Business Seminars at Handmade in Bradford

Creative people in the Bradford district will be able to improve their skills and knowledge with free workshops and seminars on Saturday 23rd June.

Handmade in Bradford is hosting a day of activities for craftspeople and designers at its shop in the city centre on Tyrrel Street. There will be workshops on knitting, mastering your sewing machine, printmaking and creative crafting.

There will also be two business seminars for crafters and designers delivered by Jo Whitehead of Artists in Business.  The seminars are aimed at increasing craftpeople's business skills in Selling Their Work Through Retail and Running Workshops from the Studio.  In addition, creative people will be invited to share their experiences of social media marketing with a lunchtime discussion forum. Handmade in Bradford will also be launching a free Crafting Resource Centre where artists and makers can swap art materials and equipment.

Handmade in Bradford is part of Fabric, a registered arts charity that supports artists and creatives.

The event is from 10am to 4pm at Handmade in Bradford, 1 Tyrrel Street Bradford on Saturday 23rd June. For details please email: info@fabricculture.co.uk or call 01274 370291

 

Shibori Silk Part 2

Shibori Silk Mandalas

Following the successful Silk Shibori and dyeing workshop in Ilkley on Saturday 9 July, the students returned for more Shibori on silk. This time they created beautiful Mandala patterns by folding, twisting and wrapping square silk scarves to form radiating patterns.

Shibori Mandala Scarf

Mandalas are really quick and easy to make and everyone enjoyed the "instant" results. 

Silk dyed Mandala scarf

The second part of the workshop was dedicated to forming patterns through stitch. The students made samples of Ori Nui patterns including Kanoko (wrapping small objects) Mokumi (stitching in lines) and Karamatsu (stitching circles).

Karamatsu silk sample

Ori Nui silk sample

Once they were happy with their designs and colour selection each student made a long silk scarf with Ori Nui techniques. This was an intensive one day workshop but the results were well worth the effort.

Stitching Silk

Leeds City College will be delivering a one day Shibori Silk Workshop at The Arts Factory in Keighley, West Yorkshire on Saturday 5 November 2011 from 10am to 3pm. To find out more about this workshop and their exciting programme of arts based learning at The Arts Factory contact Jo Whitehead on 01535 685060 or email Jo.whitehead@leedscitycollege.ac.uk

Shibori Silk Workshop

I had a fabulous afternoon teaching a group of wonderful textile artists how to dye Shibori silk in the microwave.  The workshop was held at Ilkley Operatic Society and the students learned about wrapping, twisting and folding silk to create stunning patterns with colour and texture on silk. 

The students learned two of the many different Japanese Shibori techniques to make patterned cloth - Arashi and Itajime. Arashi is about wrapping and twisting cloth around a pole before space dyeing. This creates a wonderful zig zag pattern, similar to the knitted fabrics in Missoni's Winter Collection. Itajime is a method of folding and clamping cloth to make repeat patterns and star bursts. 

Once dyed and unfolded the patterns and the colours just sing out. Unwrapping the cloth is very exciting and the patterns form just like magic! 

The next Shibori Silk Workshop will be on Saturday 23 July from 11am to 3pm at All Saints Church House, Church Street, Ilkley LS29 9DS. We will be using Ori Nui techniques such as Mokumi, Kumo and Karamatsu to make complex cloth in vibrant colours. I hope you can join us!

To book your place or find out more please contact Jo.artsbiz@gmail.com or call 01535 654026

Sumptuous Shibori

As part of our SEW PAINT MAKE programme of textile classes, Artists in Business is offering two exciting  workshops on Shibori Ilkley, West Yorkshire.

What is Shibori? This is a Japanese method of tying and binding cloth to make patterns through dyeing. Different ways of twisting, wrapping, scrunching or stitching material creates a variety of pattern and textures. 

Colour plays an important part in the design and we will be using vibrant dyes with Habutai silk and silk.  

Saturday 9 July 1pm to 3pm Shibori Silk I

Venue: Ilkley Operatic Society, Leeds Road, Ilkley LS29 8DZ

Cost: £15 + £5 for materials

Saturday 23 July 11am to 3pm Shibori Silk II

Venue: All Saints Church House, Church Street, Ilkley LS29 9DS

Cost: £25 + £5 for materials

To book your place or find out more please contact Jo.artsbiz@gmail.com or call 01535 654026

About Ilkley. Ilkley is a small spa town in West Yorkshire, nestling in Wharfedale and overlooked by the Cow and Calf Rocks. Ilkley is a great little town to visit with tea rooms (including the famous Betty's) delightful local shops, The Manor House Museum and the White Wells baths.  If you are visiting Ilkley for one of our workshops we stringly recommend a visit to Cakewalk, a wonderful emporium of handmade and vintage.

Ceramic Workshops in Yorkshire

Raku Workshops at Shibden Hall, Halifax

These two day workshops are available to everyone, from beginners to professional ceramic artists. Day 1 is a half day session to create two pieces of work for firing. Day 2 is a full day session to glaze and fire your work in the Stable Yard at Shibden Hall.
Dates: Saturday July 2 and July 9 or Saturday 27 August and 3 September 2011
Costs: £70 for both days, including materials
About the venue: Shibden Hall is a 15th century timber framed manor house set in 37 hectares of park land. Once the home of Anne Lister, Shibden Hall is now owned by Calderdale Council and is a public museum.
Contact: Deborah Comy-Platt, Shibden Hall Estate Manager
01422 352446


Fusions Firing Festival

Dates for this years festival July 15th-17th 2011

A weekend of experimental art and performance firings set in fabulous surroundings in a quiet corner of the Yorkshire Dales. Join in our raku firing, fuming and smoke firing workshops delivered by experienced leaders and be part of the alchemical process that creates exciting and unpredictable pottery.
All workshops take place on Saturday, take part in as many or as few as you like. You can even grab one of our printed local maps and enjoy a walk in stunning scenery direct from the campsite or just take off your shoes and socks and cool off with a paddle in the beck. The evening is rounded off with barbeques, bonfires and a firing extravaganza!
A great weekend for all the family, social and friendly and you go home with a fabulous creation.
No experience necessary. Small groups to ensure plenty of help and advice. To purchase tickets 

visit Yolasite.com 

Furoshiki Workshop

     

Artists in Business will be holding a Furoshiki dyeing workshop on Saturday 18 June 10am to 12 noon at All Saints Church House, Church Street, Ilkley

This workshop will enable you to make two beautiful silk Japanese wrapping cloths using resist and dyes. Furoshiki is an eco-friendly cloth that can be used as a bag or for wrapping gifts. We will be looking at Japanese designs such as carp, sakura and repeat patterns. This workshop is tailored for both textile designers and beginners alike.

Costs: £15 + £5 materials charge.

To book your place on this exciting workshop please email: Jo.artsbiz@gmail.com

To buy cotton Furoshiki visit My Furoshiki on Etsy and Folksy.

SEW PAINT MAKE

SEW MAKE PAINT is a new programme of textile art workshops for anyone wanting to learn a new craft, improve their skills or just have a jolly good time.   The first workshop of the programme is Wax Batik on   Saturday 21 May 10am to 12 noon at  All Saints Church House, Church Street, Ilkley

Cost: £15 + £5 for materials

Create a beautiful piece of printed art on paper and silk with the ancient craft of wax batik.  Using tjaps and   tjantings, you can make repeat print patterns, abstracts or realistic artworks.

Skill level: all levels from beginner to experienced

STOP PRESS: sign up for our Silk Shibori Workshop on Saturday 23 July and get another workshop for free.  Book your place on our one day Shibori Workshop and you can join another workshop in this programme for free.  Just tell us your preference when booking. 

 To book your place or find out more please contact Jo.artsbiz@gmail.com or Tel: 01535 654026

In the Studio (Part 6)

Any space can become studio - all you need is some time, energy and a little imagination. Each month we feature Artist's Studios to inspire and encourage your creativity. If you would like your special space be featured in Artists in Business please contact us using the Kontactr Box at the bottom of the blog.



The Dots and Spots Studio
Dubbed the igloo in winter and the sauna in summer, a conservatory attached to the side of the family home serves as the studio for Becky, the artist behind dots and spots. “Having my own space to work is really important to me” she says “but as my range has grown, I could now do with it being twice the size!” Being glass, the space is infused with light, giving an airy feel that belies its size and Becky’s organised nature means that every nook and cranny sports a unique storage solution for the paper, ribbon, buttons and other bits and bobs that she uses to build up her vibrant – and spotty! – pieces of collage art.
The studio looks out onto the back garden and then, across a cycle path, to the trees of a local park. “It was whilst staring idly out of my studio onto the washing blowing in the breeze that I got the inspiration for my ‘Washing Line of Love’ range that is proving to be particularly popular.” Becky has recently given up her teaching career to concentrate full time on her business designing and producing cards, prints and art in her own unique style: “I’m so glad I’ve taken the plunge and am finally pursuing a life-long dream to work as an independent artist. The only thing I miss is the camaraderie of the staff-room. Sometimes working all day in your studio can be a little lonely, but now I’ve discovered Twitter I’m able to have a natter with fellow artists and crafters around the country, all from the comfort of my very own studio!”

Dots and Spots Shop
Dots and Spots Blog



Textile Artist Deborah Good
"I've worked from home making bespoke soft furnishings, home accessories and gifts for about 10 years now. I started in the dining room and, when I needed more space, progressed to the conservatory. Three years ago, when we could no longer find a path through all my materials to the door, we decided it really was time to build in the garden!
"The fantastic workshop is 10 metres long and 3 wide - I have two thirds of it, my husband has the rest. My part is self contained, cosy and insulated. (I covet my husband's bit too - would love to knock through and use it to store my fabrics tidily!)
I have a huge fabric stash on shelves (now sagging quite badly under the weight) along the back wall, an 8 x 4 foot table with rolls of fabric underneath and ample storage. All my craft fair/Folksy stock is stored on shelves and in baskets; there's a bookshelf full of crafting, sewing and interior books, patterns and cuttings; a rescued war time Utility cupboard hoards my threads, tools and other equipment and my daughter's empty and redundant doll's house is useful for stashing away paperwork. I use a 15 year old Pfaff machine and a slightly older overlocker, but also have an ancient Pfaff on an industrial bed, which is useful but very temperamental!
I'm working in my workshop most days, either on a soft furnishing commission, a re-upholstery project or my stock for Folksy.
I'm one lucky lady - I love my sanctuary!

Pretty Goods on Folksy



Ceramic Artist Charlotte Hupfield
"My passion for ceramics started from an early age, and it was at university where my skills, techniques, understanding and creativity developed. After graduating in 2008 I have continued to develop my ceramics over the past 18 months. I began by working from home which wasn't ideal as it got rather messy and storage space was limited. When everything took off 6 months ago I decided it was time to have my own creative space to produce work.
My workshop in the garden has been a life-saver and I don't know what I would do without it now. It's nice to sit out there at my leisure with a cup of tea. It's also great to have so much natural light coming in through the windows. I have the occasional friends that sometimes come to say hello, such as the robin who watches me through the window, and the squirrel who jumps about on the roof! There is a big Christmas tree right outside the window, so I'm looking forward to the sight of it decorated nearer to Christmas.
I enjoy cleaning, tidying and organising my workshop every now and then but it soon gets untidy again! I made my own ceramic plaque which hangs on the outside next to the door. My plaques have been quite popular this year and I've made several for other peoples' craft cabins and studios.
It gets a bit stuffy in the summer but it's nice to have the door open with fresh air coming in. On the other hand, I'm just starting to experience the winter weather! I'm lucky to have a hallogen heater which heats up the small space and soon makes it feel warm and cosy.
My current work ranges from handmade items inspired by the natural world such as vases, bowls, sculptural vessels, coasters, plaques, clocks, letter racks, candle shaders, as well as smaller items including magnets, keyrings and brooches. I'm looking forward to lots of future design and creativity in my workshop."

http://www.charlottehupfieldceramics.com/
http://www.charlottehupfieldceramics.blogspot.com/
www.folksy.com/shops/charlottehupfieldceramics