South East Open Studios & Workshops June 2011

I blogged on 14 April about the South East Open Studios this June - as the event is about to start, I thought it was worth a reminder about dates etc. Woodturner Andrew Griffiths and I are hosting from my studio in Old Oxted, Surrey, with lots of finished pieces by both of us for visitors to look at or buy, plus we're both demonstrating our craft throughout (me feltmaking, Andrew woodturning on his lathe). Both of us have been following new ideas this year, I've been getting into a definite sea, shore and shells theme, and Andrew has been working on some experimental and sculptural art pieces. We both enjoy chatting to visitors and sharing what we do, so we do hope to see as many of you there as possible.

Our open times are Saturday 4, Sunday 5, Friday 10, Saturday 11, Sunday 12, Monday 13, Saturday 18, Sunday 19 June, 1100-1700, free entry and easy parking. Please note that Andrew now cannot be present on Friday 10 June, although all his work will be.

Andrew and I have also joined up with other local artists involved in the event to come up with a trail guide, which covers Oxted to Westerham and down to Edenbridge - please email me for a copy (natashasmartdesign@yahoo.co.uk).

BREAKTHROUGH Felting Workshop

Had a great day on 20 May teaching feltmaking basics to 19 creative ladies from the BREAKTHROUGH Floral Designers Group at Halstead Village Hall in Kent. We covered flat felting, cords and 3D objects like beads, to give the members the basic skills to create their own felt pieces for incorporating into floral designs. I also introduced the idea of adding extra pattern and texture to felt using yarns and ribbons, which led to some creative and colourful results (as you can see from the flat felt pieces drying in the sun). Thanks to everyone involved for their input!

South East Open Studios 2011

With Summer approaching, it's also the time of year for artist open studio events. For the last 3 years I've opened my studio in June during Surrey Artists Open Studios. This year for a change I've got together with artists locally in Oxted and Westerham, and we've collectively decided to join the South East Open Studios 2011. It also takes place in June but is more Kent-based. We're right on the edge of both counties here, so thought we might attract a new audience - so please come and visit!

I'm joining forces again with Andrew Griffiths here in Old Oxted, so we'll both be demonstrating our art throughout the event (me felting, him woodturning) and there'll be lots of work to view. Dates are 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18 and 19 June - it covers 3 weekends in all, open 11am-5pm each day. I'll post more details nearer the time, as well as dates of feltmaking workshops - so please get in touch (email: natashasmartdesign@yahoo.co.uk) , or have a look at the website (www.seos-org.uk) as there are lots of other artists involved. Look forward to seeing you!

Cushion Madness!

Spring is meant to bring out the madness in us all, and I'm no exception. Though instead of gamboling like a lamb in the very welcome sunshine, with me it's been making cushions. I'd never made cushions before but got tempted by a combination of spotting lovely fabrics at the Stitch and Craft 2011 show at Olympia II on 18 March and needing to make our kitchen benches look a bit more cosy. And I hadn't realised how easy it is to make cushions (the fold-through, non-zip type). I've made 4 with the fabrics I bought at the show and have plans for more. I also made a fifth (this time for my studio) with some fabric scraps (many of which I'd dyed and screen-printed for my college course in 2006!). I patchworked these together with some orange and yellow fabric I'd dyed which I was just waiting for the right opportunity to use. Really pleased with the result so I think this could be the start of an addiction! My next plan is for a patchwork cushion made from hand-made felt. And this all goes to show that you should never throw anything away from your stash as you never know when it'll come in useful!

Planets, Dragons and Leaves

Enjoyed another felting day on Monday with 3 creative weavers (amongst their other artistic talents!), making bags and wallhangings. There was a bit of a fantasy feel with their inspiration choices: outer space/planets and a dragon, along with some abstract leaves and flowers. I was very impressed with their creativity - and you can really see from the before and after photos how their felt designs have come to life. I'm also hoping to see a future picture of the dragon once some additonal detail stitching has been added on top - so watch this space (no pressure Pat!)!

Tandridge Handicraft Society Talk/Demonstration

I was invited to give a demonstration and talk on creative felting to the Tandridge Handicraft Society, an Oxted-based group who meet every Monday to share and practise their different crafts. Every month they also have a talk or demonstration on a different craft from an artist or tutor, so I was very pleased to be asked along to do just that. So I spent an enjoyable couple of hours this Monday demonstrating wet felting - but felting with a bit of a twist, the focus being on adding in other things to the felt as part of the process, ie fibres, wool yarns and fabric. It was great to talk to such an interested group of people (about 40 ladies), who asked lots of questions and seemed to enjoy hearing about this different aspect of felting. Thank you to everyone who came along!

New Clutch Bag Workshop

Had a great day on Saturday making embellished felt clutch bags with 3 talented felters. This was a new workshop and we were all really pleased with how well the bags turned out - as you can see!

If you would like to come and learn how to make these, just drop me a line for details and dates (email: natashasmartdesign@yahoo.co.uk).