This studio is making me go all 3D!!

Todays makes.

Working somewhere different is having a bit of an impact on my work.
Last week I started to trap things in wax, but I used soya wax (my candles of preference), and it failed miserably. The wax just wouldn't stay whole as I pushed it out of the molds.
So I tried melting some other old candles and...it worked - YAY!
I dangled the results from my studio window.

I also used a heart shaped ice cube mould to melt wax into.
I have created lots of these. The hearts contain words (positive emotions) which ground us and the wings, which are hand drawn and coated with wax, negative emotions - which need to FLY.
Just need to decide how to display them.

Still not got my camera, but I am having fun with instagram on my phone.

Believe

 I went to my studio on Thursday and I was compelled to paint this on one of the walls.
"Believe"  one of the definitions of which is " to expect with confidence".
It is a word which keeps coming back to me for whatever reason, and was the word I chose to put on the cover I made for my 2012 diary...

 and has also found it's way onto the fridge with the aid of my sons Innocent Smoothie fridge magnets (sadly missing another 'E', but you get the picture).

 The day in my studio was good, if not a little strange. It was odd being in a different space. I have put some of my stuff up on the walls, and fiddled about trying to make some things. Not very successfully.
 I don't know if it will work for me, but I am prepared to give it a go. I didn't have my camera and took these on my phone - not the clearest of pictures but at least a record of that first 'proper' day.

It was good to have lunch there and to talk to some of the other artists. I have been on my own for too long.

My confidence ebbs and flows, as I know it does with so many creatives.

Time to BELIEVE.

I am going to create some new wonderful art.

So there :-)

Have a lovely weekend x

Long time no see...

Hello :)
Hope that you have all had a lovely Christmas.
I have been busy with Christmas orders, and then trying to catch up with family over the festive period.

As we draw to the end of 2011 I wanted to show you something, a view...

from my new studio.

It is a shared space with four other artists, but this little corner is mine.
I wasn't planning on having a studio, but fate stepped in and whilst learning to screen print at Neoartists with the wonderful Denis,

I learnt of the studio space above the print rooms and said "I'll have it". Spur of the moment. Gut instinct.
I am in the process of 'moving in'.

I also had a piece of art work selected for the Open Art Exhbition at Bolton Art Gallery which runs until 7th January 2012.

Wishing you all a happy, healthy 2012. Thank you so much for visiting this blog.

Suze xxx

Amazing what you can do with a few pencils.

Love this track and video.
Found initially via this is colossal
Have a good weekend x

A Trip to the Temperance Bar

A few days ago my aunt came to visit. She had an article from "Country Living" magazine which she had saved from an old issue, about the only remaining temperance bar in England, about half an hours drive from where I live.
It is called Fitzpatricks
So we picked my mum up on the way and the three of us set off on our adventure to a Lancashire town called Rawtenstall.

Here's what we found. It was just how I had imagined it.

We sat at the little table and I ordered a drink of cold Dandelion and Burdock, my aunt hot Sarsaparilla and my mum hot Ginger and Lemon, They were all delicious.
I also bough some dried ginseng, which you can make a drink out of ,which is said to help restore energy - I am in need of that at the moment, so I have been brewing a pot everyday!
The young man who served us was really helpful and had an old book which listed lots of herbs and their properties, and what ailments they were good for.

 We all bought a bottle of Blood Tonic Cordial which is made with rosehips and nettles and tastes delicious.

Last night the bar was also featured on Ade in Britain  with Ade Edmonson which was really interesting to watch as it showed how they actually make some of the cordials.
It's strange how sometimes you never visit places which are right on your doorstep.
I will definitely be returning.

So, what's your poison? If you had to give up alcohol what would be your drink of choice?

Murmuration

Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.

Hope you can hear the music on my post, if not click the link below the video to take you straight to the site.

Amazing.

Have a lovely weekend x

Afternoon tea and a good book.

I love a good book.

Something to take me to faraway places and become completely absorbed in someone else's adventures.

A place to escape.

Victoria Hislop writes books that I don't want to put down.

She creates wonderful characters with unusual plots, and I have not only enjoyed her books but I have learnt from them too.

Her latest book is called The Thread and I loved it on many levels, but particularly because one of the main characters is a talented embroideress. There were descriptions of a haberdashery shop which just reminded me of being a little girl and going in to similar shops as a child. For me they were better than sweetie shops.

Last week I went to a book signing of 'The Thread' at the wonderful Hoghton Tower arranged by Silverdell Books.

 I went alone, as I only managed to bag a ticket at the last minute, and had one of the lovliest afternoons.
I met another lady who had also gone on her own and we sat next to one another whilst we had afternoon tea. She was really lovely company.

 The tables looked amazing, and I wish that I had taken a picture of the food because it looked so lovely.  Sorry, as soon as it came it was gone within a matter of minutes :)
Radio Lancashire were there and interviewed Victoria about her work. She was such an interesting lady, and seemed very approachable.
We had a chat, just as I was pouring my first cup of tea, which I managed to spill all over the table - how silly did I feel?...but she was just lovely and quickly moved my bag out of the way as the tea cascaded down the side of the table. Thank goodness it didn't go on her.

This was the view as I left to go back to my car. Look at that drive! A wonderful inspiring afternoon.

Inspiration Book

 As well as having my cork wall I have several sketchbooks and folders which contain images I love. Pictures torn from magazines, of interiors, other artist's work, landscapes - anything really that catches my eye.

 Some months ago I noticed that Christine from the blog A Mermaid's Tale, was on my followers list.
I had a look at her blog and shop and realised that pictures of her work, saved from a magazine, were in one of my inspiration sketchbooks. I loved her style and thought that her work was really beautiful.
I felt honoured that someone whose work I had admired for so long was following my blog.

 

These are some of the pages that lead on from her images with some of my samples.

Wishing you every success Christine with your new adventures.

Happy 3rd Birthday UK Handmade!

Read the new Winter edition online magazine here. It is packed full of things to make, bake, and great articles on different designer makers.

There is a really good article by Karen Jinks, Creative Director of UK Handmade.
In part of it she says:
"We want people to understand the true meaning of what it is to 'value' something, to buy less and buy well. To think twice before buying mass produced goods and find something that will last longer and mean more.'

It seems like it was written with real passion and struck a chord with me.

As I sit here in my little workroom, making orders for people, personalising things, stitching by hand, wrapping each parcel with care, it is great to think that there are a group of like minded individuals out there with the same ideals and 'values'.

Happy 3rd Birthday! - well done to all involved for helping to raise the profile of British handmade items.

Hilary's 'ad' for Craft Blog. on the first page also made me smile.

Inspiring Blogs

I have found an amzaing new blog via Pinterest called The Jealous Curator, to quote, 'A collection of artwork that inspires and depresses me. I know it's good when I'm left thinking damn I wish I'd thought of that.'


I am particularly loving the post about Regine Ramseier and her installation with dandelion seedheads.
(we used to pretend to tell the time with these by blowing them - how does THAT work?!!).

I really wanted to share these images of her work ,taken from her website.

 I hope I don't get slapped hands.

Too stunning for words.

Have a lovely weekend my lovlies.