let it snow let it snow....let it snow

So if your not aware of the snow ... where have you been hiding? and is there room for me? ... i knew it was forecast but i didn't think it would be quite as much as it has been. I opened my front door this morning to a mini avalanche .. as i stood there in a now snow filled hallway i decided that venturing out wasn't the best plan ... typical that it is my day off work and i have so much to do but never the less a productive day in doors to catch up on my blog it is .. so kettle on and here it goes. . .

This week started out a good one, with a night out with the lovely tiv and allen. We have tickets to see the rather divine mr leto for a long time and we were not dissapointed!! 30seconds to mars were bloody brilliant! and the night continued to be eventful as we left the arena to find a blizzard .. and very almost got stranded in town..as the pics show the snow was coming down fast! Our taxi never showed up and myself and allen pushed a total of 12 cars up a hill that got stuck on the ice .. while men sat back and watched i may add .. proving even more so my point that the gentleman is an extinct breed!
Was humourous though and kept us warm, i just do hope this snow does not delay the postman i have so many wonderful new materials arriving this week in time for the chirstmas fair at the gallery ... fingers crossed they get here in time .. xxx

new collection photoshoot for Culture magazine

imagery by www.grantglenton.com

This week i had some fabulous news from the gallery, Culture magazine are doing an article on must have gifts for christmas and yes. .. you guessed it ... frayedtextiles hair accessories will be listed!! soooo its been a mad dash to make some new goodies and get booked in with grant for some imagery for the magazine. As usual grant has done a grand job, the shots look amazing!! well i think so .... what do you lot think? ...
xxx

forever changing ..

Iv been doing alot of thinking lately about my work as a designer and my brand. I have come to realise that i take too much on and try to do too much at once!! i really need to learn to say no :)

Although there are many strings to my bow, and the business is made up of two main halves focusing on a FrayedFrocks my clothing label, and the accessories line of FrayedTextiles Im realising how confusing this may be to potential clients and may put people off. So i have come to the conclusion that i need a re'shuffle and revamp the brand. Im am as they say ''going back to basics'' and taking the brand back to its orignal roots and trading under the one label, FrayedTextiles. I will be focusing my time on my accessories label with a limited clothing collection every now and then. This way i can create more intricate pieces that i love so much without compramising my time and trying to do so much at once.

Sooooo please stay with me on this revamp, the only thing changing is the name and thats only ever so slight. The web address will be changing to frayedtextiles.co.uk and it will be this logo i will be using on tags and business cards.

If you have any comments or suggestions for us to keep in mind with the revamp they would be much appriciated!!

fee x

yann tiersen, a lovely early christmas gift

Yann Tiersen
08/11/2010

One of my favourite films is the french classic 'Amelie', i have loved this film for so long, always the one i turn to on a down day, (asides from coco avant chanel)
I love the unusual way it is filmed, the quirky characters and of course the fabulous music.
That music coming from the genius mind of Yann Tiersen.

i discovered that the man himself was going to be playing at our cities university and my lovely little brother decided to take me as an early christmas gift.

The gig was quite possibly one of the best iv been too, iv not seen someone change between so many instruments on one set before, he has definatley inspired me to take piano lessons, something iv wanted to do for so long but just not got round too. We were also lucky enough to meet Yann after the show, as you can see in the photo my brother was pretty happy!!

xxx

British Textile & Surface Design Association @ The Sage 2010

(left to right)
Andrew Brady, writer & Poet... Newcastle college students, Claudia Van Lieshout smit, Tutor and BTSDA rep, (far right) Myself, Textile artist.

Press release :



A group of Foundation Degree students have published a book which celebrates a collaboration of north east creative arts.

‘Reaction’ a book combining textile and surface design and poetry, has been produced by students from the School of Creative Industries at Newcastle College and local writer, Andrew Brady.

Students on the Foundation Degree Textile and Surface Design were given the project as part of a live brief. They were asked to source patterns, textures and images which reflected a maritime theme.

Local writer, Andrew was invited in to speak to the students and was asked to write a series of original pieces which would fit with their designs. Andrew’s poems were based on his personal feelings and experiences and given a maritime feel to fit with the artwork designed by the students.

The book was unveiled at the NewcastleGateshead Art Fair. The department has close links with the British Textiles and Surface Design Association (BTSDA) which the new book exclusively on its stand.

Production of the book was made possible with the help of Aim Higher funding. This project is just one of several funded by Aim Higher. Previous live briefs with the Foundation Degree textile and Surface Design include the Butterfly Project at St Teresa’s Hospice and the design of a cope, stole and tapestry for the Church of England in Newcastle upon Tyne.

The Foundation Degree in Textile and Surface Design covers textile design for both fashion and interior applications. The emphasis is on creative design using traditional techniques and new media processes. Subjects include stitch, print and surface pattern.

Claudia Van Lieshout Smit, Textile and Surface Design Course Leader and lecturer in the School of Creative Industries, said: “This was a fantastic project for our students to be involved with. To be able to see examples of their work in print and the way in which the arts can be used together to create a commercial piece of work has been very valuable.

“Andrew was excited to work with our students, having worked with textile artist and former students, such as Fiona Ray. His original works inspired the students and allowed them to see how different areas of the creative industries can work in collaboration.”

Andrew Brady said: “Being asked to be involved in this project was a privilege and I am forever grateful. This is a brilliant starting point for a future in writing and the student’s art work excelled my expectations and brings the book together beautifully.

“Thank you to Claudia for the invitation and to everyone else involved in the book.”

Newcastle Gateshead Art fair 2010 @ the Sage

Frayed Textiles @ The Sage
30th september - 3rd october

So this weekend my work went on exhibition alongside hundreds of other artists at the fabulous Sage on the Gateshead quayside.
I love the Sage, as well as other buildings along the quayside, soon as I am back home from my travels i don't feel I am home until i see the bridges and the buildings along the river. I often attend the arts fair as a visitor so it was a proud moment for me to be an exhibitor this year, and even more so to experience it with one of my dear friends, Poet, Andrew Brady
This event was a chance for us to publicise the book, 'REaction' alongside all the original artwork and the stand looked amazing and we recieved some brilliant feedback.
The VIP opening went very smoothly and i was pleasantly surprised at how many people showed up, it was a little over whelming but in a good way!!
Iv given you a sneak peek photograph of the stand (above) and i will upload the articles and imagery from the newspapers later this week.

Many thanks to the British Textile and Surface Design Association for represting me.

xxx

............. break time over

Break time is over

soooooo i lasted a grand total of 3 weeks off work, i knew it would be hard taking a break from things but i guess i am addicted to sewing i just cannot give it up!!

I thought i had picked a good time to leave off things and raise funds to go travelling....however him upstairs had different plans for me ... as i pack away betty
(my beloved little sewing machine)
and took a week of much needed R&R the postman carried in sale slip after sales slip from the gallery which means my stock has sold out ... which made me think ooooooooooooops am i doing the right thing? I then got the phone call saying id been accepted into the British Textiles and Surface Design Association and they wanted to exhibit my work at the Sage in Gateshead as part of the annual arts fair.
Of course i couldn't say no, so that was it, done deal i am officially back in business after a mini break, i still plan to go travelling but with opportunities like this i just cannot turn them down.

Soooooooo now starts the mammoth run up to Christmas where i eat sleep dream breathe designs for gift orders. So if you don't see me in a while ..... just stick ya head round the studio door and check the pile isn't over my head ... bring me a cuppa and i will be forever grateful :0)

xxxx