craft and applied art

Several incidents have occurred recently, not least a trip around English galleries, to make me realise just how lucky I am to live in Wales and be part of the amazing craft network  in Wales, not least www.makersguildinwales.org.uk .  I play with an interest in fashion, working with the human form is more intriguing, but what really matters is that I am true to myself and my ideals. That dates way back to my education at Winchester School of Art in the early 1970s, a fantastic time to be at art college. 

My work is evolving, I want to push the boundaries of knit.  Ideas have come from the strangest places.  I have really enjoyed collaborating with other makers on Material Connections, we should do more of this as makers.

"Accord "- preview from "Material connections" exhibition

John Binet-Fauvel

John and I are sharing this blog, check out his website http://johnbinet-fauvel.co.uk  He works entirely in recycled electrical wire and never buys any materials!  See two images below.

Trade enquiries

Heritage Collection images

I have introduced a collection of keenly priced items of textile jewellery and accessories to offer for sale to Heritage outlets. A Celtic range and a Floral range.  Trade enquiries, for more information please contact me.

John’s Creatures

Another Jelly Fish

Jelly Fish

Exhibitions and Shows

I am delighted to have been accepted to show at Hereford Contemporary Crafts from 13th to 15th November.  John Binet-Fauvel and I have an exhibition at The Court Cupboard from 8th Aug to 25th Sept and work at the Craft Forum Gallery in Machynlleth in July and Aug.

Sculptural or functional

New outlets

I am now supplying 4 new outlets, “Giles Gallery”, Pontyclun, S Wales www.gilesgallery.co.uk  “Tutti Arts” in Warminster, Wilts, “Artshed”, New Milton, Hants ( New Forest )www.artshedgallery.co.uk  “The Art House”, Westbourne, Emsworth, Hants www.thearthouseatwestbourne.com, well it’s 5 now with The Washington Gallery in Penarth, S Wales from 18th March that is.  Art House 2 has just opened in Havant, Hants. see above

Material Connections

Ten members of The Makers Guild in Wales are working together in pairs to create work for the above exhibition, at Craft in the Bay opening at the end of May 09.  It’s an exciting initiative as we are all learning off each other.  I am working with Steve Thompson who makes bent wood pieces.

Workshops

wool and cotton jacket and felted wool scarf

 A one to four day workshop (see image) on hand frame knitting will be run by me at Craft in The Bay from 18th – 21st July.  Contact me for details.  I can also take small groups in my workshop for sessions and every Tuesday I run a Craft Club there.

Melissa Warren-Textile Artist

Textile Artist Melissa Warren likes to challenge the boundaries of knitting. Based in the Rhondda in South Wales, Melissa works with knitting machines, combining hand-dying of pieces of knitting and yarns with structural elements to create large sculptural pieces, wearable body art and more traditional accessories.

 As an Applied Artist, Melissa is a Craft Council selected member, as well as a member of The Makers Guild in Wales, who operate Craft in the Bay in Cardiff where her work is currently on permanent display.

Throughout her career Melissa’s work has been widely exhibited in the UK as well as being exhibited in Europe, Japan and the USA.

Melissa is available for Exhibitions, talks and workshops and currently runs Lemon Blues, a small craft shop which is also her workshop in Pentre, Rhondda. She also runs a Craft Club in the shop on Tues evenings.