Productive Day Dyeing

I spend a morning this week dyeing - no particular reason, just fancied doing it!

I normally use the plastic bag method but decided to give low immersion/tray dyeing a go this time.  

The first batch started with lemon yellow and I then added red and turquoise.  I think I overdid the "pressing to make sure everything was covered" as it did end up looking more brown that I wanted.  Once washed it didn't look so bad.

I then dyed batches of turquoise with a splash of cobalt blue; magenta with a splash of purple; and finally orange with a splash of red.  Very happy with the results of these.

To finish off I used up all the left over dye with the result of a blue, red, purple mix.

At the same time I dyed some threads - soft cotton, perle and a skein of stranded.

I have a project in mind for these so keep watching!

Review of 2014 and looking ahead to 2015

I have a mixture of feelings about how 2014 was creatively for me so I thought I'd start by reviewing the targets I made for the year.

1.   Add regularly to my Folksy Shop - I suppose the definition of "regularly" is what is appropriate here!   I have added several times through the year but instead of a slow "drip feed" which was my intention, I tended to add in bulk.   I know this does not have the best effect of attracting customers but it was really a result of my lifestyle.

 2.   Set up an Etsy Shop - this didn't happen!   I spent a lot of time considering it but in the end I thought it was yet another thing that would take me away from the creating!

 3.   Submit my work to a local gallery for possible selling - this has been probably the most successful aspect of 2014.   I had an exhibition of my Rust collection at Green Tree Gallery, resulting in a sale of the largest piece which gave my confidence a big boost.  I also started selling smaller items in two shops near Chichester - Rose Green Art and Craft Gallery and Birdcage Barn Craft Emporium.  Both are going steadily, although a little slowly.  

 4.   Work in my sketchbooks at least 2 or 3 times each week - again not really achieved but I do use my sketchbook when I am working on a new piece of work.  Again it takes time away from the actual creating!

 5.    Post regularly on my blog - well I've posted 26 times through the year so an average of 2 a month is an achievement.  Unfortunately there were a few months when I didn't post anything.

 As I said before, my feelings about the year are mixed.   I am really pleased about selling my work in galleries and I hope this will continue and expand in 2015.

However, I spent much of the year making items to sell, particularly for a craft fair that was not successful, and the net result is I have not created the textile art that is my first love.    This is all the more significant when I think about the exhibition Thread and Shutter have booked for November 2015 and the fact that I have very little completed so far.

Some serious thinking has been done so my targets for 2015 are:

1.  Make smaller items alongside larger items - when making a quilt, prepare smaller similar pieces that can become smaller mounted textile art, postcards or cards.

2.  Use the smaller items to sale on Folksy and outlets currently used.  Also review all the pieces of textile art that I have and add them to the items for sale.

3.  Attend at least one workshop with an artist who inspires me.

4.  Meet with Thread and Shutter at least once a fortnight, as well as outings to exhibitions, shows etc.

5.  Continue with regular blog posts, at least two each month.

I'm excited about the coming year and have already begun to put some of these targets in place.  Organising an exhibition is always a good way of focussing the mind.  My problem is not letting myself getting side-tracked by other crafty things I see and want to try out!

Let's get going!