Valentine Designs

These are the Valentine designs I was working on yesterday......

I'll probably add some stamped lettering (like on the animal alphabet designs) to the final greetings cards. It's a beautiful bright sunny day but my feet are a 'little chilled' at the studio!! A fab huge snowman has appeared at The Fold - I must remember to bring my camera tomorrow...I don't think he'll melt overnight as they are talking about -14 degrees again!

Designer Makers @ The Fold Special Event

Once again I'm doing 2 things at once this weekend.......

Exhibiting at No8 in Pershore & involved with a special weekend at The Fold.

All the designer maker studios will be open this Saturday & Sunday for a Christmas shopping opportunity!!

Saturday 10am - 5pm

Sunday 11am - 4pm

I shall be having some special offers...haven't decided what yet???? But will probably involve Christmas cards & decorations....plus a new nibbles & maybe a tipple.....Much nicer than trawling the High Street I'm sure?

Events for November

This is going to be a busy month with several shows booked.
The studio will be open as usual during these events as Tim is back full time.
We will now be opening the studio every Sunday until Christmas 11am - 4pm.

The following is a list of the November events:

• CRAFT FAIR SOUTH HILL PARK
• Bracknell
• Sat 15th & Sun 16th November

• INNOV8 THE WGDC CHRISTMAS SHOW
• Number 8 Community Arts Centre Pershore
• Fri 20th & Sat 21st November

• DESIGNER MAKERS @ THE FOLD CHRISTMAS WEEKEND
• Bransford, Worcs
• Sat 21st & Sun 22nd November

• BLACKTHROPE BARNS CRAFT FAIR
• Rougham, Suffolk
• Sat 28th & Sun 29th November

Also just to let you know there are 3 shows booked for December:

• HEREFORD ART MARKETS
• 12th & 20th December

• CHELTENHAM ART MARKET
• 19th December

Cheltenham Arts & Crafts Market

Let's hope the sun is still shining tomorrow as I'll be showing at the one day Arts & Crafts Market in Cheltenham.

As with previous events the stands will be situated along The Promenade.

Opening times are 9am until 5pm

My Bransford studio will still be open as usual on Saturday & again this Sunday as it is the last day of the h.Art event.

h.Art starts this week!

This week we'll be putting up our exhibition at the Fold cafe 'Autumn Leaves' as part of the h.Art event this year. There will be jewellery, metalwork, glass, wood, textiles & batik work on display all with an Autumnal theme be it with colours or leafy images.

Also on Saturday I'll be showing at the Hereford Craft Market in High Town 9am - 5pm. The studio is still open as mum is there!

We are opening for the full h.Art dates:

Saturday 12th until Sunday 20th September

11am - 5pm

Our exhibition is likely to continue in the cafe into October so if you can't make it over the next few days there will still be an opportunity to view the work - as long as it hasn't all sold that is!!

If you haven't got your h.Art guide yet contact www.h-art.org.uk

There is also a local h.Art trail which has been put together by several of the artists in this area. Click on the links to view:
local%20art%20trail%20for%20h.Art%20East%20Herefordshire%202%202009%20A4.doc

Map%20for%20local%20art%20trail%202009%20on%20A4.doc

Roy Dutton - New Neighbour Studio B

Roy has joined the Fold! It's been about a month now that I've had a new neighbour at the studio. Unfortunately Sarah Roberts moved a couple of months ago but now lives very close so we still see each other regularly. She is still designing & printing and will be showing at the Malvern Autumn Show. http://www.sarah-roberts.co.uk/

These are some of Roy's latest pieces which I think are really great! I'd like to take one of the dogs home with me....

Lionel The Long Dog!

Rolly the wheelie nice dog!

Tall king

Greedy Birds!

Visitors to my Fold studio will know that I also have regular feathered friends who visit daily! Goldfinches, blue tits, great tits, coal tits, long tailed tits, green finches, chaffinches, robins, dunnocks, blackbirds & collared doves all love to munch on the sunflower seed & peanuts I put out. This is turning out to be an expensive hobby....I buy the seed in bulk online from street end feeds who are pretty reasonable & it's British seed. So I thought I'd be a bit cheeky & put out a donation box to help with the costs!

I bought an inexpensive box (which was a rather bright blue colour originally) - painted it white, stamped on the lettering & attached one of my copper & brass decorative birdies. I think it's rather cute & I might make another one just to have at home (without the donation bit obviously!).

Leaf inspiration

Next month the deisgner makers from the Fold are having an exhibition in the eco cafe on the theme of Autumn Leaves. This is part of the h.Art event which runs from 12th - 20th September.

More info can be found at http://www.h-art.org.uk/

I've just started working on some wall pieces....

Several years ago I collected some fabulous coloured leaves from Cannon Hill Park in Birmingham. I colour photocopied the leaves - it was so long ago it was before computer scanners were readily available! I've managed to find these images & I'm using them as a starting point.

The colours of heated copper & brass really lend themselves to this theme.

I've been busy saw piercing out the shapes of various leaves; oak, beech, maple etc.

Watch this space for a sneeky preview of some of the panels....

2009 EVENTS

The following is a list of the shows I have booked so far for this year. As usual I'll post more information on the individual event nearer to the date. If you'd like any details on a particular show please email me for details: info@sharonmcswiney.co.uk

2009
APRIL

• Sat 25th & Sun 26th Art Market Worcester High Street
• Sun 26th Farmers Market at The Fold (studio open 10am - 2pm)

MAY

• Thurs 7th - Sun 10th RHS Spring Gardening Show, Malvern

JUNE

• Sat 6th - Sun 14th Five at the Factory, Cheltenham Artists Open Houses, Hampen Studio
• Sat 20th - Sun 21st Midsummer show, Landmark Arts, Teddington
• Sun 21st June Leigh Open Gardens
• Fri 26th - Sun 28th Art Market Upton Jazz Festival

JULY

• Fri 10th Art Market Ledbury Poetry Festival

AUGUST

• Sat 8th & Sun 9th Create, Walford Mill, Dorset

SEPTEMBER

• Sat 12th - Sun 20th h-Art Autumn Leaves exhibition at The Fold (studio open)
• Sat 12th Art Market Hereford
• Sat 26th & Sun 27th Malvern Autumn Show

OCTOBER

• Sat 24th - Sun 1st Nov Hookshouse Autumn exhibition
• Sat 24th & Sun 25th Showing Off, Ludlow

NOVEMBER

• Sat 15th & Sun 16th Craft Fair, South Hill Park, Bracknell (TBC)
• Fri 20th & Sat 21st WGDC Winter Show, No 8, Pershore
• Sat 28th & Sun 29th Craft Fair, Blackthrope Barns, Rougham, Suffolk

DECEMBER

• Sat 12th Art Market, Hereford

Worcester City Arts Market this weekend!

Bit of a last minute decision but we'll be showing on

Worcester High Street this weekend.

The event will include a range of local makers including Roy Dutton's woodwork who I've been exhibiting at the studio.

Opening times:

Saturday 25th April 9am - 5.30pm

Sunday 26th April 10am - 4pm

The Studio will still be open on Saturday as normal & on Sunday we have a

farmers market at The Fold so we'll also be open 10am - 2pm there too.

Hope to see you in Worcester or Bransford this weekend!

Easter Opening Hours

Easter studio opening is as follows:

• 
  
  Good Friday 10am - 4pm


• 
  
  Saturday 11th April 10am - 5pm


• 
  
  Easter Sunday closed


• 
  
  Easter Monday closed


• 
  
  Tuesday 14th closed


• 
  
  Wednesday 15th normal opening starts

Roy Dutton New Supplier at Studio

Just had a new delivery of work from local sculptor Roy Dutton. I met Roy at some of the Craft Markets last year and thought his work would fit into the gallery really well.

His latest pieces have been inspired by the work of John Maltby - who I greatly admire too!

Roy describes his influences as the things he sees in his everyday life, and credits his work as having a simple, rustic quality to it. By avoiding over finishing the wood, he allows the natural texture to prevail. Roy has a great passion for wood, loving to work with native English timbers, mainly oak, elm and yew and often reclaimed timber, such as driftwood.

Studio Opening

While I'm on this big Indian journey my Fold studio will still be operating via my mate Sarah Roberts who has the studio next door. She has access to the space & will be happy to let you visit. It might be best to check she is around before visiting...

(usually Tues/Thurs/Fri & Sat).

The number for Sarah is 01886 832222

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

Thank you for your custom & interest in my work the past 12 months. Looking forward to next year with some new developments after my exciting India trip in January/Feburary 2009.

Studio will be open on Saturday 3rd January for a few days for a small sale of selected items.

**********Have a fun Festive Season************

Fold Studio New Arrivals

I have recently added some more artists to the work I stock at my studio...Murgatroyd & Bean make fabulous funky animals from various fabrics including vintage finds. Based in Herefordforshire. I first saw the work at one of the Art Markets I was doing this year. I fell in love with the quirky creatures!

All the pieces are hand embroidered freehand meaning each piece is unique.

Christmas Opening Hours

Just a few days left........................

Just to let you know my opening times over the next couple of days for any last minute purchases!!

******Saturday 20th December******

10am - 5pm

*******Sunday 21st December*******

11am - 4pm

******Monday 22nd December******

10am - 5pm

******Tuesday 23rd December******

10am - 5pm

**********Christmas Eve***********

10am - 2pm

Makers 8 event this Sunday

Christmas Celebration @ The Fold. Sunday 23rd November 2008 11–4pm

Come and enjoy a relaxing shopping experience including free parking, Christmas lunch at the EcoCafe, mulled wine and mince pies and exclusive offers throughout.

Sharon’s One Day Offers
Spend £25+ Free Christmas Card. Spend £50+ Free Christmas Tree Deco.
Spend £100+ Free Garden Stick. Spend £200+ Free Mini Metalwork Canvas.

“We all really look forward to seeing you here. Celebrating Christmas with a smile.”

Sharon McSwiney Studio A The Fold Bransford Worcs WR6 5JB 01886 830125 www.sharonmcswiney.co.uk

Makers 8 Christmas Event @ The Fold

November is an extremely busy month it seems!

We are holding a special Christmas event on Sunday 23rd November at the Fold as part of Makers 8, the group of designer makers within the Fold complex at Bransford.

All of the makers studios will be open will full Christmas displays of ideas to inspire. The cafe will be serving Christmas lunches & we are hoping for some carol singers!

In most of the studios there will also be special offers just for that day. Hope to see you along there. Come and avoid the 'Christmas Crush' in town & support local businesses.

Directions to The Fold can be found on my main website.

H art piggies Emin & Gormley

Worcester News published an article today to promote h.art. Several of the artists involved popped to Blue Ginger Gallery http://www.blue-ginger.com/ the other morning to say hello to the resident pigs Emin & Gormley who welcomed the attention (& the apples!)

The Malvern Gazette also photographed myself & Alex Wilkins with the very well behaved Gormley.

Both Blue Ginger & The Fold have been included in the East region of h.art and there is a map detailing the galleries & makers involved.
Map3%20for%20local%20art%20trail%20on%20A4.doc



local%20art%20trail%20for%20h.Art%20East%20Herefordshire%202008%20A4.doc

More detailed information on the whole h.art event can be found at www.h-art.org.uk

H Art Preview Evening

The studios at The Fold have been included

in this years H art week.
Hope to see you on the evening

or sometime during the rest of the 9 day event
Best wishes Sharon