Newsletter
April/May 2010
It’s hard to believe that it is nearly three years since I opened Craft Arena at Barleylands. So much has happened during that time, and time has just flown by! During that time I’ve made lots of new friends, and met some inspiring people.
This newsletter is the first of 2010; despite intending to send one out every three months, things have been so busy I’ve not had a chance. In this issue I’ll be letting you know about some exciting new developments and updating you on all the new stock I’ve been getting in, as well as letting you know what is going on at Barleylands over the next few months.
New Studio
The most exciting thing I have to tell you is that Craft Arena is expanding! In July I’m taking over Studio 55, which is across the corridor opposite Craft Arena. This will house a new larger Gallery which will showcase the work of local textile artists as well as giving me room to show more of my own work. I already have some exhibitions booked, of which more news later. I will also be able to extend my workshop programme, inviting guest tutors to hold classes and giving the chance for more people to attend a varied and exciting programme of events. The new Gallery will open on Friday 2nd July when I will be holding a launch event with refreshments. If you would like an invitation to this evening, do let me know.
Exhibitions
Nine, a group of textile artists based in Harlow, will be holding a retrospective exhibition of their work in The Gallery in July. The exhibition will be held from Saturday 3rd July until Friday 16th July, with a preview at our launch party on Friday 2nd July.
From Friday 24th September until Sunday 10th September, Basildon Stitching Club, the Basildon Branch of Essex Handicrafts Association, will be holding an exhibition of members’ work.
All exhibitions will be open during normal studio hours – that’s 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Sunday.
With more exhibitions waiting to be confirmed, this is an exciting time for Craft Arena. I do hope that you will be able to attend some of the exhibitions we will be holding in the next few months.
New Stock
With the move of my current Gallery and workshops into the new space in Studio 55, I will be able to stock more products in the shop. I’ve been sourcing new products over the last few months, and am pleased to announce that I will be stocking Designer Yarns knitting wool, Including Debbie Bliss designs, from July. I will also supplying Knit Pro knitting needles and crochet hooks.
Some more recent additions to my stock are listed below, with more coming soon.
- Madeira Silk Embroidery Floss. This silk stranded thread comes in a glorious selection of colours and is a joy to stitch
- New Ten Seconds Studio Moulds and metal in some wonderful colours, including some mixed metal packsNew magazines – Art Quilting Studio is published twice a year and Somerset Studio quarterly. These are great magazines, but sell out very quickly. I’ve already increased my subscription for the next issues.
- Precious Metal Clay – if you haven’t seen this before, you are in for a treat. Metal clay can be worked into shapes and then heated with a blow-torch or on the gas cooker when the binder is burnt away to leave silver or copper jewellery. I’m taking names for courses later in the year, so do get in touch. In the meantime I have kits and supplies for those who already know about these great products.
More products from Oliver Twists; including these sumptuous packs of threads and fibres – they look good enough to eat! - Many of you have asked me to source silk ribbon for embroidery, and I’m pleased to say that these are now in stock. They come in a good range of colours in 4mm and 7mm widths.
- New colours are available in the Craftynotions Colourspray range, including some new opaque colours and more shades in translucent colours too.
I've got six wonderful new moulding mats in from Craftynotions. These can be used as conventional rubber stamps, for moulding of Friendly Plastic, air-dry clays, precious metal clay etc, or as a rubbing plate using Markal Sticks, inkpads, crayons etc. Many of the designs can be used to create multi-unit or repeating designs, and you can cut some designs into smaller units if you wish. My current favourite is Fat Sparrows, shown here.- For those dressmakers amongst you, I can now order Simplicity Patterns. Some of the patterns are lovely; as well as fashion, they have a good range of fancy dress costumes and a varied selection for soft furnishing, accessories and crafts. These can also be supplied mail order – just come in and choose your pattern and it can be sent directly to you for a nominal delivery charge of £1.00.
- Lutradur Crash - a lovely new textured fabric which looks great coloured and distressed. I also stock Lutradur 30, 70 and 130, Pelmet Vilene and Pelmet Vilene Plus - a stiff Vilene with heat-activated glue on one side. This can be cut with a soldering iron and is great for constructing 3D
items. - I think my favourite new range is the Vintaj Natural Brass Collection. These beautiful components are hand finished and unique. The technique book that accompanies the range has some unusual jewellery making ideas inside, and the techniques shown can be used for other media as well, such as textile art, book making, scrapbooking and card making. They really are great!
With lots more new things coming in over the next few months, do keep an eye on my blog if you can – www.craftarena.blogspot.com; it is a quick way and easy way for me to keep in touch with you. I do appreciate that not everyone is online however, so I will keep sending out newsletters as often as I can.
Barleylands
Barleylands has a new website, www.barleylands.co.uk so do visit and take a look. You will find lots of news about events around the village and farm. From puppet shows in May to our famous Spooky Night in November, there is something for everyone.
I hope to see you all soon,
Best wishes,
Denise
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