Donna Smith Designs

Shoormal

2011-10-22T03:17:00.000-07:00

A few years ago I sang with the band Shoormal. The music doesn't really fit neatly into any genre, it tends to go under "contemporary folk", but has many influences including from folk, country and jazz with harmony vocals being a major part in each song. You can hear the music on Shoormal's myspace page.

Shoormal
Gregg Arthur (keyboard, accordian, hammond organ, bascially anything with keys); Jonathan Ritch (bass); Freda Leask (vocals); Archer Kemp (drums); Trevor Smith (guitar); Me (vocals); Gordon Tulloch (guitar); Joyce Wark (vocals)
Photo: Heidi Pearson

We recorded 3 CDs, Indigo Skies, Migrant and Turning Tide. The first, Indigo Skies was nominated for best newcomer in Mike Harding's Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2001. You can buy Migrant and Turning Tide from various places including Amazon, and you can download various tracks from there too - it sems strange to think when we first started we used tapes to record new songs and ideas! The first album Indigo Skies sold out but is due to be rereleased soon.

We travelled a little bit during our time as a band, the photo below shows us in the Hilton Hotel in Austin, Texas.

Photo: Davie Gardner

We had many band practices and many laughs along the way. Here are some of us at Gregg's before he revamped his sitting room.

Due to pressures of business combined with the fact I am not a bit fan of performing (not a good trait if you are in a band) I "retired". The band has continued to play in a scaled down format and with one or two different members, and played at events this summer under the name of "Freda Leask and the Shoormal Band". A facebook page has been set up so you can find out where they are playing, updates on re-releases and other music related news. Hop over there and have a look!

Shoormal: A Shetland dialect word meaning where the shore meets the sea.

Project - Peerie Breeks for Peerie Breeks

2011-10-03T10:43:00.000-07:00

While England is baking in sun, in Shetland we are experiencing wind and rain (it is October after all), what better way to spend an afternoon like that than doing a bit of sewing while staying cosy inside.

A few days ago I made a peerie pair of breeks (a little pair of trousers) for Joseph. To explain the title in Shetland we would affectionately call a little person "Peerie Breeks" (little trousers).

I had a scrap of light denim left over from a coat I cut out but never got around to sewing (one of my UFOs, I must look for it) and used a pattern I downloaded from Make Baby Stuff.com. The pattern is free and can be printed on 2 sheets of A4 paper.

I added a couple of inches at the bottom of the pattern and straightened out the bottom so I could create turnups which could be turned down as Joseph grows. Only 2 pieces are needed as the pattern is placed on the fold:

To add a bit of interest I added fabric stars to the knees by ironing some bondaweb onto a piece of scrap grey fabric, cutting out two stars then ironing them onto the denim. I stitched around the edges of the stars with a zig zag sttich to finish them off and to stop the edges peeling off.

I thought I would attempt to sew the trousers with french seams, I have never tried this before but it worked out very well.

Firstly you place the wrong sides of the fabric together, stitch along the seam half the width of the seam allowance, turn the pieces outside in then stitch the seam again the width of half the seam allowance. I found I needed to trim the first seam. I turned up about a centimetre along the bottom then stitched them, once the rest of the trousers were finished I turned up about an inch and handstitched along the edge to create the turnups.

I wasn't sure what to do between the legs but it was obvious once I got there (although too difficult to explain!)

Once the seams were all sewn together I turned the waistband over twice and stitched along both folded edges leaving a gap of a couple of cm so the elastic could be threaded through using a safety pin.

Once the bottom hems were done I needed a lttle model.

He seems quite happy with them. Altogether they only took a couple of hours, sometimes the planning and gathering the sewing equipment together takes the longest, so I hope to make a few more pairs during the rainy afternoons. I hope I have inspired you to do a bit of sewing.

It is still lashing rain and howling a gale out there, so I am off to look out that cashmerino yarn I ordered to start the next project while drinking copious amounts of tea and I might just have to eat that bit of millionaire shortbread that has been staring me out all afternoon.

Well, it is one of those nights!

Joseph William: the reason I haven't been blogging

2011-09-20T00:27:00.000-07:00

He's here at last! Joseph William was born just over 4 weeks ago now, so there hasn't been much time for blogging or anything else really!

He is lying on a beautiful hap (shawl) handknitted by my 90 year old Grandaunt from Shetland yarn.

I am planning to take time off from work until at least the new year, my head is brimming with new ideas so hopefully I will have some new products when I come back and reopen the online shop.

In the meantime, I am planning several projects for myself, I went a bit mad buying yarn to knit Joseph some cardigans, socks, hats....... so I will keep to posted with how that goes depending on how the time goes!

Pay it Forward with a Brooch

2011-07-20T10:57:00.000-07:00

Earlier this year I signed up to a "game" on facebook and twitter, someone promised to send the first 5 people to comment on their post something handmade. In turn you then had to do the same - a great way to receive some lovely handmade items!

I played the game on twitter with Anne Murray, an artist who works in ceramics. She sent me this gorgeous brooch, which is very "me", she seems to have worked out my style well even though we have never met.

You can see more of her work on her website www.anne-murray.com , I particularly like her design journal on the "my work" page, it's a really novel and quirky way to show off her products and ideas.

In the meantime, anyone who is waiting for something handmade from me - it is coming, sometime in 2011!

My work and my Mam

2011-07-11T03:15:00.000-07:00

You might have noticed that I haven't been online for a few weeks now. Lately my personal life has overtaken and there has been little time for blogging, twittering and the like.
My dear Mam, Betty, passed away a few weeks ago after a long battle with cancer and I took time off work to be with her both at home and at the hospital. She was a big inspiration in my work, and worked for me occassionally a few years ago before she became ill. She spent many hour herself designing and making her own clothes.

Here she is a couple of years ago, standing in my stall at the Shetland Arts and Craft Christmas Fair, wearing a jacket she had designed and knitted. Many people asked her if I had made it, much to her annoyance and my amusement!

When I made my first felt bag Mam told me what she would like, so we designed it together.

I named the bag the "Ursula Bag" which was her middle name. When I came up with a new design I would usually ask her what she thought and would take it from there - she would very often even "aquire" many of the pieces!

She will be a huge miss but I have to concentrate on the good memories and there are many of them.

On a more positive note I am expecting my first baby, due on the 6th August. I am on maternity leave now so my website is now closed and the last couple of orders for galleries will be sent out on Monday. I am hoping to have some time to relax, get things ready, cook meals for the freezer etc.

I also have so many projects (for myself for a change!) going round in my head that I would like to do so I will see if I can get them fitted in.....

I will be back making and selling soon, but not sure when, I will keep in touch with news of new designs, I hope to have a new range of work when I get back into making.

Busy Days and Holidays

2011-04-11T01:43:00.000-07:00

You might have noticed I haven't been blogging for a while - time seems to just have disappeared. I have been busy in the workshop working on various orders as shops got ready for Mother's Day and Easter. I also had a lovely holiday at the end of March.

We spend a couple of days in Edinburgh:

We wandered, drank coffee, had cakes, window shopped....... I went for a visit to Concrete Wardrobe on Broughton St, one of my stockists, but unfortunately as it was Sunday it was closed. However, I was delighted to see that they were displaying some of my work in their window:

Then we headed down to St Ives.

I have wanted to visit there for years, and it didn't disappoint. The town is packed with quaint little lanes stretching up from the harbour....

There were lots and lots of galleries to spend many an hour browsing:

We stayed in a cosy fisherman's cottage in one of the lanes just minutes from the harbour:

While in Cornwall we had to visit the Eden Project:

It was an amazing place and we spent much more time there than we had planned; it was very inspirational as well as being informitive. I came back with lots of gardening ideas:

But think I might pass on the suggestion of what to do with my old shoes and handbags (not that I have ever had any like these!):

I came back feeling inspired which I think is always a sign of a good holiday, my head is packed with new ideas, I just need that time to do something with them now!

This week I will be making lots of felt covered notebooks including several of these:

Well I suppose I must go - they won't sew themselves. Have a good week all :-)

Maakin belts (knitting belts)

2011-02-23T01:47:00.000-08:00

In the last post, my attempts at Shetland lace knitting, I mentioned that I used my Granny's old maaking belt and can't knit without it. I received a few messages asking me how it was used so I thought the easiest thing would be to write a blog post on it.

These photos are from the Shetland Museum and Archives Website:

Image link

The belt is fastened around the waist with the padded section on the right hand side. The right hand wire is then stuck in the belt, which then keeps it still, and makes the knitting process easier. You can just about make out the makkin belt below the woman's right arm with the wire stuck in.

Image link

I had to add in this photo because I love it.

Image link

Someone pointed out to me that in all the pictures the belt is on the right hand side, but I use mine on the left hand side. I thoiught this was a bit strange and delayed the blog writing until I did a bit of research.

I started asking around. I asked lots of people I knew used a belt including my Aunty and my Mam and they all use it on the right. My Mam's words were "well who taught you that?"

Well I really don't know!

So, I have been knitting back to front all my life - I will have to try it on the other side to see if my knitting improves!

Makkin belts (knitting belts) are available online from Journeyman Leather

The black and white photographs above can be purchased form the Shetland Museum and Archives Photograph Collection

My attempts at Shetland lace knitting

2011-02-15T12:07:00.000-08:00

Sometimes (and at the moment it is very occassionally) "I tak my sock" or do a bit of knitting for non-Shetlanders! Currently I am working on a lace shawl worked in Shetland lace wool from Jamieson and Smith (Shetland Wool Brokers).

Hanging it in the window showed the pattern clearly and the progress so far

I must apologise for the state of the windows, there have been gales lately so the glass is covered with salt spray combined with dirt blown from the landscaping we are having down in anticipation for a new dry stone dyke (hopefully!)

The shawl is made up a scalloped edge and the main part is done in a fern lace pattern.

I bought the pattern as well as the wool from Jamieson and Smith and was designed by Shetlander Elizabeth Johnson who is a member of the Shetland Arts and Crafts Association. She runs a company called Shetland Handspun and produces handspun yarns and garments from Shetland fleece.

The pattern started at the point, one side is increased while the other is kept straight.

I have to really concentrate when I am making this as I am not a good enough knitter to have the pattern in my head (yet!) so multi tasking while knitting this is tricky!

I mark off each row once I have completed it and have found a kirby grip is very good to help me keep the place. It will be lovely when it is finished, I am looking forward to wearing it.

I couldn't knit without my makkin belt (knitting belt), this one belonged to my Granny who made her living by hand knitting fairisle gloves and berets.

I recently went back to Jamieson and Smith's and bought some more wool, Shetland lace again, with the idea of making another scarf.

I think that is why I have so many unfinished projects - the idea of making something and starting it is even more exciting than working on the object!

Crofting and Crafting

2011-01-27T13:14:00.000-08:00

These last few day has seen a variety of activities, as well as the usual felt cutting, sewing and sticking I have been chief crofter since Dad has been away.

It is only a small croft with a few hens and several sheep but they all need fed in the morning. They wait at the house at the top of the hill and we all walk down together. Tib, the border collie doesn't "do" sheep; they casually wander past her, and sometimes offer the odd head-butt. She prefers rabbits (never catches them) and will spend hours with her head down the rabbit holes:

I love being out first thing in the morning, it sets me up for the day.

Is there any for me?

I have been doing a little bit of designing new products for spring. I have used the same bird shape as the felt version of the bird notebook but have appliqued it using floral fabrics to co-ordinate with the felt.

Fabric and felt brid notebooks:

The notebooks have a removable cover and refills can be bought from artists shops, the notebook is made up of plain paper and can be used for sketches or notes.

The fabric birds on the felt close up:

These notebooks have been sent, amongst other felty things to the Newgate Gallery in Surrey for their next exhibition., the Spring Contemporary Craft Collection. I will hopefully get them on my own website before too long!

I am working on other new notebooks and brooches using the floral fabric and applique, and I will share these with you as soon I am happy with the designs and get some pictures taken!

If it stays still I will paint it

2011-01-18T12:54:00.000-08:00

You might recall back in October that I was painting my kitchen units, the doors were lying on the kitchen table getting their treatment. You can see a picture here.

Now it is more or less finished at last (except for the new cooker and taps).

If you look very closely in the picture below you will spot a deliberate mistake - the bottom cake tin is upside down as it still has the remains of our Christmas cake.

The cooker has a brass handle which doesn't go with my new off-white and brushed chrome look, so in the meantime before I get a new cooker, the handle will be covered by a strategically placed dish cloth. This one was from Rachel Taylor designs, she is a designer and textile artist turning her patterns into a lovely range of of textiles, cards, paper and mugs among other things. You can see her website by clicking here.

I have my eye on a purple Aga cooker......I'd better get saving!

I used Farrow and Ball paints, the units are Clunch, the walls are Stoney Ground and the facings and skirtings are Hardwick White.

One of my favourite things in the house is the rayburn - a steaming kettle always on top meaning copious amounts of tea!

It all started when I changed the colour of the walls last year, then it was the table and chairs, shelves and then I took on the massive job of painting all the doors, which were originally pine.

Work in progress:

I am really pleased with the results which is just as well as it would be a lot to redo!

It's Back to Work....

2011-01-12T07:27:00.000-08:00

Belated Happy New Year! I am a bit late but I haven't been blogging since Christmas and am trying to get back to normal. Trying is the word to describe it, I seem to be finding it a struggle getting back to serious work.

I think it was so busy before Christmas that I tired myself out! I was thinking it was just me, but I have been reading other creative blogs and have found many people are saying the same thing, so I don't feel so bad.

I have so many things I need to do, new designs, updating the website, accounts (arghhh!!), paperwork, invoices......and that's before I start making anything! I also need to finish my big tidy up in the studio so I can find space to lay things down!

One of my desks in desparate need of a tidy up:

This was the state of my paperwork at the end of last week - it is all filed away now thankfully.

I sat down on Monday and wrote a list. That always helps and puts everything in perspective, it usually doesn't look so bad when it's in writing, and it's always good to cross things off as you do them.

One of my main things to do is to upload my product photos on Not The High Street, I was accepted as a selling partner in October but because of the Christmas rush I decided to delay selling with them in case I couldn't keep up with orders.

The die-cutting machine is sitting waiting patiently to be used:

I need to be making lots of these:

and these....

and these (and thats just the beginning).....

Maybe by next week I will be in full flow again (well I can always hope!), I need to get going so I don't get behind before I have even started!

Happy Christmas

2010-12-23T04:34:00.000-08:00

I would like to say thank you to everyone who has ordered from me, bought something from me, followed my blog, FB page, posted comments, etc (I'm sure there are more things!) over the past year. It has been a good year and I hope the next one will be as good.

I would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year!

(P.S. the knitted Happy Christmas was made into cards a couple of years ago and I am wondering about getting them reprinted and adding more to the range next year - what do you think?)

Alternative Christmas Cards

2010-12-22T10:20:00.000-08:00

I usually try to make my Christmas cards every year, even though that means I am always last minute when posting them.

This year I got business cards printed at Moo.com, punched a hole in one end, strung a red ribbon through and tied it in a knot so it can be hung up:

I borrowed a piece of festive-coloured fair-isle from Wendy of Burra Bears and took a photo of it (thanks Wendy!). I then made this into an image for the front of the card and made another image with our message on it on the back, picking a colour from the fair-isle for the background colour.

They were very easy to make and it is something different, I'm sure you could think up many other variations!

I only posted them yesterday in tiny brown envelopes (I did say I was last minute) so any of you that normally gets a card from us, they are on their way!

Snow on snow on snow

2010-12-21T09:09:00.000-08:00

There seems to be no sign of the thaw, and while I love the snow and the beauty it brings I also feel sorry for the folk that are stuck in airports and are trying to travel for Christmas.

When I was out earlier today with Tib the border collie, I took the camera, the colours were so beautiful and it was so still. The photo above shows the mussel ropes at the bottom of the croft.

The stones on the dyke looked fluffy:

The long grass looks like tiny feathers:

I think the sheep must be getting fed up with this weather:

Other animals are having fun in this weather - we have seen otter tracks every day in the snow and we have seen tracks where the otters have been sledging! The tracks below changed into the sledge tracks:

The otter sledged all the way down the hill through the fence and over the banks into the sea:

The wild rabbits must have had a dance party in our drive last night:

This is the view from the house - its lovely when it like this but also glad to be warm inside!

Christmas is coming....

2010-12-20T13:02:00.000-08:00

Christmas isn't far away now - most of my work is done (expect for one or two little things I forgotten about, paperwork, etc), and the house is more or less decorated.

The dockin (dock) wreath below made by Jeanette Nowak has been hung on my favourite cupboard, with one of my spotty felt decorations which I hope will be for sale next Christmas......

I have already made many mince pies, and will probably make many more (last year I made over 100)....

They are great when guests come around, as a pudding with ice cream and to give as presents.....

We have still got plenty of snow making it feel festive - this was the view out the sitting room window at one point on Saturday - a "blind moorie" as we would say in Shetland.

It's looking pretty likely that we will have a white Christmas, but then again, who knows?!

Feeling Festive

2010-12-11T06:39:00.000-08:00

This year I have been determined to enjoy the run-up to Christmas, or at least be aware it's happening. In previous years I have been so busy making things, packing, going to the Post Office, sometimes the decorations have only gone up on Christmas Eve night and the mince pies have been made after Christmas.

I set a final date for web orders and while I have a backlog of orders waiting to go out it is manageable and I have done some festive things already - we have already polished off one batch of mincemeat pies. I have started putting some decorations up in the house:

Nothing beats several sets of fairy lights scattered around. The picture below is a string of fairy lights in a vase with some aubergine baubles and is sitting in the place of the usual lamp.

The Christmas has just gone up with an aubergine theme:

I have managed to make my Christmas cake - I know that purists would frown on making a cake last minute, but this is a really good recipe from Delia Smith - Last Minute Sherry Christmas cake. Click the recipe title for the link to the recipe.

I use stout instead of sherry as I think it gives a milder flavour (this year I used Unst Brewery's sjolmet stout), and tweak some of the other ingredients depending how I feel.

There is still lots to do, but this year I AM going to enjoy it!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend x

Snowy Shetland

2010-11-29T05:06:00.000-08:00

I love the snow and have been feeling like a bairn all weekend, the thought of being snowed in is so exciting but it doesn't really work when you work from home! Its very beautiful though, when the showers subside and the sun comes out we can see for miles.

Looking NE from the house:

Looking E from the house:

We have all enjoyed a few wintery walks to the nearby beach:

These frilly icicles were formed by water dripping off the marram grass

I think I am going to get a lot of good out of my survival suit this year!

Meanwhile, you have until 9 a.m. tomorrow morning to enter the prize draw in where the prize is a £30 gift voucher to spend on my website (could be handy this time of year!) All you have to do is sign up to my mailing list by entering your email address on the form on my website - click here for the link.

Good luck and keep warm!

Christmas Exhibitions

2010-11-24T00:58:00.000-08:00

I have work in a few Christmas Exhibitions this year, I was delighted to be asked to design new bags for the festive exhibition "Sprickle and Peester" at the Bonhoga Gallery in Weisdale, Shetland. This exhibition runs until Christmas and features work from over 30 artists including several from Shetland. Read more about it here.

Sprickle and Peester are dialect words meaning "to wriggle and squeal with delight", I love the poster, it reflects the title really well. There is a large version of the phrase on the wall of the stairs landing, which leads you into the gallery.

The poster was designed by Jono Sandilands using his paper cutting technique to reflect the handmade qualities of the exhibition. You can read about the design process on his blog by clicking here.

Two of the bags in the show are below, I had to take the photos in the half dark as the bags had to be handed in the next day, so they aren't the best! You can see the more photos on my facebook page.

You can also see my work at the Newashgate Gallery, Farnham, Surrey in their Winter Contemporary Textiles exhibition which runs until January 31st.

If you are near West Kilbride, pop over to the Craft Town Gallery currently located in Happyhills, Main Street, where I am exhibiting in the Alternative Giving exhibition until 24th December.

For other places to buy have a look at the stockists page on my website.

I can't believe how fast these Christmas exhibitions have arrived, now I need to think about summer exhibitions!

Prize Draw

2010-11-23T00:44:00.000-08:00

At the Craft fair last weekend I held a prize draw, where people had the chance of winning a £30 gift voucher to spend on my website by signing up to my mailing list.

And the lucky winner is Margaret Irvine. Congratulations!

Now you can have a chance to win another £30 gift voucher. All you have to do is sign up to my mailing list: you can do this very simply by going to the page" mailing list" on my website and entering your email address (click on the grey text to get there!). You will be asked to confirm by clicking on a link on an email that will be sent to you - it is really very easy!

By doing this I will send you my occasional newsletter updating you on new products, special offers, exibitions, etc.
Anyone that entered their details at the craft fair don't need to do it again, you will be automatically entered in the draw.

The second winner will be chosen at 9 a.m. next Tuesday, 30th November using a random number generator programme.

Good luck!!

Crafts sold, crafts bought

2010-11-22T04:10:00.000-08:00

The Shetland Arts and Crafts Christmas fair last weekend went very well, I sold lots, met lots of people (got a sore throat from speaking!) and generally had a good time.

It always takes a while recovering from an event like this, putting all the display equipment away, sorting out orders and just generally getting back to normal; that's why I am a week late in writing this post!

I also managed to spend some money (it wasn't hard!), there is always such amazing work available at this show and I think it gets better every year.

1 & 2 Baby bib and Christmas decoration by Phatsheep Textiles. Suzanne designs the fabric she uses to sew many items. You can read about her work on her blog.

3. Christmas wreath by Jeanette Nowak. This wreath has been made out of dockins (docks), I had to have it as I couldn't believe that something we consider to be ugly and a prolific weed (I have a never ending fight with them every summer) can be made into something so beautiful.

4. These gorgeous ceramic Christmas decorations were made by Kitt Mouat. "Moorie Cavie" is a Shetland dialect phrase meanng blizzard. Kitt doesn't have a website, but exhibits every year at the craft fair.

5. Tablet by Boannie Isles. I was glad to be across from the tablet stall but they were so busy I had to grab a few bags before they were sold out! These sweet treats are handmade in Burra, the same Island I live on.

6. Cardigan by Neila Nell. Neil makes striking contemporary knitted textiles. I'm thinking I will make a denim dress to go under the cardigan, if I find a pattern I like.

For more information on the full members of the Shetland Arts and Crafts Association have a look at the website: http://www.shetlandartsandcrafts.co.uk/

This weekend was the first time I hadn't been flat out making for a while so I spent Saturday shopping interspaced with the obligatory lunch and stop for tea, then headed North on Sunday. It was a beautiful day, not a breath of wind (unusual in Shetland!), the loch at Gunnister looked like a mirror.

It was hard to tell where the land stopped and the water started.

We also headed up to Eshaness

The rain was never very far away....

Shetland always has the ability to relax and inspire, now its back to normal work, getting out more orders.

New Product - Flowerpot Brooches

2010-11-10T05:11:00.000-08:00

I have never been very good at looking after house plants. My Mam can't understand it because I completed some courses in plant biology at university. I might have been able to tell you about photosynthesis or transpiration at one time but it doesn't mean that I can keep them alive.

I don't need to worry about these felt flowerpots, these are my newest creation, felt pots with felt flowers on wire stems. They are around 7.5 cm high, retail at £9.95 and the pink and lime green one looks great on my new Boden cordorouy dress.

They will be available at the Shetland Arts and Crafts Christmas fair in Lerwick this weekend, or email me if you would like one before I get them uploaded onto the website.

Shetland Arts & Crafts Christmas Fair - this weekend

2010-11-09T02:07:00.000-08:00

I've not had much time to blog lately, as well as working on the usual orders, I have been making stock for the annual craft fair in the Clickimin Centre where I am exhibiting this weekend (as well as setting up as I am a member of the Shetland Arts and Crafts Committee). Life has had to be timetabled, every waking minute is spent making where I can, the house has been neglected - there is a film of fluff over everything and there is tumbleweed in the corners. This morning I was up at the crack of dawn painting display boards for my Christmas decorations and jewellery.

Mr Smith is very good at making things and last year he whipped up these display boards. We didn't have time to paint the backs of them, and I, as usual have again left it to the last minute even though I have had a whole year!

Sometimes people ask me if all the effort is worth it. Well, I think it is, as well as providing a welcome pre-Christmas boost to my bank account, it is a great weekend all round meeting lots of people, many you only ever see at the craft fair and spending time with the other exhibitors. The feeling you get once everything has been done and set up can't really be beat.

I have several new products that will be on sale this year including Christmas decorations and brooches, which are always popular to give as Christmas presents.

I will also be running a prize draw at the fair - all you have to do is enter it when you are there.

So, if you are in Shetland this weekend, drop along the Clickimin Centre, the food festival is also there this weekend so you will be able to pick up loads of pressies and inspiration - I look forward to seeing you!

New Products - Vintage Rose Brooch and Hairslide

2010-11-03T13:39:00.000-07:00

Here is a sneaky peek at a couple of my new products that will be on sale at the Shetland Arts and Crafts Christmas Fair in 12th - 14th November.

Felt Vintage Rose Hairslide:

Felt Vintage Rose Brooch:

The hairslide will retail at £4.95 and the brooch at £9.95, so they make ideal stocking fillers, and are light so are ideal for posting. They will be available on my online shop http://www.donnasmithdesigns.co.uk/ before Christmas in time for those present orders or email me for details.

I always try to have new products at the Craft Fair, its a good place to get feedback on new work, and it gives me a deadline to actually make the ideas that are rattling around my head. It is always really busy in the run up to the fair making stock, organising the marketing of the fair - however, this year has been a particularly busy year with one thing and another, I think I am becoming a master of multi tasking - I am writing this blog while cooking the tea...

Meanwhile, earlier today the latest order of felt arrived (25metres) so I can finish the orders that are waiting. Thankfully no-one saw me and the postie carrying this into the house - I thought it might look a bit suspicious!

Must go now and tie ribbons on Christmas decorations!

New Postcards

2010-10-26T06:13:00.000-07:00

I was really pleased yesterday morning when my new postcards arrived in the post. They are blank on the back except for my details.

They will be great for handing out at craft fairs, for writing a little note with an order, or for sending a message in the post. All this new technology is fantastic, but nothing really beats good old pen and paper, I still love getting things through the post, and think other people must do too.

The week that was - Orders and Otters

2010-10-24T05:15:00.000-07:00

It has been a busy week, and the next few are going to get even busier in the run up to Christmas and the Shetland Arts and Carfts Craft Fair which starts on Friday 12th November. I have been working on trade orders, and have more to send out ASAP. These photos show you a typical working day in my workshop:

Cutting felt for notebook covers:

Notebook cover pieces waiting to be embroidered and stitched together:

Ends to be finished before stitching together:

Some finished notebooks:

Necklaces and bracelets being strung with felt beads:

By Wednesday night I had one order ready to be packed, it had to arrive at a gallery in England by the beginning of this next week so I labelled everything and packed it in the sitting room on the coffee table whilst watching Grand Designs out the corner of my eye. (That was after the Arts and Crafts meeting where we sorted out the layout of the Clickmin centre hall where the craft fair will be held, trimmed invitations, folded posters, etc.)

Anyway, its a great feeling once orders have gone, and you hear they have arrived OK. No time to sit back and relax though!

On Thursdays and Fridays I work as a Science Technician for Shetland's high schools, so we do a lot of travelling around Shetland. This week we were in Yell (an island north of the mainland) moving chemicals and other equipment from the old school into the brand new school next door that is due to open later this week. It is a lovely building and the pupils are really lucky to have such a fantastic facility in a beautiful setting to study in.

The highlight of my week though had to be on Friday morning when we were waiting for the ferry and we saw 3 otters rooting around the shore in full view just several metres from the car. I am really annoyed I didn't have my camera, note to self - carry a camera at all times.

Meanwhile, the kitchen is still in a state of devastation, I am painting the unit doors and it is taking about 3 times the length of time I thought it would! I feel as if I paint all day and don't get any further. Anyway, I am nearly there and will hopefully get the kitchen table back soon (being used as a painting table). I am liking the results, so that it the main thing and will post some pictures of the finished result when I get there!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend :-)

Sheep Models Felt Scarf

2010-10-19T05:51:00.000-07:00

In the last post I said that the sheep in the photo was Moofie but on closer inspection, I noticed it was Woolly Broo. Moofie had her own modelling experience a few years ago when I made handmade felt scarves, I came across the photo today and thought I would share it with you.

Although most of our sheep are pretty tame, it's not very easy using a sheep as a model, especially as there are so many other things to be interested in!

The Muckle Gravit (i.e the really long scarf)

2010-10-18T13:16:00.000-07:00

The Arts and Crafts Association is gearing up for its biggest event of the year, the Craft Fair, which will take place on the 12th -14th November. The Clickimin Centre, which is a sports centre, gets rid of its badminton nets and footballs and is transformed into a showcase of as many as 50 Shetland individuals and small businesses selling a huge range of Arts and Crafts.

The craft fair is run by a commitee of dedicated 11 volunteers, and my job over the past few years has been to organise the marketing material to promote the event. This year the material stars the Muckle Gravit (again) and a pony (new recruit).

I was delighted when Frances Taylor offered to take the photo this year, I was starting to run out of ideas, and she's done a great job. Frances is a photographer, horse breeder and trainer. You can see more of her work on her website: http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/francestaylor

The gravit was started at the Craft Fair in 2004, it was the idea of Jane Moncrieff who organised the fair that year. The idea was to promote the fact that knitting is fun and was hoped that lots of people would go on to knit a row or two. I have used the gravit since 2005 in the Craft Fair promotional material, and it has been knitted in some unusual places.

On the beach....

Inside and outside a pictish broch:

Been inspected by a sheep:

On a Shetland croft house:

I'm not sure how long the gravit is now, it hasn't been knitted on for a while, but it is well over 30 metres and is becoming cumbersome to transport around.

Thank you to Joanna and Wendy, who are also committee members for their fantastic modelling skills! (And of course Moofie the sheep).

Who knows where the gravit might be seen next year.....

New Followers Gadget

2010-10-15T12:29:00.000-07:00

I am still getting to grasps with the technology involved in this blogging, and have been sitting for a while trying different things, reading help topics, etc. when I really should be getting on with painting my kitchen units (nearly there, keep looking for some photos. My camera card reader has broken so waiting for a new one before I can put up any more posts).

Anyway, I have added a followers gadget on the right hand side of the page, you can click on the "follow" tab to keep up to date with my posts. Would be lovely to see you there!

I have also added the following buttons on the right:

They also work by clicking on the pitctures (I find it so satisfying when links work!)

I am hoping to get my new card reader soon, as there are lots of things I want to share with you!

Have a splendid weekend all!

It's good to be making again

2010-10-04T14:56:00.000-07:00

I have been spending so much time lately on the computer: working on my website, making up marketing material, making up mailing lists, and other things. Although they are important in moving the business forward, they use up valuable making time. I have spent most of today at the sewing machine, finishing purses, brooches and notebooks for an order and it felt good to be making again.

Here are some of the articles before they were packed away in the box:

Small Abacus Purses

Abacus Purse and A6 notebook

Pebble Purses

Stems Purse and A6 Notebook

Single Bird Purse and A6 Notebook

Rose brooches drying beside the rayburn

You won't find the little purses on the website yet, these were made with the last of my thinner wool felt. I have got some more felt but will have to "test drive" the new purses first to see how hardy the felt is. I will keep you posted!

Gunnister Man Inspired Jewellery

2010-09-27T08:01:00.000-07:00

I often get asked how I came to be making jewellery out of felt as it's a bit distant from the scarves and handbags I started out making.

It all came about when I took part in a project looking at the Gunnister Man. In 1951, 2 men cutting peats in Shetland, beside the road at Gunnister, came across the remains of what is now named as the Gunnister Man. The find consisted of some clothes and a few belongings which is dated back to the early 18th century. The pieces were sent to the National Museum in Edinburgh but last year were borrowed back by the Shetland Museum. Shetland Arts asked a few local people working in crafts to create work in response to the artifacts. The project was coordinated by textile artist Deirdre Nelson.

We met regularly and had fasinating discussions on who we thought this man might have been, where he was going, and what happened to him.

I began thinking about identity bracelets, if he had had one, we would have known who he was. So, I set about making a series of non-identity bracelets out of felt.

I printed a map on one side of the felt and a copy of one of the original newspaper articles was printed onto the other side. The felt "beads" were spaced using beads made from bone.

The finished pieces from the project are on display in the Shetland Museum. I often wonder what the Gunnister Man would have thought if he had known he would make such an impact on the contemporary craft scene in Shetland!

Life is a bowl of......neeps

2010-09-25T09:05:00.000-07:00

Well, I don't have any cherries, but I do have plenty of neeps (turnips) I have just taken up from the yard.

The colour is amazing, that is why I took the photo - they match my kitchen and would great instead of a bowl of fruit.

This made me start thinking about marketing tricks used by companies selling their wares. Many websites and catalogues would describe this colour as "clover" or "hyacyinth" or something lovely like that.

Farrow and Ball do a beautiful range of paint colours (I have used many in my house!) with beautifully descriptive names.

Examples of some of their names are "mouses back", "smoked trout", "pigeon" and "elephant's breath". However, I don't think though we will find any companies describing any of their colours as "neep" or " turnip"!

Text-Isles: Shetland's Contemporary Textile Group

2010-09-23T13:54:00.000-07:00

It has been one of those days. I worked all day as a science technician at two of the high schools in Shetland (my original training was in marine biology), then went straight to Shetland Arts to look at a piece of work I am going to help install in the next exhibition at the Bonhoga Gallery. I rushed from there to my weekly pilates class, then drove across the town to catch the end of the Text-Isle group meeting. Phew!

Text-Isles is a small group of designers and artists working in textiles living and working in Shetland.

The members are (from left to right): Aamos Designs, Joanna Hunter Kintwear, Donna Smith Designs, Andrea Williamson, Burra Bears, Phatsheep Textiles and Barbara Ridland

The group was originally formed to provide a small network of contemporary textile artists. We also wanted to establish a more formal method of working and collaborating on projects together. We meet now and again, when we can, its always good to bounce ideas off each other, find out whats going on in the textile world and to swap information. We are currently looking at future projects and collaborations, so watch this space! Although there are only 7 of us in the group, the biggest problem is getting everybody together at the same time, we all lead such busy lives!

Have a look at the website for more information: http://www.text-isles.com/

First Ever Post

2010-09-22T14:37:00.000-07:00

I love reading blogs and can spend hours browsing so I thought it was about time I wrote one myself. My husband has been saying for a while now that he is a computer widower, and blogging won't help! I am a textile designer working mainly with 100% wool felt. I love the way it cuts without fraying and its uniform quality. I make a wide range of products using felt: handbags, notebook covers, brooches, and more recently jewellery. Have a little look at my website to see the full range and to buy online.

I work from home and find Shetland a very inspirational place to live and work - I am surrounded by beautiful scenery, wildlife and a rich heritage of music and textiles. I hope to keep you updated on my work, inspiration, and anything else I feel like sharing!

View from my conservatory a couple of weeks ago