Alpaca Open Day, Saturday 4 September 2010

If you were interested in my posting back in April (see below) about felting with alpaca fleece, then you may like to come along to an alpaca open day on Saturday 4 September. It's being hosted by Barbara at Lightfoot Alpacas based in Hawkhurst, Kent (click on the poster, left, for full details). It's an opportunity to see and even pet alpacas, as well as learn more about them and what can be done with their fleece. I'll be there all day demonstrating felting with alpaca fleece, so I very much look forward to chatting with everyone about the process. The farm is in a lovely setting, and this annual event is a really nice way to spend a couple of hours - so I do hope some of you are able to make it!

Baines Surrey Artist of the Year 2010

Had some exciting news after the Surrey Artists Open Studios finished in June when I found out I'd been voted one of the top 14 favourite artists by visitors - thank you to everyone who voted for me! This has led to me and the other 13 artists being invited to exhibit in a show at the New Ashgate Gallery in Farnham in September/October, when the public will have a chance to vote for their top favourite (which will be combined with votes from a judging panel). So I'm currently working on producing 4 new pieces for the exhibition, to be delivered by the end of August (and trying not to panic at the same time!). See the sneak preview photos here for an idea of what I'm making (focusing on combining felting with knitting techniques).

The exhibiton takes place from Friday 10 September to Thursday 7 October, with a Private View on 10 September 6-8pm and a Closing Reception on 7 October 6-8pm when the winner is announced - and all are welcome to both evening events or to visit the gallery during normal hours (Tuesday-Saturday, 10-5). The gallery is very close to Farnham station, see the gallery website (left) for more details and a map. So if you get a chance to go along and vote, please do! I'll let you know how it goes!