Monday 27 September 2010

Origin

I had great plans to visit Origin on Friday but was a bit poorly during the night and so ended up spending a day on the sofa instead. Then I saw what a wonderful time Ali and Alice had there on Saturday and an email from Alice prompted me into going today and I was so glad I did. It was brilliant! There was so much wonderful jewellery, ceramics and textiles from a myriad of talented designers it was hard to single out favourites... but I've tried! All of the following were more than happy to chat about their work and were friendly and interesting. Do take a look at their websites if you have time.

Abigail Brown makes wonderful stitched birds - quirky, colourful and fun. She was also absolutely delightful, immediately asked me if I sew and was very interested in my degree.

Some of my favourite work was from Betty Pepper, a combination of book art and jewellery and I really wished I had a spare few hundred pounds!

There was more cut out paper from Claire Brewster who painstakingly cuts out these birds by hand from old maps.

A delightful combination of collected items, text, embroidery and books from Becky Adams who was also willing to chat to me for ages.

And last but not least there was more printing, paper cuts, books and embroidery from Sarah Morpeth. I confess I gave in to temptation and treated myself to one of Sarah's tiny books called Butterfly - mostly because I've been doing some paper cuts myself as I've researched lace and floral embroidery. You can just see a glimpse if you look carefully. There was definitely a theme to the things that caught my eye and I love the combination of paper, text, embroidery and books... the birds just happened to be a coincidence!

But now I've got some catching up to do. If the light improves tomorrow I may take some pics and add a few more of these to my Etsy shop as a day on the sofa on Friday and a couple of hours on the train today meant I got some embroidery done, but do contact me directly if you would like a particular colour (slightly cheaper that way).

Meanwhile life is busy... I'm teaching tomorrow, have to pack for a few days away in Devon with the West Country Embroiderers on Wednesday, not to mention degree work and a certain young man's 18th birthday at the weekend so I may be AWOL for a while. See you when I come back!

24 comments:

  1. Oooh, shades of red for me please! Will catch up next week I hope.

    I was hoping to go to Origin tomorrow - how did it work out trainwise for you? I'm just not sure I can do it during school hours and make it worth it.

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  2. I wish all these places were a bit nearer. Is Origin the successor of the Chelsea Craft fair?
    There's a definite birdy theme there in your post. I'm planning some tweets of the Harris variety myself very soon.

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  3. Have a good time in Devon, hope the weather is warmer down there! Maybe a virtual Devon Cream Tea could be sent my way, if you have one yourself, share it please ..........x

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  4. So envious you made it to Origin! Must make a note in the diary for next year.

    And I love Abigail Brown's birds. I still have a picture of one I fell in love with at Liberty almost a year ago now!

    K x

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  5. Oh what a lovely blog, lots of inspiration and thought provoking thoughts. Hop that makes sense. Thanks very much for visiting and commenting on my site, I think I will be visiting yours a lot so much to see

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  6. Wow -- looks like some beautiful stuff from Origins. Sounds like you have a busy week or two ahead -- have a great time!

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  7. Looks like you had an inspiring trip.

    And those printed labels for your brooches look very special.

    Celia
    x

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  8. What a great post, I think this will have to go in the diary for next year. it looks a fabulous show, thanks so much for sharing it with is.
    Love the buttons.

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  9. Looks like it was a good show. Glad that you felt well enough to go. There is a definite bird theme going on in you favourites.

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  10. I'm so glad you were well enough to go Gina - what another superb outing, and momento to bring home.
    I'm so jealous !
    Your pictures are an excellent link to these wonderful artists - thanks for sharing them - an hour surfing them is predicted.
    Your packaging on the brooches have come up a treat.
    Have a great time with your busy days ahead.

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  11. I had a wonderful time clicking on the links and admiring beautiful work, so THANK YOU. Enjoy your teaching and the special birthday......

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  12. I am so glad that you had the opportunity to visit Origin. I was thinking of you as I walked around and knew how inspiring you would find it.

    Good luck with the preparations for the Big Day.

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  13. Everything here is lovely, and so nice to know how friendly everyone was! Best wishes on the teaching, the degree work and the big BD!

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  14. I love the beautiful pieces that you shared...thank you...hope you are well!

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  15. I loved it too, and also bought beautiful paper cut work from Sarah Morpeth! Worth going even all the way from Yorkshire, especially with all the makers in one week for the first time (yes Jackie it used to be Chelsea). Very inspiring.

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  16. What a great day out. I had considered going but decided not to now I wish I had. I'll know better next year.
    This is a great post packed full of information. I'm off to check out the websites.

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  17. Oh sounds like you had a great day out - hope you have a good time in Devon .

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  18. I've just read Ali's recent post about Origin and it looks fantastic! I wish I could go! Lucy x

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  19. Glad you were well enough to go. I only managed to scour the Origins website to look at the exhibitors. Loved Becky Adams work and there were lots of wonderful ceramicists too.
    Have a good time in Devon!

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  20. Those brooches look so fab on the cards I don't think I could bear to take them off! Have a good few days x Penny

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  21. Origin does sound fab - thanks for the great photos for those of us who didn't get there in person. Your button brooches have turned out beautifully, I'm glad you managed to track down a suitable backing. Hope you enjoy the weekend, sounds like a busy one! We're also celebrating a birthday here - certain young lady is 11th! By the way, many congratulations on your success at the harvest fair - sorry to cram so much in to one comment, it's nice to have the time to pop by and catch up again!

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  22. I am enjoying hearing about Origin so much. That necklace in a book! Stunning.

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  23. Oh that little butterfly book is amazing. I'm determined to go to Origin next year. It sounds breathtaking.

    I'm glad you're better - sorry about the sofa day. Fancy a cuppa in the next week or two? x

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  24. It seems like I love all the same things you do.... And I have an almost 18 year old who will be celebrating his birthday in a few months....

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