Personal Project

For my personal project I decided to stick with producing poems- as I have a wider imagination for poems for some reason that to pluck random images from my head and I also stuck with the surface design route- because it helps me see my images come to life and a final stage.

I wrote a short poem about 'miss Peggy' , as you guessed it she is a common house peg who is a very sweet lady.

I tested my new sewing skills and whipped up a canvas peg bag, with the poem and image on one side, 'miss Peggy' and my name on the other then 3 peg ladies to complete my set.

I am really pleased with it. Quick turn around from idea to production and I like to have an object to make as I enjoy gathering required materials and find I good use for all my beads, bits and bob that I squirrel away.

I am actually a little tempted to make a scene from my Peggy's, maybe an animation. see how that goes!

Great find on Flickr

I was in a Flickr mood the other day and during my scrolling I came across these, from Pilaz.

What a lovely mustache!!

and he also sets up narrative scenes with this adorable guy!

What a mug!

This is my first attempt at transferring design onto ceramics!
I still need to add varnish to make the outer white edges turn see through....

It was a struggle applying it, I didn't accommodate for a curved surface so creases where unavoidable. I found it too hard to add text as it was a single large piece on the curved surface so I will do this separately in sections.

Pretty chuffed so far =)

Teacup Pincushions

These 'tiny worlds' are made by Mimi Kirchner, they are amazing, although I wouldn't stick pins in them I think they are worthy for display!

By the looks of it they are stitched felt but such a good idea!

Personal Project- Lamp shade

As I have mentioned for my project one of my products is going to be a lamp shade, I have been researching into the best and safest way to do this!

I have also come across some great kits you can buy available at
www.needcraft.co.uk.

Easy stick it kit:

Or to have a shade printed for you at: www.martin-dannell.co.uk

Liverpool Design Festival

Yesterday I took a little road trip to Liverpool for the Design Festival, it was the last day so I wasn't expecting much but was really please as it was really good! It had talks, workshops, and a catwalk.

Lots of designer stalls showcasing ceramics, furniture, jewellery fashion and interiors! Well known names such as Tatty Devine.

I took part in a workshop with Tatty Devine to make tape measure brooches and a workshop with Emily Lansley to customise a t-shirt, good fun!

One of the last stalls I saw was Orwell & Goode, and their screen printed interiors gave me some good ideas for my personal project as I am attempting some similar products.
www.orwellandgoode.com

As I am planning to make a lampshade for one of my products it was really handy to ask Bronagh and Zuzana some questions about flammable materials and silk screening.

 

I surprised how much detail and small lines can be achieved through screen-printing, I was always told it had to be block shapes so that has always limited my designs but Orwell and Goode assured me that as long as the line is prominent and not broken up it works well and with a nice effect.

Amanda Mercer

Was a big hit! her stall was always full as it was displaying lots of porcelain goodies! 

www.amanda-mercer.co.uk

 
Faye Powers
Faye Powers stall left a great impression on me, combining textiles and illustration.
www.fayepower.webs.com

Her fabric pieces, cushions and bags, are screen printing

and her ceramics and transfer paper

I think similar to Faye, this is how I see my Illustration future. A combination of illustration, surface design and crafts. reaching for the retail market.

Jonathan Alder + Bjorn Wiinblad

I came across Bjorn Wiinblad at the start of the summer, I really liked his porcelain figures,

and today I was looking for some inspiration for my figures so typed Bjorn Wiinblad 
into handy Google I found my new favourite Jonathan Alder, from his website he seems 
quite popular and a hit in the states but it was the first time I have seen his work. 

He doesn't over complicate the features, no over the top swirls and flare, I think by using 
porcelain he doesn't need to, the materials adds to them.

Personal Project- Idea

I have decided that for my personal project I will extend my 'zine'. I will write more poems with illustrations but instead of putting it in a book or producing an zine issue 2, I will make them into objects.
I want to take the pressure off my poems, I don't want a poem book but to see my poems as more of an extension of my images. They will be children's products- stationary, bedroom accessories etc.