Big & Bold

A sneak preview of one of my new pieces go off to New York for Loot at The Museum of Art and Design in October. I know sounds like ages away but all the work must be sent in a few weeks and we are off for our holidays on Thursday. Many saw blades broken lately and i've gone big for those N.Y ladies as well as some gold plating too. It's been brilliant to have some time to make new work. I'll also be at MadeLondon at the end of October so getting lots of city action. Not my usual company of radio 4 and the odd visit form the children.

births, floods and New York

I

 I think i can still say happy new year to you. It is the 30th of january so just in time i reckon.
The baby was born and the printing did get done.(see last blog)
I think the printing might have helped bring the birth on and thankfuly it did as i was days away from making my way to Taunton hospital to be induced.
So Lenny Wren French (French is my married name) was born at home on the 26th October 2012.
All went well and i've been busy ever since.
No pics of work this posting but the debris from the flood we had at Bridge Farm in November.
As you can see the lovely red silt left behind didn't make it to the top shelf in our kitchen but the water did run right through our house up to our knees!
All very surreal.
Thankfully my studio is up stairs so all ok there and we were pretty lucky with not losing to much down stairs.
An eventful time for the finale of 2012 and as for 2013..... i have already had my most exciting email of the year.
I SHALL BE GOING TO NEW YORK to EXHIBIT at LOOT!!!

 

spinning of many plates

Well how the year rolls on and into autumn already. I've been using all my plate spinning skills to get work made in all the different mediums i find myself working in as well as getting child number 2 baked.
Most of the work is made now although new things are still popping up...
an exciting new online japanes shop, Home Economics want  jewellery and i have an order for my hankies to be shipped off to Japan too.
What will come first the baby or the work?
Above are some plates i did for the window display at The Art Shop in Abergavenny  for the food festival they have every August.

This is a Medal Brooch i made for an exhibition during the summer at the Twenty twenty Gallery in Much Wenlock, Shropshire birth place of the modern Olympics, (hence the exhibition on medals).

Alas i did not find myself in new York last month for LOOT at the Museum of Modern Art.
With this baby on the way it was all getting a little close for jet setting so the lovely ladies who organise the event and i decided 2013 might be a better time for me to exhibit.
I did ask for a contract in blood to say i would be going next year so am already looking forwards to the event. 
Watch this space for some new fancy pieces of jewellery to be created in the new year.
The bangle above did made it to New York this year though and was commissioned by Bryna Pomp, how cool is here name, all made from French coins which was a very good chose as they are particularly beautiful.

 And so to a bit of pen and ink. 
This is a commission i was asked to do for a Wedding present recently. 
I was pleased with the out come and drew it from photographs which i don't usually do.
It's normally me perched in some London street leaning on a car drawing in situe.
Using photographs and there for sitting at home instead also means that a commission like this can be done at a very reasonable rate so if any one out there is interested do get in contact.

And finally a little note i received from one of my lovely and happy customers...

"i have just signed for the 20 centime stick pin which i love a lot. it
is now on the vintage tweed jacket i wore to walk the dog this morning
which looked bare and was really looking forward to the arrival of my
new treasure."

Many thanks for the kind words Claire in Hastings. 

New home, new studio

A new view.

New rings for a show at The Yorkshire Sculpture Park, on until the end of next month. 

A little theater scene to play with.

Lots of new embroideries having been stitched.

Finally a new home and it's not on wheels. After 2 years of a nomadic life we have found a beautiful old farm house in Somerset to rent with loads of room for all our belongings, my studio and a huge garden for busy children and growing things.
The poly tunnel is up and beds dug and the house is full of unpacked boxes but you have to get your priorities straight.
My studio is palatial and has a radiator which is really exciting as it's the only one in the whole house. As you can see i have a rural scene to look out on and it's normally a randy turkey out in the yard strutting about showing off to me but you got a pick of the feisty geese.
So all is good and i am looking forwards to unpacking properly and getting ship shape, i might get a chance some day soon.
A busy and exciting year so far with one trade show just done and lots of events on their way.
I'll let you know all of my new stockiest soon. 
My year wall planner is a great thing but also keeps taking me too much later in the year which is slightly scary.
I AM OFF TO NEW YORK though in September to exhibit at LOOT held at THE MUSEUM OF MODERN ART!!! 
I am still in shock and very excited, it's hyped as the top 50 jewelers in the world so that'll be me this year!
Just as glamourous... i will be in Somerton, Somerset at The Buttercross Vintage and hand made market this Staurday the 28th of April, 10am to 4pm.
I forgot to mention that the Bakelite Museum is at the end of my street and they have a tea shop that services cream teas! What joy.

Roll-Up-Roll-Up

We are just packing up for a trip down to the cost for the annual New England House Studio Sale in Brighton.
I'll be in my brother studio so lots of fine pots too.
Many bargains to be had, especially in my corner with prints for 50p, yes i did say 50p.
I am also selling off all my old jewellery with silver charms at £2 each.
I know i would probably get more for them if i sold the silver for scrap with the price of it now days but it's time to clear out and i just want them to go to good homes and for people to enjoy them.
So if you are around on Thursday or Friday get your self down there.
We are then whizzing up to London early on Saturday morning for the Christmas Selvedge Fair in Archway.
Another lovely event by those Selvedge ladies.
I hope to see you.
If you're not able to make these then have a right fine old festive time and thanks for all your support in 2011.
Much busyness for 2012 so what this space....

The scenic route

*This is a little dolls pinny i found at a jumble sale last week for 5p. Abandoned on the toy table until i came along. The stitching is incredibly detailed.

There should be and was an image of the flyer used to promote the show i am doing in Manchester this weekend but technology got the better of me and it all went a bit wrong so you got this beauty instead.

I am off to Manchester tomorrow via Wales on that best kept secret of a short cut.
It was a good idea when i first thought of it.
Really it will be nice, i am going to my in-laws first to visit them on their small holding where we were living earlier this year. I'll drop my son off and then get back on the scenic route up to Manchester to set up for The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair.
Spot my brothers jugs on the poster.

I am doing lots of shows from now until Christmas and am off to Nottingham in a few weeks to take part in Lustre, November the 4th - 6th.
if you would like any invites for the preview evening on the Friday the 4th, email me with your address and i will pop some in the post for you.

New, New.

Here are a couple of pieces i've been busy making for Origin.
Both necklaces have matching earrings and the Leaf design also has a bracelet to go with it.
As you can see there is a stripy thing going on too.