Happy Easter!

Hello again,

Easter is almost upon us and a very mixed weather one it is too.
It's nice and sunny out today, but yesterday I went for a walk and it started snowing, it's very rare to see snow and daffodils at the same time!

So what's new.... I'm working away as I'm doing a group exhibition in my home town of Gorey next month between the 13th - 19th of April. There are seven craftspeople altogether from Ceramics, Textiles, Wood and other materials.
See Link: http://www.craftinireland.com/events/details/craft-makers-in-gorey/

I've also been clearing out the studio, at the moment I am in a small corner of the room working away while the walls are being done up. It's funny when you clear out a room and the echos that can be heard compared to when there is furniture and all around.
I'm hoping to make a first time visit to Ikea over the weekend, to see what they have and what I can get to display my work. I might have to make a few visits up there but let's just pray that the snow stays away. Looks like there is no escaping it yet anyway, it's been a very long winter!
Here's hoping that we have a beautiful summer and well into September too.

                  Anyway here's wishing you all a very Happy Easter and I shall blog again soon.

                                                                          Gráinne :)

Warp and Weft

Hello,

If from the post title if you haven't guessed yet, I've been busy weaving.
I'm trying out a few weave structures at the moment and experimenting with different weights of yarn to see what results I get using these structures, so far so good!
At the moment I'm weaving a structure called M's and O's but I have the heddles threaded differently so what it's meant to look like is looking rather eh... not!!?
But that's the joy of it I suppose.

Between that I've been working on a trimming for another lampshade, I discovered from making trims that using a linen yarn is more suitable in the weft, plus it's easier to work it. I will be trying out different design methods for the lampshades too. Not all will have trimmings so keep an eye on the facebook page for happenings there.

Detail of Lampshades by Gráinne Kenny.

 

Lampshade as Pendant shade.

 

 

 Not sure if I mentioned it, but I'm a member of a new craft trail being developed for Co. Wexford.
It's a series of tourism trails for the county and the craft trail is the most recently formed and I'm part of this. It's called the 'Wexford Craft Trail and Network' we also have a facebook page see... www.facebook.com/WexfordCraftTrailNetwork where you can find out further Information and don't forget to give it a like.

Once I'm finished all my experimenting, I'm starting a series of wall hangings for March.
I'm starting with three of these, they will be woven and be slightly narrower to that of my long mixed media paintings that can be seen on the website www.grainnekennydesign.com and on pickit.ie.  Each will be approx half a metre to a metre long and framed but without glass in front of them. I'll be using neutrals for the first warp, a series of blues and purples for the next and probably a very summery floral coloured warp last. I can see the finished pieces in my head already and I have yet to start!

Anyway I better get back to it, will post Images soon!

Gráinne :)

Back in full swing!

Hello :)


Another week over, I'm happy this week as I've done a huge spring clean of the studio.
The shelves still need to be put together, there more like box shelves four in one unit type of thing.
I'll be using these for displaying product, the lampshades would fit snug into them I think.

I've left the painting, I've come full circle on decision making (I know!) and decided that the pale pink that's already on the walls is rather nice and it's warm. I believe it's good to have a warm, inviting feeling to a place. Originally I wanted everything white, trying to create a gallery like space but I love colour and I'm sticking with warm tones in furnishings and on the walls for now at least. Will paint the inner area of the room eventually white, where I plan to hang and display more of my work. My studio is a sort of an 'L' shape, the loom is situated at the top part of the room. I've neatly labelled and stored everything in separate boxes so no more pulling hairs out of head trying to find something!
Everything has a place, it's probably too neat for an artists studio but that's how I like it.
The same can be said for my work, if I don't like it I start again. But then somebody else might like it so I end up keeping it.
Found a load of canvas boards, Biro's (I'll never be short of a pen again!) and a few things too....oh yes a load of extra craft tissue paper too in a variety of colours and textures that I had originally stored in different bags and boxes. But it's all done now, so yay!

Last thing I need to do is to hang a new blind or a curtain, so picking that up next week.
I had been meaning to get all this done ages ago but, it took a back seat for a few months.

Been asked to make a larger sized lampshade for a customer, so it will be the same as the others except wider. Have a warp on the loom at the moment too.
Will be back in full swing from this week on, so will be kept busy.
Lets hope the snow stays away, won't be travelling much anyway for a while.
Looking at trade shows and getting stock ready for whatever ones I choose to do this year.
A few happening between May and October, still undecided but enquiring.
Hopefully, a few things will happen before May too, but like I said I'm looking into these so will see you never know what might happen!

I think it's going to be a good year though. :) Gráinne.

Goodbye 2012... Hello 2013 - Happy New Year!

 

Happy New Year!!!

 

New Year, New Start, New work on the way! There will be a few changes regards products this year. Staying put are lampshades, mixed media textile paintings (I'm developing and experimenting with new techniques) using a much more calmer colour palette and developing more on the 'Sea Series' - Seaweed Studies collection. There will be Blues, Greens and Purples as normal. There will be a lot of focus on detail and pattern with unusual textures thrown in especially seen in my weaving.

I shall be introducing cushions and woven hangings/textural rugs for the wall.

 Have a few other Ideas too that will be developed later in 2013.

Watch this space!

 

2012 was a very good year for me. The first three months were to honest tough and quiet but then came the 'Irish Furniture Fair' that I did in March 2012 up in the RDS, Simmonscourt that ran for three days. I was exhibiting my work in an area called' New Design Ireland' showcasing new designers in furniture and home accessories. I met many Interior Designers, Gift Retailers and Hoteliers.

 

From there, I was busy for quite a while then came the Summer and I took part in a local exhibition ' Made in Wexford' during the 'Gorey Market House Festival'. Sold almost everything.  Did very well. Wedding presents did well this year....mixed media paintings. 

 

In August, I received a phone call from Ireland's 'House and Home Magzaine' and I featured in their November/December  Christmas Issue alongside ten others in a Christmas Gift Guide (Page 106) I also set up an online shop in July with Pickit.ie which is run by House and Home Magazine. Was nice to appear in a bit of nationwide press at Christmas and to be asked more so.

 

Off the back of it though I've had a few Enquires regards lampshades which are proving to be my second best most popular product of 2012 and I'd say for 2013. In between all of the above there was other things that happened and are about to happen in 2013 amongst the above, but I'm just pointing out a few highlights of the past year. Here's to 2013 and will await what stories/surprises that will bring!

 

Over Christmas I received a load of natural un-dyed linen, silk and woollen yarns amongst other goodies to work with. I also purchased two temples, I have one already so now I have three in different sizes. A temple is a piece of equipment used by hand weavers with very sharp pointed edges on either side used for weaving to keep the edge/selvage in a straight line.

I also purchased a few dyes to paint with and to also dye yarn/fabric.

 

Often people ask me where am I based and where I work from home

 I have a studio here, it's a start and perhaps eventually if and when I need to expand I'll consider moving but for now it's working. Where I work was originally meant to be a two bed roomed apartment, but it never got to that stage. So, I turned the outer space which was to be the living/kitchen area into a studio as it was crying out to be used and it's quite a large room. I have three windows so have plenty of natural light and nice views of trees, it's carpeted in the main outer room and then there is lino floor in the smaller area off this. There is private access to a door that leads to the studio. It's practically perfect!

 

I have a few things planned for this year, have my eye out.

 So I will keep you informed of news regards this.

Do keep watch on my facebook page for posts re: News and Photos of Products.

 

Gráinne :)

Seasons Greetings!

 

Happy Christmas!

 

Gráinne :) x

 

Ps: Will post again in the New Year, for further updates, posts and photos please go to facebook or my website.

 

 

Tis the season to be.....busy!

Hello again, so it's been a while since my last post.
I was away during the month for a short while and I've been busy since.

So it's now December and two weeks away from Christmas.

Last week I attended the RDS Christmas Craft Fair in Dublin on Friday evening, it was late when we left home and we got there around 6pm, I went up with my sister.
There was so many stands and it was very packed with people when we got there.
I knew a few people with stands at it and got to speak to them while I also met some other new and very Interesting craftspeople.
There was a really nice atmosphere too, but with so many stands to get through I know I did not get to see all of them. The food hall was also very tempting!!
I left the place with some nice cheese, a lovely birdie brooch by Clare Jordan, ceramic Christmas decorations by Karolina of KaroArt (love the reindeer's!) and a few other small bits and pieces.
I also wish I had a very fat purse on me, as fell in love with a whole dose of products.
Usually I'd visit this fair every year and each year I keep saying well maybe next year.... as in having a stand at it. A few people asked would I be Interested in doing it, so possibly next year you might just see me there.
I had enquired about stand costs etc earlier on in the year but the expense for some fairs does not come lightly. But there are 12 months from now so who knows?!

Speaking of 12 months, I'll be a year in Business on the 23rd of January 2013, where did that time go?!!
Which means I'm 11 months the day before Christmas eve. Crikey!

Very busy in the studio at the moment.
Had my work photographed over the weekend, had to drag everything outdoors. We did shoot Indoors too, but with the day that was in it the natural light was a problem as blue skies had turned to grey skies! Some nice shots taken so will be Interesting to see them all. I've been working on new stock too... from some new lampshades, to hand woven wraps/scarves to that of other new products.
I've been creating various trimmings for my lampshades, see image below.

 

Detail of Woven Trimming measuring 1.5 meters long.

 

 I've also been looking at trade fairs for 2013 already, have to plan ahead!

 

If I don't blog between now and Christmas I wish everyone a Happy Christmas and best wishes for the New Year. I have a feeling it's going to be a good year!

 

Merry Christmas! x Gráinne :)

 

Ps: Do keep and eye on my Facebook page www.facebook.com/GrainneKennyDesign of new work that will be posted up very soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What's been happening lately.

Hello,

Those of you who have been following my Facebook Business page or my Twitter account or both, would know that I was recently featured in 'House and Home' magazine.
It's the Christmas Issue - November/December 2012 there are eleven of us featured in an Article called ' Your Guide to Christmas 2012' pages 105 - 109.
I was asked back in August if I'd like to be in this Issue, so after a bit of thought (about a half hour to be precise) I said yes.
It's not everyday that you get a magazine knocking on your door, it's almost hard enough to try and break into one. But, I was delighted to be asked and I'm happy with it so that's the main thing. (See Below)

GRÁINNE KENNY DESIGN

'House and Home' magazine - Nov/Dec 2012

 

 

The Image is showing one of my woven lampshades (this once has since sold) and in the background you can see a detail not fully shown Image of one of my mixed media textile paintings.

I'd like to thank my friend Enda for taking the photographs, we did have a bit of a problem with the light from the right hand side and I did supply other Images, but this is the one that got chosen.

 

 

On the subject of Photography, I will be having a photographer coming to visit the studio in the next few weeks to take photographs of my work, for something that is being put together. I've been attending a Craft Enterprise Course too, for the past month in Wexford and this is part of this. It's also good to get out and meet other Craftspeople too. It so happens that when we met him last week, he looked very familiar to me and we got talking. It's funny he turns out to be an old life drawing teacher of mine.....small world!

 

So between then or soon after there will be buckets of paint appearing in the studio. I'm finally getting round to painting the place..white that is. Will I miss the pale pink I think... No!

 I've already done a clean out so next up it's overalls and brushes at the ready, when I'm ready that is!

 

I've quite a lot to do between now and right up to the week before Christmas. At the moment my focus is on well....Christmas stock, not long to go! I'm quite sickened by the adds on the telly already but that's how it is I guess. It feels like winter anyway, it's been so cold!

 

 

If your looking to order from me at Christmas, can you please email me at grainnekenny.textiledesign@gmail.com and I'll reply back to you. There will be new Images of my work appearing over the next few weeks...'Gift Ideas for Christmas', on my Facebook Business page and also same on Pickit so do keep an eye.

 

Gráinne :)