The inspiration is coming thick and fast at Bobbin Shed 21

As the weeks and months go on, the about of works I'm producing as growing with fast momentum. 

There is a real spark within me at the moment, partly due to the inspiration around me at my studio, Bobbin Shed 21.

With Becky Sunter, a very talented flat loom weaver.

And Jane Riley, an incredible tapestry weaver. 

Find out just how inspired we all are at 

http://bobbinshed21.weebly.com/the-artistmakers.html

Bobbin Shed 21, our 'house' and Thrift.

We had a very special event on Saturday the 12th April. 

Our Open day and Exhibition-it took weeks of organization and planning. 

One thing we wanted to achieve was a 'set' of a house in miniature-Some where we could displey our own items made, that were perfect in anyones own home.

We decided to go with a 1950's theme and set about gathering items. 

I began by surching for furniture, wanting to be as thrifty as possible. I looked on many an auction site-eventually winning most items of furniture for just 99p and I didn't spend any more than £10.00.

Some of the items came from farm buildings that looked quite sad indeed, and now look brand new and extremely happy in their new home.

I was biding my time for a carpet to come up on Freecycle and when it did, it was brand new one! It fitted perfect in to the space and really set the scene.

We were keen to have all aspects of a house, so we made the bed from old palets and rugs that were made by Becky Sunter. 

Vintage China and glassed was sourced from charity shops and the only thing left to do was put it all together.

I can honestly say the entire set was beyond thrifty, not only very satisfying to create but, if I do say so my self, extremely stylish! 

Bobbin Shed 21 on Lingfield Point now has a wonderful show space, brought back to it's 1950's glory with a little of no money, but masses of passion! 

A Year Of Thrift & reusing, recycling & remaking with fabric.

So it's that time of year again where I'll begin to think of what I'm working towards for the Festival of Thrift, to be held again at Lingfield Point, Darlington in September. 

As you will have gathered, I love remaking something with fabrics with a remake, reuse, recycle attitude and firmly believe that one persons junk is another persons treasure! 

I decided to go through only some of my vintage duvet covers that will potentially be turned into Aprons for the Festival of Thrift. 

I was recently given a wonderful vintage 1950's tabard style apron that would have been worn for the most practical of tasks. 

I'll be cutting a new pattern off the vintage apron to create an apron that has a throw back to the overall aprons originally worn by the workers at the Patons and Baldwins site that was based at lingfield Point from 1940's-1980's. 

As a textiles artist I not Only find the garments fascinating but as my studio, Bobbin Shed 21 is on the Lingfield Point site, I'm passionate to make a sympathetic replica...watch this space!