Saturday 18 June 2016

Adventures in Laser Cutting



Something very exciting happened at my work this year…we got a laser cutter!  I love laser cut products and have been a fan of the detail and professional quality you can achieve from using a laser cutter.  It has been great fun learning how to use this shiny new piece of kit and exploring the creative possibilities it has to offer to our students.  It arrived in time for some Christmas gift making totally essential practice, which was a bonus too!

Necklace for me ;-)

Whale necklace combining different coloured and transparent acrylic


I was so excited I kind of went crazy ordering myself bright and shiny acrylic in all the colours of the rainbow to have a play around.  I love anything that can be personalised and also love the look of in your face acrylic jewellery.  Here are some of the results of my experimenting.  



It has been great for me to develop my Adobe Illustrator skills and also make me think about drawing becoming products or more 3D.  I would like to develop some statement pieces that are more sculptural.  I also like the idea of exploring layering and combing different materials.  I can’t wait to try out some different things.





Wednesday 15 June 2016

Handmade Gifts



Cuddle Kitty
I love to when possible make handmade gifts for people.  I like the idea of being able to create something with that person in mind as well as having a reason to make and get creative.  I love to make things for children the best.  I like trying to match an idea to a little person’s personality and the love the idea that something can be adapted and personalised.  Here are a few images of some gifts I have made over the past couple of years.

Super Finn
Ballet Bags

Crayon and Sketchbook Rolls

Crayon and Sketchbook Rolls

Thursday 2 June 2016

A little adventure to soak up some inspiration in the big smoke

We decided to go on a little adventure to London to see some art and get inspired.  We got a very early train to London and first stop of the day was The Breakfast Club at Angel to fuel up before our day of adventure.  I am a big fan of The Breakfast Club and love their food and cool venues.  I went for The Huevos Al Benny which tasted every bit as amazing as it sounded on the menu and looked when it arrived.
Excited for our day of bright lights, art and most importantly our breakfast!

HUEVOS AL BENNY Poached eggs, chorizo, roasted peppers, avocado, fresh chillies & hollandaise 
After Breakfast we headed to Walthamstow Central to check out Gods Own Junkyard.  After some wandering then some helpful directions from a friendly local we managed to find this magical place.  Gods Own Junkyard is the work of the late Chris Bracey and is a collection of 'new & used neon fantasies, salvaged signs, vintage neons, old movie props and retro displays.'  
Gods Own Junkyard 
Inside was utterly breathtaking, floor to ceiling, wall-to-wall neon, almost too much to take in, too beautiful to appreciate and definitely a whole lot of wow!  They have a cafĂ© inside so you can grab a drink and sit surrounded by neon soaking up the kitsch and the fabulousness.  I would definitely love to have a little piece of neon in my house one day.
Wall to Wall and Floor to Ceiling Neon!



There was so much to look at and take in



Artificial Fascinates Me The Bright & The Shiny




Wish My House Looked Like This!
After all that neon we headed over to Tate Britain to see Conceptual Art in Britain 1964-1979 and then Tate Modern to see Performing For The Camera as well as exploring the perminent exhibitions.  It was so nice to spend the day looking at art and being inspired, a day in London is never long enough. 

I love a good photo cut-out

#performingforthecamera