The Beaney, Canterbury

The Beaney windows

And so after being awarded one of the Museumaker commissions in 2010, the resulting triptych windows for The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge are finally unveiled.

The windows were commissioned by The Beaney in Canterbury as part of the Museumaker programme which was supported by Arts Council England, the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, and the Renaissance programme. Whilst most of the Museumaker commissions were temporary site specific works, I was invited to make something permanent to be integrated into the building as part of its extensive refurbishment and new extension. Having seen my ‘Resonate’ work whereby seemingly loose threads are encapsulated in acrylic resin to make wall panels and sculptures, I was encouraged to think about scaling up this principle for a triptych window. Practical needs meant that I also had to translate the aesthetic from cast resin into laminated glass.  

The selected design sees a transition from deep dark reds densely packed at the bottom of the window, gradating into scarlet then finally very openly spaced orange threads at the top of the panes. A combination of cotton, silk and linen threads of varying thicknesses and twists were used so that the interaction of light varies with the fibres, and to so give a greater sense of visual tactility. The unspun silk filament in particular seems to positively glow, whilst the slubbed linen gives a sense of weight and density.

I was delighted to work with Innovative Glass Products to realise this project where I was able to be very hands on in the workshop, literally ensuring each thread was positioned as I wanted. The largest pane in the triptych measures 210x90cm, and remains the largest work of the ilk I have made to date. 

The Beaney reopened to great fanfare on the 5^th September. The windows mark the juncture between the old building and the new extension, and so can be viewed from either side in different contexts – the cafe/shop is on the old building side, and the information and reception desk is on the new building side. I am particularly delighted that the colour palette of the windows has been used as a basis throughout the building – from the staff uniforms to the upholstery on the library seats.

Love the red light highlighting the desk to echo the windows

Staff uniform colour has been choosen to pick up on the orange threads in the windows

Information desk in the new extension

From the cafe side of the window in the old building

 

Gratuitous baby picture :-)

The Culture Awards 2012

Following on from The Beaney / Museumaker commission, I was invited to produce the awards for this years Culture Awards. The awards 'were created to recognise the important role of culture as part of the history and fabric of the Canterbury District, to highlight individual achievements and to celebrate the quality, diversity and vibrancy that makes up the cultural scene here and across East Kent.'

The 10 awards are composed of gradating tones of cotton and silk threads encapsulated in acrylic resin..... and below you can see the happy winners! For the full list of winners check out the Culture Awards website

Open Studio, Textile Extravaganza - this weekend!

I'll be having an open studio this coming weekend as part of the Textile Extravaganza at Model House Craft and Design Centre in Llantrisant, South Wales. You'll be able to see the loom in action, and there will be 25% off all purchases of my work for this weekend only. Very much hope to see you there :-)

Open Studio / Textile Extravaganza, Model House Craft and Design Centre, 30th June - 1st July

On Saturday 30th June and Sunday 1st July there are a host of textile related activities and events happening at Model House Craft and Design Centre in Llantrisant. My good friend and fellow Model House tenant, Michelle Griffiths is hosting a 'Textile Extravaganza', and inaugural event for her soon to be launched Resist Studio and Gallery, which will specialise in textiles.

The main focus of the gallery/studio/study centre will be exhibitions featuring shibori/tie-dye, batik, ikat, cyanotype resists and eco resist printing. A strong focus on natural dyes as well as textile artists living/working in Wales will also be made, whilst also bringing international textiles to the locality.

The suite of rooms (which are currently going through a period of renovation turning them from graphic design offices into bespoke exhibition and workshop space) will host full and varied workshop programme plus a reference library, talks, lectures, masterclasses, and sewing for pleasure classes.

I'll be having an open studio all weekend, and will be offering 25% off all purchases. Other confirmed exhibitors / demonstrators and retailers include:

Susan Bowers - Patchwork & Quilting Demonstrations

Susan Briscoe - Sashiko/Quilting Japanese Textiles

Joan Gordon - Couture Dressmaking techniques with the sewing machine.

Michelle Griffiths – Tie-Dye/Shibori Demonstrations
Ruth Harries & Lisa Porch of Fibre Art Wales – meet the artist
Felicity J Warnes - Rare, out of print, and second hand textile books. Including books on embroidery, spinning, weaving, dyeing, patchwork, and quilting.

Michelle will also giving tours of the new gallery space and discussing her future plans for exhibitions etc.

Hope to see you there!

Model House Craft & Design Centre, Llantrisant, CF72 8EB
Llantrisant is located between Cardiff and Bridgend – just off Junction 34 of M4.

Cynon Valley Hospital commission

Above are pictures of a recently completed commission for a series of nine panels that grace a corridor of the newly opened Cynon Valley Hospital in Mountain Ash, South Wales. Vivid cotton, silk and linen threads which gradate in colour over the nine panels, have been laminated in toughened, low iron glass. Each panel measured 85x85cm. With huge thanks (as always) to Innovative Glass Products who I worked with to make the panels.

Flourish: Continuing Professional Development for craftspeople’ at Craft in the Bay.

Below are the details of the final 3 professional development workshops and seminars for crafts that I've organised for Craft in the Bay, Cardiff. Hope to see you at one (or more) of the events....


Make craft pay! Jules Mallory Skinner

30^th May 2012, 11-4.30pm

Jules Mallory Skinner will present a one day workshop covering all aspects of managing a sustainable craft business. He will present ideas and methodologies for creating a sales package; creating sales platforms and relationships; market research; targeting key customers; pitching via the phone or in person; pricing; closing deals and getting paid; range building; and online sales as well as in person sales.  Be prepared for an energetic and inspiring day which will ask you the hard questions about your business and leave you full of ideas for moving forward.

Jules Mallory Skinner has been actively engaged in the Cultural Industries as a creative practitioner and entrepreneur since 1977 and as a creative industries educator and mentor since 1983 when he started an innovative advisory service for musicians and creative entrepreneurs in London. He set up Creative Enterprise Consulting in 1994 becoming an independent advisor to creative businesses, universities, colleges, professional associations and industry initiatives working in this capacity alongside his own creative and business projects to the present day.

Jules will also be joined by Tom Beardshaw who is a social media expert and who owns Native HQ based in Cardiff.

Cost: £55 for non members, £49.50 for members and friends of the Makers Guild in Wales

NB: lunch is not included, but there is an on-site cafe where you can buy food and drinks should you wish. 

 To book, please phone Craft in the Bay on 02920 484 611

‘Thinking Big – exploring the opportunities for craft in public art’

15^th June 2012, 1-5.15pm

Are you curious to find out more about how you could scale up your craft practice to work to commission in the public art arena? Need some inspiration / information / confidence to apply for large scale projects that could stretch your practice into exciting new areas both in terms of scale and concept?

Five high-profile speakers will make inspirational presentations about the various facets of craft in public art.

·         Sue Lawty is an internationally renowned tapestry artist who also works with lead, stone and other materials. She will discuss the many and varied public art projects she has undertaken, as well her major residency at the Victoria and Albert Museum.  (NB Sue will be running a 2-day tapestry master class at Craft in the Bay on the 16-17^th June – please see the Craft in the Bay website for further details.)

·         Brigid Howarth is an established art strategy consultant with extensive experience across the cultural industries. Brigid will discuss her role as the Co-Project Director of the Museumaker programme managing a £1 million programme connecting contemporary crafts with museums and heritage centres across England resulting in 18 major craft public art commissions. Brigid will discuss the diverse Museumaker projects in detail along with the associated community engagement events. She will also highlight what makes a good application for commissions such as Museumaker.

·         Rodney Bender, iGP (Innovative Glass Products) has produced inventive architectural glass artworks and interventions to major buildings and sites across the UK and further afield. iGP also offers a unique service working with artists and other developers to realise their designs in glass. Rodney will discuss his own practice in the public art and architectural field alongside the services and processes he can offer to makers to help them realise their own projects.

·         Nathalie Camus, is the Senior Officer for Applied Arts with the Arts Council Wales (ACW). Following a major strategic review of the Arts Council of Wales, Nathalie will present the new public art strategy for Wales highlighting its key priorities, partnerships and the opportunities for makers based in Wales.

 Cost: £35 for non members, £31.50 for members and friends of the Makers Guild in Wales

 To book, please phone Craft in the Bay on 02920 484 611

Internet Strategy, Pete Moseley

12^th July 2012, 11-4.30pm

Want to learn how to take advantage of the internet to promote you and your business using no-cost or low-cost options?  Are you somewhat bewildered by Twitter, Facebook, Blogging, RSS Feeds, Flickr, LinkedIn, etc?  This workshop will demystify these topics in clear and accessible language, examining the various pros and cons, and how these online tools can be put into practice as part of your marketing strategy.

·            Arts websites – the good, the bad and the ugly!

·            The use of directory and ‘aggregator’ sites – how the ‘long tail’ works

·            Blogging – and how Blogs and websites work together synergistically

·            RSS and  social bookmarking

·            The use of Google Analytics to measure traffic

·            Keyword testing techniques

·            Getting visible on Google and other search engines.

·            Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and social sharing

·            Flickr, YouTube, Behance, Pinterest – and other useful social sites.

·            Email applications e.g. Constant Contact and MailChimp

·            How to set up an email database and use it effectively

·            A/B email testing, subject lines and CTA’s (calls to action)

·            Email etiquette

Pete Mosley works exclusively with artists and arts organisations. His primary focus is providing bespoke coaching and mentoring to artists and makers, either face to face or through training sessions and seminars.

Pete is a strong advocate of the internet as a powerful tool for artists and makers to market their work using traditional media such as websites and email newsletters or through social media such as Facebook and Twitter.

Pete is also Business Editor for craft&design magazine, writing regular articles and features for the printed magazine, website and e-newsletters. He also maintains the magazine’s Facebook and Twitter presence and has grown the Twitter fanbase to over 4000 in the space of 12 months.

What to bring: a laptop, although it is fine to share one with another delegate.  Pete will bring the workshop presentation on a CD which you can take home with you.  This will enable you to follow up elements of the workshop on your own computer.  Also bring a pen and paper to make any further notes. 

Cost: £55 for non members, £49.50 for members and friends of the Makers Guild in Wales

 NB: lunch is not included, but there is an on-site cafe where you can buy food and drinks should you wish. 

 To book, please phone Craft in the Bay on 02920 484 611

The latest creation :-)

Well, things have been rather quiet on the blogging front recently, as I've had a baby! Evan Jay Rees was born on the 11th April weighing 8lb 1oz. Its been a whirlwind since then as life adjusts to rather different routine! Managing to do a smidgen of work around the feeding and changing..... but its going to be a little while before I'm working full time again. The cuddles and smiles make it all worthwhile though :-)

There'll be a couple of posts following letting you know about a couple of things, but in the meantime, here's a picture of my beautiful baby boy.....

Evan on the way home from hospital, 5 days old.

Crafters' Clearout, 11th March 11am-4pm, Model House Llantrisant

This Sunday you can find me at Model House Craft and Design Centre selling some of my yarns, papers, frames and other bits and pieces that are surplus to my needs. There are lots of other interesting makers also having a clearout of their 'stuff' - do come along to pick up a bargain (and help me make some space in my studio!)

Model House Craft & Design Centre
Bull Ring
Llantrisant
Pontyclun
Rhondda Cynon Taff
CF72 8EB

Makers Guild in Wales exhibition at Walford Mill, 3rd March-15th April 2012

Firstly, Happy St David's Day from a sunny Llantrisant!
Secondly, I just want to let you know that I have some work from my Resonate collection in a Makers Guild in Wales exhibition at Walford Mill Crafts, in Devon. The exhibition opens on the 3rd March and continues until the 15th April.  The centre is open 10-5pm Monday to Saturday, and from 11-4pm on Sundays, and entry is free.  There are around 20 makers featured, with work covering jewellery, furniture, textiles, ceramics and glass.

Walford Mill Crafts
Stone Lane
Wimborne
Dorset
BH21 1NL

‘Flourish: Continuing Professional Development for craftspeople’ at Craft in the Bay.

Below are the latest CPD workshops, talks, and seminars I've coordinated for the Makers Guild in Wales. Hope they might be of interest.......
How to cost your time & your craft work, Laura Thomas

1^st March 2012, 11-1pm

 
New to the craft business and need some guidance on how to price your work? Laura Thomas will take you through the basics of working out your cost and retail price of your handmade products. She will also cover working out your daily rate for freelance projects or commissions.

What to bring: a calculator! Handouts will be given, but bring a pen so can make extra notes if you wish.

Cost: £20 for non members, £18 for members and friends of the Makers Guild in Wales

To book, please phone Craft in the Bay on 02920 484 611

Exhibiting at Craft Fairs, Sarah James

1^st March 2012, 2-3pm

Sarah James, Director of Made by Hand (Newport), The Contemporary Craft Fair (Bovey Tracey) and Co-Director of www.madebyhandonline.com will present a short session about selling at craft fairs. With the impending deadline to apply to exhibit at Made by Hand at Tredegar House in Newport, Sarah will introduce the craft fair to you along with how to compose a successful application. She will discuss good photography, effective stand design and ideas for promotion.

 Cost: £8 for non members, £7.20 for members and friends of the Makers Guild in Wales

To book, please phone Craft in the Bay on 02920 484 611

An introduction to Adobe Illustrator, Ray Nicklin

22^nd March 2012 10.00 – 4.30pm

A one-day course introducing the principles of the Adobe Illustrator CAD programme, specifically focused on the needs of craftspeople.  The emphasis will be on creating imagery for patterns to be either digitally printed (i.e. onto fabric) or laser cut. (NB, the workshop does not actual include doing laser cutting or digital printing, just preparing the artwork). This workshop will be hosted at Cardiff Metropolitan University (Llandaff Campus, UWIC) and led by Ray Nicklin one of their highly experienced members of staff. This workshop is suitable for complete novices to the Illustrator programme, but requires reasonable computer literacy. We will be working on Macs.

What to bring to the workshop: notebook and pen, memory stick. You could also bring drawings/images (max size A3) which you would like to modify/adapt using the programme. Other source images will be provided too.

There is parking on site - pay and display £2 per day.

IMPORTANT: please arrive by 9.50am at the latest and meet at the entrance to the N-Block, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Llandaff Campus.

Cost: £85 for non members, £76.50 for members and friends of the Makers Guild in Wales

NB: lunch is not included, but there is an on-site cafe where you can buy food and drinks should you wish. 

To book, please phone Craft in the Bay on 02920 484 611

Sell Yourself! The art of effective communication, Noleen Mathias & Erin Martin

24^th March 2012, 10 - 4pm

Applied for lots of grants, exhibition opportunities, commissions, residencies or projects haven’t been successful? Are you not getting leads from your website or from your speculative letters and emails?  Whilst your creative work might be strong, if you’re not presenting yourself well in the written form, you’re likely to fall at the first hurdle. For many artists and makers, getting your CV and Artists Statement right can be real challenge. Likewise many struggle with making formal applications, attending interviews and having the confidence to talk clearly and confidently about their practice to a variety of audiences.

This workshop is designed to increase your skills and self-confidence in the areas of presenting yourself and your work, in a variety of contexts. Alongside analysing successful written communication whether it be digital or print, you will also learn how to become a more confident communicator using both verbal and non-verbal language to help achieve positive outcomes.

This will be a lively workshop designed to encourage real self reflection and to reinvigorate your confidence and enthusiasm. It will interactive and allows for plenty of opportunity for individual and group advice.

This one day seminar forms part of the M+M ‘Professional Development for Artist Programme “The Art of Success | Making Creativity Pay” which is a collaboration between Noleen Mathias and Erin Martin.

Noleen Mathias has over twenty years experience in Arts and Business Management. Prior to setting up the Mathias Agency, Noleen was Co-Director of Artworks Wales the National Organisation for Public Art in Wales and Director of Finance and Operations for Public Art Agency, Safle. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and a Trustee of the National Federation of Artist Studio Providers (NFASP).

Erin Martin is an experienced education professional and an Accredited Personal and Business Coach with many years experience of coaching for success in a wide variety of contexts. She has a particular interest in Creativity Coaching and in the issues of aspiration, motivation and self-belief as they relate to artists and writers. Erin recently returned from China where she was an education adviser with VSO.

Before the workshop, you will be sent a questionnaire by Noleen and Erin which will help them understand your background and needs, as well as encouraging you to evaluate your current strengths and weaknesses.

Cost: £55 for non members, £49.50 for members and friends of the Makers Guild in Wales

NB: lunch is not included, but there is an on-site cafe where you can buy food and drinks should you wish. 

To book, please phone Craft in the Bay on 02920 484 611

Make craft pay! Jules Mallory Skinner

30^th May 2012, 11-4.30pm

Jules Mallory Skinner will present a one day workshop covering all aspects of managing a sustainable craft business. He will present ideas and methodologies for creating a sales package; creating sales platforms and relationships; market research; targeting key customers; pitching via the phone or in person; pricing; closing deals and getting paid; range building; and online sales as well as in person sales.  Be prepared for an energetic and inspiring day which will ask you the hard questions about your business and leave you full of ideas for moving forward.

Jules Mallory Skinner has been actively engaged in the Cultural Industries as a creative practitioner and entrepreneur since 1977 and as a creative industries educator and mentor since 1983 when he started an innovative advisory service for musicians and creative entrepreneurs in London. He set up Creative Enterprise Consulting in 1994 becoming an independent advisor to creative businesses, universities, colleges, professional associations and industry initiatives working in this capacity alongside his own creative and business projects to the present day.

Cost: £55 for non members, £49.50 for members and friends of the Makers Guild in Wales

NB: lunch is not included, but there is an on-site cafe where you can buy food and drinks should you wish. 

To book, please phone Craft in the Bay on 02920 484 611

‘Thinking Big – exploring the opportunities for craft in public art’

15^th June 2012, 1-5.15pm

Are you curious to find out more about how you could scale up your craft practice to work to commission in the public art arena? Need some inspiration / information / confidence to apply for large scale projects that could stretch your practice into exciting new areas both in terms of scale and concept?

Five high-profile speakers will make inspirational presentations about the various facets of craft in public art. 

·         Sue Lawty is an internationally renowned tapestry artist who also works with lead, stone and other materials. She will discuss the many and varied public art projects she has undertaken, as well her major residency at the Victoria and Albert Museum.  (NB Sue will be running a 2-day tapestry master class at Craft in the Bay on the 16-17^th June – please see the Craft in the Bay website for further details.)

·         Brigid Howarth is an established art strategy consultant with extensive experience across the cultural industries. Brigid will discuss her role as the Co-Project Director of the Museumaker programme managing a £1 million programme connecting contemporary crafts with museums and heritage centres across England resulting in 18 major craft public art commissions. Brigid will discuss the diverse Museumaker projects in detail along with the associated community engagement events. She will also highlight what makes a good application for commissions such as Museumaker.

·         Ann Catrin Evans is an established metalsmith based in North Wales. As well as making jewellery and domestic ironwork for interiors, a key aspect of Ann Catrin’s practice has been working on significant public art projects from large scale sculptures through to metal door furniture for the Wales Millennium Centre. Ann Catrin will discuss her various commissions and the associated design challenges and considerations for craftspeople scaling up their practice.

·         Rodney Bender, iGP (Innovative Glass Products) has produced inventive architectural glass artworks and interventions to major buildings and sites across the UK and further afield. iGP also offers a unique service working with artists and other developers to realise their designs in glass. Rodney will discuss his own practice in the public art and architectural field alongside the services and processes he can offer to makers to help them realise their own projects.

·         Nathalie Camus, is the Senior Officer for Applied Arts with the Arts Council Wales (ACW). Following a major strategic review of the Arts Council of Wales, Nathalie will present the new public art strategy for Wales highlighting its key priorities, partnerships and the opportunities for makers based in Wales.

Cost: £35 for non members, £31.50 for members and friends of the Makers Guild in Wales

To book, please phone Craft in the Bay on 02920 484 611

Internet Strategy, Pete Moseley

12^th July 2012, 11-4.30pm

Want to learn how to take advantage of the internet to promote you and your business using no-cost or low-cost options?  Are you somewhat bewildered by Twitter, Facebook, Blogging, RSS Feeds, Flickr, LinkedIn, etc?  This workshop will demystify these topics in clear and accessible language, examining the various pros and cons, and how these online tools can be put into practice as part of your marketing strategy.

·            Arts websites – the good, the bad and the ugly!

·            The use of directory and ‘aggregator’ sites – how the ‘long tail’ works

·            Blogging – and how Blogs and websites work together synergistically

·            RSS and  social bookmarking

·            The use of Google Analytics to measure traffic

·            Keyword testing techniques

·            Getting visible on Google and other search engines.

·            Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and social sharing

·            Flickr, YouTube, Behance, Pinterest – and other useful social sites.

·            Email applications e.g. Constant Contact and MailChimp

·            How to set up an email database and use it effectively

·            A/B email testing, subject lines and CTA’s (calls to action)

·            Email etiquette

Pete Mosley works exclusively with artists and arts organisations. His primary focus is providing bespoke coaching and mentoring to artists and makers, either face to face or through training sessions and seminars.

Pete is a strong advocate of the internet as a powerful tool for artists and makers to market their work using traditional media such as websites and email newsletters or through social media such as Facebook and Twitter.

Pete is also Business Editor for craft&design magazine, writing regular articles and features for the printed magazine, website and e-newsletters. He also maintains the magazine’s Facebook and Twitter presence and has grown the Twitter fanbase to over 4000 in the space of 12 months.

What to bring: a laptop, although it is fine to share one with another delegate.  Pete will bring the workshop presentation on a CD which you can take home with you.  This will enable you to follow up elements of the workshop on your own computer.  Also bring a pen and paper to make any further notes. 

Cost: £55 for non members, £49.50 for members and friends of the Makers Guild in Wales

NB: lunch is not included, but there is an on-site cafe where you can buy food and drinks should you wish.  

To book, please phone Craft in the Bay on 02920 484 611

If you are a maker based in Wales you may be eligible to apply for a small training grant from the Arts Council of Wales to support your attendance at one or more of these CPD sessions. Contact your local Arts Officer to discuss further. http://www.artswales.org/what-we-do/funding/funding-advice-and-guidelines/individuals

A Stitch in Time: function and form, Shire Hall, Monmouth

'Arc' by me in foreground, artwork by Melissa Warren on wall

After visiting the opening of the 'A Stitch in Time'   exhibition in Shire Hall, Monmouth last Friday, I thought I'd share some pictures of the show with you. Its a really wonderful exhibition, beautifully curated, and an intriguing mix of work. I particularly loved the juxtapositioning of historic textiles with the contemporary works. Please do visit the exhibition if you're nearby - its on until the 18th March.

'Arc' by me in foreground, artwork by Lynette Miller on wall

 

Melissa Warren sculpture on floor juxtaposed with a piece from the Abergavenny Museum historic textile collection



Georgie Meadows

Items from the Abergavenny Museum historic textile collection

Items from the Abergavenny Museum historic textile collection

Items from the Abergavenny Museum historic textile collection

A Stitch in Time: function and form, Shire Hall, Monmouth

A Stitch in Time: Function and Form, Shire Hall, Monmouth


Saturday 18th February – Sunday 18th March

Open 10 – 4 Monday to Sunday

An exploration of the changing nature of textiles; from the simply functional to the purely artistic. Contains work by contemporary textile artists (including 'Arc' which you can see below) and objects from Monmouth and Abergavenny Museums.

£2.00 adult £1.00 child £5.00 family ticket


'Arc', 2010. Handwoven leno in cotton, linen and nylon monofilament encapsulated in acrylic resin



Continuing Professional Development for craftspeople at Craft in the Bay, 26th Jan 2012

These are the latest CPD sessions I've organised at Craft in the Bay for makers, artists and designers based in Wales. There are a few places left for both the morning and afternoon sessions - please call Craft in the Bay on 02920 484 611 asap to book



Membership of the Makers Guild in Wales

Thursday 26th January 2012, 11.30am -12.15pm

Want to find out more about becoming a member of the Makers Guild in Wales? Want the chance to exhibit and sell at the Guilds prestigious gallery Craft in the Bay in Cardiff? Want to get involved with the largest maker-led craft organisation in Wales?

Laura Thomas Makers Guild in Wales member and trustee, will give a presentation on the benefits of joining the Guild. Current exciting developments at Craft in the Bay as well as the history of the Guild will be covered alongside the specifics of the new application procedure and what membership actually entails.

Cost: Free. Limited spaces, so booking is still absolutely essential.

Support for makers and designers in Wales

Thursday 26th January 2012, 1.30pm – 5.00pm

Six of Wales’ leading arts and design support organisations will each give a short presentation on the services and support they offer makers and designers in Wales. Where relevant, membership benefits will be explained; practical support and/or facilities outlined; and grant opportunities highlighted.

• 1.30pm Harry McIver, Wales Arts International

• 2.00pm Robyn Tomos will discuss the application process and benefits of having work selected as part of the annual Art & Craft exhibition at the Eisteddfod

• 2.30pm Lesley Lillywhite, Swansea Print Workshop

• 3.00pm Break

• 3.30pm Cleeve Jenkins, from the Cardiff School of Creative & Cultural Industries, will be talking about The Creative & Cultural Workforce Development Scheme which offers continuing professional development opportunities for freelancers, small and medium sized businesses in the creative and cultural industries in the Welsh convergence area.

• 4.00pm Anne Morgan, Association of Contemporary Jewellers in Wales

• 4.30pm Michael Goode and Cerys Thomas, Arts Council of Wales

Cost: Free, but a donation of £3.00 to cover afternoon refreshments would be appreciated. Limited spaces, so booking is still absolutely essential.

Latest work in the new studio.....

Well, I had a wonderful open studio weekend! Lots of people came to see my new studio - so many I didn't get a chance to actually demonstrate weaving on Saturday as planned! However, an early start today meant I got some cloth woven before the doors opened, so there was something for today's visitors to see on the loom!

I also include a few iphone shots of the studio for your interest. I weave by hand on a 24 shaft AVL floor loom, which I operate using the WeaveMaker software. I'm based in The Model House Craft and Design Centre is in the historic town of Llantrisant. There is a wonderful shop and florist on the ground floor, and then around 20 artists / makers / graphic designers based in the workshops on the three floors above. Its open to the public 10-5pm Tues-Sat and 11-4 on Sundays. I'm not there every day as work often takes me all over the country, so if you want to visit the studio, drop me a line before making a special visit to ensure I'll be there.