Art Market York - October 2015

Well what a weekend!!

As anyone that takes part in shows you will know these are great events but a bit mad.

Thursday 1st Oct 10.30 am - Set Up
Always a mad time and a feeling of being rushed that you are never going to manage to convert your tiny 2x1meter space into retail beauty!  People always think jewellery is easy to display as its small ...... but that just means there is a lot of it to display!!!  It took me from 10.30-4.30 to set up!

Unloading can be a bit chaotic

Friday 2nd October 10.00 am - Day One show opens to public!

Lots of exciting work to see

 Little cafe area to stop for refreshments

Saturday and Sunday 3rd 4th October - The show continued with lots of visitiors.  Talks and workshops took place throughout the weekend.  I was kept plenty busy and met some great people and chatted with some lovely customers.

Sunday 4th October - 4.00 pm - The breakdown, eaqually as mad as set up day but just quicker!!  It took me about an hour and a half to pack up!! - Overall it was a great show and I look forward to next year..... watch this space!!

Sunset at York Racecourse

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Screen Printing Class

 

I took part in a great taster screen printing class at Rural Arts in Thirsk.  This is my second go at screen printing at Rural Arts and again it was great fun.  After previously dabbling with Christmas designs this time I decided to go with a bold retro inspired apple design.

Image from the Rural Arts Facebook page c/o Rural Arts Images on Facebook
Rural Arts Web page - Rural Arts Facebook

The design I made was quite simple although cutting the stencils is always more complicated than you think, so it took me about 3 goes to make sure I didn't have any loose bits of paper.  Once my design was cut out of paper it was time to get to work on the screen!

We were shown how to set up the screen and mask off the correct area.  Then shown how to create backgrounds (that's how there is some green with some of the images).  I then chose to print my stylised apples just in black to give a good contrast.

Once your set up its a case of go go go! So off the printing went, 2nd image shows the process happening.  I found the actual technique a bit tricky, just to get the right pressure and ink but am pleased with how my pictures turned out. ( The apple images in a row, in image above is a mix of what I managed on the day.)

Rural Arts do a great mix of workshops, do take a look at their site and give it a try!

Image from the Rural Arts Facebook page c/o Rural Arts images on facebook
Rural Arts Web page  - Rural Arts Facebook
 

The Elevated Envelope

Well this is my first attempt at this. A friend sent me a link through facebook after I commented that what comes through the letter box these days is quite depressing and is normally in the guise of a bill.

Basically you sign up..... get given a theme.... on this occasion 2 months to complete your 10 letters, to a list given to you of like minded folk doing the same thing elsewhere in the world.

The theme this time was 'Sweet' now that can mean a few things and your are open to interpret this how you wish. I took on the idea of sweet in the uk being the same as candy would be in the US. So after my lovely other half bringing me a lovely box of chocs, inspiration hit..... My 'Sweet' theme would be a box of chocolates.

I decided to make a stamp to represent the chocs to go in the choc box, on the back a recipe for some chocolate truffles. The envelope was to be the 'box' complete with ribbon and gift tag.

I also wanted to make my envelope quite small.... again using the sweet theme I have always loved the old fashioned Jane Austin style letter and so a smaller envelope was made. I then decorated the outside by stamping and painting my ribbon and drawing some tags. I made a few variations just to try.

The final extra was a little 'sweet' heart supposed to resemble and edible treat on a ribbon. These were just made from shrink plastic, drew various designs on them and threaded them up. These can either be worn as necklaces, used as bookmarks or just a little bit of decoration. I hope they have arrived with the recipients ok and look forward to seeing my elevated envelopes coming through the door.

For more information if you want to take part the next time follow the Ephemera facebook page and follow the blog. All organised by Tara Bliven!!

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