For centuries women have used cloth as a tool of comfort and as an expression of beauty within their homes. Creating cloth for warmth, cloth for shelter, our female predecessors embellished these linens with hand stitch using laborious and time consuming techniques thereby enhancing the functional beauty of objects which enveloped and protected their families. Inspired by these women I hope my creations pay tribute to and recognise the devotion expressed in cloth by our female ancestors .







''the use of traditional often time consuming process alludes to the devotion of a mother''. c K. A. Ruane 2007







Monday, March 15, 2010

home again

Hi everyone, gosh it's been a long time and so much has happened. First off sorry for the poor images, I get awful shakes taking photos without being able to rest my elbows! Well the fair has been and gone. In terms of success, well sales wise it was very poor so if you had your eye on anything drop me a mail because I have most likely still got it. It seems from talking to other sellers there that it was hit and miss for most people, recession? time of year? who knows. Those who did best seem to have been the people who had been going there for a long time, built up a good customer base. In other terms though I would count it as a success. I made some excellent contacts and have been given a nudge into a totally different direction, can't say too much at the moment but it seems like those changes I was talking about will be happening.



this is how my french knot piece looks hanging up, shame it's not brilliantly clear but at least you get to see the whole thing. Below this you can see the hook and eye piece a bit better, still not very clear but the pocket is definitely more visible.


I met some great people and was really happy to meet Kim who apparently lurks here a lot but has never left a comment. I don't mind though, I saw her in the flesh which is so much better. I hope you are still happy with your stuff Kim!! I also met Gill from Vintage Rock Chick and am so pleased she said hello, we spent a lot of time chatting, very constructive I might add.
Before I went I printed off some flyers for workshops, amazingly they were all taken so if you have one in your posession then please get in touch, call the number, mail the e-mail, I don't bite honest! Can I make an appeal now to the lovely lady who was interested in buying this? I am so sorry but I have lost your contact details. Could you please drop me a mail? Now I have lots of people to mail so hopefully if you are expecting to hear from me you won't have too long to wait! Have the best week, x

14 comments:

vintagerockchick said...

It was lovely to meet you too Karen, and your work is even more exquisite in real life! I have put your workshop flyer in a safe place to take to my next Guild meeting. Glad you had a safe journey back and hopefully I'll be a particpant at one of your future workshops x

Michala Gyetvai (Kayla coo) said...

Hi Karen,
I wish I had been able to visit, your stall looks beautiful.x

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...

Hi Karen,
Welcome back and I'm very pleased to hear that it was a success in important respects. You sound very positive about it all and I'm quite excited to hear about your new direction when you're ready and able to tell! Your stall looks beautiful. (I expected nothing less.)
Janice. x

Elizabeth said...

Have been thinking about you and it is good to hear that you are in such great spirit.

Have a lovely week.

Ulla said...

Your stall looks really good. I hope there will be workshops and the word will be spread.

Anonymous said...

Yes, your stall looks gorgeous. Congratulations on a successful event! Look forward to seeing where the new direction will lead.

Jane said...

So glad you something good has come from the weekend. Looking forward to seeing how it all progresses for you.

Rachel said...

Glad to know it was useful if not immediately financially profitable. Who knows what some of those conversations may spark?

Fabric Nation said...

Hi
Stall looks lovely, but sorry to hear the event was a bit hit or miss. I just saw that you met Amelia who I know - what a small world! gillian (from Makey Do). xx

meplusmolly said...

It was lovely to see you as usual (and the hubby!). Stunning work as always, exquisite. Glad to hear all your workshop flyers were taken and that you had some constructive chats, looking forward to seeing where you go next with it all ;0 X

Amelia said...

Hi Karen,

great to see you again and I think it definitely was hit and miss from people I spoke to too. But like you, I often feel that it's not just the sales, but the other 'things' that come from it like contacts, ideas, new shows etc!

Hope you are led to great places for your next work then (not that your work isn't great already - cos it is!:)

Amelia.x

Thea said...

Your stall looks lovely. Sorry to hear sales were slow, but things have a way of turning out good in the end, and it's great that all your flyers were taken!

Jacky said...

Your stall looked great Karen ... wish I could have gone along too!!!
I think people are still being careful with their pennies at the moment, which makes it hard.
So glad you have made so many new contacts though and sounds like your head is buzzing with new ideas too.
LOVE the new piece you are working on too - cant wait to see more!

Jacky xox

meandering pearl said...

your stall, you work is impeccable!!! such an inspiring place!!!