It has been a fantastic experience attending the Craft Fairs, meeting lots of present and past students (some from years ago!!!) and with many attendees, excited to be experiencing and experimenting with new and different techniques and materials (with the mini workshops). I have always enjoyed teaching textile techniques, and the fairs are again giving me the opportunity to share my knowledge by demonstrating as well as teaching those who book a workshop. Canberra is next on the list, so I am preparing for the cold, then there will a good break where I plan to get down to some serious studio work. Visit www.craftfair.com.au for more information.

In between the Craft Fairs, I also participated at the Textile Festival, held for the second year in Brisbane. This is a fantastic event, and I am pleased Expertise Events are again considering holding it in Brisbane in 2011. I didn’t have time to enter into any of the exciting competitions this year, but hope to have some artworks (maybe even artwear!!! ready for next year). There were some fantastic displays that certainly showed Textile Art is alive and doing very well. For me, the mix of demonstrating and mini workshops made for busy days, but I think the Artists at Work areas were very successful, especially for those attending, to have the opportunity to see and talk to artists about their materials, techniques and their processes. As an artist, again, I always enjoy those opportunities, so I look forward to 2011.Studio Time will see me playing and experimenting, extending on some of the dyeing and printing techniques I used to create the fabrics for the Craft Fair displays. Using colour (and heat) to dye and manipulate my fabrics, and then playing with shape and form should prove lots of fun, and I look forward to seeing the results…

And don’t forget to add the Wild Things Wicked Wearables and Whimsical Wonders selling exhibition dates in your diary: November 26-28 and you can join us on either (or both!) Friday and Saturday evenings for lots of fun and frivolity!!!

The post 2010: Mid Year Update appeared first on Sharyn Hall Designs - Textile Artist.

It has been a hectic beginning to what will a busy and exciting year for me, with plenty of creating mixed with quite a few plane trips. There has been lots of activity in the studio, with new work being created for the Featured Artist display. If you’re attending any of the Fairs, why not book into the mini workshops I will be hosting at the display stand, try your hand at Transfer Dye Printing (onto Satin or Chiffon), make a pretty Frilled Flower or create some fabulous Textured Fabric Treats. All simple 3/4 hour classes with all materials included at a cost of $20. There will also be lots of learning opportunities with the demonstrations and information sessions during each day. The Perth Fair (mid May) was lots of fun, busy but most enjoyable, with lots of interested people taking the opportunity to come and say hello and be creative. I’m looking forward to catching up with lots of current and previous students at each Craft Fair, so make sure you come and say hello. For more information about the Expertise Events Craft & Quilt Fairs check out their website and put the dates in your diary …

Sydney: June 16-20
Hobart: July 9-11
Melbourne: July 22-25
Canberra: August 5-8
Brisbane: October 20-24
Adelaide: November 4-7

TEXTILE ART FESTIVAL

In between traveling around the country for the Craft and Quilt Fairs, I will also be attending the Textile Art Festival here in Brisbane… an event not to be missed if you are at all interested in anything Textile. The first Festival (last year) Brisbane, June 25-27 was a great success, and I am expecting this year will be even better.

Studio Time

With no committee commitments, I am planning to spend as much time as possible in the studio in between my Featured Artist and teaching commitments . This does mean less teaching, and so far I have limited myself to two workshops: Quilt Camp in outer Sydney held in late March and the workshops at the Textile Art Festival.

Wendy (Bailye) and I are continuing our studio collaboration as WILD THINGS with plans for lots more playing and experimenting with materials and techniques. I hope to keep you updated with text and images, so please be patient. Also keep an eye on What’s New to see what might be happening.

Travel

With travel commitments to all capitals (except Darwin) as Guest Artist at the Craft & Quilt Fairs, I shall probably have had enough of airport lounges and waiting for baggage … so there are currently no visits to far-away places planned. But … that doesn’t mean I won’t be thinking about them … my bucket has quite a few destinations ;still on it’s list! These journal pages are designed to make it easy for me to add my travel stories and images … so I’ll see how I go with keeping you updated. If I have time, I’ll add some stories and images from past adventures to the Journal … for those interested in armchair travel with a textile perspective.

So that should keep me busy for the year … !!

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