Komaneko cat animation

Yesterday afternoon Sarah & I went to see a brilliant film called 'Komaneko' about a film making cat! Apparently this is from a Japanese TV series and the film was shown at No 8 in Pershore as part of The Travelling Picture Show tour of the West Midlands.

The story entails Komaneko making an animation with handmade creatures which inspired me to make my own version of a fabric kitty!

Last night I spent a couple of hours sewing my 'Komaneko' as I've christened her....sewing is not really my thing but I was driven to finish her. I've used a couple of old buttons from my Gran's old tin & the cat fabric is a piece of felted packing blanket.

Over the weekend I'll attempt to make a dress from my old 70's orange & brown flowery curtain fabric....?

Lino print experiments

The past couple of evenings I've got all enthusiastic about lino printing! I've not done it before & after buying some tools from Ebay about 2 years ago I've finally got round to having a go.....

I really like the process of cutting the lino, it's so immediate (being an impatient person!) & rather addictive - plus I only cut myself once!

The actual lino pieces are lovely - it would be great to translate some of the designs on to metal for panels?

These images are some of my first attempts... not sure how I will develop them but just enjoying experimenting at the moment.

Garden inspiration

On Sunday I took a few pictures in mum's garden (inbetween the wind & rain!)

Really like some of the textures... particularly the dried 'Love in the Mist' & amazing Alliums. I've used these in my studio displays at Christmas time - sprayed silver they look stunning.

Tortoise Garden Stick

A good customer has a passion for tortoises! I've made this one as a birthday present for her husband. I'm sure it will look groovy in the garden! It's slightly more involved than my usual garden sticks as it has been made by soldering copper & brass together to create the colour contrasts rather than etching the patterns.

In the past I've made other special garden sticks for commissions:

BADGES part 2

The second set of Animal Alphabet badges has arrived!

Hope these are as popular as the first ones.... I think the mouse is favourite here.

Lucky Black Cats!

These cuties have just gone on on display at the studio.....

Hopefully they will bring you luck!

Each one is made in copper & brass then given a bronzed finish & varnished.

Price £16 each

Kilpeck Church, Herefordshire

Yesterday on our day off we decided to visit the wonderful Kilpeck Church in Herefordshire. I'd seen photographs of the stonework & wanted to see it for myself. Some of the animals & figures are very quirky on this twelfth-century church.

A lovely cat called 'Ruby' escorted us around the church

ANIMAL BADGES

These new badges have just arrived!

I've used some of my favourite animal designs from the latest Alphabet Animal card range & made them into cute button badges...

Sold some from the studio already & had really nice comments about them. So I've put the next 5 designs into production & they should be available soon!

Priced £1 each

Cheltenham Art Market

Last event for a couple of weeks...

Cheltenham Art Market this Saturday 18th July

9am - 5pm

The Long Gardens, The Promenade, Cheltenham

(Fold studio will be open as usual)

Little birds.....

Decorate simple sticks with quirky birdies

These little cute birds are the latest to arrive at the studio!

Made from copper & brass with hammered, embossed & punched decorations....

each one is unique. They look lovely in groups or as single pieces.

Again will be on display at Ledbury tomorrow.....

BIG CHICKENS HATCHED

I had a thought at the recent Upton show that I'd like to make some larger scale pieces for the garden.....These funky chickens are the result....they work really well among the beautiful flowers & foliage at the Fold.

These hens & roosters stand approx. 1metre long on sturdy sticks to push into the garden.

Priced at £44 each they will have their first outing at Ledbury Arts Market on Friday 10th July!

Event this week

The next event we are showing at is part of the Ledbury Poetry Festival.

This Friday there will be a Arts Market next to the Market House.

9am - 5pm

I'm hoping that my studio will be open as usual as I have another new recruit to the McSwiney empire with my mum joining forces with us to help out!