Gilfling's Designs

bags, bags, bags and the art of advertising

Helloo! Just having a really quick pause as I am working up the loft today - inbetween hobbling around on an exceedingly painful foot - I have no idea what I have done to it but it is making climbing ladders that wee bit more interesting!

Just thought I would show you a couple of photos of the bag making workshop I took on Saturday which was great fun. Although I really need to give the 'advertising' part of taking these independant workshops alot more thought than I have been up till now. This was only the second one I have taken and there were 2 students but we had the most wonderful day and it made for a much more leisurely pace as they had almost 1-1 attention!

I am currently scouting out varying venues for future workshops. I will still use Edwinstowe which is a lovely little craft centre in the middle of Sherwood Forest but am also looking for venues a little closer to home. I also want to start teaching more 'art' based classes too - not sure about the format yet but the brain cells are working it all out slowly! But as I say, these will only succeed if I get better at advertising - although I am confident when teaching and on a personal level, I am really, really bad at putting myself 'out there' and some of that is down to not really knowing how and where to advertise - but it is my plan to really work on this for my next workshops! To that end I am going to leave a gap in June and book my next venues beginning in July so that I am giving myself enough time (hopefully) to get enough participants.

I think also (rather sheepishly - and this is really hard to admit) that part of it is also lack of confidence and the fear of failure. Although I 'know' I am good at this - if I neglect the advertising then I only have myself to blame if no-one wants to come - rather than doing loads and loads of promotion and people don't turn up anyway! Oh dear - I drive myself crazy sometimes. Still, it is something I am working hard on, so I am pulling my socks up, squaring my shoulders and giving myself a good talking to!

Above you can see the lovely bags that were made alongside the one I made to demonstrate the various steps in the process. The two ladies were over the moon with their creations and were a pleasure to work with.  Right back to hobble up the ladders to get more work done!

Between light and dark

Every day feels like a discovery at the moment - a delightful exploration, finding my way. I was chatting to a friend the other night, reminiscing as ever on my time at college studying costume. On graduating I had dreams of a career working in film or theatre, travelling the world and doing so many exciting things.

Oh how differently my life has turned out. Teaching wonderful people who perhaps have profound difficulties in their lives. Seeing proud smiles and quiet words at the beautiful things they have made. Their confidence growing and that feeling of satisfaction at creating something from scratch and holding it in their hands. One lady said to me "I did not know I could make something so beautiful". These are things that I am hesitant to talk about on my blog as I so want to respect the privacy and choices of the people I have been working with. But in truth I, too am proud. Both of them and their achievements, but also that I have the opportunity to be a part of that and in a whisper I can say to myself that I do feel I am making a difference.

I received a wonderful letter recently from the organisation I have been working for, commending me on the workshops I have been taking and the development of the groups I have been working with. I am not very good at talking about this, indeed it feels boastful to even be mentioning it here. But the fact is I do feel a real sense of achievement and satisfaction from the work I have been doing and smile as I think of the feedback I have received. I could never have predicted 2 years ago that I would be teaching workshops to community groups but now I realise that for me, it allows me the perfect balance between this at times self indulgent career of creating, and the thought that I am helping to make a difference, however small it may be, and then I know with certainty that I am following the right path.

The other discovery is a love of felt-making. Again slightly unexpected since I had not created anything in felt since college where I taught myself the basic skills in order to make a costume. I rediscovered this wonderul craft when I had the challenge of thinking of a textiles subject to teach in my workshops which involved minimal equipment (ie no sewing machines) and knowing that the groups had already been taught hand sewing skills. In teaching hand felting, I now find myself wanting to felt everything and it seems to be the perfect way of exploring my love of texture and muted colours and organic shapes in the form of my accessories. My method is almost like painting with fibres and I love the way I can interpret my ideas for texure and also shapes like victorian style collars such those in my etsy shop now.

As I love to explore themes of old, dreams and the magic of twilight in my artwork, so felt allows me to do this in a painterly way with my accessories. That space between light and dark, the hours between sunset and sunrise. Layers and light and ethereal twilight.

The twilight flower show and In the gloaming hand felted bags now available in my etsy shop!

Getting things done

Yup. I sure am. All those works-in-progress projects that have been sitting unfinished for so long - I am making my way through all of them. I have made it my mission this week to start nothing new until all those little bits are done. I also have more work to take down to the gallery in the way of accessories so am just adding finishing touches. So the rest of today will be spent in the loft and then tonight will be movie watching whilst stitching and adding buttons.

So this little pile of gorgeous texture.......

became this beautiful victorian style collar (so lovely that I want to keep it for myself - but more will be on their way!) It is in the shop now!

  (click images to enlarge)

And this unfinished bag is now here in my shop.... Umm how long does it take to sew on a handle and a snap fastening? Oh about 7 weeks apparently. Still things around here are a changin'. What with having no work (or hardly any) I really have to get my act together and it is all happening now! Nothing like the threat of poverty to kick start me into action.

Just one question. Why oh why does it take money to make money? I have been scouring the internet searching for potential craft fairs to apply for and when a table costs £50 - £80 ($100 - $160) what is a girl to do? The same goes for exhibitions. I think I may have said it yesterday and I shall say it again today........ Ho hum.

Oh and I went to my first knit and natter night last night! Great to meet new people and just get some time away from my hermit like existance. I shall be going again!

Doll painting in my painting studio tomorrow! I can hardly wait.

A little bit of everything....

Gosh I have so many things going on at the moment! So many ideas and so many works in progress. But I am at last getting the chance to get some things finished. Like this collar which has been made from these felted pieces from a couple of weeks ago.

                                              

I have also been sketching and developing ideas for some new painting. It has been far too long since I have dedicated time to my art and I really need to ensure this does not happen again!

Below is a couple of images from my inspiration board. I can't get enough of these organic and aged shapes, textures and colours. Inspiration for my art and accessories - hopefully all a reflection of me and my aesthetic.

                                                

But now I am really getting focussed. To be honest, this is a bit of a worrying time. Two teaching contracts have come to an end (they were only funded for a few short months) and although one of the groups has taken me on for more teaching it is at a far reduced rate as it is funded by a different area. I am trying not to worry too much and really just work as hard as I can on my own projects but, deary me it is not always easy!!

BUT, I have ideas coming thick and fast and inspiration constantly buzzing round my thoughts so it is an exciting time!! So I leave you with a new journal page. Hope you are having a wonderful week!

                                                

What to do.......?

when one has the most unphotogenic hands. I kid you not. It has often been mentioned that my hands are very childlike in appearance..... which basically means I have the shortest, stubbiest fingers (Mark says 'stubby finger' is actually a very real affliction from which I suffer greatly) the palest skin - I mean really it is very blue. Also my hands have no shape. They are shape-less, with dimples - dimples I ask you!!

Well of course you might be wondering why this is such a worry for me. I have to say it is not a 'problem' that occupies a great deal of my thought space on any given day (rent, bills and where is my next job coming from are the thoughts that usually tend to block all other worries from my brain!) but on a day like today - when I at long last have something new and exciting for my accessories shop - well stubby fingers and pale dimply hands all of a sudden become a real hindrance!

I can't even tell you how many photographs I took this morning of me modelling this cuff. Photography is not my strong point at the best of times - and 'modelling' (even 'wrist' modelling) even less so. And no you are not going to see the ones that were discarded.  But you can see this beauty later on today once I have listed it in my shop! I made the bases of these cuffs quite a while ago but have been pondering the question of the perfect fastening ever since, and boy did I take my time reaching a decision. But the first is now finished with another few in various stages of production. I love them, I really do. So delicate and organic but with the important touch of Gold that I simply cannot leave out on so many of my pieces. Hand-felted, free embroidered layers and with adjustable button fastenings and a vintage button.

Just lovely. More new beauties coming up later this week!

Just keeping my head down.....

and trying to get focussed! Not much posting at the moment but an awful lot of pink. I will be back soon!

At last!!

This is just a quickie as I have been teaching all morning and now have to disappear up to the place known as 'city of felted dance costume' situated in 'loft space heaven' for the entire rest of today and possibly into the night and tomorrow morning in order to get these costumes  finished for the performance tomorrow night!

.....but I just thought I would let you know I have managed to make a few wee items for my accessories shop. I had intended on having a whole exploding geyser of a relaunch of my accessories but will now have to make do with just a little trickle of new items appearing spontaneously over the next few days. I had a complete eureka moment yesterday with new ideas for things I want to make though so am going to be working on those next week.

These pretty felted flower brooches are really just a teeny taster of what is to come as I am busy developing designs for what I hope are very original and very unique to me items - think costume, think victoriana, think gorgeous colours and textures - I know I am waiting with bated breath to get them finished and show you them!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

A flurry of things......

Happy Friday to you! I do hope your week has gone well – and it is almost the weekend!

Well as promised, I do have some news about the up and coming ‘costume’ mystery as mentioned in my last post. Whilst very exciting, it is also very nerve-wracking and a huge commitment but I am really hoping it will all work out well. The council service I have been providing workshops for is also involved in many other projects. This particular venture is called ‘Science on Stage’ (the finer details at present are a little sketchy and I currently know very little!) it is a performance aimed at bringing ‘science’ to the public in exciting and new ways – i.e. in the form of a dance performance. Initially asked to design and make the costumes for the dancers I am now planning to involve one of the groups I am currently teaching.

So yesterday, I put the proposal to them and they are excited to be involved. So here is the rub – performance is 12^th April and we possibly have 25 costumes to make (in only 4 x 2hr sessions and 1 full day session with the group). Frantically trying to come up with a feasible plan it seems the only way of making this a success and workable within the period, is to make it as simple as possible. Dancers will be wearing their leotards and we will be fashioning some additional garments for them to wear over the top. The fact is, we simply don’t have the time (nor the funds) to create full costumes. I will be trying to co-ordinate as much of the work within the sessions however I feel there will be a great deal of work that I will have to complete on my own in and in my own time.

Whilst I have the next week to come up with some ideas and work out if this is all going to be possible we need to start making the garments in our Thursday session next week. Before then I have to try and meet with the choreographer, find out what the theme is (I think it is ‘planets’) purchase all the materials, find out if it will be possible to speak with the lighting designer and come up with some semblance of designs. I may actually decide that if 25 costumes is too ambitious then perhaps we can just concentrate on the lead performers but make their costumes slightly more elaborate. Even the simplest costume x 25 is a huge amount of work.  The group I am working with are so wonderful and I know they will work incredibly hard however, I am well aware that the task we have in hand has to be achievable in the timescale. Although the result is important, I also need to know that I am setting us up to succeed meeting our goals rather than being overambitious and not managing to achieve what we set out to do.

Oh dear - sorry to  bore you with all the finer, not particularly interesting details - I am clearly trying to work through it in my own mind and have ended up writing a blow by blow account of what is in effect my 'to do list!

All this is of course in amongst all the other work I have at present. Whew – exciting times!

In other great news, I got my first pay cheque from the gallery this week. A bag sold within a couple of days and I have sold some other times in the last couple of weeks. Now I just need to get more work completed for them to display! Life is good. Hectic, but good.

Oh and above is a sopping wet, half felted bag created this morning at one of the classes I am teaching, whilst demonstrating felting over a template – I never get to finish these pieces within the sessions but I am amassing a few bags and purses which are gradually being finished and soon to be appearing in my etsy shop! There is still alot of felting and some embellishing to be done on this so a wee break and off up to my loft space for the remainder of the day!

Remembering to be me.........

Do you ever get the idea when creating something – that you want to try and do it a slightly different way and then it just doesn’t work out – because it is not ‘you’?

I learned a lesson yesterday from this. I was trying to make the simplest of things – just wishing to take my little crochet flower bobby pins a step further, create something a little more interesting and unique. I also wanted to find a different way of attaching them to the new bobby pins that I am using – something secure but pretty.

Having had this felt kicking around my loft space forever and a day if seemed like the perfect opportunity to try to use it. However after cutting out meticulous shapes and sewing ever more meticulous stitches (or so I thought at the time) in embroidery thread I took one look at the finished piece and could not believe how unhappy I was with the result. Talk about trying too hard! There are many wonderful artists on etsy beautifully hand stitching felt designs and it seems I am not to be one of them!

Therefore, after thinking about it for a little while I decided to pull out my bag of tiny fabric scraps and hand dyed remnants of costume fabrics – the very same ones I have been using on my art bags. Playing around a little brought me to make these one of a kind accessories – so very much more my style, and consequently, so much more enjoyable to make. Can you see the difference?!

So – for me, there is a lesson – don’t try to be something I am not – and make the things I love and that reflect my very own creativity. One of the things I love about these is the added texture created by the frayed edges and the fact that they are not ‘perfect’. I am the girl after all who loves when the edges of my Victorian petticoats become slightly frayed and torn – for me it adds to the beauty. I think this is something I have talked about in reference to my art also. Beauty does not equal perfection and perfection does not necessarily mean beauty – I love all those little flaws in nature and art. The torn edges, the areas where the paint puddles a little, the aged effect given by smudging the ink and the frayed edges of these silks and taffetas in these accessories. For me – that is beauty. These of course are currently being listed in my etsy shop.

I have a few new pieces of art to show you hopefully tomorrow - I have had a few great days in my studio - it is just a pity the light makes photographing so difficult.

Just to remind you I am having a little blog anniversary give-away. Any comments made on blog up until Wednesday (inclusive) are to be entered into a draw for a wee parcel – one entry per person. Good luck!

Oh and PS - I know I have recently been having problems commenting on typepad blogs (Lou if you are reading this - I am still reading your blog - just not able to comment!) - so if you are unable to comment here, then you can email me at gillian@gilflingsdesigns.co.uk and you will still be entered into the draw. xxx

Sage green and gold

Edit: I appear to be having problems with my email at the moment with no emails reaching my account since Monday - if you have emailed me it looks like I will not have received it (and I am not sure when this will be resolved) - I am so sorry for this as obviously I will not be able to reply to any that have been sent. I will let you know when it is sorted and normal service resumes!!!

Well I think this may be my favourite time of year - the colder days, the winter light - but unfortunately it makes it virtually impossible for me to get any decent photos of my work for etsy. Hence the delay in showing and listing this new art bag. But here it is anyway - I promise it is even more beautiful in real life! I am rather taken with it and wish I could keep it but in the shop it must go.

Not much other news here I am afraid. There are new cuffs in the shop too with even more to come. The last date for international posting is fast approaching (10th December) so not much time for listing in my shop so there will be hopefully be a few new items in the next few days as I hope for  those much needed sales.

Have a great day! xxx

Cuffs, Cuffs - glorious cuffs

Just a real quickie as I am off to bed - it is late here already and I am only just squeezing this post in before days end!

This was a custom order of cuffs which has already been mailed off but I have lots more in various stages of production. I really need to get them all listed on etsy although I also have a couple of craft fairs coming up too so am saving some for those. It is always a dilemma - do I just list everything on etsy and then put what doesn't sell into edit mode for the fairs or do I not list everything and risk it not selling at the fairs but being too late for the US xmas shopping postal deadline? Mmmm what a quandry. I guess I don't mind where they sell - just as long as they do! I do love making these though and I am still in love with the design although I have been making close variation of this for a while and really should be thinking of pushing it forward in some way. I have a few ideas.

I had a great day at the painting studio at the weekend - lots of journal writing and sketchbook work - I shall show and tell tomorrow.

Meanwhile off to bed for me!! xxx

Another update

Thank you so much for all your comments of support and well wishes - it means a great deal. I am now in Scotland - it is after one in the morning and I only arrived a few hours ago and things are alot better. It is good to be here with my family  - I have not been able to see them all yet and not everyone even knows I have travelled up so it will be great to catch up tomorrow. I had a very close, very small family member seriously ill in hospital - it looks like things are picking up but I am so glad I am here. One little darling will be spoiled rotton the next few days.

I am due to return on Thursday providing all is well. I did manage to list a couple of new items in my accessories shop before I left - and all 3 off the cuffs listed last night have sold already! Thank goodness. I am so grateful for that.

I will hopefully be listing a few more items in my accessories shop whilst I am here - more cuffs and corsage bracelets and brooches so look out for those. There will be a couple more each day I hope.

Also don't forget the print sale I am having in my art shop (sorry for the lack of links but if you click on the etsy mini at the top right hand of this page then that will take you straight there) go into the 'Reproduction Print' section of my shop - I am giving 20% of any prints purchased plus an extra gift for my blog readers - just type BLOG in note to seller and I will send an adjusted invoice. This offer lasts until midnight (EST) at end of Sunday 12th November.

Have a great week!

xxx

Shop Update

Hello to you this relaxing, pyjama wearing, tea drinking, Spaced watching Sunday.

My ticket is booked, my bag is not yet packed but I have managed to photograph and am in the process of listing a few items in my etsy accessories shop.

There is a pink and brown embellished cuff; a new teal corsage brooch with gorgeous vintage buttons; a rose pink embellished cuff; a rose pink corsage brooch and a teal and raspberry cuff.

I do especially love the cuffs and there is so much work goes into each and every one.

Sorry the photos are not brill - I am still awaiting the delivery of my camera from its hospital visit.

Anyway I hope you are having a wonderful weekend. I am hoping to photograph and list a few more items tomorrow before I head on up to Scotland.

As I have been positively rubbish at promoting the SALE I was supposedly having in my etsy art shop and as I am now unable to work this week due to the unexpected change of plan I have decided to extend it for another week. Therefore if you buy a reproduction print between now and November 11th - next Sunday you will receive a 20% discount. If you write BLOG in the note to seller you will also receive an extra gift. Wait for an adjuste invoice before paying.

So a great time to do some xmas gift shopping or as a treat for yourself from The art of Gilfling's Designs!

I am not sure if I will be able to blog again before I get back - but I wish you all a wonderful week.

Look out for a few more accessories in my shop tomorrow.

xxx

Inventory - not a very inspired blog post!

Hello to you this fine Tuesday, this frantic Tuesday, this frustrating Tuesday.

Good weather, craft fair panics and disobedient internet connections which means that this is my third attempt at writing this blog.

So this is the shortened list form (without links I am afraid) as I really cannot spend any more time writing this out again!!

Films watched in the last 2 days whilst crocheting frantically for the fair :-

Elizabeth, Hot Fuzz, The Perfect Storm, All I want, Shaun of the Dead and King Kong (remake)

Cups of tea – I have lost count.

My ideal craft fair inventory (clearly pie in the sky but a girl can dream!)

Crochet cuffs x 10

Gloves x 4

Wrist corsages x 10

Button hair slides x 10

Crochet hair slides x 10

Crochet hair bands x 4

Flower brooches x 8

Bags x 5

Fabric cuffs x 5

Crochet collars x 4

Notebooks x 10

In addition, whatever button sets and however many postcard and card sets I can get printed up.

I better get those lacy collars made as one is featured on the poster!

I was going to write here what I actually had so far but I think I may depress myself!

Gosh even that does not seem like very much for a full table worth of goods – Oh dear, if only I had another week – but I don’t so I best be getting on with it!

The loft space desperately needs tidied since my leatherworking week; the painting studio has been abandoned for the week whilst I prepare for the weekend. This is my first solo craft fair and I really wanted to be much better prepared but alas it is not going to be. However I am doing another one in the same venue in December so it will be really interesting to learn from this one so that I can be more organised for the next one!

Above is the poster for the fair which has been designed by the wonderful askey.

Right back to work for me - enjoy the rest of your day! xxx

Bags and Books - all works in progress....

Tis Friday again and where has the week gone? A week of working at home for me - rather slowly I have to confess for various reasons - but I have another costume commission to begin next week along with a few small jobs for The Merry Outlaws. I have submitted an application for a November and December craft fair in Manchester and I have still not managed to finalise my applications and discs for the local galleries - I think it is my lack of confidence and fear of rejection that is getting in the way of that but I have to get over it and just do it!!!

I have still been busy making more bags (although other things have got in the way) but here is one that just needs a bit more added and then will be sewn together. It features my piece Dreams Like Trailing Ivy and I have used those fabric scraps which I will be free machine embroidering over next. I am enjoying making these - they are enough to keep my mind occupied and my hands creating whilst not being too taxing. There are a few not so nice things going on behind the scenes at the moment and I am feeling low and as if the substance is being squeezed from my very being (I know that sounds a bit dramatic but I don't know how else to explain it and it is not something that I can or would discuss here so I apologise for my posts seeming a bit 'flat' of late). I want to paint but it just seems all a little too much - I am afraid if I start then it will all come out - which probably would be a good thing but for the moment it seem 'safer' to keep it all inside - at times I can even still pretend for a moment that none of it exists.

AAaah blogging can be frustrating at times!!! I find myself wanting to use it as if I were writing to a friend - forgetting that it is open to all - I should keep my personal life distant from it but I am the sort to wear my heart on my sleeve!

Anyway on a lighter note - I had bookbinding session 2 on wednesday and did indeed feel like the child who didn't do their homework. So I had to remake the book whilst everyone else went on to work on the cover - and even worse..... I had to teach a classmate who had missed out on the first session - show them how to make the inside of the book - should have been simple but gosh I felt under pressure!!! I am finding it hard enough to keep myself on track at the moment! But we got there in the end and we even had time to get the cover made too although it was a bit rushed in the end and I was not able to do it as well as I would have wanted. I think this class is a very traditional look at the process of bookbinding but I am certainly looking forward to experimenting and making objects in my 'own style'. So I even ordered a starter's bookbinding set so that I can get right onto it. I don't have a board chopper or a binders press - so there will some level of adaptation just to do the basics at home but I am looking forward to the challenge. I do have a knife, cutting matte and a few rather large books to weigh things down so we shall see how I get on with those!

So I have the craft fair at the castle tomorrow and then a day with Mark and possibly a movie on Sunday. Ok back up to the loft space now for me to finish those bags!

Have a wonderful weekend whatever you may be doing!

xxx

Hot Cross Buns and The Colour Purple

I am not usually a person for having pet hates - but sometimes you know when you wish something just wasn't... you know....part of life. But then because it is in your own thoughts, you can bend the rules a little....? Well, maybe I should explain.

Christmas - well that starts in September - cards and decorations and Christmas songs in retail stores. It is just overpowering - then Christmas day happens and all of a sudden there are red hearts everywhere (OK so that is not so much a bad thing - I am not opposed to romance at all!) and then easter eggs all over the shelves in January! Well all that spoils the holidays for me - I love the event, I just hate the months of build up to it all . And here is where I get to make up the rules for myself as to what is my pet hate and where the line is drawn.....especially when it comes to hot cross buns. Toasted, butter covered, mixed spice flavoured hot cross buns....in January....love it! And Mark says I can be contrary  - where does he get that from!

I have had such wonderful comments on the art cards and miniatures that I had been fretting over. The part I am 90 % managing to ignore, says it is undeserved, the truth is that as much as I would love all my confidence to come from the inside, I still bashfully and gratefully feel so happy when other people understand and somehow appreciate what I do. And what do you know, but didn't I go and sell 2 of my art cards yesterday on etsy!! I am still in shock and over the moon! My first art to sell in my etsy store and my first sales of the year. Wonderful.

I am working from home mostly at the moment, mostly due to a flair up in a long standing back injury (a trip to the emergency room just before Christmas, when up in Scotland staying with my family - not much fun) but it kind of means I am a bit hesitant to chase up film and theatre work at the moment. Instead I am focusing on art and my design work. I am currently working in my sketch books coming up with ideas for bags and accessories, corsets etc hoping to focus more on craft fairs and commission this year. Also I am hoping to be involved in 2 exhibitions in the next few months (more on that later) which for me would give the chance to really get back to working on my own costume designs which I am so excited about.

I really appreciate all who read this and take the time to comment. It makes the creative and stay at home world much easier! Have a great weekend.

I am also going to be making a big effort with my etsy store and to begin that I have listed 3 items today (a record for me!). I am particularly pleased with these Elegant Gloves . They have a detachable bracelet accessory with crocheted flowers and they are for sale in my etsy store and I do love them - there will be more on the way in varying colours. I sometimes worry there is too much going on in my shop - with artwork and accessories mixed together - but perhaps I do gravitate to a particular style overall - at least I hope so.