On the move.

This week is going to be a bit on the busy side - we are moving house yet again.
I'm hoping very much that this will be the last for a very long time.

On top of that I'm busy raising funds so that we can open our Gallery at Ferrers Art and Craft Centre.
This project is something I believe will help lots of emerging crafters and artists. For a monthly subscription they will be able to show their work, learn the business side of a career in the creative industries and have the opportunity to run classes and workshops all for less than the cost of a hall for the day.

Ferrers is a busy centre with lots to interest visitors including an award winning gallery, crafters studios, beautiful surroundings and two great cafes.

We aim to open on March 8th - your company would be much appreciated :)










If you would like to support us and get a fantastic reward in return ( worth more than the amount you pledge!) then take a look at our crowdfunder page
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/mag1/

A taste of Summer.

These are just a few of the photographs we will be showing alongside paintings, jewellery, textiles and more in our new unit.

Would you like to be able to take great pictures with your DSLR? We will have courses for that too!

Help us set up a great exhibition and teaching space at Ferrers Art and Craft Centre on the Derbyshire/ Leicestershire border.

You can help by pledging on our Crowdfunder project page

www.crowdfunder.co.uk/mag1/

A DSLR skills workshop is one of of the rewards for pledging and will take place around the beautiful grounds of the country estate the centre is located in. Grab a spot now :)

Crowdfunder Project

Today is the first day of fundraising through Crowdfunder for our Mercian Arts Gallery Project

You can read all about it here

www.crowdfunder.co.uk/mag1/

We are looking to raise £3,000 to set up the unit at Ferrers Art and Craft Centre as an exhibition space for Artists and Crafters looking to move from a hobby to a career.

The first step on this path is always difficult - getting galleries to show your work. We aim to make that transition easier by providing exhibition and teaching space as part of a co-operative. We all pay towards and help staff the space.

As part of the local community we also provide workshops and classes at very reasonable rates.

The great thing about Crowdfunder is that the project is not just asking for money for nothing but providing rewards for pledges of money - you help us get off the ground and we pay back with the reward you choose.

We only have 48 days on the programme, so please pledge as much as you can.
And don't forget to come and visit us with some moral support :)

Ferrers Art and Craft Centre - New Gallery Studio

Yesterday we spent a lovely afternoon wandering round Ferrers Art and Craft Centre and it's environs.
This is a fabulous place to visit with a number of Artists and Craftspeople working and exhibiting in the transformed coach house courtyard. The centre is set in a working country estate in Staunton Harold, with way marked walks into the neighbouring nature reserves and other places of interest. It's any easy trip from Derby, Leicester, Nottingham,Burton and Lichfield.
The fantastic news is that we have taken a unit and will be opening for business the second weekend of March. We are looking for other creative people to share in the space, where we can exhibit our work and run classes or workshops.
                                                                     

If you are interested in joining us, leave me a comment and I will get back to you. This is an ideal opportunity if you are looking to start selling your work.

If you come and visit, please drop in and say hello, kettle is always ready :)

Opening Weekend 8th/9th March


Happy Creating

Janice x

New Horizons

I have some fantastic news :)

This morning my application for a craft unit at Ferrers Craft Centre at Staunton Harold was accepted.

My plan for the unit is to find a group of artists and designer makers to share in the space.

It will be a space for selling and showing work and for running small classes or groups.

The craft centre is full of working artists and designers and attracts a great number of visitors. It's a beautiful location in the grounds of a working estate where people visit for extended lengths of time.

Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, Loughborough, Burton and Ashby De La Zouche are all within easy travelling distance.

I will start to set the space up next week.

Are you an Artist or Designer Maker in this area? Are you looking for a permanent base for your work and space to run classes? Or would you like your work sold by us on a sale or return basis? If so, just leave me a message with a contact e-mail and I will forward you all the information.

Better start getting organised :)


Janice

I'm back :)

Well, it's been a while :)
A million things have happened since I last wrote, mostly nothing to do with this blog so I won't bore you with them :)
Suffice to say I now have an allotment that is providing us with all our veg and fruit. Except bananas, bit difficult that one.

Here is a piece of work I recently finished in my favourite colours, painted in oils.

I have a title in mind for it, but would love to know what you might call it - feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment box.

Clematis Montana

Today I have to go and buy a new car and put the old one to rest at scrap metal merchants.
Of course it is raining :)

Another Iron Lady gets put to rest today in a state funeral she didn't want. Personally, I did not like her policies but she implemented them with conviction that it was right for the country. Unlike our current government who seem set in tearing it apart. May she rest in peace.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all those hurt by the Boston Bombings, victims and relatives alike. A tragic and senseless waste of life.

Janice x