New Studio Space!

I've been in my studio in Nooch for nearly 9 months now. I loved my space - working and teaching in there. It's been fabulous. Yesterday I moved across the shop into a bigger, brighter space.  It's got a hard floor so I don't have to worry about getting the floor wet, more windows so plenty of natural light and more space so I can fit more people in for workshops! 

I'm really looking forward to working and teaching in my new space!!

Needle Felt Brooches

This afternoon I had a fabulous time teaching 4 lovely ladies how to needle felt brooches.

We made use of cookie cutters, lots of merino wool tops and of course, sparkly bits (aka angelina fibres) to create gorgeous brooches. There was also a freeform fox and owl felted to.

We had plenty if time to play around and experiment and everyone left with a couple of pieces. Of course, we had biscuits, lots of warm drinks (the weather has turned a bit nasty here in Wigan today) and I'd even baked!

I can't wait for the next workshop! 

    My heart brooches - beading and embroidery to be added!

   Debbie's beautiful flower - I'm feeling Rennie Mackintosh!

    Michelle's gorgeous brooches

    Emma's owl and bunny modelled on her sons toy bunny! Super cute!

    Michelle's beautiful brooches including foxy!

Fame at Last!

I'm famous! Well, I made it into the paper not once, but twice this week.

My first feature was in the 'What's On' section of the Wigan Evenng Post sharing information about my studio open day this Saturday!

The second was far more exciting.  A few weeks ago, I was contacted by a local journalist who had seen my poster about my studio on Twitter and wanted to do a story on me.  They sent a photographer who took some crazy and quirky photos, which I just love, and then this week the story was featured and it takes up half a page!  It is a lovely write up (yes there are a few spelling mistakes but who cares?!) and I'm very grateful to them for featuring me and giving me a boost as I start my new venture!  

I've Made a Kit!!

As my Open Studio day gets ever closer, I've been busy rearranging my studio (again), putting up posters and making beautiful creations to sell.  I have, however, been working a new product entirely - a kit!

I've been wanting to create a kit for a while and this was exactly the right time.  

My first kits are for felt beads! One is a felt bead bracelet kit and the other a felt bead necklace kit.

Each kit contains comprehensive step by step instructions, with photographs and all the matetials you need to make your beautiful and unique bracelet or necklace.  

I'm most looking forward to putting together the colours for the kits - I've just got to wait for them to arrive!

I have to say a big thank you to Fiona who came and tested my instruction book for me on Saturday.  This was a really important part of the whole process to ensure that they where clear and easy to follow.  I made a few changes and additions to them following this.

I'm going to be launching my kits at my open studio day next Saturday and they will be available to buy in the studio and from my Folksy and Etsy shops - you can even choose your own colours if you wish!

I've Got a Studio!!

As the title says, I've now got a studio! It is soooo exciting and why I've not posted for a few weeks.

I moved in about 2 weeks ago, into a small studio space in Nooch (a Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten Free grocery store) in Wigan.  I've been selling my items in there for a few months and, when Ged suggested I get a space to work in, it seemed like a great place to be.

I've got room to work, teach workshops and sell my creations, as well as storage space for my supplies.  I've spent a lot of time making it look great and I've still got things to do - like putting up my bunting.

I now feel like a real artist and have even taken the big step of changing my job title on Facebook to Textile Artist.

To go with my studio, I've now got a website with details of my workshops on.  In time, there will also be a shop on there to - www.thegingerbreadbunny.co.uk 

To celebrate, I'm having an open studio day on the 16th August where you can have a peek try your hand at felt making, enjoy some refreshments and 10% off all purchases (including workshops) on the day.  If you live near a Wigan then it would be great to see you.

Keep popping back for more photographs. 

Crochet Bling!

I've recently developed a thing for blinging things with crochet - to be honest, if you add crochet to it then it's better right? 

I've been working on clothing for a while (you will have to wait and see that) but this week I've been blinging a clock I bought from Ikea for my new studio (more about that next week!) 

I crocheted lots of flowers, using a fabulous pattern from ATERGcrochet on Etsy (I adore her patterns and they are well worth checking out. She also allows you to sell items made from her patterns which is truly awesome!) 

I used Rico Cotton Essentials in lots of different colours from my stash.  It has a lovely sheen to it and, being cotton, has some stiffness to it when worked up on a small hook.

Once all my flowers where complete, I glued them on, using pegs to hold them all in place whilst the glue dried and voila, one significantly improved clock.

Who knows what will get the crochet bling next?