cutlery collages

I have been working on this small series of collages to exhibit alongside my textiles and ceramics as a visual explanation of my design process and how I respond to an everyday object to generate pattern.

I was quite excited about the different shapes and patterns of these orange handled utensils and was hoping to emphasise these unique qualities in the collages.

Am really glad that I chose to use the white box frame opposed to the black, the colours appear to be much more vibrant and fresh.

my creative space

...is the kiln!!

This week has been all about finishing my ceramics in preparation for my final assessment in 3 weeks. This stage is by far the most nerve racking part of the process. I did do a test fire, however with different ceramics to the ones I decided to go with here. To my relief, they turned out beautifully, even more vibrant than when they went in!!! YAY

You can view more creative spaces here.

bentwood progress

After a lot of TLC and elbow grease from a very patient friend of mine, these bentwood babies are finally coming together. Getting them structurally sound was one thing, but figuring out how to upholster them was another. After lots of problem solving, I have finally been able to do a mock up. Am pretty pleased with how they are looking and have been busy printing the finished designs.

I made the decision to use layered abstract shapes so that each chair could be a similar design but with a different composition and colour.

Using a template of the chair I was able to move it around the design to select a composition.

Finally, the fabric is stretched around foam and attached to the base. YAY

Am currently waiting for the wax to dry on the chairs before I can insert the cushions and see how they will look as a finished series. Will keep you posted!!

cushion detail

this is a little detail of how my cushions are coming along, all the covers are sewn, I really only need to tidy up the stray cottons and finish the inserts. This is an idea of how the colours look together. There is also a grey one which completes the 5 colours.

procrastinating

I should be writing my studio report and NOT blogging and posting pointless photos of my dog!! She does, however, look as bored as I feel. Would much rather be outside chasing a ball with her than being couped up in front of my computer. At least the weather is awful which makes it slightly less tempting to be out there.

fergus

I have never been one of those lucky people that win things, but when something comes along that is both vintage orange AND a brooch, it just couldn't have gone to a better home!! I was the very lucky winner of this orange owl brooch by Betty Jo. Liz Jones of Betty Jo creates one off jewellery pieces made from recycled vintage lino, pre loved buttons and all quirky ribbons. I was lucky enough to have been given one of her brooches for my 30th birthday earlier this year and to now have two...WOW. You can check out more of her creations here at her inspiring and colourful blog, Lino Forest.

Gorgeous packaging!! I love parcels :)

Fergus and friends

studio report

Things may be a little quiet on the blog front over the next week. Am recovering from an intense two day cushion sewing fest where I managed to get all my 15 covers pieced and sewn together ready for assessment. Am really happy with how they turned out :)

My goal for the coming week is to lock myself in a library cubical and make a solid attempt at finishing my final studio report draft. This stack of books is a good start!!

cushion pieces

I spent the entire day today printing pieces of fabric for my cushions. I will be exhibiting 15 cushions in 5 stacks of three in groups of colour. The colours that I have settled on are grey, yellow, pink orange and blue. Today I printed and heat pressed (my least favourite part of the printing process) my orange, blue and pink pieces. Hopefully they will be all finished by the end of next week. Then there is still my chairs left to print and upholster, my collage series, my lengths, my ceramics..oh, and a 5000 word report to finish too :( all to be done in 6 weeks. Yikes!!!

white on natural

Oh dear, I would have to fall in love with this colour combination at this stage of my project. Just can't seem to justify the cost of linen at the moment and have already settled on my finished work ideas. Ah well, can always piece these samples into my cushions and day dream of massive linen lengths later when I'm no longer a poor uni student!