the end of the Collins Gallery, start of something new

It was a very thoughtful evening ,shared by people who had travelled from all over to support Laura and her team who have been THE Gallery for as long as I have known them.
Yet even with the sadness of it being the last event and no textile gallery like it in Scotland, there was a positive emotional response from many I spoke with. The support artists got from being involved with the Collins on an exhibiting or supportive role left a sense of community shared by all those who attended.

We voiced our emotions in wall art that spoke volumes . For me being part of many shows there from exhibiting to learning new skills from some of the incredible international tutors they have had but it was the seed and the birth place of the story telling yurt 12 years ago. It has enriched my life in so many ways...I say a humble thank you Laura and watch with interest how the blossoms of you seed flower and fruit for the future.

Just on my doorstep Kilchurn Castle

Kilchurn CastleSometimes there are places that you pass by and promise yourself you'll stop and visit but you often don't allow yourself the time to discover new wonders. Today I found a wonderful place that is free to visit and is a wonderful place to picnic, so I've earmarked that for a better weather day. Argyll is a wild and very beautiful place and I look forward to discovering many more places of natural beauty.

busy day but always time to make a little special...

A day of bits and pieces...I liked making this bunting for little Aarons room.

Why is bunting now so popular? It was used to celebrate the ending of a war , it would be nice to think peace reigned...at least in a string of bright coloured fabrics. I am proud of myself , not a bit of felt in sight...

Where to start!

Sometimes at creative moments we get washed with ideas. As the tide of that idea withdraws we sift through what's left and if there is a grain of possibility we launch forward and try it out. Of course that is in an ideal world where there is no washing , cooking or cleaning to be done and yes the other orders that you may be working on. What is the solution? pen and paper always and allowing yourself playtime.

 Work by Mandy Nash

Work by Jenny Barnett

The motley Scottish crew

 A lovely couple from Virgina

 Prizes for wacky costumes

Taylor the full of fun felt maker

I love what I do, i love the people I meet who have fallen equally under the spell of feltmaking in general and produce such an amazing range of work. but there are times your head just thinks it will burst with the pure joy of all those ideas...now perhaps I should not have had that extra coffee or maybe I should just knuckle down and make a start...

Boys Dorm. early morning

Ah yes, you read correctly.
I write this blog entry from a bed in a boys dorm room...no there are no boys here just a lingering teenage whiff in the bathroom. I am thinking it is a little like placing yourself in the 'zone' to write about a particular event or emotion...but that is not why I am here. Felters have taken over this Harry Potter middle England school. i promise to get some photos up later as it is an amazing place.We had a full on evening after a school dinner, hmmm so al the stories are true then about that ( Loretto Convent never had school dinners in my day ha ha )
A full itinerary of events launch us into a bright dappled sunlit day. I think this may well be the only chance to draw breath and contemplate.
Today's workshop is a full day and should be very stimulating.
Breakfast calls and I still need to get dressed..
That's the news from the boys room for today.......................

Reluctant Models

When your friends come round to visit your Studio and something needs to be seen 'live ' on a model of course you convince them with a cup of tea and a smile how easy it all is ...the cat loved the show and I can think up lots of captions for some funny looks between canine and human models.
Bobby cat has become a bit of a mascot here and I am convinced that most of my visitors are here to see him and not me. I have always loved skins, even as a young child when I used to make purses out of cod skin or eels we had caught to eat. Learning how the Mongolians respect the life of the animals they very humanely kill by using every last part...skin and bones too, i appreciate the wool I use most day comes from animals farmed for their meat. Wool prices don't merit the keeping of animals for just their yearly gift of wool sad as that may be and using the skin in my work is a way for me to work with the whole industry of sheep. I have had to take a sharp learning curve re new skills and everyday finds me another lesson learned ( usually how NOT to do things)
I am happy with the direction I am developing my work in. These will always be bespoke items as both the felt and the skin is unique in its individual form and can't be repeated .
I always appreciate honest  feedback so go ahead...let me know what you think.

Fur and felt

Lots of work done yesterday. 
Getting the tension set correctly on my Pffaf sewing machine made a big difference. The hour spent picking out the threads from the bobbin shaft was a lesson in patience and humility.
I am now at one with my machine ( I'm sure we will fall out again due to my ineptness but for now we are doing well )
A lot of the process of creating is about thinking time. Mulling the design over and over in your head before you even touch the materials, strange thing is one months thought can go out the window when the hands on designing begins.
I am an intuitive designer , put simply I go with the flow. If it feels right I do it , If I make a mess, I unpick and begin all over again much the wiser and have learned from the mistake.
Finally I am working on the wonderfully soft lamb skins. Beautifully cured and coloured , they are luxury to the touch.
Now I am sure there is a primal response in most of us with regards to the feel of real fur, rather like a cat furling and unfurling it's claws. Some of course are vegetarians of vegans and think it a bit barbaric. All of the skins I use are from animals that have been farmed for the meat industry and the skin is a by product. I look for the best quality I can get to match the luxury of my hand made felt and I have to admit to loving it.
I will include some photos of the new garments. Today has dawned grey but the chirping of the birds is getting me motivated to get on with my real work.