Silkscreen & Scribble the inner workings of a hand printed textile studio

So that’s us just about caught up with 2009. Just one last thing to share. In a quest to try something new creative - and also wanting to make something just for fun instead to to sell - I enrolled in an silverwork evening class.

Over the 10 week course we learnt to how to cut and shape sheet silver and wire, soldering and how to create different finishes like hammered or brushed silver. I don’t wear a lot of jewellery but I do like necklaces so I made 3 pendants.

They’re all far from perfect and not exactly the most exciting or different designs but I like them and it is rather nice to get compliments when wearing them - even if I’m thinking “please don’t look too closely at the dodgy soldering etc”.

I have so many ideas of things I would like to make now that I have a bit more idea what is possible but sadly no time to do another class just now but it’s definitely going on my “someday” list.

Posted: February 27th, 2010 in making things.
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After weeks of day and night working to get enough stock together I was back in London in November for the Country Living Christmas Fair. Marram Studio was there along with 6 other Orkney stands who made up the Orkney Craft Village. Here’s my little stand:

After spending a week in the big smoke, as well as meeting lots of customers, the following facts were discovered:

• Marram Studio handbag mirrors and fridge magnets do make ace stocking fillers (coming soon to the shop)
• Commuting is hell for someone used to a 5 minute walk to work
• It is not possible to have too much yummy Lebanese food
• It is physically impossible to visit London without having to visit Paperchase (or is that just me?)

Posted: February 25th, 2010 in exhibitions & events.
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I opened up my studio shop for a couple of afternoons a week through the summer and met all sorts of interesting people who were visiting Orkney. When people visit my studio I often ask if it is their first visit to Orkney and I’m amazed at the number who say they come here every year. I think Orkney is a kind of “Marmite” place - people either come once and don’t like it (too quiet, too remote, not enough shops) or (and this is the more common response) they totally fall in love with the place and want to come back again and again. If you’re into the outdoors, big open skies, beautiful coastlines, wildlife, history, walking, crafts and locally produced food then it really is the place to visit and if you would like to then I suggest a look at Visit Orkney to find out more.

Also in the summer I showed at the County Show. Now I’m just to going to admit from the start that I was pretty sceptical about this one. Normally handmade crafts aren’t the first thing I would associate with an agricultural show but I am clearly out of date in my thinking. First thing on a morning in August I packed up the car and headed off to Kirkwall to setup my stand in the Craft Tent.

It was a scorchingly beautiful day and after a quiet start the craft tent was packed. I had printed up some special “100% percent Orkney beef” t-shirts for the show and they went down a storm! It was a fun day and I’ll definitely be taking part again this year.

Just goes to show you should never be afraid to try something new! Massive thanks have to go to my great friend Eilidh for coming along to play shop, putting up with me worrying about getting everything set up in time and going on little excursions for steak rolls, icecream and sweeties!

Posted: February 22nd, 2010 in exhibitions & events, inside the studio.
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Wow, I can’t quite believe it’s over halfway through February already! So many plans for 2010 but first I would like to catch up on 2009.

After the taking the plunge in March and changing the business name to Marram Studio, I packed up the car at the end of May and headed on done to London to exhibit at Pulse.

It was a real adventure as it’s the first time I’ve driven down to London on my own (I know this may not seem like a big deal but when most of your driving is around a tiny little island - London is pretty scary!) and the first time I’ve done a show 100% on my own with no help. So after several hours putting up shelves etc here is the finished stand (apologies for the poor lighting - super strong spotlights and crappy overhead lighting does not make for happy photos).

The show was great, I met lots of lovely customers and other exhibitors and I’ll be back again this year from 6-8th June!

Posted: February 20th, 2010 in exhibitions & events.
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