I am sure