Tartan

Lately I've been making some cover button brooches and rings using Tartan off cuts- great if you love the Tartan trend but just want a subtle Tartan hit!

 I've taken a little selection of these new pieces to The Hazel Gallery in Colchester today and I'm going to add them to my Etsy shop soon, watch this space!

Happy 2014!

For my last blog post of 2013 I want to say thank you to all of you who have supported me throughout the year, I love being able to meet so many lovely people doing this. Hearing your comments and feedback is very helpful to me and it's much appreciated.

Harris Tweed Brooch from the 2013 collection

To give you an insight into what's to come, there'll be some new products and themes to my work in 2014. I'm currently just starting work on a new collection, the first experiments for which I hope to share with you very soon! I don't believe that you ever stop learning in craft, as in life, and I'd like 2014 to be a year of learning, and challenge- the theme of the new collection certainly offers both, I'll keep you posted!

I am also aiming to develop my Etsy shop in 2014- I'd like this to be a major focus, to get Louise Dawson Design out there and introduce handmade craft into peoples lives!

A big goal is to develop the Make Do and Mend/recycling themes within the work I'm making and to reflect this ethos much more strongly through my blog. Working as a Designer/Maker, by the very nature of my work I'm always creating new objects, but I don't want this to be at the expense of the planet! I'm currently sourcing more pieces to up-cycle and re-purpose into my work.

Another aim of 2014 is to get you more involved- I'm excited about the idea of developing tutorials for the blog based on the Make Do and Mend/recycled textile theme- watch this space! If there's anything you'd like to see, do let me know!

So there we have it, I've put it into writing now so I had better get cracking!

Wishing you all a very happy and creative 2014!

Christmas Fair festivities!

I can't believe there are only two weeks left until Christmas day! I've been getting in the spirit and had a very festive weekend! On Saturday I had a thoroughly enjoyable (and unseasonably warm) day taking part in The Minories Christmas Art and Design Fair in Colchester. I enjoyed chatting to lots of new people as well as catching up with some familiar faces! There was such a lovely atmosphere and The Minories is a beautiful building for events like this- my table was in the Ballroom.

My Bookmarks 

 My neighbor at The Minories fair was the lovely Lindsay from Slumbermonkey Designs. check out her lovely handbag mirrors- they feature Lindsay's own designs. I also loved her shrink plastic jewellery created using her own illustrations- check out her Etsy Shop here

Clare Sams quirky knitted pieces are right up my street! What a talented lady, check out her website to see more of her brilliantly subversive knitted pieces

Mary Lu had taken over the Garden Room with their vintage clothing and homewares- all very tempting! Both Mary and Lucy taught me at college so it was nice to chat to them

On Sunday, I wrapped up warm and traveled to London to share a stand at Spitalfields with my frien Louisa Dash who makes beautiful accessories.

A Christmassy Spitalfields Market

Louisa makes these beautiful statement leather flower brooches, i-pad cases,  key chains and bags. We had a lovely busy day and we did treat ourselves to some nice food from the market- it's very hard to resist!

Thank you if you came to say hi over the weekend. I'm happy to think that Louise Dawson Design pieces will be wrapped under some Christmas Trees :o) Merry Christmas to you all!

The Minories Christmas Art and Design Fair

I'm looking forward to taking part in The Minories Christmas Art and Design Fair in Colchester on 7th December! If you're in the area do pop in if you're on the lookout for unique handmade Christmas gifts- there will be beautiful Art, Jewellery, Ceramics, Cards, Prints and much more available to buy direct from the makers on the day, as well as a pop up vintage shop! It's also worth a visit to check out the exhibitions and for lunch or tea and cake in the Garden Cafe! It's on from 10-4, would be lovely to see you!
Find out more about The Minories here

A lovely gift

My friend Jean Muir makes beautiful ceramic pieces including these gorgeous rabbit Brooches. I was lucky enough to receive this lovely little rabbit from Jean for my birthday, I just love it! You can visit Jean's Gallery, The Jessica Muir Gallery, in Long Melford, Suffolk, to see more of her creations. Find out more here

In the meantime I'm wrapping up warm in the studio at Cuckoo Farm now winter is here- it's got quite cold! I'm keeping busy though and I'm currently making some hand knitted pieces (cosy!) for some events I've got coming up in early December. I'll keep you posted!

A lovely weekend at The Renegade Craft Fair

This weekend I was a vendor at The Renegade Craft Fair on London's Brick Lane and what a lovely weekend it was! I met lots of lovely people and there was such a friendly atmosphere it really was a great thing to be part of. It was also so nice to be surrounded by other like minded makers, all with a passion for the handmade. Thanks to everyone who stopped by to say hello!

Renegade Craft Fair- stand sneak peak!

Less than a week to go now until the Renegade Craft Fair and I'm busy working on the final finishing touches for my stand! I'm very much looking forward to next weekend!

I was given two card display stands that were no longer needed and I've Decopatched them with off-cuts from dress making patterns (which I've always kept with the intention of making something with them) and black tissue paper. I had a really fun evening in with iplayer on, Decopatching away! Here are the results, two DIY Decopatch Display Stands!

From this...

To this!

I'm really pleased with these!

I've also been gathering a collection of old wooden thread reels that most people throw away, and with Distress Ink, letter stamps and photo clips I've made some label stands!

Hope to see you at The Renegade Craft Fair! Find out more here