A batch production of modules for the Kusudamas

We're on week three and the group now understand how the structure works.

Finding a paper that is 12 x 12 inches and not too thick was quite a feat.  I had been recommended by one of the group last week to visit The Works, however when I got there the paper was 240 gsm which was way too heavy, in fact more like a thin card.

I decided my next port of call would be The Range. It seems that if you buy a 6 x 6 inch paper it is 90gsm weight but as soon as they enlarge the design to 12 x 12 the paper goes heavier.  Eventually, after rifling through there fantastic collection I found two packs of suitable paper.

It's lovely paper but I was a bit disappointed that I would have to make the decision on what colour ways we would use without consulting the group but that was how it had to be.  Fortunately, the group loved it and we had some beautiful medallions folded.

Next week we will be looking at a slightly different structure from the medallion, which will include how to fold a windmill plus have a little taster at book folding.

Completed Medallion Kusudamas

So last week I had 15 people turn up to the session on two levels.  At the end of the session 5 people shared that they wouldn't be able to make it this week.  However, 5 more people turned up which brought my numbers back up to 15.

This was fine by me but the library were struggling with chairs to accommodate the group.

This week I brought along pictorial instructions for the group to work through which I split up into sections as people were at different stages of making. This I hoped would make like easier and serve as a memory jog for people.  Whilst people from last week were finishing off their final modules I worked with the new people of the group and got them started. I was fortunate to have a couple of helpers which took the pressure off me a little.

Everyone worked quite happily with the aide of the instructions I had provided and they were all happy when their first structure was complete (especially when they knew they could take it home).

To round the session off I did a "Show and Tell" of the various alternatives we could come up with using what they had learnt so far.

Older People's Project - Paper Sculptures Week One

Over the next 8 weeks I will be in Corby Library sharing my folding knowledge with a 65+ group for the Older People's project hosted by Made in Corby and funded by Scottish Power.

I'm generally a positive type of person but I did worry that as this session had been advertised as a drop-in I may end up with a small group.  How wrong I was.

Initially, I had about 5 people at 11am and that was the time advertised to start, then a couple more came and another 4 until I was asking the Library Assistant for more chairs until I suddenly had 15 people in 2 sections.

After repeating my introductions a few times we got started. I assured the group, initially, that we would fold and complete one kusudama each.  Unfortunately, when the group grew to 15 and situated in two locations this became a hopeless task, you would think.  Actually, everyone got to almost the same stage where each module was finished and we can attach them together to form our first kusudama next week.

Well done group, I'm so proud of you.

Artists Retreat

Design Factory seem to be no more or to be precise, have joined up with, merged and become Design Nation. Thankfully they still offer the satellite groups a £200 bursary to spend on CPD (Creative Professional Development).

The Northampton group decided to put their pot towards an artists retreat and 12 artists responded.  Our group was going to be the benchmark for the possibility of future retreats being offered.

With Ruth Lynne at the helm we were in good hands.  She sourced a lovely venue, Sedgeford Hall a few miles from Hunstanton.  Being close the the beach was definitely a plus, set in the countryside was another and the final plus was having a private heated indoor swimming pool to use.

Leading up to the retreat there didn't seem the opportunity to meet up to plan our days. This meeting sort of happened virtually with an onward going conversation on WhatsApp. Although the retreat was for 4 days, each person had booked for a different amount of days.  I wanted to go for the full experience and that worked really well for me.  

Last year I had put in for some funding with the arts council to allow myself a year to step back from my practice to re-evaluate where I was and look at my next steps.  I had factored in a retreat in my proposal and so far I have managed to do most of what I said I would do in my step away year on a shoestring budget.


Loads of ideas were put forward as possible activities and only a very few actually happened. These included:-

Batik
Mono printmaking
Bookmaking
Felting
Pot throwing
How to use a Cricut machine
Jewellery making

In the build up I started to get a bit overwhelmed with all the suggestions. My plan was to take a few reading books, a couple of art journals and the rest would happen organically.

And indeed it did.

The venue was just perfect.  Very quiet with 8 bedrooms, either twin or double rooms. A large kitchen with a long table so we could all eat together, a very light and airy lounge plus a smaller darker TV space with comfortable chairs.  Suffice to say none of us switched the darn thing on although phones and laptops were still activated.


I didn't sleep well the first night but after that I was fine.

We all utilised the swimming pool and there were many trips down to the beach.  Everyone used the retreat in their own way, there was even two who spent the time putting an arts council proposal together and one person who just came for the day; she brought new work and received a group crit.

Everyone was sensitive to each others needs and it became a mini community.  During every evening meal there was plenty of conversations, mainly around our art practices but also where we felt the Design Nation was heading and how it was evolving from where we were with the Design Factory.

Other activities that took place were Puy, where you swing items around, it's usually fire but we used weighted balls on strings.

 

There was a pot throwing session, unfortunately the wheel was right on the floor so that counted me out. 

A drawing session using natural materials for inspiration.

One person brought along their Cricut machine. I'd heard about these for a while but wasn't sure how they quite worked.  I was amazed at how you could use your phone remotely to set the machine off to cut things, in my case is was a flurry of butterflies.  It's an ingenious bit of kit and something I will consider for the community projects I'm involved with.

This is the first retreat I have been on and I would definitely do it again, whether with a group or solo.  This week has given me the opportunity to totally disconnect from everything.  Having that time to be away from the norm has been refreshing. Living with other creatives has been educational and it still re-affirms how generous people can be with their time; to listen and to put forward ideas.

Lastly, most of the group brought along materials they no longer needed to swap or donate to charity,