Amended dates for 'Spirit of Place' exhibition

Alston Hall have asked us to extended the dates of our exhibition 'Spirit of Place' due to such good comments and feedback from visiting members. The Exhibition will now end on Saturday 30th August.

We have sold quite a few pieces of work, especially Suzanne -well done to her, and the comments in our Visitors Book are very favourable.

Congratulations go to all members that contributed in making a lovely colourful thought provoking exhibition.

Eileen has now sold her large wall hanging and Sue T a bag- this is looking good!!

We have now had an article in Lancashire Evening Post in Fab Five & a full page spread with photos & a lengthy report on the Group- hopefully this will generate even more interest in the exhibition & promote the group.

Wonderfull!!!!

EG Summer School

I have just come back from another exciting but tiring Summer School- I decided to do the 3 day workshop with Alex Jacob Whitworth 'From Walk To Wall'

This was a very art based design workshop and took most of us out of our comfort zones. However as usual I took what I liked from it, and will use the design techniques in my work in future-or at least try to!!

I have yet to complete some of the projects,& when I am pleased with them I will add some pictures to this blog.

However here are a few to be going on with-

'Encaustically Rich' workshop

NB.This workshop has been cancelled & a new date arranged for Saturday 4th October. Same details as before.

My new workshop 'Encaustically Rich' will be held at Avant Garden Centre, Wigan Road, Leyland, PR25 5XW 10.00am to 4.00pm on Wednesday 10th September. Please contact Avant on T01772 433777 to book & obtain a requirement list. The price is £35.00 for the day which will include a light lunch, all refreshments during the day and the use of encaustic equipment.

The aim is to make pieces of jewellery, eg earrings, necklaces, bracelets & brooches, which you can wear yourself or give as presents for birthdays & Christmas.

African Inspired earrings

Earrings & necklace

Indian Inspired earrings & necklace set

Earrings & necklet set

 We will also be applying waxes to fabric in different ways, this fabric can then be stitched into & perhaps beaded. You will then have a selection of fabrics which you can then use to make bags, purses, mobile phone/spectacle cases or book covers, either at home or in a further workshop.

The technique is simple to learn, but great fun and the end products are both beautiful & unique.

Wax on fabric which has been hand embroidered & applied to a ground of felt to make into a book cover

waxed fabric bag

Spirit of Place-Preview

The preview on Thursday 3rd July went very well, a few visitors,group members & their families gave us some good feedback.

It was tricky as always to set up, but it looks stunning & very professional.

Here are a few photos of my work, I will add some general photos time permitting. We are now gearing up for the exhibition when it moves to Brabins Gallery, Chipping in September- maybe a few more items to be added!!!

'Light and Shade'

'Himba'

'Asian Heritage'(purse) 'Coral reef Seas'(scarf)

Metallica ( necklace & earrings set in background)

'Purchased'

'Colours of Calabria'

Design to Stitch

Unfortunately due to lack of students the workshop was cancelled, but rather than disappoint the two ladies I ran it from my home.
The day went really well and was enjoyed by both Sue and Vicky, who went home with a good supply of painted papers & 2 fabric pieces- hopefully they can use them in future projects!!

I have now managed to get the paint and glue off most of my fingers, it did help washing all the little pots etc that were used during the day!!.
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My next workshop will be on Wednesday 9th July 10.00am to 4.00pm- 'Design to Stitch' at Avant Garden Centre, Wigan Road, Leyland PR25 5XW  £35.00 which includes a light lunch & all refreshments during the day. If you are interested please ring Avant Garden Centre pn 01772 433777 to book and obtain a requirement list.

The ultimate goal of this workshop is to take away the fear of design & the cries of "but I can't draw". The aim is to experiment with various ways of creating a design with the ultimate idea of making a piece of textile art.

We will use photos, pictures from magazines, postcards & books, and we will develop various methods eg. sketching, collaging, mark making & the old ways of using your eyes to really look!!!

We will discuss more advanced methods of design as in Photoshop & the use of mixed media- Playtime again!

'Spirit of Place'

Well after 6 hours long slog we have set up the exhibition 'Spirit of Place' at Alston Hall. It looks great & we are hoping that the exhibition is seen by as many people as possible, & that loads of items are sold.

The exhibition runs from 30th June to 2nd August, with the preview on Thursday 3rd July 7.00pm to 9.00pm- the preview is open to all- so please come if you can.

The Hall is open seven days a week -9.00am to 5.00pm & some evenings- please contact the hall 01772 784661 to confirm.

The address is Alston Hall College, Alston Lane, Longridge, Preston, Lancs PR3 3BP.

Here are samples of some of the exhibition items;