After the Trail

We definitely earned this! Sunday night was a time to collapse in an untidy heap with a glass of something fizzy.

 

It was a bit nerve wracking opening our house to strangers, but we needn't have worried - the Art Trail went really well. Lots of visitors, especially at the weekend, lots of appreciative comments and fascinating conversations.

 

This week I'm hoping to get back to some stitching. But first... just one or two things to put away!     

All over bar the tidying

The inaugural Ilkley Art Trail has been a great success! Visitor numbers peaked on Sunday as the weather cooperated and word got around. Or to be fair, was put around by wonderful volunteers accosting passers-by in town. Many thanks due to Lorna and Lucia and their helpers.

The garage is once more bare, and quite a few items have gone to new homes - from brooches and cards to little thread bowls and framed pictures. But there’s a lot still to be put away. Never mind, it can wait… I’m having a well-earned break now! 

Last chance to see!

Once again the garage is bedecked with bunting and transformed into my own little gallery for the final weekend of the Ilkley Art Trail.

I’m showing over twenty wall pieces, a selection of my ‘soluble lace’ bowls, textile jewellery, plus cards, bookmarks, unframed pieces and more. Take a look at my website and Etsy shop to see examples of my work. 

The weather looks promising, so where better for a day out than beautiful Wharfedale?

Full programme (with map) available on the Ilkley Art Trail website, or pick up a paper copy when you visit me (email if you need directions).

Hope to see you soon!

Ilkley Art Trail: Now Open!

Here’s a glimpse of my garage gallery!

Open 10-5 this weekend and next weekend. There are around 30 venues, all different media – take a look at the IAT website. The Literature Festival is on too, and Ilkley’s a great place for a day out anyway – glorious Wharfedale scenery and the famous Betty’s tearoom, what more could you ask?

Ilkley Art Trail–five days to go!

Wow, it’s come round fast – the Ilkley Art Trail/Open Studios begins next Saturday. A first for Ilkley, and a first for me too!

When I first heard about it in the spring I thought it’d be businesses in town giving over some of their window space to artists – that’s what Art Trails often seem to mean. And there is a bit of that… but what I’ve ended up doing is turning our garage into a little temporary gallery!

Now the spiders have been evacuated (sorry guys), new lights installed, it’s all painted white inside and just about ready. The hooks are in place to hang the wall art, but being a garage, in October, I’m not leaving it all in there until next weekend.

This week ALL I’ve got to do is signs and labels, plus cards and other small bits and bobs. And work out how to display all those things, along with some of my little thread bowls and some mini framed pieces.

If you’re not too far away, how about coming along? The Trail has over 30 artists, showing paintings, prints, glass, jewellery, ceramics, wood… and several other textile and mixed media people including my friend Linda Dewart. And it’s all timed to coincide with the Ilkley Literature Festival too. What more could you want?

Recharged

What a wet and windy week to pick for a break! But we dodged around the stormy weather and got out and about in the Dales and the Lakes.

It’s years since I stopped at Aysgarth (Wensleydale) for a close look at the falls… I don’t remember proper paths, and certainly not the carvings dotted around. Love this fence:
Not a good pic, sorry, but it reads “Thunderous water conquers rock – a waterfall is born”. 

A spectacular visit to the Lakes too, managed to choose the best day of the week and stayed a night at the lovely Yewfield veggie B&B near Hawkshead. We had a room in the tower with wonderful views:

So now I’m all set up for the final push to the Christmas exhibitions and the first ever Ilkley Art Trail. The next few weeks are going to be frantic. It feels like however much I make, it won’t be enough, or won’t be the right thing to focus on.
I made a new batch of bowls the other week, but suddenly it’s bookmarks that are flying off the virtual shelves.

Four of these (three different designs) set off for new homes today, so I need to stitch some more fast – but which, and how many?  Aaargh!