Reflecting and looking foward.

Happy New Year !

As January dawns I always find myself looking back at the year gone by, reflecting on the highs and lows and planning for the next 12 months.

For the purpose of this blog it will definitely be highs and I'm so lucky that their have been many.

I've had my work featured in some lovely magazines including this one, Be Creative, its a really beautiful publication and seems to be going from strength to strength.

I was fortunate to exhibit my work at Made in Cheltenham and it was here I met Andy Poplar from Vinegar and Brown Paper. This sparked an idea for a collaboration and one of my favourite ever pieces was the result. It sold very quickly. I do hope we can do more.

 

New work was a theme for last year too, I created new pieces for an exhibition at Unit Twelve in Staffordshire. Based on a kitchen garden theme these were embroidered seed packets with visiting creatures. I will be back to this lovely venue in August to teach some workshops.

In October I was delighted to be accepted as a member of the Society for Embroidered Work this organisation promotes embroidery as an art form. Take a look at their website, so inspiring.

The year ended with another order from Liberty London, my husband and I delivered in person and enjoyed a smashing day taking in the Christmas atmosphere.

2019 will bring lots of workshops and an exciting collaborative launch, please sign up to my newsletter to get all my latest offers and events. I'm really excited to see what this year has in store.

 

How to hatch a Swallowtail.

 

Hello everyone, I thought it might be a good idea to show you the processes that go into one of my pieces. One of the questions I get asked most when I'm out and about with my hatchlings is 'how long do they take ?'  

So here goes.....  Making a Liberty Swallowtail.

Each butterfly begins with a drawing, either from a specimen, book illustration, photograph or a combination of all three. I create a line drawing which simplifies the wing patterns .

 

The next stage is to break the patterns down into colour layers, these can be any number but usually about three or four. These are then traced onto bondaweb. I then select the fabrics that best match the colours of the particular species.

 

Each of these layers are then applied to individual fabrics and cut out. I use a very sharp pair of scissors. On the Swallowtail the black layer is fairly complex, this can take well over an hour.

The layers are then fused together and placed on a background of silk with another one of interfacing. This creates a stable base for embroidery.

I can then begin to stitch, looking very closely at my original source material, I satin stitch the edges of each wing part.

Next I cover each piece with a voile or organza and stitch the veins on the wings.
Using my very sharp scissors I then cut away parts of this layer to reveal what's underneath.

This creates iridescence and depth.

 
I then apply more free motion embroidery to add interest, it's this stage where the piece can come to life. The separate wings are stitched together to complete the butterfly's shape.

Hand stitching tiny beads and sequins adds texture. I then felt a body from pure wool, referring to photos, sewing bead eyes and antennae of hemp string.
And he's finished.

 

To answer that familiar question, about three and a half hours, without the sketching stage.

 

They've Landed !

As you may know from my previous posts the greatest thing that has ever happened to me, creatively, happened this year. My work is for sale in Liberty of London. If you read my blog you will know that my love of all things Liberty began at the age of 7.

Well at the end of last month I finally got to see them in the 'flesh' or should that be fabric, in their new home. Lovely friends beat me to it and sent me pictures of them, but nothing could compare to the feeling of seeing them myself.

It started with this sign, proclaiming the new Haberdashery, its wonderful to see a department like this developing. I remember seeing the outrage on social media when John Lewis threatened that their habby would be going.

I felt like a child creeping downstairs on Christmas morning to unwrap their presents, except in reverse as I ascended the amazing wooden staircase towards the third floor. My heart was beating so fast and the emotion rising as I got nearer.

I walked through the door and there they were, sitting against a pale grey wall. It was so difficult to take it all in.

Inevitably, I burst into tears and my lovely hubby took a picture !

The haberdashery is glorious, with wonderful vintage tables displaying beautiful notions and materials. There are also work tables, the walls are lined with inspirational mood boards too.

I would highly recommend a visit, there is so much to see and I bet you won't be able to leave empty handed.

The Contemporary Craft Festival 2017

Well it's almost a month since The Contemporary Craft Festival at Bovey Tracey and I think it has taken me most of this time to reflect on what taking part meant to me.

 

It is one of the most prestigious Craft events and the one I had aspired to ever since my first visit four years ago. 

 

I applied last September, I think, and just after Christmas found out I was on the reserve list. The weeks ticked by and not wishing to tempt fate, I decided this was not my year. 

Last year I was lucky to attend running a taster workshop for the fabulous Make at Monteray, http://www.make-at-monteray.co.uk/ it was a good experience and gave me the chance to marvel at the wonderful work on display. 

 Anyway back to this year, with just 10 days to go I had a phone call from the organiser Sarah James to say they had a space due to illness. I went into a flat spin and asked for a few hours to think about it. My first thought was to ring my lovely mentor Helen Bottrill of The Creative Business Network. http://www.thecreativebusinessnetwork.com/

She was brilliant, told me to make lists of what I could achieve in the time and prioritise. 

And so I agreed sent off my stand fee and stitched like a thing possessed.

For those ten days I worked 12 to 14 hour days, in between caring for my Mum and general life stuff. I neglect my husband who one night, as I came out of the workroom at 11o'clock, declared  'I wish I was a moth!'.

 

 

I didn't have much time to think about my stand so I decided to let the work speak for itself and keep it simple. 

The set up day came and with it torrential rain, the mud outside the marquees was moderate Glastonbury level, everyone was friendly though nerves were jingling.

 

My wonderful husband helped me set up and remained patient when I kept changing my mind over the display. 

So before the four o'clock deadline everything was set , Mr E and I retreated to the Devon Guild cafe for a sandwich. 

I was surrounded by fantastically supportive and amazingly talented people. My immediate neighbour was Jane Sedgwick who creates beautiful striking jewellery. I treated myself to a couple of her gorgeous pieces.

http://www.janesedgwick.co.uk/ 

In retrospect I was in awe of the whole event, constantly questioning whether I should really be there. I received amazing comments and so much positivity, sales were good and I had a couple of commissions and exciting leads.

 

I did enjoy the event; I wish my silly head could have let me enjoy it more at the time, take more photos and speak to more people. 

I was also so fortunate to be able to stay with my lovely friend Linda aka Liberty Linda Lou and her husband who were just brilliant and so kind. 

https://www.instagram.com/libertylindylou/?hl=en

 

So there we go my first big Craft event, I learnt so much and in the words of T.S.Elliot

'Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go' 

 

 

http://www.craftsatboveytracey.co.uk/

 

 

 

 

 

News and more news !

Hello everyone, well May was certainly a busy month with lots of exciting new opportunities.

Firstly, I am delighted to say that my work is now part of the beautiful website
https://madebyhandonline.com/

It is a celebration of everything handmade and you can easily lose an hour or too looking at the beautiful creations available. My butterflies are fluttering their way onto the site.

 

The team, headed by Katie, are just fabulous and you really feel their passion for hand made and supporting makers.
https://madebyhandonline.com/collections/heather-Everitt

A couple of weeks ago I had a phone call from the lovely Sarah James, of The Contemporary Craft Festival at Bovey Tracey, offering me a last minute place at the event. I had been on the reserve list, I had a little think and then realised I couldn't let this amazing opportunity go. So since then I've been stitching non-stop. I realised I'd got to a slight obsessional level when my husband said he wished he was a moth !
http://www.craftsatboveytracey.co.uk/

 

So that's all for now, my Bernina is calling !

Workshops 2017. Get crafty.

Hello everyone, I've been mapping out my new year and thought I'd let you know about the workshops I have planned for 2017.
I have some lovely new venues and a combination of hand and machine stitching.
Workshops are great fun and I am fortunate to have the opportunity to teach some fantastic talented students, who very often inspire me.
My first career was as a Primary school teacher so I love the process of presenting a group with the same project and seeing all the different ways it can be interpreted.

 

 My first workshop is on Saturday 25th March at The Magpies Nest, Bideford. This is hand stitching on silk applique creating this cute Blue Tit in a hoop. More details https://www.facebook.com/TheMagpiesNestBideford/?fref=ts

Next I'm back at the fantastic Make at Monteray. 25th April.
This is a machine applique and embroidery workshop, the idea being to learn new techniques and gain confidence with your machine. You will produce a lovely butterfly cushion in your choice of colours.
http://www.make-at-monteray.co.uk/events/craft-workshop/machine-applique-butterfly-cushion-with-heather-everitt.html

In May 20th,  I'm back with the members of Exeter's Embroiderer's Guild, this time with a landscape workshop. As an added bonus we will be joined by members of the Young Embroiderer's Guild, which will be great. https://exeterembroiderersguild.org/

Blue Tit Brooch

Poppy Brooch

 

In October 4th, I will be in Barnstaple, with the members of the West Country Embroiderers. This is a new workshop making a bird and a poppy brooch.  http://www.westcountryembroiderers.co.uk/

So if you interested please click on the links or contact me directly on mail@heatheremb.co.uk 
It would be lovely to see you.