Fabulous Florence

Posted on December 2, 2013 by Joanne Shewan Textiles

Florentine Church

Florence Inspired Skirt

Another of my favourite projects was based on a visit to Florence which was very inspirational. I fell in love with the amazing churches and based by Skirt project on the things I photographed and drew.

Also I discovered Reverse Applique – a technique which is still a favourite so you can be sure that in my future work I will be creating new Reverse Applique items, using my naturally-dyed fabrics and inspired by buildings and landscapes.

Arched Walkway – Florence

Reflecting on Past Projects

Posted on November 28, 2013 by Joanne Shewan Textiles

I have been so busy with our Pop Up Shop and other recent projects that I have not had time to make any new work.

Now that things are beginning to calm down I am having time to start considering what I want to work on next. I have lots of ideas, lots of started and never finished experiments and and numerous half explored techniques. But how to decide where to start?

As I still do not have time to begin a major new line of work yet I have decided to kick start my preparations by looking back on some of my favourite samples and finished pieces.

This knitted pool combined with beads and stones was inspired by a visit to High Force (a magnificent waterfall in County Durham).

High Force, County Durham

ANB @ Pop Up Dunstable

Posted on November 16, 2013 by Joanne Shewan Textiles

After weeks of hard work our beautiful Pop Up Shop (ANB @ Pop Up Dunstable, 3 Ashton Square, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU6 3SN) is up and running. I am so delighted with how wonderful it looks and love all the different handmade gifts and original art we have in stock.

Our first customer

It is amazing to have such a lovely showcase for some of the many talented local Bedfordshire artists and inspiring to watch visitors discovering their own favourites within the store. The feedback from these customers and the stories they are telling us about their own work and love of art is a huge reward in itself. Making sales in such a hard economic climate, and the many promises to return (when they have more time or money) and to bring their friends, are very exciting.

Today is Market Day and we have free parking in Dunstable so it looks like it will be a busy day. Plus we will be running our Leaf Collage Workshop (just £1 go) so we are looking forward to welcoming lots of new customers.

Artists’ Network Bedfordshire

ANB @ Pop Up Dunstable

Eco Dyeing Heaven

Posted on October 13, 2013 by Joanne Shewan Textiles

Spent a fantastic morning with Jenny Leslie improving my Eco Dyeing techniques. Jenny was extremely helpful and had lots of advice (some of it direct from her course with India Flint – sooo jealous).

The anticipation during unwrapping is great!

Unwrapping the bundles

More unwrapping

Anyway here are the initial results – not yet washed out so hope they don’t fade too much – very happy with them, although may need to re-dye to turquoise scarf for more contrast/colour.