Hello.

Well, it's been a while since I last did a post.
Besides been away on holiday last month, I attended the 'knitting and stitching show' again (it came round really quickly yet again) at dublin about 2 weeks ago. I did not showcase work this year, I just happened to be in the area that day and dropped by for a quick look around.
Met up with a few people whom I met last year whom I was beside  - the irsh guild of feltmakers and the patchwork societies and introduced myself to the 'Irish Guild of weavers, spinners and dyers', people whom were on the stand that particular day.... whom I'm a member of.  It was nice to finally meet them.
Met a really interesting and very nice lady from canada... Susan Jarmain, who is a weaver and who was exhibiting her work downstairs. Her pieces are very beautiful.
There were many interesting people showcasing their work and of course I left with bags of glorious yarns and mixed media materials to work with.

Currently, working on christmassy items and making scarves, while applying for 2 competitions.
Not long now to christmas...off to the christmas craft fair in the rds, dublin now next month, went last year and picked up glorious pressies.
Just completed a course with artlinks and padraig mc caul (artist) in ' how to build a business from your art' last weekend. That was very interesting.
So all busy, busy...off to write up a statement now for one of the competitions.
Be back soon.

Gráinne :)

News - July

Hi gráinne here,

Hope everyone is enjoying the summer....boy it's warm here.
Been weaving lately and sorting out what direction to take my work as working on new material and ideas at the moment.
For those who have just recently logged on to my blog....I am now targeting the Wedding Market. So for those seeking unique one- off gifts or Wedding presents, I specialise in a broad range of accessories from Mixed Media & Embroidered Abstract wall pieces to that of Hand woven Accessories.
My website will be available from September 09.....so that you can view about me and my work and whatever else I may post up on there.

Grainne ...be back soon

hi

Hi there,

It's been a while since I last logged on to my blog, been fairly busy recently.
I just finished a course it was not art/design related but it was very interesting so that's been taking up a bit of my time over the past month.
I'm not very good with keeping up with this blog....but I'm trying!

Entered a craft competition since and went up to see the, RDS Interior Design & Art Fair in Dublin last weekend (sunday). A friend of mine sent me an invite which was very nice of her.
So I went up and had a look around. I will say there is some exceptional design/talent going on out there from Textiles, Glass, Ceramics and Furniture etc... It was my frst time up at that particular show and I really enjoyed it....maybe you might see me with a stand there some day!

Starting a new batch of work again...been busy clearing some junk out of the house and trying to move things around so I've got more room. Currently have quite a few finished framed mixed media wall pieces ready and left to one side until I decide what to do with them..exhibition maybe?! Will see.
Was sent a brochere from Fibrecrafts, with new items including polymer clay products and silver/metal clay bits n bobs...anyway very tempting! Must try to resist! :)
Very, Very tempted though, it's been sparking new ideas into my head.

Can't believe it's almost June ....I do hope that we get some fine weather, I think 2moro (sunday) is meant to be bliss! Here's hoping that they're correct!
I am aiming towards a solo exhibition probably in August of my work ..a selection of new and past pieces in both areas of Weaving and Mixed Media.

Found a couple of interesting blogs & websites recently, that I might begin to start posting depending whenever I log on next?
On the left hand side of my profile page...(Need to get rid of the red background) anyway...there is a list of websites that are of interest to me and I may add to these at a later date.
I've got a wordpress account but not up and running on that as yet either.
Anyway thats it for now. Have a nice weekend...enjoy the sunshine! :) g

Far Left - Mixed Media Leather effect piece with copper wire and beads. (Detail)

'Twilight' ( Private Commission)

Top Middle - Selection of Woven Samples.

Top Right - Hand woven and digital Jacquard woven with embroidery/beaded samples.

Above - Piece dyed Jacquard

Woven Length

Above and Below, are a selection of pieces that I have been working on Previously and the woven pieces were made sometime ago. The Woven samples are designed for Soft Furnishings, while the Mixed Media pieces are Framed Wall hangings, that I create and include hand Beading, Machine Stitching, Gold leaf and other embellishments. Each of these are unique and of various sizes. Colours can be matched to your specifications as was the piece to the left 'Twilight' to suit clients favourite colours. These are made by using silk/satin and Tissue Paper Combined that are dyed or painted onto and then worked into afterwards.

Left - Mixed Media leather effect piece with hand beading and gold leaf. (Detail)

hello

Hi gráinne here again, it's been a busy few weeks. I have just finished exhibiting locally and now deciding what and where to go next?
Hmmm???
My family dog died recently too, so I havent been keeping up with this blog since then.
Just completed another commission recently, quite a wide piece based on a design of a client's cushion to which I abstracted & used the colours she wanted. Thank god, the client was thrilled with her piece.
It's such a nice feeling when you know somebody is happy and appreciates your work.
Had alot of interest in the last couple of pieces I had on show... I even a had a sale and got a good bit of interest out of it from many friends and strangers.
I'm now moving back into an area, I touched on before while doing my degree at falmouth in 2006. I designed a collection of woven trimmings that I applied to furnishings. To this day people still comment back to those trimmings. So I'm now back to designing trimmings again. I really enjoy working on smaller projects and I love all things such as Ribbons, beads, feathers and trims etc...
I've also noticed that I have a follower to my blog today.
The blog/website list on my page are designers/bloggers/websites that I find interesting and who's work I admire....I will probably keep adding to this list. So that others can view these also.
Just left in a roll of film to be developed yesterday, I'm v.curious to see what is on it as I can't honestly remember.
Just ordered yarns yesterday aswell from an irish company, as I have been purchasing from the Uk over the past year. Ordered alot of wool and have yet to find a company that supplies unusual silk yarns.
Off now to roll on my warp & get back to work.
Grá :)

work on show

Images of work I've created. Mixed media & woven pieces

'stormy skies' - mixed media/embroidery
(up close image - it is wider)

'untitled' - mixed media/embroidery
(up close image- piece is longer and wider)

woven sample

100% silk, cotton & linen
(all yarns hand dyed by myself)

Woven sample

100% silk, cotton & linen

(all yarns hand dyed by myself)


The above images are of a few pieces that I have created by loom and by hand.

The white framed woven samples are of a group of four, but I've only shown two here.

The mixed media pieces above are all different colours and are embellished upon, each of these are unique as is my woven work. These pieces I showed at the 'Knitting & Stitching' show in dublin in 2008. (these are just a few that I have selected - there are many) I am still developing similar pieces, as have had alot of interest in them and continuing with developing new work in both areas aswell as painting....which is my second love and which I enjoy doing very much.