Why Having Two Pairs Of Hands Would Be Nice...

Ok, random title I know, but I have just under an hour til my next train and nothing to do. I have just dyed some yarn (and very lovely yarn it is too) grey - finally!

However I can't use it just yet as its still in a hank, and everyone else is busy...

So, for your delectation I'm going to just put photos of my mood board and "drawings" :)

Is It A Bird? Is It A Plane?

No, its just plain cuckoo :P

Residency: Day 2

Introduction

I am currently volunteering at Gallery TS1, Middlesbrough, as an assistant on the Arts Apprenticeship scheme, whilst I am there I shall be helping the young NEET people with their arts awards, taking photos of work, assisting the artists with preparing and tidying the space, also making samples for workshops and overall try to ensure that the days run smoothly. Hopefully I shall deliver a knitting workshop also if theres time.

Day 2: Badge making and soft toys

Today I worked alongside Nicola Parkin, in the morning the young people were set the task of making badges using collage, as inspiration they were shown a postcard in which a mans head was replaced with a birds, there was a wide selection of magazines to choose - ranging from reptiles, bodybuilders, graphic design, gossip magazines. I feel this was successful as although they only had one piece as a starting point the young people came up with many different results, not one of them had similar outcomes.

From this they then went onto using the badge machine to discover how they can make a small, saleable object from their creations, they seem really impressed with how quick and easy it was to do, despite some minor problems with the machine its self. The badges they created should be in the gallery's shop relatively soon too, to show a rapid turn-around.

In the afternoon the focus was on making simple soft toys and seeing/developing what sewing skills the young people had, as I specialise in textiles I felt as though I could affectively help the young people and answer any queries they had about sewing. Unfortunately we ran out of time and they were unable to finish their toys, but they should be completed tomorrow.

Plastic Fantastic

Bio-degradable installation - I think so.

BOOM! Explosive Taste In Your Mouth...

POW!

Super Croshady Lady STRIKES!

Everywhere You Go, You Always Take The Weather With You

Birmingham - my future city of residence (in 2012 - fingers crossed)

Here are just a few of my photo's;

Grateness Embodied

Well just as I promised theres photos of my cheese grater!

Possibly the tidiest my work bay has ever been

It's ALIVE!

My monster cheese grater is finished!

Unfortunately my camera is in my other bag :(

On the plus side I can sleep again!

It's Like 10,000 Spoons, When All You Need Is A Knife...

Alanis Morrisette had it all wrong...

Y'know whats ironic - when you've spent the last few months obsessing over cheese graters and you now think you can't actually eat cheese any more, only just a tad more ironic than ra(y-eee-a)in on your wedding day, non?

Grate Expectations...

Well I've been a bit naughty and did more knitting/crochet than my report and essay (seeing as my netbook's version of word is rather ghey) :S

But I think it was worth it...

Don't you?

STRESS!

Everything seems to come at the same time!!!

Report and file - April 20th
Essay and file - April 27th
Work related studies - May 6th

And still no reply from Birmingham (how rude!), so I don't know where I'm going next year...

I can't do this.

Inspiration Sandwich (Part 1)

Going back to my love of all things Japanese, crocheted and mundane objects roots I've decided I need an Inspiration Sandwich!

http://blog.livedoor.jp/m203gow/

Oh My Goodness!

I've had an offer to have my lightbulbs in a magazine!!!

My head shall not swell, I swear!

Just Grate!

Welcome to my new obsession!

Everyone needs a cheese grater, non?

A Little Less Conversation, A Little More Action Please

Organising myself as of today...

1) Middlesbroughian Yarn Graffiti aye?

2) Giant cheese grater for Shipley

3) Lightbulbs! (avec prices)

4) Arts award silver

5) Studio space

6) New Uni (Hereford?/Birmingham?)

7) Designer Makers questionnaire et report

I think thats enough for now...

Todays problem - Gigantic Yarn...

These Are A Few Of My Favourite Things

If you loved me, you'd get me one...

My Hero - Inga Hamilton

I am going to write about my arts hero - Inga Hamilton, a fibre activist living in Northern Ireland. Inga dyes, spins and crochets her own yarns, she was taught how to from a very young age by friends and family but only took it back up at the age 30, they've now taken over home and entire life (that I can relate to).

Besides her own yarns she also works with waste products recycling them to release their inner-beauty, challenging public views of what can be recycled - using yarns and laces found in charity shops, plastic, carrier bags, foam and bubble wrap.

A lot of her inspiration comes from nature;

"Mother Nature is the greatest artist, she matches and blends colours in the sky, uses mathematics her shapes and plants and sculpts stones and landscapes with seas and rains"

Alongside nature, laughter is also a great inspiration, both herself and her husband come up many a silly idea and decide to make them "our house is filled with huge monsters and paintings that we've made to make us laugh til we can hardly stand up".

All this can be seen in Inga's Hyperbolic Crochet Reefs, of which I saw myself in Harrogate in 2008, copious amounts of yarn, time and joy must have went into making of it.

When asked about being a good influence to young people she answered that she tries to share her skills as much as possible with young and old alike and tells people "don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something artsitically". I, personally, find Inga a good influence, I can look at her art and feel inspired, she seems like a very pleasant, friendly lady and I would love to meet her over a cup of tea and crochet.

All photos have been taken from www.rockpoolcandy.com

Completely...

Stoked about this friday, saturday and sunday. All my fellow Middlesbroughians (and North-Easterners) get thyselves to town and follow the lightbulbs (should I get them all ready in time). It's gonna be amazing!

Don't actually follow the bulbs - you won't find them around town, but they'll be in a shop window! woop woop! The rest of the shop'll be most wonderous too! Live drawing of what should be in there, badges for sale, etc.

I'm A Little Yellow Fish In The Deep Blue Sea, Won't Somebody Help Me?

Ventured to The Deep, Hull today with the family. Took photos-aplenty :)