Upholstery

 Throughout my last year of University I had numerous lectures on what type of creative career I wanted to achieve after graduating. Unfortunately I am no nearer to knowing what I want to do now than I was six months ago. However since graduating I have had lots of time to reflect and look back at the past three years and look at what I enjoyed the most. 

 

I have never been particularly academic, I always got average grades and Textiles was the only thing I was ever any good at. I think I get my creative side from my nan and grandad who constantly have some sort of creative project going. My nan is amazing at finding hidden jems and antiques in the unlikeliest of places and my grandad can basically do everything; upholstery, carpentary, painting, gardening...I'm yet to find something he cant do, if you want it he can make it! So when he offered to teach me the basics of Upholstery I jumped at the chance. My nan found a couple of ottomans for £20 which needed renovating and my grandad showed me how to strip, prepare, paint and cover them. Below are before and after pictures.

 

 

 

After leaving my work placement at Textra (a local interior design company). They gave me some remenants of fabric which was used to create roman blinds for a house in Ascott. Embroidered silk

 which was at least £100 a metre. So I thought it would be a nice reminder to cover the ottomans in the fabric, and I have to say two years on they look perfect in my little room.

 

So I am going to make a resolution to get back into doing small upholstery projects, as there is something so satisfying in taking something old and damaged and renovating it and giving it a new lease of life.

Feeling Festive

Well I kept to my word and got creative today, doing some drawings and sewing.
Seeing as it is christmas I thought it would be both cost effective and thoughtful to make some of my Christmas presents. I didn't realise how much hand printed and dyed fabric I had left over from University. So I decided to make some little padded hearts, a nice little accessory in any house I think.

My nan brought me back lots of embelishments, beads and sequins from one of her trips to India so it was nice to get to use them alongside my dyed and printed fabric. I'm going to buy some nice ribbon to sew on so they can be hung around the house.

I'm thinking of making my own Christmas cards this year, but I'm not sure what to have on them. This a quick pen and water colour drawing I did, but you never know it might make the cut and be on all my Christmas cards.

Self Reflection

After three years at University, living and breathing Textiles, it is safe to say that I have enjoyed having a break from being creative. Trying to be constantly inspired and motivated for three years was incredibly hard; I dont know if that says something about me as a person of whether everyone in the creative industry struggles from time to time. But I have made a resolution to myself to start getting creative again, so drawings, sewing and photography will hopefully follow shortly..

Life after Graduation

Unbelievably it has been nearly 5 months since I graduated from University and even longer since I've posted a blog. So I figure it's about time I get blogging again..

Its true what they say about it being hard for graduates to find jobs, but I have been lucky enough to have had a few part time jobs. A work placement I undertook at University has led to periods of employment; Textra, a local interior design company specialises in made to measure curtains, in and around the Oxfordshire area including all the major Universities. I love how hands on the job is, focusing on not only the production of curtains, blinds etc but also going out and fitting them, I have learnt so many transferable skills while I have worked there.

I have also been working for a family friend who is currently setting up and running a business selling Alpine Coats . All coats have been designed by Veroni Gilbert and produced in Serbia. I have been helping organise and source products and have also done some sewing as well. It has been a real learning curve seeing what is entailed when setting up a business, and working for myself straight out of University has been amazing but does involve a lot of organisation.

Have a look at the link to Veronis Designs if you're interested; http://www.veronisdesigns.com/

Business Cards

All my business cards and postcards arrived this morning which could not of come at a better time as I have my mock interview tomorrow with Alison Willoughby, and I'm very happy with them...

 

I ordered three different images onto my business cards as each one shows a different element of my work, from the dyeing process to manipulation and stitch.

When ordering my post cards there were numerous options of paper choices. I knew I wanted a thick gsm so they would not be too flimsy, but I also wanted to make a statement with them and as my work is inspired by the environment and nature I decided to go with a 100% recycled paper.

 

Photoshop

While Photoshop is not neccessarily my strong point I do find it very useful to create simple moodboards incorporating colours and imagery to begin my projects. I am still mounting and preparing my portfolio for next weeks interview with either Alison Willoughby or Lauren Barfoot, so I decided to create some extra mood boards using photos from my previous projects in the second year.

A Change of Scenery

While I do love what I do, my work load at the moment is quite overwhelming, so I decided to have a change of scenery and travel home to work for a bit. It is always so calming, I always instantly feel inspired when I get back to my own room and go for a walk...