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 :) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Newsletter and other news.

So we are into October and so far since the start of the month three days ago, I have been on the go non stop!
Catching up on emails today, so far this week I've been to Wexford twice (work related) and then Dublin yesterday delivering lampshades in person to a client, she loved them!
Oh, I also tidied up the Blog as well, I got rid of the background and I think it looks neater.

Back to yesterday, I woke and got the 08:24am train from Gorey to Sandycove/Glasthule Station. It has been gosh,... I'd say at least eight years maybe ten since I took the Train to Dublin.
I would normally take the Bus but the bus does not stop where I needed it to go yesterday, so I enjoyed the train I must say. The bit I love most travelling by train is when the train hits Bray and all you can see is the Sea and it stretches for miles!
I'm from the country and live close to the Sea and it plays a huge role in my work, so you can understand my love for the Sea. When the train past through Killiney all I could see was the sun beaming down on the Sea and it was lovely at that hour of the morning. People were walking their dogs plus there was one very brave swimmer! I then reached my destination where I met my client, I must say the lampshades look really well where she put them and I took a few photos while I was there.
I then had a nice bite to eat around 11ish staying in the same area, french toast with a berry compote and maple syrup and of course a pot of  Barry's Tea. And from there I made my way into the city centre where I had a few messages to do and had a late lunch in a very nice little Italian cafe/restaurant called Casa something?  near Castle Market street off the corner of Wicklow Street it has a canopy with little tables outside and bench's with tables inside. At this stage it was closing in on close to 4pm so I started to make my way back and head home. Despite the showers and it being a working day for me even though I was not in the studio, it was an Interesting day.

Below is a photo of one of Lampshades. I made two of these the same, one sitting on either end of the table. The Pink fabric is 100% Linen with a hand woven Trimming in 100% Wool in Turquoise and Ocean Blues.

 

In other news, I think I had mentioned in a previous post or on my facebook page about up-coming press which will feature work of mine, which I am thrilled about. And I look forward to reading about that, even though I know what I've submitted.

Will have to wait until November though!

 

More Lampshades coming soon in various Colours.

 

I am going to be putting together a Newsletter featuring up-coming craft/trade fairs, events and new products for Gráinne Kenny Design from Christmas into 2013. If you are Interested in signing up to receive this Newsletter you can drop me an email with your contact email to grainnekenny.textiledesign@gmail.com please put the word 'Newsletter' in the subject box.

The Newsletter will start from early December 2012.

Thank you.

 

 

 

 

September News.

So, we are halfway through September after what has been a very busy summer.
The past couple of weeks I have been up to my eyes with work and I've yet to start on my Christmas stock which is slightly worrying. But knowing me, I'll pull it out of the bag and all will be fine.

So, what's happening in my world?

Well.... I do have some exciting news to tell, but I won't be revealing what that is until nearer Halloween when I'll tell or show you perhaps. It's something that will, without giving the whole thing away... promote my work to a wider audience. So, you can guess that I'm looking forward to that.
Still quite busy with orders with throws and lampshades being popular at the moment.
Yesterday, I recieved a package containing the rings etc... to make more of the lampshades so I shall be busy with them once I get everything else finished first.



Talk soon... Gráinne.

Some Sayings

                               
                                   Not long to go until you know what, at the end of the year!!
                                                              

This is so True!!

And This!

 Request to follow Gráinne Kenny Design on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/grainnek11

for more updates/photos and on facebook follow me at http://www.facebook.com/GráinneKennyDesign

                                          
                             

Recent going's on.

Hello, well it has been a while since I last posted to my blog.
Many things have happened since April, loads of good things!
I've been kept busy so that's good.

Recently this month (August) I was one of ten craftspeople that displayed their work at the 'Made in Wexford' exhibition that opened the weekend of the 'Gorey Market House Craft and Design Festival' at home in Gorey, Co. Wexford from the 3rd - 6th August.
There was a mixture of craft from Textiles, Glass, Wood turning, Ceramics and Sculpture on show.
We had a private preview evening on the 2nd of August where we had the opening of a few different exhibitions and a craft fair that were all located in the same area.
So that was a good evening and each day there was plenty of visitors that came to see the exhibition. I did well, I sold a few pieces so was very happy, plus I was left with only two business cards when I went to take my work down. I had to top them up each day as people kept taking them, but then that's the Idea!! I have packets of them in the studio anyway so was not running short.

Since then, I had a large clean up to do but I'm back working in the studio again and had continued where I had left off.
I've been working on a commission the past while for an Interior Designer and a few other bit's n pieces as well that I have to do. Plus trying to work out ahead what Christmas fairs to do this year...it's only a few weeks, okay months away now but for a designer/crafts person you have to start work early! So I hope to start work for Christmas early next month in September.

I love making lists, I may not always stick to them but it helps me to be organised, so from the 27th August up until December 1st, I've made a plan in my diary for each week of what to do and I plan to stick to it! Knowing me, some things could get moved forward/behind but at least it's done so I have an idea of what's planned for each week. For example, two weeks of weaving, one week of sewing, four weeks of weaving things again that type of thing. That's just me!

I have a few things I'm changing this Christmas in terms of products and I will have more woven
products this year with less of the decorations, but still keeping a few Ideas in the Decorations and I will be using my little branch/tree again for displaying these amongst other work.
The circular seaweed pieces went down well during the exhibition and sold to the same lady, so I am planning to create more of these too.

Below are a few Images of my work that were on show during the 'Made In Wexford' exhibition.
The link to my facebook page is as follows http://www.facebook.com/grainnekennydesign
You can also now find me on pickit (online shop by House & Home Magazine) http://www.pickit.ie
and my website which has been updated recently with images and information at http://www.grainnekennydesign.com which will also link you to my blog on the little icons on the home page.

Gráinne :)

My Display at the 'Made in Wexford' Exhibition.

Seaweed Studies I & II (Sold) - Mixed Media.

Cashmere and Woollen Throw with wove trim edging (Sold)

Pink Lampshade with woven trim (New Product!!)

More colours to come.... this piece has Sold.

Lampshade in Green Woven Fabric and Woven Trim.