Bichos

Have commissioned Lucia to 'mend' my favourite top - got a hole in it the other day and I've asked her to add a bicho to it for me :) Reciprocal linking in action - will post pic on Tues when I have it back.

Progress file & presentations

Final presentation tomorrow - have swapped with Gizella so I can concentrate on Open Studios work for 27th. Really good to look back actually, examining how I've arrived at certain decisions, e.g. exhibition collections. Don't often get chance to stop and reflect, so very useful. Next step could be to include a 'to date' post, listing all the links, resources etc. that I haven't yet followed up - tick them off as I get to them.

To follow up:

List links and post by 19th June.

Pete Mosley - Project Mgr, Connect

Writing funding bids

Have been struggling to get my head around this and which pots of money I could potentially go for. As I don’t see myself taking on ‘projects’ as such, Ill probably have to target business funding rather than arts in the main. One exception would be the Fashion Studies project for BTG. I got so much out of it that I’d love to do it again and have let the programme leaders know that I’d love to do it each year if I can; as it was essentially an unpaid commission I’ll look into getting funding for next year – with the links to education and promoting the arts in the region it ticks a few boxes I guess.

To follow up:
Ring ACE, make first contact and ask if the project is something they would consider – small amounts only, £1000-1500
Find out about further bid workshops ACE putting on

Textiles

Working with the Fashion students on their pieces has taken me off on a tangent I hadn’t anticipated – using textiles in my jewellery. Bought a job lot of reclaimed kimono silks on ebay and have started incorporating those into designs. Both sets of Fashion pieces use the fabrics used in the clothes themselves, so they complement beautifully – it’s now really interesting to see how I can use the fabrics to contrast and conflict too. Everything’s taking on a Victorian/Oriental look, and feedback I’ve had so far after posting a few initial pictures on facebook is really positive.

To follow up:
Dig out mini sewing machine to investigate creating fold and textures in the fabric
Research further into Oriental design influences in Victorian Britain

Web developments...

The website is developing apace now – been working hard on it this week. Plenty of images have now gone on, including loads of promotion for the Fashion Studies project, and images of pieces evolving from the CONNECT collections. I’m also starting to pay close attention to the web statistics the subscription provides – I’ve added Code Jewellery to a number of arts & crafts directories, CIN included, and am now seeing most site referrals coming from these sources. Of course, have to realise that some of these will be fellow jewellers seeing who else has added themselves to the pot of competitors, but some will hopefully lead to contacts, selling opportunities and actual customers.

To follow up:

Once CONNECT is finished, assignments are out of the way and I’ve had a holiday, define ranges for online store based on Coast and Victoriana collections – launch by end of August.

Beyond the Gallery - delivery of work

All work finished and delivered to the Fashion students. Really pleased with the pieces, and had a massive confidence boost from their reactions. While they were obviously aware of the designs and had seen my sketches etc., the impact the final pieces had was a nice ego massage. Knowing that I’ve worked well to their brief with new materials and techniques as well as getting both my and their message across is the most satisfying experience I’ve had so far during my practice.

One major frustration to temper things slightly – the finished pieces I’ve handed over are ten times better than the pieces I put in the CONNECT exhibition as a showcase of the project. They’re more like a work in progress, as we made a number of last minute improvements and additions to the final pieces. If I can get over to Lincoln during the exhibition I’ll place some Polaroid style pictures or something similar in the case to portray the end result of the project.

Time management

FRAUGHT!!

Having had a day’s breather after the exhibition, I’ve now got final making to do for the Fashion Studies pieces. The problem Victorian headpiece from last month is now just how I want it, and I’ve used the ‘duplicates’ I made for the CONNECT exhibition to hone the finished look. Only thing is, while I’ve recognised I work well with some time pressure, having that sustained for three weeks is not practical! My time was planned well on the calendar, things looked busy but steady; but the best laid plans…I HAVE to stick to timetables once they’re formulated – working under pressure is productive, but that will stop at the point where I’m taking shortcuts and compromising. Thankfully I managed to just stop short of that this time.