This month we are having a peak at Textile designer Liz Crowcoft’s  beautiful garden studio:

My workspace is at the bottom of my garden. It is a large summerhouse that has been insulated and turned into a year round studio. It’s quite a large space, however its filled with fabrics, beads, buttons,thread, frames etc etc. I have designs and inspiration up on all of the walls practically covering every space. They can range from  18th century inspired floral designs I did while designing in London to the current childlike designs that I do now. My sewing machine sits on my desk which is also covered in beads, buttons etc, I find it very hard to be a tidy worker and find that whenever I tidy it up it quickly becomes messy again!
 
 
My favourite things about my workspace are
 
1) its quiet and peaceful,
2) Its inspirational, before I had the studio I had to clear everything away every day I found it very hard to get back into working when I next had to work, with my studio I just step into it and can start being creative.
3) It’s cosy!
4) The hours pass by in what seems like minutes
5) I have fairy lights in it and it looks pretty!
6) I can escape my boys!
7) I always work listening to music so it is filled with my CD collection.
 
 
If I could change anything about it, it would be tidier, my fabrics would all be stored in cupboards in colour coordinated drawers!

You can see more of Liz’s work at www.notonthehighstreet.com/lizcrowcroftdesign. Thanks Liz.

 
We visited Premier Vision a show of fabric swatches being sold to buyers from the different fashion houses to use in their S/S 2011 collections. It was so big and overwhelming, there were lots of different sections; dividing up the different materials and also putting them into sections of how they would be used.

This month we are visiting Resin Jewellery maker Pennydog’s work space in rural Leicestershire.

Briefly describe your workspace?

It’s an ex-dining room, about 20ft square with a fireplace that we are going to start using to eradicate the fumes in my room as well as a lovely toasty working environment! I have lots of storage, a table for sanding, drilling and composing my jewellery, a desk for casting and a desk for varnishing if necessary.

Favourite things about your workspace?

I love the size- in our old house I had a box room to work in and everything would spill into every room of the house. With this room, I have room to expand, have friends round, hold workshops and also enough floor space to work on large scale future projects, such as furniture. It’s a retreat away from the rest of the house as it isn’t immediately next to the living room or kitchen areas. The medieval style chandelier lighting gives it character too.

Is there anything you would change?

I would like to replaster and redecorate the walls as an old damp problem has made them crumbly around the bottom, however it is a rented house so for the time being I just hide the damage away!

Thanks Pennydog for showing us around your workspace.

We are holding another Christmas Shopping Evening at Get Made on   St   James Street on Wednesday the 16th December.  We will be open from 4pm until 10pm. As well as a great selection of local handmade gifts there will also be homemade cakes and a free glass of Bubbly.

We have extented our opening times over the Christmas period, so please come and see us for any last minute gifts!

Get Made Christmas Opening Times:

Thursday 17th Dec:    11am – 6pm

Friday 18th Dec:          11am – 6pm

Saturday 19th Dec:      11am – 6pm

Monday 21st Dec:         11am – 6pm

Tuesday 22nd Dec:        11am – 6pm

Wednesday 23rd Dec:    11am – 6pm

Thursday 24th Dec:        11am – 2pm

Exciting stuff for the run-up to Christmas, we had a lovely message from the girls at Curisoity Haus this morning…

We are holding another small indoor event at The Chameleon, this Sunday from 1-6pm.
Come along to get some gifts for Christmas, or treat yourself to Arts, crafts, gifts, vintage, illustration, jewellery and textiles alongside The Sunday Sessions live music event.

Also, The Chameleon will be serving Sunday dinners from £3.95 – yum!

So, come and get some handmade gifts for Christmas, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy good food and live music!

Hope to see you there!
curiosity.haus xx

The Sherwood Christmas Craft Fair is being held on Friday 11th December from 4pm – 8pm at The Robin Hood Pub on Mansfield Road.  This event follows the success of the Sherwood Summer Craft fair, which was held as part of Sherwood Art Week at the pub in June.

Its going to be a fantastic event with a large range of locally produced crafts, carols, live music, food, mini beer festival, cakes and mulled wine, plus much more.  Its sounds like a perfect way to do some Christmas Shopping and start the weekend.

Surface Gallery is hosting a Christmas Arts and Crafts Fair from 10am – 5pm on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th November.

There will be an eclectic selection of arts and crafts for sale, made by artists and designers from around the East Midlands and from as far afield as Morocco. It will be a brilliant opportunity to find handmade and original gifts, from unique artworks, jewellery and ceramics to tasty treats and ethically sourced products.

Refreshments and seating will also be provided for visitors, and parking is available on surrounding streets, making it a perfect day out for all the family and for any weather conditions

This month we are taking a look Jo Williams student workspace.  Jo is a member of Nottingham Craft Mafia and has very kindly let us have a peak at her work space.

Briefly describe your workspace
This is my workspace for this year in a student house when I am not in the print room. Being a Textile Designed student I have a lot to pack into a small space, so I have to be clever and economical. I don’t have studio space at university until 3rd year so this where I hang out a lot, maybe too much!

What are your favorite things about your workspace?

My big book collection: I do love art and textile books and have managed to collect many over the last few years which makes my Dad; a librarian very happy. I pick up quite a few in charity shops, though some are older than they are still an amazing fountain of knowledge! I also have 5 cook books, which is pretty good for a student!

My trusty angle poise lamp: I once thought these lamps were old fashioned now, I love them! It is perfect for painting and working in the evening as it moves into any angle.
3 big shelves (complete with miniature bunting): almost big enough to hold my crafty clutter!
A cup of tea and a sweet treat: The perfect way to start working and for brain food!
My trusty lists: I always have a list of things to do; otherwise I would be so unorganized and the best bit is ticking things off.
Current project basket: I have a basket to keep my current crafty project together; I usually have at least one on the go.
Radio 1: Is usually my sound track when I work, I like the chatting, jokes and finding out the latest news.

My almost full set of knitting needles: Thanks to my Grandma my set is nearly complete.
My princess mirror: I picked this up in a junk shop in the summer, and after a polish it looked even better.

Is there anything you would change about your workspace?
I really could do with a bigger desk as it is a challenge to make a sketch book and I usually have to spread out onto my bed as well which isn’t a great idea when there’s paints involved!
One day I dream of a big studio so I don’t have to abandon precious things in my parent’s loft, 200 miles away! Also possibly by the sea, as I have had my eyes on the ones in the Arches on Brighton beach for a long time now.

Thanks very much Jo.