Bright lights for Reggie!

My installation Reggie's Roller Palace can be seen at the Piece Hall in Halifax this week as part of the Halifax festival - it is a warm up for the grand reopening in its new venue in September at Ruthin Craft Centre. I have had some neon lights made that I am very excited about which will be used above the doors to the cinema we will create at the gallery. It seems that things are really moving along with the show - all the photos have been taken for the catalogue.   I had my interview on Monday with Jane Audas who is writing the essay and Im meeting with Lawn creative tomorrow to discuss the catalogue design - exciting stuff!

Islay Woolen Mill

I have just returned from a trip to Islay where I visited the most wonderful Islay Woolen Mill, where some of the finest tweeds are made - I couldn't resist buying a selection of cloth for scarves to accompany my new range of dogs - watch out for them as the first batch will be reaching galleries in the next month.

Hens

Another new project has been a set of hens commissioned by Easthorpe Spa for their new venture the Potting Shed opening July 2011, I was a little apprehensive because I wasnt sure how they would turn out and if the character would shine through - but I am thrilled with the results and a range of hens may be on the cards in the future!

and Screenprinting too...

these were our reserve the dates - which involved collecting over 90 vintage handkerchiefs and getting back into the printing studio!

ahem!

Ahem indeed - the regular updates have not been quite as regular as i was hoping  - Im on the case now though. The truth is I have been beavering away but not as I originally intended. I am getting married shortly and have decided to hand make everything  this alongside packing Reggie Up, Crufts and a trade fair in Harrogate it has been a bit hectic! I have been using the wedding as a good excuse to experiment in different techniques for my work - I have been etching again as you can see from these invites, which was great to have an excuse to print again.

Online Shop now open!

Phew - I didn't think it was ever going to happen but here we are just in time for Christmas opening the doors of my online shop.  The project has been much more complicated than I envisioned when I initially rejected the idea of a ready designed shop for a custom built one - perhaps had I known the work involved I may have settled for the former!  I am so pleased with the results though - all down to my very clever web designer who has been working all hours to get the shop open for Christmas.  Amidst the mad rush of Christmas orders I am working on a few sculptures at the moment which I will add to the shop next week.  It will be the first time in 10 years I will have 'dogs in stock' but my aim from now on is to always have a few pieces available in the shop ready to despatch immediately.

Gift boxes

Hot of the press here is a picture of one of my gift boxes that I have had specially made to fit my miniature sculptures.  I was very keen to keep production of the boxes in the United Kingdom  - it is sometimes tempting to look overseas  but after much searching I found the most wonderful company - M.M Bell based in Sheffield. They are great to work with and their boxes are of a superb quality. 
Very fitting I think for the contents!