Photos From Open Studios

There is still a few days left to visit various artists in the Forth Valley area! Open studios is on until Sunday 16th June. I've been exhibiting at Back Lane Studio in Stirling (see my previous blog post for details) Here are a few photos from The Back Lane, enjoy.

 I love this display

 

 

Artizania Jewellery - on sale at Back Lane till the 16th June

 

 

The Back Lane (and a rare warm sunny day!)

Open Studios!

It's that time of year again - Forth Valley Open Studios. I have jewellery available here (see pictures below) and I'm "on duty" on Tuesday 11th June. I'm very much looking forward to the Back to Back studios in Stirling, and I'm also hoping to get round as many local artist's studios in the Forth Valley area as I possibly can! I normally start my "Christmas shopping" at Open Studios! (I know, I know... )

Making Jewellery Wraps

I have been needing jewellery wraps for a while now, finally at the weekend I decided to dig out my trusty sewing machine make my own!  They were great fun to make and the advantage being that I was able to tailor them to my own specifications. They will be so useful for when I'm going out to visit stockists to show them my jewellery. And yes, I finally found a use for some of that wonderful screen printed fabric that I bought at the car boot sale (see my previous post) I have more photos of the creation of my jewellery wraps on my face book page by clicking here FACEBOOK PHOTOS/JEWELLERY WRAPS

Jewellery wrap well underway, note my funky car boot sale fabric!

 

This did not happen overnight, I still consider myself a beginner
 at sewing so a lot of my spare time was invested in making them up 

 

Ooops did not notice the massive thread when I took this photo!

 

 Beautiful lace on the front (yes, another car boot sale fabric find)

 

My finished wraps, I can't wait to make more!

 

I'm definitely going to practice my sewing skills, because these would be great to sell - Watch this space!

Let's Go Retro!

I have a real love of car boot sales and charity shops, you never know what you're going to find. Last weekend I had a good haul. Saturday morning at the car boot provided me with a beautiful piece of screen printed fabric (1970s) and Sunday I was lucky enough to come across a 1970s floral tea tray and... some Mills and Boon books. Ok, I bought the books purely for the cover art work. I am trying to read one at the moment but I must admit I'm struggling. I love 1970s design and artwork but I don't like 1970s attitudes! Enough said. Mind you, I have got 3 books so maybe I'll try a different one and see how I get on. I wanted to like the story inside the book, I really did...

Stunning design, puts me in mind of the Biba fashion house

As you can see its a big piece of fabric!

I've not decided what I'm going to make with it yet

 

My lucky finds from the charity shop

 

Classic Mills and Boon cover art

I really should have removed price stickers before taking this photo!



Jewellery from a found object

I'm trying to get out and walk more so instead of taking the car to my local shops if the weather is agreeable I will walk instead. One of the benefits (apart from the obvious health/exercise of course) is that sometimes I will find interesting objects discarded on the ground. One lucky find was a heart shaped key ring, I couldn't just leave it there, as soon as I found it I saw a dramatic piece of jewellery, so here it is...

 This is the heart exactly as I found it,

I'm guessing it was a key ring in a former life

 

Creating the pendant bail

 

Add a selection of beads and charms

 and a piece of jewellery is created

Spring is here!!!

I have a tendency to "hibernate" during winter, hence the lack of blog posts recently (3 months is it?!) But Spring has now arrived so its time to get back out there! Now that the weather is a bit warmer I've been able to move into my new workshop (it was just too cold this winter even with the heater on full blast) I've re-decorated and I'm planning on spending a lot of time in here creating :-) Its been too long!!!!

My lovely new workshop

 

I've made an effort to personalise my workspace and make it a nice place to spend time, I brought down some of my favourite pieces of artwork to make me feel at home and to inspire me creatively. I'd like to draw your attention to the picture under the siamese cat, I was lucky enough to win this back in February. The artist is Anna Watkins and you can see more of her work here
www.annawatkins-artist.co.uk

 

Artwork by Anna Watkins

 

I found Anna via Facebook, one of my friends was a fan of her page (social networking actually does work!) You can follow this link to follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/annawatkinsartist  I highly recommend that you take a look. As well as creating beautiful artwork Anna promotes self development, well being and positivity through creating art, and her blog The Creative Path makes interesting reading ( I recommend her post "Spring Cleaning" for all you clutterbugs out there, I found it most useful) She also runs courses and workshops at her studio in Buckinghamshire - see website for details. So why not see for yourself and take a look at her website now, you'll be glad that you did.

 

Miniature picture that Anna very kindly painted for my Mum 

 

Oh and one more thing to prove that Spring really is here... Today just before settling down to write this blog post I was lucky enough to see a deer right outside my house, I just happened to have my camera to hand because I'd been taking photos for this post.

 

Beautiful - I feel very lucky to have seen him!









Jewellery Class February 2nd

Hello, this is just a quick blogpost to tell you about my next jewellery class at Resonate Arts House in Alloa. using cold enamelling techniques you will "cold" enamel your choice of pendant blank and then add embellishment using coloured wire and beads. This is a fun and creative workshop and suitable for both beginners and those with some experience.
Workshop date is Saturday 2nd February, 10 am untill 12 noon and costs £20 (including all tools and materials to make your jewellery) To book a place contact Resonate Arts House on 01259 928014 or email info@resonate.uk.net

Resonate Arts House, Units A3 and A4 North Castle Street, Alloa FK10 1EU

I think the pictures below tell the story perfectly!