All art work is copyright under the name of Jacqueline Parry and shouldnor be used without the prior consent of the artist.

Any information with regards to my artwork needs to be addressed by email to jacquelineesw@aol.com

Yesterday I spent the day at a Hothouse taster in Preston, hosted by the Crafts Council. This was a very informative day out and a fantastic way to mix with other designers and crafts people. It was also an opportunity to to network and make new contacts. Luckily I had my business crads with me and was able to pass these onto a few people who were working within the same area as myself and also to a lady that was interested in having some illustration work done as part of a new project she had just started.
Guest speakers for teh day included

Alison Brannagan who was a business advisor and gave advice on setting yourself up in business, she had also written a number of books also on this subject.

Beverly Lamey who was the course leader for Surface design at UCLAN, they offer something called artlab which is for printmakers to go to UCLAN and develop there techniques, they have access to the facilities there, an opportunity to network with other Surface designers and to exhibit your work all for a price of £165.00 for 35 sessions Monday 5-9, this is a fantastic opportunity especially as you are starting out and you haven't got the equipment to do so.

There was a talk from Angela who was the organiser and founder of the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair, she talked us through the process from interview stage as they only allow 150 designer makers to exhibit at the craft fair, to the actual event itself.

Jane Dzisiewski who is a jewellry designer that works with resin, she gave a talk on her works, how she started off and how she has benefitted from the help and support of Hot house with the Crafts Council.

Our final guest speaker was Rachel Kelly the designer of the interactive wallpaper, and she gave us an insight into where she began, the works she had done the press she has recieved from her works and wher she is now within her business and career.

It was such an opportunity to be at the day and listening to the talks on how other makers have progressed.

Fantastic News for me today!!! About a month or so ago I met with a lovely lady from Arthouse, who provide wallcovering designs and home decoration. As part of my project on looking for contacts within the industry and working freelance, I had been asked to send over some of my work. After receiving a really nice email back to say she liked my work and to get in touch once my degree is over to do some freelance work for them.. However,I been contacted today and been asked if I would do some freelance work now for them, using my illustration skills. The work needs to be done within the next two weeks which is the deadline also for our end of year degree show. I am so pleased that this gives me a great starting point for what I want to do as my chosen career path and hopefully could give me the opportunity to create even more work for me.

Since last time I was on my blog, I have been spending some time in my dads workshop making props for my final degree show, I also had the opportunity to go to Citrus Rain in Denton Manchester yesterday, as I am having my scarves for my final products made there, everyone was really nice and helpful. Myself and fellow student Sam first met with Claire who we had been in touch with on a number of occasions. She showed us around the printing unit and the guys there talked us through the process of the printing that they do and talked about all the other products they had to offer. Claire was lovely, she offered me a cup of coffee whilst I sat there and went through my designs on the computer with one of the printers and I chose the fabrics I wanted to use also. It was so nice to pass my designs over so they can be made up for me into final products, so I could carry on with some other work....

I have just had my business cards posted from moo.com, I have 3 designs in total for my cards of three different illustrations/designs I have used over the past year which had been ok'd for print. I have also had some giftcards with some of my designs printed inside as an alternative to postcards which are also ready to pick up from the printers, these will be ideal to hand out to anyone that walks onto/passes our stand at New Designers. My scarves are ready to go, I have just sent for my ceramic transfers also for my plates. I now need the time to work on a few more added designs to put in my portfolio and plenty (and I mean plenty!) of paperwork to catch up on!!! Hopefully by the beginning of next week I can get into the print room and print some of my chosen fashion lengths out onto fabric. The end is very near and it won't be long before we are showcasing our work in London at New Designers.. The pressures on, but it will all be worth it in the end x

I was also able to have my fashion lengths approved today, these will be printed out on 50x100cm lengths....

Finally the majority of my prints have been approved for my scarves and fashion lengths.... Ready now to have some fun seeing them made up and making up myself also. With only a few weeks to go the final show is getting very close. Take a look at my designs....

 

These are my final scarves with a couple more to show once I have reworked on the colour