I will be holding a textile workshop on Sunday 20th February at Chorlton Library in Manchester.
It will be a day of exploring textile techniques using recycled materials from South Asia.
All are welcome!
We will be making patchwork pieces for a wall hanging which is going to be exhibited as part of the Craftworks project. I would like as many people as possible to contribute from Manchester.
If you would like more information please contact me at threadsandjewels@live.co.uk
Monday 31 January 2011
Sunday 30 January 2011
A trip to Manchester Craft and Design Centre...
Yesterday I went to the Northern Quarter for some textile crafty inspiration and research. I love the Northern Quarter - it has such a creative buzz.
Manchester Craft and Design Centre has a range of open studio / retail spaces where craftspeople are making and selling thier work in one space. This is so excellent as you can see them at work and get a real feel for how Manchester's current craft industry is shaped.
Manchester Craft and Design Centre has a range of open studio / retail spaces where craftspeople are making and selling thier work in one space. This is so excellent as you can see them at work and get a real feel for how Manchester's current craft industry is shaped.
Thursday 27 January 2011
A Converation with Craft Artist CJ Exley – Curious Cat Creative...
How long have you been working as an artist?
I have always been creative in one form or another. In my younger years this took the form of creative writing, drawing and water colours, although none of these have ever been in the public domain.
In 2009 I began looking for a new medium and stumbled across leather almost by accident. In January 2010 Curious Cat Creative was set up and I run it as a part time business.
Do you work with textiles?
I work with leather.
How would you describe your work?
Different, good quality and constantly evolving.
Every item I make has been designed by me. I hand cut all my pieces, tool them, dye and finish. I don’t use any decorative stamps or pre cut shapes, it’s just not what I’m about.
What is your inspiration?
My main inspiration comes from wanting people to appreciate what I do. Nothing gives me more pride than to hear someone say ‘wow’ about something I’ve designed and made. I do take inspiration from nature, flowers for example, but I also like to just start with no real plan and see what comes out.
Some of my necklaces have hand painted designs. None of these designs are really planned unless it’s a variation on something I’ve done before, generally it takes shape as I start to apply colour and it stops when it think it’s ‘right’
What materials do you use when producing your work?
I use tooling leather, which can be carved, moulded and dyed. I then use leather dyes and finishes. Silver plate and Sterling Silver is also used for jewellery depending on the piece.
Do you use any recycled or renewable materials in your work?
I use vegetable tanned tooling leather which is a by product of the meat industry.
What are your thoughts on ethical textile production?
It’s a hard one. As someone who hand makes items I am only too aware that not everyone will pay the extra to buy one of my products rather than a mass produced item available at a fraction of the cost on the high street.
I suppose it’s about education. If we don’t really understand the impact of something on the environment or the people making it then can we make an informed choice?
A conversation with Textile Craft Artist Lisa Watson...
How long have you been working as an artist?
I graduated from MMU in 1992, and I have been creating artwork for a long time, but I still don’t make a living from my own work.
Do you work with textiles?
My degree was in embroidery. I am also a qualified art and design teacher, so I can work in lots of different creative practises.
How would you describe your work?
I call myself an arts maker and educator, so as well as making my own textile pieces, I also help people to create their own artwork for projects and workshops. At the moment I make ‘stitchpics’ which are essentially stitched pictures. Colour and pattern are important in my own work. You can see some of my examples of my work at; www.lisawatsontextiles.co.uk
What is your inspiration?
I am still inspired by my sketchbooks, but I can be inspired by lots of things and at the moment it is proverbs!
What materials do you use when producing your work?
I use vintage or retro fabrics, mostly cottons, for my work, which I then applique and stitch onto.
Do you use any recycled or renewable materials in your work?
I find old fabrics have more interesting qualities about them. At present I am making work from a selection of whitework placemats that my mother had been hoarding and last year passed onto me.
Do you find migration in the North West has affected the production of your work in any way?
I am really interested in the historical and social significance of textile production in the North-West. Last year I use ABC Wax fabrics (designed in Hyde and now printed in Ghana for the Ghananese market) in a quilt completed for International Women’s Day at The Monastery in Gorton. All the delegates brought a snippet of fabric to the day and it was stitched together in the quilt. Each fabric snippet had a story attached and all these stories were collected. The Manchester International Women’s Day quilt 2010 is going to be display at The People’s History Museum for this year’s IWD which is the 100th anniversary of the event.
What are your thoughts on ethical textile production?
If viable and sustainable ethical textile production is an ideal model.
A conversation with Textile Craft Artist Jane Dennerly...
(Image above: clutch bag made using recycled vintage silk and button Jane Dennerly)
How long have you been working as an artist?
I have been working as an artist since I graduated in June 2008. I am currently involved in facilitating textile workshops on a freelance basis and selling my work through galleries, shops and fairs. I have worked with both primary and secondary school children on various projects, using embroidery and fabric manipulation techniques. Such projects have included re vamping clothing, designing and making fashion accessories and creating themed wall hangings and banners. My work with adults has included facilitating a series of workshops, in a community mental health setting.
Do you work with textiles?
Yes I work with textiles. My degree was BA HONS Textile/Surface Design.
How would you describe your work?
My work involves designing and making fashion accessories and soft home furnishings such as cushions. I am currently working on a series of vintage inspired bags, collars and corsages using 1940’s silk, Harris Tweed and vintage buttons. Although I am aware of current trends in fashion, my style is unique and my designs are ‘one off’s.
What is your inspiration?
During my degree I studied the history of bags and created ‘pockets’, based on my family tree and created a range of bags that were inspired by eastern European culture. I have a particular interest in vintage and antique textiles and enjoy going to exhibitions and fairs. I recently visited Bath’s Fashion Museum, where I participated in a study session on historical dress. The detail in 17th and 18th century clothing particularly on collars, cuffs and hems such as embroidery and fabric manipulation, has inspired me to adapt these techniques for use in my own work.
Another trip last year to Harris and Lewis in the Western Isles gave me the inspiration to work with Harris Tweed.
What materials do you use when producing your work?
I love to work using natural fibres, such as wool, silk, linen and cotton.
Do you use any recycled or renewable materials in your work?
Some aspects of my work incorporates recycled fabrics, I like to use ‘old’ woollen blankets, dye them and re use them to make bags and cushions. I like to re use old clasps, buckles and buttons. I have re vamped ‘old’ tray cloths and embroidered into them to give a contemporary feel. Some of the materials I use are given to me, or either bought from charity shops or antique markets. I also like to swap materials with other makers.
What are your thoughts on ethical textile production?
I believe that there is a terrible wastage of fabric and textiles in the world. Partly due to cheap fashion and a throw away culture, the fashion industry has a lot to do with this, with producing constant new collections. The high street subsequently keeps up and new colours, patterns, styles appear in high street shops. I think as money becomes tight, I hope people will think more about giving to charity shops or re vamping old clothes rather than throwing them away.
Also I believe dyeing methods have an impact on the planet and I like to see natural dyes used in products where possible.
Wednesday 26 January 2011
A Conversation with Textile Craft Artist Patricia Bown...
(Image above: Urchin Installation by Patricia Bown)
How long have you been working as an artist?
Since I graduated with BA (HONS)Textiles in 2007
How would you describe your work?
I use the traditional techniques of crochet, felt making, hand and machine knitting to create tactile contemporary pieces for exhibition, fashion accessories and interior design.
What is your inspiration?
All aspects of nature- shape, colour, texture, weather influences, changing seasons
What materials do you use when producing your work?
That would depend on the project and the overall effect I am trying to achieve. I experiment with lots of textiles, yarns and fibres.
Do you use any recycled or renewable materials in your work?
This again would depend on the project but I do try to use them when I can.
What are your thoughts on ethical textile production?
That there are many issues to consider-working conditions, exploitation, fair trade, sustainable production and the environment. Everyone wants to pay less for their goods etc which ultimately means something has to suffer. There needs to be more emphasis on sustainability and responsibility in the future.
For more information on Patricia Bown check out her website!
Hello and Welcome to the Craftworks Textile Blog
My name is Alia, I am a textile artist and illustrator. I have been working as a craft artist since 2006 when I opened my studio at the Manchester Craft and Design Centre. Since then, I have developed my own crafts company www.threadsandjewels.com
I have a passion for textiles which stems from a childhood of being surrounded by beautiful textures and patterns. My grandfather, Shiekh Munawer Hussain migrated to England in the early 1950's and subsequently settled down and built a life in Manchester. He opened his first textile factory in Ancoats in the 1970's. He manufactured socks and tights to begin with and this then developed to knitwear. My Mum told me tales of how as a child she would help my Grandmother check the quality of the socks were up to standard and pack them away in packets and boxes ready to be sold. At the age of 19 my mother moved on to help at my Grandfather's knitwear factory, overlocking, pressing and buttoning.
My mother grew up around textiles and she learnt many skills which my Grandmother taught her including general sewing of clothes, crotchet, knitting and embroidery (mostly cross stitch). As a result of this my mother passed these skills down to me and I also learnt how to sew, knit and embroider. My Grandfather closed the factories in the 1980's and started developing buisnesses in other avenues. This was due to the fact that the textile industry in Manchester was declining and thier was no longer a need for local factories as cheaper labour was available overseas. I have since developed a huge interest in Manchester's textile industry and local craft makers.
My contribution to the Craftwork project aims to examine local people in the community and Craft artists experiences of textiles and thier views on migration, ethical production and sustainability.
I hope you will follow me capturing all of lovely stories people have to share!
(Image above: My mother Robina Akhter crotcheting)
(An image of the crotchet piece up close - it is growing to grow into a beautiful bag!)
(Image above: my lovely Grandmother Tayyba Khanim Hussain who passed down all of her fantastic skills to her daughters and her grandaughters)
I have a passion for textiles which stems from a childhood of being surrounded by beautiful textures and patterns. My grandfather, Shiekh Munawer Hussain migrated to England in the early 1950's and subsequently settled down and built a life in Manchester. He opened his first textile factory in Ancoats in the 1970's. He manufactured socks and tights to begin with and this then developed to knitwear. My Mum told me tales of how as a child she would help my Grandmother check the quality of the socks were up to standard and pack them away in packets and boxes ready to be sold. At the age of 19 my mother moved on to help at my Grandfather's knitwear factory, overlocking, pressing and buttoning.
My mother grew up around textiles and she learnt many skills which my Grandmother taught her including general sewing of clothes, crotchet, knitting and embroidery (mostly cross stitch). As a result of this my mother passed these skills down to me and I also learnt how to sew, knit and embroider. My Grandfather closed the factories in the 1980's and started developing buisnesses in other avenues. This was due to the fact that the textile industry in Manchester was declining and thier was no longer a need for local factories as cheaper labour was available overseas. I have since developed a huge interest in Manchester's textile industry and local craft makers.
My contribution to the Craftwork project aims to examine local people in the community and Craft artists experiences of textiles and thier views on migration, ethical production and sustainability.
I hope you will follow me capturing all of lovely stories people have to share!
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