hilary's blog

Mitten Competition

2012-01-27T10:46:00.001-08:00

Seeing as the forecasters are predicting a Siberian blast of ice and freezing temperatures over the next month here in the UK I felt I had a public duty to help you all stay warm.

One of my D.I.Y. Mitten Kits is going to be up for grabs and if you'd like a little bit of inspiration to whet your appetite, have a look at design duo Abigail and Ryan's blog and marvel at Abigail's beautiful stitchwork on hers.

All you have to do is guess the answer to the following question:

How many rows of knitting do you think have I made in the last 6 months?
Place your answer in the comment box please!

I'll give you a tip: we're talking thousands here. The closest will win.

If there are two winning entries, the winner will be picked from a hat (a knitted hat no less!) and the runner up or 2nd closest answer will win a pompon keyring like the ones featured on my Supermarket Sarah shop.

The winner for this will be announced next Friday. Good luck to you all!

Keep this Page

2012-01-27T10:10:00.000-08:00

Last weekend, whilst visiting family in Glasgow I finally had the opportunity to nip over to the West End to meet the wonderful and colourful illustrator Lesley Barnes with Jen Collins (aka Hello Jenuine). Lesley was so sweet to give me this awesome bookmark which now makes reading business books a joy!

Factory Visit

2012-01-23T15:00:00.000-08:00

Last week I travelled down to the Scottish Borders to visit some knitting factories and find a manufacturer to help me with all the knitting for next winter. Like much of Scotland, the Borders have some really spectacular views and at least on that day- weather to match.

So, factory visit. If anyone is ever looking into textile or fashion production it is a little difficult to find out the basic information you need to know. I spent a fair whack of my Christmas holidays reading the Nesta guides and Fashion Toolkits they've put together. There are lots of really great case studies and have checklists of what should be expected from both designer an manufacturer in order to develop a good relationship. I'm now also going to be working to seasons with the fashion accessories as now I'll have run with their sampling and production deadlines. A book I found really helpful was "How to Set Up & Run A Fashion Label" by Toby Meadows

I armed myself with as much knowledge as possible, brought samples and examples of the kinds of products I'd want to develop with my designs, fabric swatches and a few finished pieces too. I also prepared a printed checklist for each manufacturer I visited with all my questions and spaces to fill in the answers. Although this was an extremely nerdy thing to do it was also immensely helpful to be able to assess all the info I had collected retrospectively once I had calmed down from all the excitement.

The first manufacturers I visited, a great family business in the Borders, were so helpful, talked me through everything I needed to know, couldn't have been nicer and I'm happy to say, I think I've found the one! The factories were like Santa's knitting grotto, so much colour and wool and bright coloured knitwear and knitting.

The factories all had different set ups. And it was really interesting to see the difference between the smaller factories and the bigger factories. One of the bigger factories I visited had a technician who had been working on just the scouring (washing) of the garments for over 30 years! Apparently he could tell, by the degree the temperature at which a garment had to be washed, how much water in the drum, much soap etc just by feeling the garment. Amazing!

This year I will be developing the range to include more accessories, hats, mittens, gloves and new scarf styles. I'm also going to be experimenting with some new yarns and fibres, so hold on to your hats!

If those who are interested in the History behind Scotland's textile and clothing manufacturing history, they might also like to read a previous post about the book, "The Inventors of Tradition".

N.B. I've blocked out parts of the photos with other samples being made out of courtesy and respect to their clients. Behind those pixels are the most delightful scarves and sweaters I've ever seen!

2012-01-15T09:42:00.000-08:00

I went for a walk at The Hermitage near Dunkeld in Perthshire. It was such a beautiful day and the frost in the air makes me excited about the new collection for AW12! Hope you all had a good weekend.

2011: the year Charles felt my Pompon

2012-01-10T04:57:00.000-08:00

So I'm a little late with the 2011 round-ups. But I've had a long christmas holiday and a very much needed recharge after an exhausting few months. 2011 was a pretty intense one but awesome and full of great new people and opportunities. Without gushing too much, here's quickie of some of the best bits:

Lot of new Twitter friends and stockists.

In May I was lucky enough to have been awarded support and mentoring this year with the Princes Scottish Youth Business Trust.

Securing my first stockist in Asia! The wonderful K11 Design shop is an amazing concept/ art mall in Hong Kong.

In February I was really lucky to receice financial support from the Dundee Craftmakers Award, sponsored by Creative Scotland, which allowed me to participate in the London tradeshow, Pulse Launchpad for the very first time!

And a last little mention to thank Nikki McWilliams for organising a Secret Santa with our twitter pals. My Secret Santa was the lovely Lucy Davidson of Peas and Needles and Lucy sent me the sweetest bundle of crafted goodies.

Thanks for all your support, mentions and kindness over 2011. Have a great 2012 everyone!

Super Market Sarah

2011-12-15T05:34:00.000-08:00

Sarah Bagner of the awesome Supermarket Sarah recently invited me to contribute to her online emporium of walled-wonders.

Although my online shop is now closed until the 6th of January. My Super Market Sarah wall is taking orders and delivering throughout the holidays. Perfect for any late-last minute presents or giving yourself a little post-christmas treat.

You'll also see there is a limited edition scarf available made from a specially sourced lambswool demin yarn sourced from a spinners in the North East of Scotland. It makes a nice heavy weight of fabric, soft and keeps out the winter winds.

Hint Hint...

2011-12-02T17:05:00.000-08:00

If you'd like one of my scarves for Christmas but your significant other or family members are needing a little prod in the right direction you can click on the image, print this off, fold it into quarters and place it in a strategic spot where they'll most definitely find it e.g. their workplace, jacket pocket, under a cup of tea should work too!

Just click on the image to enlarge, and go print.

Happy Weekend everyone!

A little treat for you all.

2011-11-25T05:26:00.001-08:00

I've been getting such lovely feedback about all the scarves from all the nice folks who follow me on twitter. Thanks guys! The Rainbow Dash scarf is especially popular with custom colour requests and with my Scandinavian customers. So as a little treat to you all, if you visit my online shop you can get 20% off the Rainbow Dash scarf in Mushroom until the 12.00pm GMT on Sunday.

Pecha Kucha

2011-11-10T08:12:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday I was a speaker at Dundee's first ever Pecha Kucha night. I was on second, right after Philip Long, Director of the V&A Dundee, so I was a little worried he'd be a hard act to follow. He did a pretty good job of warming up the crowd and making a great start to the night and is a very nice chap too.

Other speakers included Kate Pickering, who told us about the process of founding Vanilla Ink, Rohan Gunatillake with a very interesting talk on urban wellbeing and photographer Ross Fraser McClean who took us on a photographic journey about being kidnapped by snake charmers.

Gillian Easson and Lyall Bruce organised the whole event as part of Creative Dundee and they were absolute stars- thanks guys!

Image above via: Vanilla Ink

Winter Warmers

2011-11-03T19:39:00.001-07:00

Winter warmers: Cotton Dress by Migh- T, Ring by Jane Gowans, Pylon Pom scarf my own, long socks by Toast, Shoes by A.P.C., Wrist Worms by Sandra Juto.

Happy Friday!

2011-11-03T19:08:00.000-07:00

Over the past day and a half I have knitted over 14,000 rows. That definitely deserves a bakewell!

I'm going to the Fence Collective Bonfire Night Party on saturday night. Lovely Pigeon is going to be there with her always brilliant pop-up Pigeon Shop- you'll also be able to find some of my scarves and mountain cushions there too! You might also notice the poster was designed by the aweome David Galletly.

Have a good weekend everyone!

And the winner is....

2011-10-24T13:32:00.001-07:00

Thanks to everyone who entered my competition. It was really nice reading all your comments and I'm very thankful to everyone who tweeted about it.
I'm happy to announce the winner of my competition is the lovely Katie!

"Katie said...
I'd wear it with my red nose (because I have a cold :( ) and blue duffle coat. I'll probably have to wrestle it from my cat though, he loves to snuggle in anything lambswool!"

I'll get in touch with Katie and her scarf will soon be winging it's way to her! Thank you again to everyone for entering and for their lovely comments, it was really sweet reading through them.

Lost and Found

2011-10-19T08:48:00.002-07:00

I mentioned a while ago that Found, in Bath would be one of my new stockists and a few weeks ago they received a selection of circle scarves and pom scarves. The owner Olivia, was kind enough to send me some photographs of the products in situ. Found has a really great selection of really interesting, niche labels. As well as my scarves they stock Karen Walker, Twenty Seven, awesome jewellery, accessories, and the French classic tennis shoes. For anyone who lives in Bath, near by or visiting, Found is a must-visit if you like both classic and independent fashion, stationary and objects and I'm very happy to have them as a stockist!

All images credit: Olivia Brewer @ Found.

Competition Time

2011-10-11T15:26:00.000-07:00

To celebrate my new online shop I've decided to treat one lucky person to one of my lambswool scarves. All you have to do is comment below and the winner will be chosen on monday the 24th of October. You'll be able to win the scarf above which is made from 100% Geelong lambswool. Geelong means the first shear of the sheep, or lamb which is ultra soft. The circle scarf is the perfect winter accessory, practical for windy weather, beautifully soft and colourful.

All you have to do is post a comment below, telling me why you'd like to win a scarf and what you'd wear it with. If you're the lucky winner you'll be asked to send in a picture of yourself so everyone can see how you wear your scarf. The winner will be selected at random and announced on the evening of Monday the 24th of October.

Tell all your friends, your mother and your pets!

New Stockist Alert!

2011-10-11T15:22:00.000-07:00

Hurrah! I'm happy to tell you all that I have some new stockists. Family Tree is a lovely little design boutique on London's Exmouth Market in Islington. I originally found out about Family Tree as it was just around the corner from Alexander McQueen where I interned a few years ago. Exmouth Market is a great independent shopping area with really fantastic places to eat, a world foods market every friday and generally a great place to visit. Family Tree will be stocking a range of my circle and pom scarves.

The Tate Morden bookshop is now stocking my D.I.Y. Mitten Kits in a variety of wintery colours and patterns. I love visiting the Tate modern bookshop and always make a point of going there whenever I can visit London. They have a brilliant range of books in art, fashion, illustration and design, fantastic design-led gifts and stationary and it's often very difficult for me to leave without making a purchase!

Lovely new packaging.

2011-10-08T13:37:00.001-07:00

The shop is back in action for another (hopefully snowy) winter. We have all the styles on the website and a few more special edition scarves in limited numbers! I have been spending a lot of time sourcing some special wrapping materials so when you order something from my shop you'll get your scarf wrapped up in tissue paper and posted in a lovely brown paper sack with the new labels. The scarf will be ready to give to someone special, no wrapping required!

To celebrate the opening of the new online shop I'm having a little competition and I'll be announcing it properly tomorrow so keep an eye out on the blog and on twitter.

The Inventors of Tradition

2011-09-17T10:22:00.000-07:00

Last night I went to the book launch of The Inventors of Tradition by Beca Lipscombe and Lucy McKenzie. The book is a celebration of Scottish textile manufacturing and design and it's international influence from the 1930's to present day. It's is a really in-depth compilation of rare archive fashion photography, paraphernalia and interviews from textiles pioneers from Janette Murray to Wallace Shaw. Described as "intersection between art, design and social history", the book gives a really good insight into the many factors that brought on the decline in the 1970's such as lack of infrastructure, and not just that many high-street shops were taking their manufacturing to the Far East. Though this is addressed, there is strong emphasis on the celebration of past and evidence that there is a strong and lasting future for Scottish textile manufacturing.

At the launch last night I was able to view a collection of pieces that Atelier designed in collaboration as part of the project with a key selection of Scottish manufacturers, from Janette Murray hand-knits to the Mackintosh coat.

David Breckenridge, chair of Textiles Scotland: “The Inventors of Tradition is an innovative project bringing together rare archive material from the textiles industry and introducing exciting new pieces to our rich cultural legacy in the form of Atelier’s collection.

“The new book highlights the important contribution of Scottish textiles to the world of fashion acknowledging the pioneering designers and companies whose skills, expertise and creativity have contributed to making Scottish textiles the industry it is today.”

The book itself is really beautifully designed and illustrated and for anyone interested in Scottish textiles, a good worthy study. Editing the book was We Are Panel- who you might be familiar with through the Scotland Can Make It competition. (Unfortunately I was too busy preparing for Pulse to submit a proposal).

Open for Business- 1st of October

2011-09-14T11:07:00.000-07:00

The online shop will be open for orders and some pre-orders on the 1st of October. You can expect more styles and colour-ways with some exclusive patterns and big cosy scarves.

Three Things

2011-09-02T17:33:00.000-07:00

1. I've signed up for a workshop Practical Production Management workshop for textile production. It looks really useful for fashion or textile designers and a good introduction to how to work with manufacturers.

2. World on A Hanger is dream software for small fashion/apparel businesses to manage production and orders. It really does everything, it brings together all your information on costing, production specs and consolidates it all when you type up invoices etc and generally helps you to speed up your day to day running operations. I know my description sounds a little boring and doesn't exactly sell it but you should watch the video!

3. Campaign for Wool. Have you joined up yet? The campaign is all about promoting the use of real wool from the UK across all industries from fashion to construction. There is also a really fantastic exhibition called Wool Modern being held as part of Wool Week in London (I'm too busy to go down and visit :( but maybe next year) You'll be able to see the most exciting wooly garments from the likes of Alexander McQueen, Mark Fast, Louise Gray, Erdem and many more fab designers.

Eley Kishimoto A/w 11/12

2011-08-31T14:18:00.000-07:00

Here are my favourite picks from Eley Kishimoto's A/W collection. The colour is spot on.

Ranblings.

2011-08-19T13:24:00.000-07:00

I'm working away on my orders, getting everything knitted in big batches, then sewing in all the ends, then the knitting is scoured (giving the fabric it's soft felt-y appearance), dried, ironed, labels attached and them bagged up in a clear poly bag. It's hard work but good to be so productive and there's something very satisfying about having multiples of your work.

These are the blogs I've been reading recently. /// Design Love Fest /// Hello Tiger /// Grainline Studios (Who also did a little blog post on me recently- thank you!) /// Make It Easy

Tomorrow I'm going to the Races Day for the Princes' Scottish Business Youth Fund. About 6 other PSYBT funded businesses are going to be showcasing their businesses and they're expecting around 12,000 guests! It'll be interesting to see other people's businesses, and how they are getting on. I wasn't invited until the last minute so I still have some preparation to do tonight. Camera is charging for tomorrow so hopefully I'll have some good snaps to show you.

Night night x

Super new stockists!

2011-07-03T13:34:00.000-07:00

There are some lovely new outlets who will be sticking my work now and in the near future. One is the fabulous Supermarket Sarah. Sarah started off making her very own little shop in her living room, photographing it and then posting it online. It's such a great concept and she's since been collaborating with some really fab people, like Fred Bulter, Donna Wilson and Aussie indie mag, Frankie.

Supermarket Sarah has been in residence at Selfridges Wonder Room with her amazing pop-up shop, which is where also you'd be able to find my lambswool mountain cushions!

Other soon to be stockists include the Louisiana, at The Museum of Modern Art in Denmark and also my first overseas stockist! I'm really happy to be stocking this fine design shop and one day I've love to go visit it in person.

Next season Found in Bath will also be stocking my scarves. Found is a really beautiful concept store with a really nice range of products from classic heritage brands to really interesting fashion labels. I'm really chuffed to be stocking them!

Images taken from theSelfridges blog, The Louisiana site and theFound online shop.

Let's Go Camping

2011-07-02T11:09:00.000-07:00

We're finally getting a bit of warm weather here in Dundee and I'm starting to feel the urge to go camping. There's nothing better than waking up hearing birds, no traffic and drinking wine from enamel mugs. I really hate all that sporty looking equipment you get for camping, it's much better to natural yet utilitarian materials, and colours that let you blend in with nature and highlight all the beautiful colours.

I also forgot all the fun me and my sister used to have building tents in our bedroom with sheets and piles of books to hold them down. If you can't make it to the countryside there's always indoor camping. Much more handy when you need the loo!

1. A.P.C. Waterproof parka. 2. Blue speckled enamel mug, Mountain Warehouse. 3. Yellow storm lantern, Toast. 4. My lambswool circle scarf, Arrow. 5. Minntonka mocassins, these look so cute. 6. Large Mountain Cushion 7. Boden portable BBQ 8. Anorak sleeping bag. 9. The ultimate in portable snack- hot chocolate on a stick by the fabulous, "Foodie With a Family" blog.

Another delicious and decadent camping snack is camembert bbq fondue. Just cover this in tin foil, and open after it's hot enough to have melted. Dip with torn pieces of crunchy bread. This is my favorite! I have have more camping suggestions on my Pinterest board too.

Some of the people I've met.

2011-06-30T14:00:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed Pulse so much, not just because of the opportunity to make new contacts and get lots of great feedback but because all the other exhibitors were so nice. I was so surprised there was such a good spirit between everyone and the more experienced exhibitors were so happy to give advice and lend a hand.

1. Abigail*Ryan www.abigailryan.com These guys were the stars of the show, and very nice people too! Abigail and Ryan create screen printed cushions and homewares. They had a beautiful collection.
2.Custhom are Nathan Philpott and Jemma Ooi. My favorite is this kitten cushion.
3. Lisa from Brennan and Burch make and design wallpapers and cushions.
4. The lovely Byung from Design K was at the stand next to me. He's originally from Korea but moved to London to work. He designed these amazing stools and we talked at length about knitting.
5. Alison Hardcastle- one of the big guns! Alison had a really beautiful stand, it looked just perfect for her products.
6. Nicole Chen from Wishes Upon Stitches was showing acrylic jewellery and lovely printed scarves.
7. Vintage fabric made into lampshades and cushions from Mel Made This. Mel's was the most colourful stand, it really stood out.
8.Helen Minns's stand was across from mine. Helen is a printer and makes beautiful linen lampshades.
9. Louise Buchan (fellow Scot!) makes bags and leather accessories from reclaimed materials. This one is my favorite.

Another person I met was Zeena from Heart Zeena. She makes the sweetest printed cushions and tea towels and I realised I had seen her work so many times before. And not to forget Kirsty from Lovely Pigeon. Kirsty showed lots of new products, including her Mr Pigeon mugs and (my favorite) this sweet lino cut pooch.

Edit: Lindsay Gardiner was unable to make Pulse this time round. I was disappointed not to see her but think her website is definitely worth a peek. You also might have seen her at the opening of the Anthropologie store in Edinburgh drawing doggie portraits- her spécialité!

Back Home

2011-06-15T13:35:00.000-07:00

We got back from Pulse last Wednesday, though it feels like I haven't yet recovered. I managed somehow to get by with my tiny 2x1m stand and gained enough interest and orders from buyers to make the whole thing really worthwhile. I also have my first overseas stockist in Denmark which is really exciting! There are lots of good things coming up in the pipeline but I can't say anything yet. I still feel like I'm processing lots of the information but I'm happy to share info with anyone else who is keen to do this kind of thing- just post your questions in the comments box and I'll try my best to answer.

I'm really grateful for the help and support I've had over the last few months and thankful to the CMA:D (Craft Makers Award Dundee) with Creative Scotland and Dundee City Council and the Princes Scottish Youth Business Trust for their financial help. And also to Robbie for helping me with getting everything packed up and away and for making my shiny new website.

New Collection Preview

2011-05-27T08:57:00.000-07:00

This time next week I'll be travelling down to London for Pulse where I'll be previewing my new collection to buyers and industry people.

I'm on my last leg of preparation and last week we had a photoshoot with the lovely Jane Gowans
(who also also happens to be a very talented jewellery designer) modelling. Kristen of What Kristen Saw did a really great job of photographing all the pieces and the results are just super. Here's a sneak peak into the shoot.

We're planning another shoot in June/ July where Kristen will be shooting the entire collection again, hopefully next time in a photography studio, though I hope you'll agree we did quite a good job of transforming my living room!

Pulse Launchpad 2011

2011-05-25T08:02:00.000-07:00

Surfacing for air.

2011-05-04T14:29:00.000-07:00

Hello, I haven't blogged in such a long time. I've mostly been working on very boring things, unworthy of blogging. I thought I should sign in with you all and it's a bit of of a chance to reflect on my work to date.

I've been working on a new collection of scarves and cushions for next autumn. I'm showing my products at Pulse Launchpad this year and the pressure is most definitely on. I've been a bit of a hermit because I've been trying to make the move from craft/maker to business-type person. The last mon has been spent writing up a business plan to be assessed by the Princes Trust Youth Business Fund. I'm applying for a short-term business loan and mentorship. I've basically put everything that was floating about in my head into a word document, organised and neatly assembled into tables and spreadsheets. I really can't recommend doing that enough. It leaves a little more head-space for design work and really helps to make sense of how one will really make money and what quantities of product I will have to sell in order to make a living. My panel meeting in on the 19th of May so wish me luck!

In March I was also lucky to be award the Dundee City Council and Scottish Arts Council Craft-Maker Award. I was awarded the full funding to allow me to exhibit at Pulse where I'll have the chance to show my work to buyers from all over the UK and Europe. I'm so lucky to have won and can't thank the judges enough.

I have 4 weeks left in preparation. I'm very nervous and the designing hasn't quite gone as smoothly as I had hoped for but back I'm on track and can't wait!

P.s. I've recently had a breakthrough with the mountain cushions. From this point onwards when you buy a mountain cushions from me, you cushion will have a removable cover and will contain a duck-feather cushion pad, which have been custom manufactured especially for extra cuddlyness! Hurrah!

Design Process

2011-03-04T04:00:00.001-08:00

Just now I'm working on a new collection of knitted accessories that I'll be taking to Pulse 2011 in June. Every design has to be prototyped, in many different ways, which can be a tad boring but it's really essential to know that the design you're producing can be made at a certain and consistant speed and quality so that you can cost the products effectively.

For the past few weeks, I've been collecting source imagery and researching into colour. I buy all my yarns in and choose the colours from a catalogue of samples and try to work with those. I've been looking at tiles, ceramic patterns, exisiting patterns in traditional knitwear and I've come up with some mood boards.

I usually start out with some sketches, looking at the source imagery I have. Also because I buy in my yarns pre-dyed, colour is restricted to the pallet available through my suppliers so work with some coloured papers and cut out ideas for patterns.

I don't have the Design-A-Knit software so I work out ideas into knitting patterns by scanning in the knitting graph paper and making a custom brush to the size of the stitches. I colour the pattern in, in Photoshop. It's somewhere in between a hi- and low-tech way of making a knitting pattern and something I never thought to do at art college. A lot of the time is spent working out the pattern and sampling, prototyping the fabrics.

I have a domestic knitting machine which takes punchcards, with a pattern repeat of a number of 30 stitches. It similar to the restrictions you'd have if you were designing a 8-bit computer game-you have a certain number of pixels to play with and the resolution is therefore limited.

I make lots of different versions of designs, repeats, inverted repeats and colour-ways and then decide on one to try out and mark the pattern out on the punch card, punch it and then start sampling with yarns on the machine. More pictures to follow from sampling!

Charity Shop Challenge

2011-02-08T13:01:00.000-08:00

The Guidlines

1. Your outfit must comprise of a key-garment from a charity shop plus any other pieces/accessories etc to make up an 'ensemble'.
2. Annotate your outfit. Include a description of the garments/ where you bought or found each piece/ price of charity find.
3. Upload your image onto your blog by the last friday of each month.
4. On the last friday of the month tell everyone about it and tweet with the hashtag #charityshopchallenge
5. Extra credit for those who customise their charity shop find.

The brilliant Lucy Davidson has set up a Flickr group for you to upload all of your charity shop wins and to view them all collectively.

Image via WonderLand

Empty bag

2011-02-03T09:42:00.000-08:00

We went to the Trans Europe Cafe at the weekend in Glasgow. If you haven't been before you should. Poached eggs and bacon on toast and an americano: perfect sunday breakfast!

I picked up a flyer to a new shop called Plan B Books. It's a cafe/book shop stocking graphic novels. We didn't have time to go but I'm going to definitely check it out next time I'm in Glasgow.

Also found this old packet of gummed papers and tissue paper in some really unusual colours at my local charity shop. The packaging is really what caught my eye though.

Show Time.

2011-01-31T14:48:00.000-08:00

I have big plans for this year. I will write a business plan and exhibit my work at a trade show and push myself and my work as a designer. My goal is to gain more stockists and make steps towards making my business financially sustainable and more efficient. I've been researching into trade shows and exhibitions this year. I'm writing up my application for Pulse Launchpad or Top Drawer ( I haven't decided which yet), which is a brilliant show for new designers who are exhibiting their collections for the first time. I hope to be lucky enough to have the opportunity to show my work to buyers from a lot of exciting shops and be able to establish myself as a textile designer. My current product range is a little limited at the moment but I have plans to expand upon my current range of cushions into throws, a number of one-off wall hangings where I combine my love of drawing and image with textures and fabric.

I noticed on the Poppytalk website there is a report from IDS11- an interiors tradeshow in Toronto and it's given me an idea of how makers display their work at these kinds of tradeshows. Here are some nice examples:

Pillows by graphic designer and screenprinter Nicole Tarasick.

I started looking into presentation a little more, google searching Maison et Objet and Top Drawer and found quite a few good examples. It's really good to see because I haven't really shown my work in this kind of context since New Designers way back in 2007, (which seems a little scary now to think of it!) Our tutors always told us to keep presentation simple and clean- not to have graphics or any kind of branding that would detract from the objects and textiles themselves but at these trade shows it's obvious that having strong visible branding and identity is essential to help define and differentiate your products.

Here's some interesting examples. Also there are lots of good images from Claire Nicolson of Made in the Shade's Maisonette. She seems to be a bit of a pro at this.

You can see more fine examples from Claire's flickr account. She's got a really good range of products too from her lovely cushions to the little lavender hanging birds and cards.

And Anorak via the Anorak blog:

And there's Isak. Image via Print and Pattern They have also printed invitations to send to buyers and press, which is a must for any exhibitor.

Belle and Boo's stand is really beautiful too.

La Cerise sur le Gâteau via Poppytalk

Productivity Helpers

2011-01-26T15:48:00.000-08:00

I have only just realised that Teux Deux is free to use online and it will now be my productivity savior! I'd previously been using the google task list which isn't quite as satisfying and isn't as easy on the eye as the beautifully minimalist weekly lists on my Teax Deax page. This one's a keeper for sure!

I also found this link to an nice concisearticle via Swiss Miss (co creator of Teux Deux) about email ettiquette and how to make replying and writing emails a generally more productive and less time consuming part of work. There are a lot more tips articles by the 99 Percent there too so something worth reading when I have a spare moment. An essential for any self-employed freelancer.

Presents and Correct

2011-01-20T15:10:00.000-08:00

I won a competition on twitter last week. The prize? A Present and Correct Christmas Cracker, I must buy one of these next year. Came with all sorts of stationery goodies and a chocolate button, which I ate just before taking the photo. Thanks Present and Correct.

Sale online!

2011-01-04T09:28:00.000-08:00

I'm having a little sale on scarves at my online shop. I know a few of you will have acquired christmas money of sorts so thought a treat to 10% off would be a good way to start the New Year. Take a look!

A Year in Print- SALE now on!

2011-01-02T04:36:00.001-08:00

Well 2010 is drawing to an end and it's time again to get organised and ready for another creative year. What better way to start the new year than with a new calendar! A Year In Prints is collection of hand printed calendar artwork by artists and illustrators in Dundee, Birminham and Chicago IL. The calendar is loose leaf- which means you can display it however you like, in a frame, hung on a bulldog clip or simply pinned to the wall with all your important dates circled with a nice chunky red pencil. I've put mine in a frame I bought from a charity shop.

From the 31st of December onwards, we will be selling the remaining calendars at a reduced price with 25% off so get yours while you still can. There's 12 beautiful hand printed artworks for each month of the year- so vist the A Year in Prints store today and don't miss out!

A Year in Prints- Rae Duncan and Mahala Le May

2010-12-10T15:31:00.000-08:00

May

Rae Duncan graduated in illustration just this year. Rae's degree show work was one of those I particularly remembered- she has make beautifully printed and hand-bound story books and designs posters as well. Composition and quality of line is one of the things most striking about Rae's work, it makes for a lovely naive style but she's got a good eye for subtle and really sensitive use of colour. Rae works at the local art gallery's shop where I often see her day dreaming or checking out the stock of new books- no doubt thinking about more stories and wishing she was getting stuck into some drawing!

June

Mahala Le May is an Edinburgh based designer/ artist and we met studying textiles together at DCAD. Her work revolves around eating, eating habits and food. Mahala used to live in Amsterdam for a few years, working for a design studio called Proef where she worked on a number of projects including making imaginary-animal meat, workshops where you bake root vegetables inside clay and she's now providing creative catering and styling for parties and events. Mahala has a brilliant imagination- when it comes to food there isn't anything she hasn't tried to make. Visit her website for screen-printed jam and silver plated plastic spoons.

A Year in Prints- Jo Foster and Tracey Smith

2010-12-09T03:03:00.001-08:00

March
Jo Foster is a brilliantly enthusiastic artist and singer song writer. She lives out in a lovely little seaside villiage and despite living so far away, she's always bussing it through to Dundee to work on her beautiful prints at the print studio or to study for her MA in Fine Art at DJCAD. She recently took part in the Pittenweem arts festival where she created a beautiful installation of printed labels and paper work in her studio.

April
Tracey Smith is a hugely talented illustrator, who graduated in 2008 with First Class honours. I met Tracey working with the Creative Learning team at the McManus Galleries and when she isn't giving tour guides around the museum and teaching kids about local art and history she's writing and illustrating beautiful children's story books. One of Tracey's most recent books,"Sshh...It's a Secret!" was Highly Commended in the 'Macmillan Prize for Children's Book Illustration' and exhibited in the Coningsby Gallery in London. Tracey creates beautifully drawn expressive characters in her stories- animals being a particular favourite of mine and I'm sure you will love them too.

A Year in Prints- An introduction to the artists

2010-12-04T08:45:00.000-08:00

Hello there! You'll know by now, Nikki McWilliams and I organised a little collaborative project called A Year In Prints where 12 artists have come together to each create an edition of 50 prints to be collated into lovely little calendar bundles for sale.

Some of the artists you might not know, some you might so we're going to be writing up little profiles in the remaining weeks coming up to the New Year.

The first of our 12 artists are Jen Collins (also known as Hello Jenuine) and Chloe Cook (aka Start Today).

January
I found out about Jen's work about a year ago- I'd seen some of her lovely illustrations for the Drawing a Day in December project online last year and first met her at a craft meet-up, (also where I met a few of the other calendar people). Jen's quite the multi-tasker; by day she works in marketing for arts organisation and in her spare time she's either screen-printing or taking awesome photographs of the food she makes, places she visits and the sweet little objects she finds. She's also a keen zine-maker and her recent work includes an amazing illustrated list of her favourite books with her fellow illustrator boyfriend Allan Birch.

February
Chloe Cook is a Birmingham-based illustrator, who's in her third year of art school. Chloe makes awesome prints- one of my favourites being the 'Mind Your Manners' accordian book- and does lots of collaborations. Although Chloe is still young in her career, she already has growing list of clients and is part of an awesome collective called ABC@BIAD. She's also recently taken part in the Manchester Artist Books Fair where she exhibited and sold some of her brilliant zines and printwork.

There's more to come from our other artists over the next week so keep checking back and remember to visit our online shop or Petite Noel on the 15th of December at the Roseangle Church where you can buy the calendar in person.

I'm also on twitter now- under the name "EdibleWearable" so say hello!

A Year in Prints- 2011 Calendar on sale now!

2010-11-24T08:12:00.000-08:00

After a busy month of screen printing, trimming paper, posting and much emailing I'm happy to say the the Year in Prints Calendar is now complete and ready for sale at our online shop!

We had call out over a month ago online and through word of mouth and had a really brilliant response from lots of illustrators, artists and graduates who are either dedicated screen printers, part-time printers or folk who were just needing to get back to doing something creative. We were each designated a month from the calendar and had to produce an edition of 50 silk-screen prints.

We'll be exchanging 12 of the calendars amongst the artists so they each have a copy and then the rest will be available online for £24.00 at the dedicated shop The remainder will be on sale exclusively at Dundee Jamboree's Petit Noel on the 15th of December at the Dundee West Church hall.

The artists are mostly from the strong and close-knit creative community here in Dundee, but we also had submissions from England and one from Chicago.

The artists involved are:

JANUARY - Jen Collins

FEBRUARY - Chloe Cook

MARCH - Jo Foster

APRIL -Tracey Smith

MAY- Rae Duncan

JUNE - Mahala Le May

JULY - Nikki McWilliams

AUGUST- Liz Myhill

SEPTEMBER - Lauren Gentry

OCTOBER - Jordan Butler

NOVEMBER - Hilary Grant

DECEMBER - Heather Page

We will be doing a small feature on the artists over the next 2 weeks so look out for more to come!

Best online D.I.Y. projects

2010-11-13T14:04:00.001-08:00

I'm taking a break from knitting to catch up on my blog and do some posts I've been meaning to do for ages. I can't wait till christmas and looking forward to having time off to make decorations and bunting for the flat and bake lots of treats. I'm going to post the best D.I.Y. decoration projects and recipes that I've found online so you can make them too.

Here's a classic, paper pom pons. These images and the instructions can be found on the Martha Stewart website.

Online Shop is go!

2010-10-20T02:03:00.000-07:00

I've been tinkering about for the last few weeks trying to get my online shop up and ready. Well it is now! Please have a visit, I'm offering a free knitted mystery gift to the first 5 folk who are kind enough make a purchase.

I'm also stocking the cushions at:

Boo Vake, Perth
Welcome Home, Glasgow
The Maisonette, Glasgow
Comma, Oxford,
Soma, Bristol
and soon to be at:
The Red Door Gallery, Edinburgh
and the Site Gallery, Sheffield.

Mystery Seeds from NVA's Glasgow Harvest

2010-10-19T14:40:00.000-07:00

I visited NVA's Glasgow Harvest in August and got these mystery seeds from the seed wall. I've planted them and keeping them in a little terranium-style container between the secondary glazing. They seem to be growing well with all the light they're getting but I can't tell what kind of plant it is yet.

Craft Focus at Dundee Contemporary Arts

2010-10-13T02:32:00.001-07:00

This is the last week of my work being featured at the DCA's Craft Focus. I have a feature on the website and also a large cabinet space to display my work for sale. It'll still be available to buy afterwards though, but not as large a selection. If anyone's in Dundee go have a look!

The Big Draw at McManus Galleries

2010-10-12T13:56:00.000-07:00

Last week I was holding workshops at the McManus Gallery for this years Big Draw. The Big Draw is a nationwide campaign to encourage children and adults to have a go at drawing to encourage social and cultural engagement, thought and creativity. We had a number of activities on for families to get involved in and it was really great to see the parents enjoying drawing as much as the kids! We made Silly Scribble Portraits, Totem Poles and an upscaled version of the drawing game "Consequences". I had a super week and thanks everyone who came along and took part.

A Year in Prints- CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS

2010-10-04T13:50:00.000-07:00

Hello there,

Nikkimade and I are looking for folks to join in with our Year in Prints collaborative project.

The idea is that we each take a month and create an edition of 50 prints. You then send your prints back to Nikki or I and we'll collate all the months into a calendar print set. We'll package it up to be sold at the Dundee Jamboree on the 15th of December. You can print your artwork in any way you like- as long as it's non-digital and by hand, (silk-screen, Gocco etc).

We'll sell the calendar print sets at £24.00 each. With everyone receiving £2 for every set that's sold. It's not a huge profit but it's a fun collaboration and if we don't sell them all we'll all have some nice xmas presents to give out. :)

What we'll do:

- Organise the paper and arrange for everyone to collect their paper stock. (For people further afield we can arrange postage but you'll have to cover that yourself.)
- Buy in 50 cellobags and package up the calendars once everyone's artwork has been printed and sent back
- Make a paper insert for the calendar packaging with everyone's names and websites.
- Sell the calendars at the Dundee Jamboree, taking no commission from you whatsoever.
- After the Dundee Jamboree we'll split the remaining calendars up between the 12 participants. (They'd make nice xmas presents or you can sell them on your own etsy/online shop etc.) Again, if you aren't able to collect them we can arrange postage.
- Send out cheques with everyone's earnings along with the remaining sets of prints.

What you'll do:

- Use the calendar template we've provided and combine with your artwork
- Print 50 editions, each discretely signed.
- Provide us with your artist name and website (to be included in a paper insert in the calendar packaging.
- Post your 50 prints back to either Nikki or I by the 15th November.
- Provide us with a postal address so we can send a cheque to you within a week after the Dundee Jamboree.

Materials Cost/ Per Person

- Cartridge paper (we'll buy from the DCA at 12p/A2 sheet. That works out as 1.5 p per A5, and 75p for to make 50 prints.
- Cellobags £4.00 for 50 (33p per person)
- Paper + printing for label inserts (this will be pretty minimal. If we make them
- Postage costs for sending out paper stock, returning your share of remaining calendars (if applicable), and sending out your cheque (41p).
- Minimum cost for materials and postage will be £1.49, with a maximum of no more than £5.00, should we post you any remaining calendars

Paying for materials- We'll deduct the material/ postage costs from your earnings at the end.

The Boring Bit
We'll provide everyone with a receipt of material costs for your tax records. Also it will be your responsibility to declare any earnings from this project in your tax return, but I know you'll all know that anyway.

Deadlines
Register interest by .............................................................................................................10/10/10
Make 50 x A5 prints and send off to us by ........................................................................................10/11/10
Dundee Jamboree, where we will sell our lovely collection of prints ..................................................15/12/10
By this date we will have distributed all the remaining calendars and cheques out to everyone .........20/12/10

If anyone has any questions of suggestions please do get in touch with me via mail(at)hilarygrant(dot)co(dot)uk

I'm also on twitter now- EdibleWearable - It was supposed to be used for Mahala and I to spread the word of D.I.Y. pie but I kinda took over.

sneaky peek, more images to come soon!

2010-09-28T09:24:00.000-07:00

Last week I met up with photographer Jo Helfer to take photographs of my products, the rocky mountain cushions and the D.I.Y mitten kits. Here's one photo and I'm off round to Jo's tonight to pick up the cd with the rest of the images. The furniture in the background is all designed and made by Lyle McCance Thanks Jane for letting me take the photos in your lovely room while you were making jewellery!

Dundee Jamboree and pics from n_ilk

2010-09-12T15:13:00.000-07:00

i had a really great time with all the Dundee Jamboree people at n_ilk last night. It was so nice to get away from working away on my own all the time and get out and meet with lots of other designer-makers. Thanks again Jen, Lauren and Nikki- you're all stars!

More photos here too...

Good News!

2010-08-05T05:11:00.000-07:00

I've been knitting away today, trying to get more mountain pillows on the go for winter and had a call from Erin at Central Station today to let me know that I've won the twEATs commission project! Hurrah! I'm so excited!

I'm going through to Glasgow tomorrow to meet with Erin and the project co-ordinator to talk about all the details, and deadlines. Can't wait! I'll be putting together the layout and illustrating the front, back and centrefold and adding all the lovely artworks that people from all over the UK (and possibly further?) have submitted to be in the publication. I can't wait to see all the other entries, well done to you all!

Got some new cards

2010-08-02T15:24:00.001-07:00

No more excuses, I had to get more cards. I bought these ones from Moo and they're the uncoated one, really class finish on the paper. Like!

Haar Shop at Haarfest

2010-08-02T10:16:00.000-07:00

I've been asked to submit some work to Haarshop, creative hub of Fence's Haarfest festival in Anstruther.There's going to be lots of bands playing Withered Hand, King Creosote, Found and lots of other great musical artists, craft workshops, photography and live art installations.

The pop-up shop Haarfest is jointly organised by Kirsty of Lovely Pigeon and Fence Records and the festivities run from the 14th - 22nd August. Other artists, illustrators and designer's work include:Nicky Brooks, Wooden Tree, Susie Maroon, Sean Dooley, Lovely Pigeon, Tommy Perman, Ian MacIntyre, Eilidh Borland, Milomade, Hilke MacIntyre, Ruby Loves Red, Jill Calder, Applique Originals, Gemma Correll, Elsie Dodds, Kate Laundon, Keny Drew, Loren Brand and Sharon Kirby.

Can't wait and I'm particularly looking forward to seeing Withered Hand. :D

For Haarfest tickets check out the Fence website www.fencerecords.com
The Haarshop is open between 10.30 - 6.

DIY mitten kit on etsy- check it!

2010-07-14T03:36:00.000-07:00

Helloo! I am currently developing generation 2 of the Make You Mitts D.I.Y. kit for next winter. I'm in the process of altering/improving the packaging so all my first version kits are on SALE at my Etsy shop at a bargin price.

Hellojenuine sale and giant Tunnocks Tea Cakes

2010-07-12T12:42:00.000-07:00

Hello there, Jen's got lots of nice prints and cards for sale over on her Folksy shop, head over quick for 25% off!

Also Nikkimade has been super-sizing Tunnocks Tea Cakes into cuddly pillows. I'm looking forward to buying one of these soon!

Dundee Jamboree- Updated post

2010-05-30T13:54:00.001-07:00

I posted about this initially on the Edible/Wearable blog but there's some more photos on Dundee Jamboree's flickr and a little video put together by Dundee graphic designer, Jon Gill.

>

Etsy Craft Party & Screening of Handmade Nation

2010-05-30T13:42:00.000-07:00

Not content at organising the amazing Big Top Jamboree, which took place almost 2 weeks ago (it seems like only yesterday...) Jen and Nikki have big plans for the DUNDEE Etsy Craft party, taking place at the DCA on the 18th of June. There's going to be lots of tea and cakes, mini DIY projects to join in with, music and of course all the great crafters and makers of Dundee.

Handmade Nation

I'm also looking forward to the screening of Handmade Nation (which was originally published as a book)
and a talk by one of the co-authors Faythe Levine. It's at the DCA on the 9th of June at 8pm.

Trailer

Space Makers Agency

2010-05-24T06:07:00.000-07:00

Based in Brixton, they are an organisation putting together programs for pop-up events including art, performance, pop-up shops and galleries in a run-down part of Brixton, London.

"Space Makers Agency is about rethinking the spaces in which we spend our time.

We work with all kinds of people and organisations to create sociable spaces and sustainable local economies.

We research the changing ways in which people are using space and develop new ways of thinking about the spaces in which we live, work and play."

Artful Dodgems Workshop for Coast Festival, Banff, Next Sunday

2010-05-20T11:19:00.001-07:00

I'm taking a workshop with Iain Gildea at the Coast festival in Banff next sunday. There's still places left if anyone's interested.

tights

2010-05-15T05:15:00.000-07:00

Nikki from Nikki Made has been collaborating with her textile designer cousin to make these very cool tights for The Big Top Jamboree on monday. Hoping to get my hands on a pair of these before they sell out. Having a bit of a tights frenzy I found some other really cool tights...

Eley Kishimoto

Enjoy with a cup of tea.

2010-05-14T06:33:00.000-07:00

I'm working on some final pieces for The Big Top Jamboree on Monday and listening to this podcast about Dan Morris' letterpress studio in Brooklyn.

Big Top Jamboree

2010-05-08T03:43:00.000-07:00

I'm participating in the Big Top Jamboree on the 17th of May so have an intense week of more making ahead! Come along, there's going to be lots of great work for sale, good music and hopefully some DIY Pie action!

The lovely poster was illustrated by Lauren Gentry but look out for Nikki and Jen's other posters, pasted up around Dundee and cyberspace.

Be there!

nice blog

2010-04-28T08:50:00.001-07:00

http://www.cut-magazine.com/

handy website tip: how to make a 3 state menu.

2010-04-13T12:40:00.000-07:00

Hey there. I'm in the process of making some little cute features for my website. I'm hoping to use the principles of the '3 state menu' to make some semi-animations to add a wee bit of movement amongst the all static images and text. I've been using this online tutorial which I've found to be really handy.

Follow the Leader

2010-04-07T10:24:00.000-07:00

This is a wee project that encourages collaborations with illustrators. You download your favourite image and then draw in your own artwork. This is a really nice idea. I'm going to give it a go soon.

local soundscapes

2010-04-03T15:48:00.000-07:00

Costas, who I used to work with has recently made a really cool audio/sound immersive map from the surrounding area of Findhorn. You can visit different sites and immerse yourself by listening to the audio recordings he's collected to appreciate the processes, activities and the everyday experience of life in the area.

Tiny Gardens

2010-03-28T09:41:00.000-07:00

Lovely simple ideas for indoor gardens, inspired by Moco's garden post. Tiny vases by artist Mitsuru Koga Hanging ceramic plant pots by Karen Eriksson. I'm going to buy glass baubles and make a tiny terranium. Top image from Oh Joy and you can find instructions how to make your own terranium here.

The New English Ceramics Exhibition

2010-03-22T06:17:00.000-07:00

Check it out peeps! My artwork is 6 along and 2 down. The exhibition run from the 27th March till the 4th of April at the New English studio gallery in Stoke on Trent.

Something to look out for...

2010-03-15T04:10:00.000-07:00

I'm writing this post more as a reminder to myself not to miss our on the Chicks on Speed art, fashion, music even that's going to be taking place sometime in the next few months at the DCA as part of Craft Festival Scotland.

"DCA galleries will be transformed into a live laboratory, studio, performance space and installation as Donâ€™t Art, Fashion, Music merges traditional techniques with new research in technical innovation. Collaborative projects with local and international artists and makers will unfold over the weeks..."

Sound pretty good, can't wait!

artist profile: Hello Jenuine

2010-03-11T03:32:00.000-08:00

I'm going to start doing some wee artist profiles about people whose work I really enjoy and inspire me. The first features a little lady called Jen Collins aka Hello Jenuine. Jen is an illustrator/maker based in Dundee. I first spotted Jen's work a good few months ago on Design is Mine and have since been really in awe of her naive sensibility and real sensitive combination of mediums. Here's some of my favourites from Jen's website:

long lost blog

2010-03-07T03:59:00.000-08:00

It's been a long time since I last posted here, and there's been lots going on that I'd like to catch up with. Firstly my Make Your Mitts kit has had a few orders and I'm now stocking at the DCA shop. I fear now that spring is springing that the mitts may have to wait their turn until next autumn so I'll have plenty of time to make a stockpile over the summer months.

The main project I've been working on, D.I.Y. Pie is going to be presented at the Maker Faire in Newcastle next saturday, there's lots still to do and Mahala and I been having a lot of late nights with prep to do.

Other things I've been meaning to post about is porcelain and ceramics company The New English selected some of my illustrations to be put onto porcelain plates for an exhibition called "Techtonic Plates". There's going to be work from over 200 artists displayed and they have 2 exhibitions planned, in their home town Stoke-on-Trent and also in a gallery in New York sometime in May. So watch this space for details to come.

Two weeks ago I was invited by my jeweller friend Jane to attend an exhibition from The Collective, who are a group of jewellers all working as Designer in Residence at Duncan of Jordanstone. The pieces were amazing, and I was really quite astounded by the levels of craftmanship. So that one really deserves a post of it's own.

Another one was a trip to Bristol last week to see my friend for his birthday. Bristol is such a pretty and beautiful city. I loved the detailing and subdued rainbow colours of the Georgian terraced houses....an illustration/knitting project is on it's way with this one.

After the Maker Faire next weekend I'm planning to reorganise my studio and build some shelves. I'm also going to redo my website, which at the moment is really just a holding page asI have so much work to document and put in order.

big team scribble

2010-02-18T03:08:00.000-08:00

The Big Team Scribble are looking for people to send in submissions for a zine to be published and sold in aid of UNICEF. Print off your template and start scribbling! Here's my entry.

lots of knitting to do

2010-02-17T14:53:00.000-08:00

I've started making an order for the mitt kit.

Make Your Mitts D.I.Y. kit

2010-02-16T10:25:00.000-08:00

I've been working on this little kit over the past few weeks and I've finally managed to get some half-decent images. So here there are. I've got one for sale on my etsy shop and I'm hoping a few shops will want to stock it as well.

2010-02-10T12:10:00.000-08:00

I'm still feeling a bit rubbish with the cold so I'm working in bed tonight, sending out invoices which makes me feel better and finishing off a pair of mitts to photograph as part of a kit I've made up. I'm hoping to get the photography and packaging finalised this week so I can start contacting outlets. Fingers crossed.

trying out some ceramic transfers

2010-02-07T14:21:00.000-08:00

weekend ends

2010-02-07T14:01:00.000-08:00

I managed to sell a few things at the craft fair yesterday at the Central Station pop up tour, held at the Hannah McClure centre. A big big thanks everyone who liked my work and to those nice nice people who bought/wanted to buy my wares! I heard someone tried to fit into the cardigan but it was too small, so if you're out there, I do make other sizes!

The Central Station event was a mixed bag, but a fantastic initiative nonetheless and I hope there will be more events like this in future. However there's a few things I felt were missing. It just felt a little sad that all these people came along to an event for networking and getting to know other fellow creatives but instead of actually just experiencing the event and having time to process what was going there was this kind of passive atmosphere where the was too much documenting and real-time blogging going on. It was as if most people turned up just to blog about it and not actually participate. I might be wrong, but that was the feeling I got. Technology is taking over!

I'm not to be too negative about the day though, it was very well organised and the speakers were all fantastic, especially Joanna Basford and Super DD.

brr...

2010-02-04T14:21:00.000-08:00

It's freezing in my studio and I just want to go to bed and be warm right now but I've signed up to participating in a craft fair on saturday and have a few things to make in preparation. I'm putting together mitten DIY kits and a few knitted things. I'll be taking a sweater I knitted just before christmas, some hoodie scarves and some pom pom rings/ brooches. I've been working on the mitt kit this week, hoping to have it ready for saturday...just thinking about packaging....I have a lot to do actually. Better just brave the cold and get back to work.

shimmy shimmy

2010-02-02T12:34:00.001-08:00

Tonight I went to the first meeting of the Shimmy, a makers/ crafters/ artists' group for people in Dundee who want start making a scene and drawing all those creative Dundee people out of the woodwork. It's organised by Nikki McWilliams who organised the cake competition back in December. Next month the agenda will consist of wine and a show and tell about our work. The wine should soften the blow a bit.

I'm also going to be taking part in a craft fair that's part of the Central Station event on saturday so I've got some knitting and making to do for then, also I've started working on a new product, hoping to have it printed and ready for then!

A big hurrah for Nikki getting this organised, it's long overdue in Dundee!

this is niiice

2010-02-02T12:31:00.000-08:00

Central Station comes to Dundee

2010-01-28T11:24:00.001-08:00

Next weekend there's going to be lots of talk and tours around Dundee studios and galleries as part of Central Stations Pop-Up Tour. Realtime Worlds is goign to be open to the public, so I wouldn't mine a peek in there, as is the new shiny McManus galleries. There's going to be talks from Yann Sesnek, who I've previously posted about and from Lyle (Sooper DD) and Joanna about their collaborations. Sould be a good day and I'm hoping to meet other creatives who are living/working/creating in Dundee.

Yuck 'n' Yum

2010-01-28T11:18:00.000-08:00

I was recently asked to submit work for Yuck 'n' Yum's next zine. It's being handed out in Inverness on monday and should be available very soon. Here's the drawing I did. I think I was thinking about Spirited Away when I drew this. It felt good to draw something random, not too much thinking going on here, which probably shows in the composition but it's a good place to start as I want to start drawing a lot and improve with the hope someone will pay me! I think I should start writing down my goals for this year so I know what I want to achieve.

paint with your eyes

2010-01-26T08:56:00.000-08:00

The Eyewriter from Evan Roth on Vimeo.

2009-11-29T15:46:00.000-08:00

For the first time in months I've had a proper weekend. Well did a bit of work today but it was more play really.

Sparkle Labs

2009-10-23T06:19:00.000-07:00

Sparkle Labs brings their expertise in design, branding, usability, and education to create hi-tech, hi-touch products and environments.Years of experience in commercial and educational product design has informed both their client, and art work. Sparkle Labs' focused mix of art, craft, and science empowers people to access and experiment with new, often inaccessible technologies. There are lots of great kits and they also have instructions for you to make you own electronic business cards. Cute!

NEoN Digital Arts Festival

2009-10-23T05:13:00.000-07:00

It's not long until the NEoN festival starts up in Dundee, can't wait. I'm particularly looking forward to hearing from Designers Republic’s Ian Anderson, Bud Luckley (Sesame St and Pixar) and Graham Lineham.

Image taken from the Neon website and the beautiful graphics are by Sooper Double D, see more of his incredible artwork here.

Japanese Stationary

2009-10-23T04:44:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Moco-chan for introducing me to mt tape!

everyday Siwa paper products designed by Naoto Fukasawa. Interview for Design Boom here.

I love Japanese stationary (and so does Rivers Cuomo!)

(un)Limited Design Contest

2009-10-22T15:51:00.000-07:00

Thanks everyone who voted for the submissions for the (un)Limited Design contest which was held in Amsterdam and facilitated by Fab Lab. Mahala and I have one of our entries on show at the Gaslab in Eindhoven, as part of Dutch Design Week. The challenge was to make use of the Fablab's facilities to produce a article of clothing, product etc, all under the headings of Form, Fashion and Food. We entered both food and fashion categories.

The winners are being announced tomorrow night, unfortunately I can't be there, but Mahala will be so should be lots of good photos to follow.

2009-09-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

Well I've finished my collaboration with Lost Values for 100% Design. I"m pretty thrilled with it and relived to have finally gotten over my fear of sleeves! Or rather armholes. Armhole. hehe. Anyways now I've finished that I can't wait to make more, especially one for myself! I had to go into uni to use the beloved Dubied knitting machines as it wasn't possible to knit ribbing as fine as required by hand so might need to invest in a ribber for my knitting machine soon.

Elena from Lost Values is also inviting friends any anyone interested in the Reflective Knitting products to come down to 100% Design and try out the products themselves.

Elena explains here" (Lost Values) Questions safety habits on today’s fashion conscious city cyclists through exploring unusual high-visibility products that can perfectly camouflage and combine with our desired look and style."

Touch

2009-09-18T04:38:00.000-07:00

"Touch is a research project that investigates Near Field Communication (NFC), a technology that enables connections between mobile phones and physical things. We are developing applications and services that enable people to interact with everyday objects and situations through their mobile devices. Touch consists of an inter-disciplinary team involved in social and cultural enquiry, interaction/industrial design, rapid prototyping, software, testing and exhibitions." Image and text taken from http://www.nearfield.org/

The First Time I heard Techno Music

2009-09-11T07:33:00.000-07:00

A story about techno from The Amazing Rolo on Vimeo.

"A short story about the first time my friend Jon Brodsky heard techno music. Aurelia Friedland and I built a whole world in the basement with trees and mountains and then drove a little car around it!" This guy has some serious skills.

Granny tagging and great knits

2009-09-10T16:11:00.000-07:00

I tagged a few places in Inverness with my friend Mika before leaving for Dundee. Hoping to get a few more out there once my deadlines for this month are over and take some with me to Amsterdam at the end of the month.

I also like the idea of slow graffiti, covering an area with artworks and images over time.

This week I've mostly been looking at.....

1. The Amazing Rolo, I wish I got to see his work at the Rough Cut Nation exhibition in Edinburgh, such a simple idea but such an effective application. I wish I had thought of that! He's currently Artist in Residence at Abertay Uni here in Dundee, so I'll be looking forward to seeing what cool things he comes up with next.

UV LED project at Rough Cut Nation from The Amazing Rolo on Vimeo.

2. Co-Operative Designs new autumn/ collection. I love their work so much.

All images: Co-operative Designs.

3. Kenzo a/w collection from last year. I still can get over how amazing these are.

Press

2009-09-04T07:47:00.000-07:00

I've had a little bit of press recently for a project I did at Distance Lab with Stefan Agamanolis called Social Knitworking.

Fashioning Technology

BBC News

Thanks to everyone who has taken an interest and to the lovely people who wrote the articles!

2009-08-23T14:34:00.000-07:00

2009-08-20T16:13:00.000-07:00

Exclusive interviews with Louise Goldin, knitting genius! Here at SHOWstudio

how to make a QR code scarf.

2009-08-10T05:04:00.001-07:00

video by Becky Stern

http://sternlab.org/

cute QR codes

2009-08-10T05:04:00.000-07:00

Lullatone Interactive Music Game

2009-06-23T18:17:00.000-07:00

Supercute musical/ interactive design duo Lullatone have developed an interactive game you can play online called Raindrop Melody Maker. Try it out!

2009-06-23T18:00:00.000-07:00

You can see some of my work at Distance Lab on my flickr account and by following the link to the Distance Lab flickr account. http://www.flickr.com/photos/distancelab/

The project I am currently working on is called 'Social Knitworking' and I am working with Stefan Agamanolis to develop a program that can create knitting patterns from online conversations.

supercool knitted lace, got to try it!

2009-06-23T15:52:00.000-07:00

Pingu and the Knitting machine

2009-06-23T15:49:00.000-07:00

2009-03-28T13:30:00.000-07:00

During my visit to Newcastle I also met Chris Hand, a lecturer at the Design group at Napier University and also on of the co-organisers of the Edinburgh branch of This Happened.

This Happened is a series of events which take place in Edinburgh, London and Utrecht that promote discussion and debate on the "stories behind interaction design". It's really exciting to see a great surge of these types of events and groups across Scotland. This Happened is definitely something I will be looking out for in the future.

Other groups in Scotland Include:

New Media Scotland

Dork Bot ALBA

Electron Club

I will add more to the list soon and also plan to post more about these organisations in the future.