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.

 

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/

 

 

 

 

 

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.                   

 

2016 what a year !

Well its nearly over and what a year it turned out to be, a real rollercoaster not to be too clichéd about it. I thought I'd take a few moments to reflect and look forward to 2017.

Here are my highlights.

I started teaching workshops for the fantastic Make at Monteray  http://www.make-at-monteray.co.uk/

This led to teaching a  taster workshop at The Contemporary Craft Festival at Bovey Tracey which was a great experience.

 

I signed up for business mentoring with the fabulous Creative Business Network

http://www.thecreativebusinessnetwork.com/

This helped me to organise my thoughts and push myself in a new direction. I also launched my newsletter. http://heatheremb.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=bbc76023375996925144b6633&id=0b3efe2e31

I rethought my pricing structure and began to produce larger, more 3d work based on British butterflies.

 

I exhibited work at two new shows to me, Nourish Festival and later Wonderworks. Rethinking my products and display has been really worthwhile.

 

My husband and I had a fantastic, inspiring holiday to China and Japan. This was to celebrate a milestone birthday. In my personal life I took on a new role as a carer and had to learn to balance this with work. It's made me more determined to create as I now realise what a vital part of my life it is.

So thank you to everyone who supports me, by reading my blog, liking my posts, retweeting my tweets, buying my work and listening to my insecurities. Here's hoping for a kinder 2017.

Happy New Year !

I have brand, new workshops coming for 2017 including this one at Make at Monteray http://www.make-at-monteray.co.uk/events/craft-workshop/machine-applique-butterfly-cushion-with-heather-everitt.html