Fantastic event in support of local charities with over 50 local artists showing and selling their original work. Well worth a visit – especially ANB artists Joanne Bowes and Vicky Johns (not that I am biased!)
Mentmore Arts Festival
Fabulous Japanese Boro on show at Somerset House. Very rare opportunity to see so many of these unique textiles in one place.
Boro is a traditional method of patching used by poor people who increased the longevity of bed covers etc by repairing them with small patches of cotton. Dealers collected such scraps from shipped deliveries and sold them on to those who needed them. The limited colour range is due to the restriction of hues people were allowed to wear. Only the rich and the high ranking we entitled to brighter coloured clothing.
Having a little fun building on my Indigo-dyed bases!
Indigo over dyed with Rust
Indigo over dyed with Rust and Blackberries
My work can now be viewed whilst you enjoy a lovely coffee and cake at the Pensieri Cafe, Ram’s Yard, Bedford.
Afterwards why not pop along to the newly refurbished Higgins Gallery, which is almost next door?
What better way to spend a relaxing afternoon?
Pensieri Cafe, Bedford
Pensieri Cafe, Bedford
Pensieri Cafe, Bedford
Whoo hoo – the first in my new series uncovering South Bedfordshire’s hidden and taken for granted delights.
This will be available as cards and limited edition prints during March in the Priory house Shop, Dunstable.
Dunstable Downs
Dunstable Priory Church
Looking back at my previous work has finally inspired me to focus on more of my local views. Here is just a small taster – currently I am creating an new version of Dunstable Priory Church:
From Dunstable Downs
Dunstable Priory Church
Swiss Garden – Tapestry Weaving
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
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.
Come and discover your inner creativity with our workshops at our Pop Up Shop
Workshops at Pop Up Dunstable
The new Pop Up Dunstable shop – 3 Ashton Square, Dunstable – is now open for business – four new traders have merchandised their sections and are now ready and waiting for customers.
Pop up Dunstable Launch
Glass by Transparent Images
Can’t wait until it is our turn – a week and a half to go – just tying up the loose ends.
Lots of tempting goodies appearing on our Facebook Page so I hope we will attract lots of new customers: ANB @ Pop Up Dunstable
ANB@ Dunstable are proud to announce that they will be selling Long Live Dunstable Calendars
Joanne Shewan Textiles 