Meet the Maker - Katie Almond, ceramicist.

Another workshop to whet your creative appetite.  This time from ceramicist Katie Almond in Rutland.

Since graduating five years ago, Katie has set up her own workshop in Rutland making ceramics using a variety of slip casting and hand-building techniques.  Each piece is essentially a canvas for decoration and collage as she combines drawings with found ephemera.  "I am inspired by nostalgia, old paper ephemera, vintage textiles and a love of drawing."  

She transfers old envelopes, bus tickets, seed packets and magazine adverts unearthed in charity shops and car boots sales on to her hand-painted porcelain jugs, cups, cakes stands and brooches.  

The mass of handwritten receipts, savings books and postcards she acquired from her grandmother has been a constant source of inspiration.  “Reading through them is fascinating.  One receipt from 1951 just have been when she was out buying presents for my mum, aunt and uncle.  I love being able to add a personal touch to my work.”

"The pieces I create are unique, one-offs that explore a variety of nostalgic themes that I am always adding to. Currently my themes are; the notions of afternoon tea, ‘Oh I do like to be beside the seaside’, gardening and flowers, and traditional blue and white pottery."

Katie is another artist exhibiting at Unit Twelve alongside Kirsty Elson in the 'madebyhandonline' exhibition and she also supplies galleries and shops both in the UK and internationally as well as regularly attending craft fairs.

And of course, you'll be keen to know more about the workshops she runs at Debbie Bryan's studio in Nottingham which include courses in the art of  brooch, tile, card and bead making.  These are all on offer in the coming weeks, with the added incentive of homemade cake and tea thrown in! Ideal for hen parties, birthdays or just to vent your creative bent, you can find out more from her website. 

And don't forget if you can't get to Nottingham, do try to search for something similar in your area and let us know how you get on.  We'd love to see the fruits of your labour.

And my tenuous link for the day - I guess it would have to be my pottery, as featured on our vintage inspired aprons!  Take a look on the website if you fancy something to keep you tidy as you bake (or even wear one for your ceramic sessions!)

www.cobwebknits.co.uk

Meet the maker - Helen Round, Printmaker

In my never ending search for new projects to try, I was lucky to happen upon this website about printmaker Helen Round. With passion for print and a life time love of beautiful fabrics, not only does she design and create beautiful prints but she also offers workshops so that others can have a go themselves.

She uses traditional screen printing methods and prints her unique, hand drawn designs onto the highest quality linen, combining state of the art digital printing with traditional hand printing techniques such as monoprint and screen print.. 

Everything in her work is carefully considered and all designs begin life as beautiful hand drawings inspired by the Cornish countryside, where she lives and from where she takes much of her inspiration. Living close to the sea she says, 'Her work is a celebration of all that is Cornwall.'

As she says herself 'Everyone Needs a Creative Day' and you can join Helen in her studio for an opportunity to experiment, learn a new skill and feed your creativity. 

Workshops held in her studio and are limited to six people ensuring plenty of 1:1 support. They are very reasonably priced and full day workshops include a delicious home cooked lunch and 'plenty of tea and cake'. 

Here students are printing their own designs and making books. But there are other courses available too and if you find yourself in Cornwall, I urge you to book yourself in and have a go. But if you can't, then do see if you can find something similar nearer to home.

You can buy mugs, bags, coasters, cushions and aprons from her website and don't forget we sell aprons too. You could even get one personalised with 'printmaker' once you've tried it out for yourself.

www.cobwebknits.co.uk

Play Days and Day Trips - Shaftesbury Snowdrop Festival

Possibly best known for it's famous Gold Hill, there's something else brewing in Shaftesbury this half term.

And despite moving away, it's lovely to have an ongoing connection with Dorset. So as you can imagine we were thrilled to be asked by the organisers of the Shaftesbury Snowdrops to supply some of our gorgeous hats and clothing for their festival this year.

You may have seen them on The One Show a couple of years ago when they asked for help with their challenge to plant thousands of bulbs.  To date they have now planted over 120,000!

Their aim is to create Britain’s first ‘Snowdrop Town’ with a series of free and accessible Snowdrop walks within the publicly open spaces and along the pathways throughout the town. 

Making snowdrop lanterns for the festival

And to celebrate, each year they hold a festival in February, details of which you can find here.  As well as a free trail through Shaftesbury, there is a host of other activities taking place: talks, films and workshops including wood turning, calligraphy, floral design and scrap booking.

And of course, don't forget to pop in to their pop up shop where you'll be able to buy all things snowdrop related, including our hats, T-shirts and aprons.

And if you can't make it, you can always buy something from the snowdrop range online from our website.

www.cobwebknits.co.uk

Meet the Maker - Jane Means

I love trying to wrap presents beautifully and have even spent December weekends in a shopping mall in Surrey offering Xmas gift wrapping for charity, but realise I am a mere amateur when I look at the amazing work produced by Jane Means.

Jane started out in floristry but set up her company nearly 20 years ago from her kitchen table.

After starting off by making bespoke cards and wedding stationery she realised her true passion was gift wrapping and decided to start her own gift wrapping courses.

Based in London and Lincoln, Jane's hobby quickly became a full time business with clients travelling from the far flung corners of the world to attend the workshops she holds around the UK.  She also offers private courses at home or in the workplace and you may well have seen her work in glossy magazines, on the television or in one of the more glamorous boutiques such as Dior, Ralph Lauren or Selfridges.

I urge you to try one of her workshops, but if you can't, at least check out her blog or that of one of her team of experienced ribbon bloggers who regularly post DIY tutorials and crafting ideas. 

There's even a DVD and plans for a book which I'm sure will inspire.  In the meantime I'm off to raid my ribbon box although I think I may have to indulge in some of her trademark collection soon!

All our products come in tissue or straw filled rustic presentation boxes and although I'm a little nervous to mention it on the same page as Jane, we offer a gift wrap service of our own which you can find out more about here.

www.cobwebknits.co.uk

Truly Scrumptious - Chococo, Swanage, Dorset

I've made regular pilgrimages to Chococo in Swanage over the years and miss it greatly now I've moved to Wales.  I know I can order online (and I do!) but it's not quite the same as browsing the chocs in all their sinful glory.

Now I don’t want you thinking that I’m deviating from my quest for things that will allow you lot to indulge in your creativity.  A workshop for example and here's one where you can pretend is educational (and we promise not to shatter the myth!) 

And if you'd like to have a go, but can't get down to Dorset, why not buy their book?  And don't forget you can always send us some of your efforts.  We're happy to review!

But if you can't get there go online and find something that will tickle your fancy (quite literally in the case of their chilli tickles - amazing chocs, with bite!)

One of my favourite selections has to be this box and although I know it's not the right season, surely this has to be the ultimate Advent calendar.  24 delicious choccies.  No kids allowed!

But worry not, February will soon be with us and I can hint heavily for something like this!

And we've got great hampers too.  You can see them here ....

www.cobwebknits.co.uk

Trivial Pursuits - why not make it yourself?

You know I like to blog about other artists because of our shared passion for creating things.  But I know that within most of us there is a creative person that needs to express themselves.

And the owners of the Makery in Bath shared the same view.  They realised that not everyone had the resources to indulge their artistic bent so they set up a creative hub, where people could come and learn countless new skills as well as have lots of fun in a relaxed and welcoming space.

I’ll let them continue in their own words:

We’ve always enjoyed the sense of fulfilment from making things ourselves ... so we decided to give our comfortable, safe jobs and follow our hearts.  We spent months researching and planning and were committed to helping anyone who wants to be creative, learn to live more resourcefully and have thoroughly good fun! We believe that if you can make it yourself, you don’t need to buy it and if it’s broken you can mend it and you won’t need to replace it.  If it’s old you can reinvent it.

 As well as two fantastic shops which are akin to Aladdin’s cave and where you will lose yourself in their buttons, trimmings, fabrics, ribbons and crafting essentials, they run amazing workshops and parties.   

 So if you want something different for a hen do, kids’ party or baby shower, look no further.

 And having moved recently I’m intrigued by their courses where I can make my own roman blinds, print my own wallpaper or learn how to pipe cushions.  Where do I sign?

For more information about their shop and courses, visit their website

www.themakeryonline.co.uk

And don't forget we have our own knitting kits that you can buy too.  Click here to order one.

www.cobwebknits.co.uk 

(Not so) Trivial Pursuits ... Photography with Andrea Pittam

I'm always on the look out for a new interest, especially if it can help me with my business.

I used to love taking photographs and have never got over exchanging my K1000 for a digital camera.  I haven't really mastered using my fantastic new whizz bangy camera to its full potential.

So perhaps this might be the course for me and could be of interest to you too.  If you don't live in the Bournemouth area, Google 'photography courses for crafters' - I'm sure you'll find something locally.

      

Here's more about Andrea Pittam of Kiss the Frog x ...

As a photographer, artist and crafter it seemed a good idea to run a course for other artists and crafters who are looking for some direction and help with their product photography.

For small kitchen table businesses and independent artists and crafters, big budget product photography is simply not an option and this course will show you how you can get the best out of the camera you have to showcase your products.

all images (c) Kiss the Frog x

You will receive advice on how to plan and prepare for a photo shoot, using natural light to create beautiful images of your products. There will also be a practical section to the course so you will need to bring your camera and some of your products too.

You can find out more about Andrea's course here ...