ArtShades

Showing in Pershore 20 and 21 November

Next week I will be exhibiting with the Worcestershire Guild of Designer Craftsmen at our annual Christmas Show.  We've moved it from Worcester to Number 8 Community Arts Centre in Pershore this year.

 

If you'd like to join us at the Preview on Thursday evening (19 November) and haven't received an invitation by post, please email me.
 

Gallery lampshades delivered

I was due to deliver the collection of map shades to the Gallery today and thankfully it was a bright morning which enabled me to take a few photos before I packed them into boxes.

 

These three shades were made using an old map which was mounted on cloth.  It was quite stiff which meant I couldn't roll the edges over the frame as I usually do.  So I used a gingham binding on two of the shades,

 
 
but on the third I experimented by stitching a sheet of plant-fibre paper across the entire surface of the map and then cutting out 'windows' (a technique known as reverse applique that I use to create patterns in my non-map shades).  The vertical lines reinforce and hide the folds of the map and the horizontals allowed me a hem to roll over the frame.

 

These shades have an aged look which is particularly appealing when illuminated.  I think they'd look great in a study.

For those customers who are map enthusiasts (or buying them as a present for someone who is) I have made little swing tags with details of the map I've used.

I also took along a table lamp with a more contemporary feel

and a few ceiling pendant shades

with rolled edges

I'm happy to work to commission if you'd like a lampshade made from a map of your local area.  Feel free to email me. 
 
 
 
 
  

The First of Three Christmas Shows

As I mentioned here, The GreenStage Gallery in Bishops Frome commissioned map shades for their Christmas exhibition and they are nearly complete.

 

They asked for one large pendant shade to hang above the reception desk and so I managed to lay my hands on two consecutively numbered OS maps from the 1970s which were still in sheet form and unfolded.  I have joined the two together to make a whopper 20" diameter by 24" high.  This is the only lampshade of the collection that uses a non-local map and is left un-appliqued.  Its is of Edinburgh and its environs.

All the others feature Herefordshire and Worcestershire and are appliqued with plant fibre paper to add definition and to hide the major fold lines.

My young son astutely pointed out that they are not my usual style and of course he is right.  They are a diversion from my normal colourful stitched-and-cut patterns, but the next two shows will see a return to my signature style.

The show runs until 10 January 2010 and is at  

GreenStage Gallery,
Hop Pocket Craft Centre,
Bishops Frome,
Worcester WR6 5BT

A Muddle of Maps

I'm creating a body of work for the Greenstage Gallery in Bishops Frome and I am surrounded by old maps.

I have tried to source as many local ones as I can to make into lampshades for its Christmas Exhibition.

This is an old Bartholomew's map mounted on cloth.

 

The colours are soft and muted.

 
Some of the old OS maps have stronger but just as beautiful colours, with a lovely vintage feel.

I really like the cover designs of the Seventh Series maps of Great Britain from the fifties.

I may try and make swing tags using an image of the cover for each lampshade.

I'm still at the planning stage, so will show you some finished shades in due course.
 
 
 
 

Making lampshades for home

One of the interesting things about visiting open studios is seeing the artists in action.  However, for the artist or maker it can prove to be a serious distraction; for those of us used to working on our own it can be difficult to concentrate and a challenge to make any worthwhile work while demonstrating our craft.

That's why during h.Art this year I decided to work on some pieces that were more involved than just small samples, but not so vital as to be a disaster if I messed them up while chatting to a visitor.  They were for my own home.

Working on this one I received mixed responses - either people looked aghast that I should be creating something so far removed from my usual style, or they smiled knowingly as only an indulgent mother would!

My sons are delighted. There are three panels to the shade, each appliqued with a skull and crossbones.  One can be seen as you enter the room, one from their cabin bed and the other from their chair by the window.  I've really enjoyed decorating their room with their chosen black and white theme.

The second lampshade I have been meaning to make for over a year.  Yes, lampshade makers also have bare bulbs hanging from their ceilings!  I combined panels of plant-fibre paper with a map of France which I chose purely for its decorative potential.

The panels of colour are those I have used in the table lampshades (made many years ago) and the colours in the map echo my favourite Paris map cushion.

 

My husband gets back from Paris today - I wonder how long he'll take to notice the bare bulb is no more!

Bluebell Lamp

You meet some great people during Herefordshire Art Week open studios and last year I chatted with a lovely couple who offered me some real English bluebell bulbs as I'd explained that my garden was over run with Spanish invaders.

 

This week I was looking back through photos of my garden for design inspiration and this stylised bluebell pattern evolved.

 

My children immediately asked if we were keeping it for our 'blue room'. 

 

If it doesn't sell next week I just might....

South Coast Map Lampshades

In preparation for h.Art I have been making some tall, slim lampshades from reclaimed maps.

These two are from old Ordnance Survey maps of Hastings and Eastbourne which were printed about 40 years ago. 

I remember visiting many of the places as a child (as I grew up in Kent), especially Beachy Head and Camber Sands.

 

I love the muted colours of the old OS maps.

h.Art Local Art Trail - Make a Day of It

Once again local artists, makers and galleries in East Herefordshire have got together to put themselves on the map for h.Art. 

  

The route takes in a special exhibition at The Fold in Bransford (including my friend Sharon McSwiney), the lovely Blue Ginger Gallery in Cradley and Alex Wilkins (the blacksmith who made me some great lampbases) in Stretton Grandison.  Plus many others shown on the list below.

H.Art No.	Name	Exhibits	Location	Postcode/Distance to next
62	Ethnic Connections	Textiles, quilting, printing, felting, carding, spinning	Lower Eggleton (A4103)	HR8 2UN 1.25 miles
59	Alex Wilkins & Floyd	Blacksmiths – ironwork	Stretton Grandison	HR8 2TP 2.2 miles
126	Canon Frome Court	Variety + workshops.	Canon Frome	HR8 2TD ½ mile
60	Jenny Pearce, Sarah Walker	Willow baskets. Lampshades from stitched paper	Canon Frome	HR8 2TG ¾ mile
61	Guy Butcher	Furniture	Canon Frome	HR8 2TF 1.4 miles
125	Clissett Wood	Greenwood craft + Variety + workshops + horse & cart rides	Stanley Hill, Bosbury	HR8 1HE 2.1 miles
57	Greenstage Gallery Artists @ Hop Pocket	Artists Beth Richardson, Jane Eccles, Juli Anne Coward	Bishops Frome	WR6 5BT 7 miles on A4103/ 3 direct
		+ glass & lighting art glass studio (Unit 18)
56	Karen Bird, GuyWoodford	Sculptures, prints, garden abstracts +	Acton Beauchamp	WR6 5AF 3.75 miles
63	Blue-ginger Gallery	Calligraphy, ceramics, young artist Ellen Brigden, + Resident Artists: Carol Brook, Gary Jones, Philippa Day +	Cradley (A4103)	WR13 5NW 5.9 miles
64	The Fold	Group exhibition- 6 artists & makers	Bransford (A4103)	WR6 5JB

I can email you the map if you'd like one.  I promise it will be a great day out - just follow those pink road signs! 

As you can see Jenny and I are Venue 60 this year.   Do pop in and see us at work, we may even stop to share tea and cake!

h.Art is on its way

I can't quite believe September is just around the corner and hot on its heels is h.Art or Herefordshire Art Week for those unfamiliar with this brilliant event.

Now in its eighth year, h.Art features 131 artists' open studios and exhibition spaces throughout the border county.  It gives visitors the chance to see inside workshops and studios usually closed to the public, chat with the artists about the techniques and materials used and purchase original artworks.

Just two weeks from today I will be comfortably settled in to my studio-away-from-home surrounded by orchards, chickens, sheep and open countryside.  I'm once again sharing the home of basketmaker Jenny Pearce, venue number 60 in Canon Frome on the East route. The map is available here.

If you have been frustrated by the inconsistent opening times in the past you will be delighted to know that 106 of us will be opening for the full nine days of the event this year, from 11am until 5pm.

h.Art runs from 12-20 September 2009.  If you'd like a copy of the h.Art Guide and map telephone 01568 797842 or email arts@herefordshire.gov.uk

Holiday Snaps

Along with many others we decided to holiday in the UK this summer.  There were lots of places we wanted to explore and we had a great time.

  

 

  

   

  

 

Where did you go?