Sharon McSwiney

Makers 8 event this Sunday

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon McSwiney) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:31:00 +0000

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

Bumble bees!

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon McSwiney) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:17:00 +0000

Thought you might like to see my of my latest commissions.

Altered Book No 4

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon McSwiney) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 12:18:00 +0000

It was all a bit of a panic to get my sections done for the Altered Book project for Oct/Nov!

However as usual I enjoyed the process & revisited some techniques I've not used for a while such as mono printing.

I was not familiar with the story 'Babes in the Wood' but liked the idea of the robins....
I've included some of my metalwork pieces in photographic form in this book.

The next book is even more challenging!!! Watch this space.... I'm planning to start today as I know time will be short over the next couple of months.

Exhibition at Warwickshire Museum

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon McSwiney) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 11:48:00 +0000

Makers 8 Christmas Event @ The Fold

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon McSwiney) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 11:33:00 +0000

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.

South Hill Park Event

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon McSwiney) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 11:19:00 +0000

I shall be once again showing at the annual Christmas Craft Fair at South Hill Park in Bracknell this year. The show takes place over the weekend with over 70 designer makers exhibiting.

Sat 15th November 11am - 6pm

Sun 16th November 10am - 5pm

This show always has a good mix of work & of a high standard. For more information about the location & the exhibitors visit the website:

wwww.southhillpark.org.uk

Christmas Market

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon McSwiney) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 11:00:00 +0000

Having just returned from the Dulwich event late last night I'm already planning the next events that I'll be exhibiting at this month. The next one is local (phew!) at Leigh & Bransford Primary School on Wednesday evening. A number of local makers will be showing, including several of us from the Fold. It should be a good opportunity to support the school & purchase some Christmas prezzies!

Hope to see you there....

Next Event: Dulwich Craft & Design Fair

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon McSwiney) — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:03:00 +0000

I am now in full Christmas mode! Making decorations, greetings cards & working on new small scale pictures which will hopefully make idea gifts!

My next retail show is in Dulwich on Saturday November 8th. This is the first time I have exhibited at these shows and I have heard good reports from other makers.

Malvern Autumn Show

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon McSwiney) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:55:00 +0000

This weekend the Malvern Autumn Show is taking place once again. I'll be exhibiting with the Worcester Guild of Designer Craftsmen in the Wye Hall. I'll be showing my extensive range of jewellery including the most recent new designs, alongside my metalwork pictures & wall panels, garden sticks and greetings cards.

Although it's a little early I'll also have a selection of my metalwork Christmas Decorations on display.

My studio at The Fold will be open as usual on Saturday 27th Sept 10am - 5pm

Hereford Craft Market

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon McSwiney) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 11:37:00 +0000

This Saturday 20th September I shall have a stand at the Hereford Craft Market which takes place in the city centre. I will be exhibiting several of my new pieces including my new favourite donkey brooch design!

1st batch of Christmas robins have hatched!

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon McSwiney) — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 09:54:00 +0000

My first Robin Christmas decorations are now available. These have been hand-made in copper & brass each one being slightly different. I shall be making a range of Christmas trees to compliment this little range in the next couple of weeks.

The original decorations are still also available - see website gallery section for details.

Fishy Designs

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon McSwiney) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 11:41:00 +0000

I have recently been asked to make a few of the mobiles that I used to produce a lot of a few years ago. I supply a gallery in Borkum in Germany called 'Insel-Galerie' with these whimsical pieces. The gallery is situated by the sea so aquatic themes are always popular......

Panel Commission

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon McSwiney) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 11:01:00 +0000

I have just finished a commission for a special long metalwork panel.

The piece is a 40th birthday present & my customer requested that we try to make the motifs personal to her husband.

The designs incorporate references to family, work & hobbies. It's interesting to work with other ideas & develop new images. I'm particularly pleased with the olives & the Worcester pear although the Canary Wharf tower turned out quite well too!

Although I generally make these pieces as more abstract patterns I am happy to work with customers ideas if I feel the designs will be suitable.

H art piggies Emin & Gormley

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon McSwiney) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 18:23:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon McSwiney) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:29:00 +0000

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

Next show: Chilterns Craft Show

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon McSwiney) — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 10:28:00 +0000

22 - 25 August 2008

Stonor Park, Henley on Thames

9.30 - 17.30 Daily

Over 250 exhibiting craftsmen

Food marquee

Show Garden

Demonstrations & mini workshops

Free parking

Tickets available in advance or on the door

www.ichf.co.uk

Altered Book No.3 July & Aug 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon McSwiney) — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 09:54:00 +0000

Just coming to the end of my pages for Book No.3 - I've done less pages this time as I've been busy with shows the past couple of months. The pages I have worked on are quite involved in this book as I spent time with fellow altered book artist Sue Brown in her fabulous Cheltenham studio which I always find very inspiring.

Some of the elements used on these pages are taken from a Lisa Larson ceramic tile which I love. I'm always on the look out for her pieces particularly the bird tiles and stripey cats!

Donkey designs

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon McSwiney) — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:45:00 +0000

Just working on a new design for a donkey brooch................

WORCESTER HIGH STREET ART & CRAFT MARKET

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon McSwiney) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:03:00 +0000

Don't forget...........

This weekend I shall have a stall on Worcester High Street (near to Next & the Elgar Statue etc.) There will be a variety of stands by local craftspeople some of which sell exclusively through events such as this.

The market will be open

from 9am until 5pm

Friday 15th & Saturday 16th

Sunday 17th August

10am - 4pm

(My studio is also still open on Friday & Saturday as normal)

FIRE ENGINE WALL PLAQUE

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon McSwiney) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:28:00 +0000

My latest commission had been for a metalwork fire engine for a guy who has recently retired from the Fire Brigade locally. The design needed to be fairly simple but I wanted the style to be in keeping with my work. The main part of the piece is copper with brass highlights. The wheels have been coloured to blacken and create a contrast.

THREE CHOIRS FESTIVAL

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon McSwiney) — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 08:56:00 +0000

I shall be exhibiting with the Worcestershire Guild of Craftsmen at next month's Three Choirs Festival - this year being held in Worcester.

The Guild will be located on College Green next to the cathedral with a good number of crafts being represented by members.

Open daily from 11am until 8pm

ART IN ACTION

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon McSwiney) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 08:48:00 +0000

As previously mentioned this weekend I am at 'Flow' in Stourport on Severn. At least the weather is looking slightly more hopeful!?

Next I'm off to Art in Action in Oxfordshire. This is the third time I've shown at this amazing event. Last year was rather wet so fingers crossed for more normal weather. The show is well worth visiting with lots of demonstrating, workshops, music & gardens to visit. Over 200 artists attending representing a wide range of disciplines.

Find me in the Market Tent where I will be showing with Penny Williams.

www.artinaction.org.uk for more information

Furry Friend

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon McSwiney) — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 12:57:00 +0000

Is the coast clear?

You can't see me if I don't move...

Just a few more......

I've had a really cheeky visitor to my bird feeders at the studio the past few weeks... at one stage I could almost pull his (or her?) tail before they would scoot back up the tree!

FLOW FESTIVAL

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon McSwiney) — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 11:42:00 +0000

Next weekend I am exhibiting as part of the Flow festival at Stourport on Severn in Worcestershire.

The Flow Festival is an exciting large scale weekend family event to celebrate the completion of the current restoration and re-launch the newly restored Canal Basins in Stourport.

The festival promises to be packed full of fun and activity for all the family to enjoy, and with the exception of the spectacular show ‘The Devils Tale’ the Flow Festival is free to attend.

I was hoping to have completed new swan jewellery designs but have run out of time but I shall have my duck brooches & earrings on display & plenty of fishy pieces!

Craft Market

Sat 12th & Sun 13th July

http://www.stourporttown.co.uk/flow_festival1.htm

Altered Book No.2 May/June 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon McSwiney) — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 08:32:00 +0000

I've just completed my section of the second altered book of the 12 month project I'm involved with. After struggling a little at the start - mainly due to a lack of time! I've finished several pages in a flourish the other evening. I'm now just about to start on book No.3 in which I have 2 months to experiment with new creations....