New Stitch Collaboration . . .

Last week I embarked on a new collaborative project with photographer, fine artist and editor Christophe Dillinger.  I've been collecting stitch samplers for the last couple of years from antiques fairs and charity shops.  What attracted me to them was an intention to add in some stitch graffiti (such as I'd done with my 'great tits rule' cushion) but having had no time until now they have ended up sitting in a drawer at the studio doing nothing.  When I dug them back out again recently I found myself procrastinating about what to do instead of getting started.

Christophe's newest work had been popping up in my facebook news feed, a series of collected plates which he had 'graffitied' onto using sticky labels or tippex. I thought the tapestries could be just up his street to add another dimension to this new body of work.  Here's a few examples of his plate series . . .

We had our 1st meeting on Friday to discuss our options.  As my usual practice is very labour intensive and time consuming, Christophe's approach of making simple alterations with the impermanence of stickers is going to take some getting used to for me. We've come up with some interesting 1st ideas though and Christophe is so keen on the pieces he intends to include them in an exhibition of his work in Athens this March.  We are inviting your input though for the piece shown below, which is just crying out to have a caption added.  The best suggestion will get stitched on by myself in time for the exhibition.  Looks like I'm going to have to do some speedy stitching!

To suggest you caption click here

Goodbye 2012, Hello 2013!

Happy New Year everybody! Thank you so much for all your support last year and what a busy and fun packed year it was too! From the end of participating in the Crafts Councils Hothouse program to curating Plot 9 of Allotment at mac Birmingham, I added another job to my growing list (lecturer at Hereford College of Arts), won a grant to buy a super duper new loom, introduced some new products, picked up some lovely new stockists, handwove 72 scarves in 3 months (phew) and with a team of fantastic interns made rather a lot of lavender bags! 2013 looks set to be another hectic and exciting year . . .

I'm kicking the new year off with a huge sort out and tidy up of the studio before the new loom arrives from America.  This includes clearing out a lot of old stock, so there are some fantastic reductions on cushions and the Festival scarves.  You can currently buy these direct from the online shop (www.helenfoot.co.uk) or by emailing me your order (studio@helenfoot.co.uk). But be quick, cushion colourways are one of a kind and I won't be making them again!

You can also help this month by voting for me to win one of the Craft & Design magazine Selected awards.  CLICK HERE TO VOTE and then follow the link on the rosette at the bottom of the page.

Also this year: I will be Bubby to Annabel Williams who is taking part in this years Hothouse program, developing lovely woven tweed designs for Millbank & Foot, showing this summer at the Contemporary Craft Festival in Bovey Tracey and a lot lot more . . . 

Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair . . .

I can't believe its been over a week since the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair up in Manchester.  Since I got back from the show I've been back and forth between Hereford College of Arts for teaching and the studio.  I'm weaving my socks off at the moment to make up for lost time when the loom was out of action this summer. But I can't complain because its great to be back at the loom, I've missed it so much. I'm also really pleased to be sending work out to new stockists and I still have two fairs before Christmas, the first being Hereford Contemporary Craft Fair in November.

I had an absolute blast up in Manchester at the GNCCF though.  It was great to be part of the Hothouse Alumni area and have a jolly good catch up with my pals, especially as it had been six months since I had seen most of them.  I also got to do some lovely swaps as well, so I'm now the proud owner of one of Zoe Lloyd's fabulous plates and a beautiful bangle from Jane Dzisiewski.

The Hothouse alumni area included (from top left to right):

Eleanor Bolton, Emma Bradbury, Zoe Lloyd, Claire Baker, Aimee Betts, Ros Millar, Hannah Felicity Dunne, Amy Bear, myself, Jane Dzisiewski, Carly Petitt-Taylor, Anna Collette Hunt and Rose Sharp Jones.

Aimee Betts & Anna Collette Hunt merging their work on a shared wall.

I was also joined at the show by Kirsty Slater who interned with me over the summer.  She was an absolute star helping me out on the weekend and sticking around for all the packing away at the end.  Here she is with me modelling new Festival colourway 'Newcastle' . . .

I also have to give my thanks to my big brother Richard who came up with me to set up and take down, as well as take lots of lovely pictures.  All in all GNCCF was a really great show and I hope I will be back up there again at it next year . . .

One Day Designers Sale at Craft Central . . .

Not long to go now until the One Day Designers Sale at Craft Central.  I've got lots of lovely new cushions and lavender bags that I will be taking down to London with me for the event, all of which will be available with 20% off! Not bad hey . . .

Hope to see you on the 17th between 12 noon and 7pm!!

Summer Interns . . .

I'm back to working solo for the first time in 9 weeks and sitting here in the studio on this quiet Monday morning I though it only fair to say a massive thank you to all the girls who have been in to help me over the course of the summer.  Cheryl and Nona were the only two who got to see the loom working but despite that set back we have managed to achieve a lot.  Helen Foot Design now has loads of lovely lavender bags, needle books and new cushions which will be available to buy at the Autumn shows I am doing and through my online shop.

Unfortunately I didn't get a snap of Hereford student Cheryl working, but she was an absolute star at open studios and my desk has never looked tidier!

Nona, Nottingham Trent graduate and Helen, student at DeMontford University.

Francesca, University of Derby graduate and Kirtsy, Manchester Metropolitan graduate.

Charlotte, Brighton graduate and Alyson, Hereford graduate.

Julia, student at University of Derby

So thank you girls for doing such a sterling job of warp making, sewing, stuffing and stitching.  I wish you all the best of luck on your hunt for jobs or with the rest of college. H x

Loom of Doom . . . .

My poor old loom is feeling very sorry for himself at the moment.  His home-made computer has conked out on me and consequently so has my summer production timetable.  To quash my feelings of impending loom doom I've been busying myself with funding applications to help me buy a new one.  All fingers and toes are crossed the bid gets approved so I can order a spanking new AVL from the USA with super duper features like 24 shafts and a sectional warper.

However that won't arrive until December, so I better reserve one set of crossed fingers that the RCA technician who built the old computer comes back from his holidays very soon, as he is quite possible the only man who knows how to fix it!

If you are a circuit board genius, please get in touch if you think you may be able to help.  Or alternatively if you have a 16 shaft floor loom I can borrow I'd be very grateful for your help.  At least all my paper work will be up to date and I have some time to start designing the Millbank & Foot tweed!

Twenty Twenty, Much Wenlock . . .

Last week I dropped off some stock at the lovely Twenty Twenty Gallery in Much Wenlock, Shropshire.  Mary Elliott took over the gallery in 2004 and has since developed Twenty Twenty as a premier destination for rural art and craft in the West Midlands.  More recently her furniture designer husband Hugh has taken on development of Twenty Twenty's online business as well as exhibiting some of his own products in the gallery.  The gallery has regular exhibitions throughout the year and there is a permanent selection of jewellery, ceramics, glass, furniture, sculpture, painting and prints by some of the best British artists and makers. Twenty Twenty is currently showing an exhibition of contemporary art medals which has been curated by Ron Dutton.

And to add to their display they now have the Millbank & Foot 'Wenlock' scarf in their window.  Well worth a visit!