Ciara in a dreamland

Photographies illustrated of my final 4th year collection. 

femme noire brodee

As you know I haven't posted in sooo long! This is only because I am graduating in a few weeks ( 3 to go now). The work load had been increasing like crazy but it's going well, can't wait to hand in! Also, I kind of want to keep my work as a surprise for the show which is why I am not posting new stuff. However to give you an idea here is one of my sample still to be made into a final piece (print and embroidery with black silk ribbon on calico). 

front shop

Maisons et fenetres

This is a drawing of a builing that I did yesterday. It is reversible, you can walk into this maison from top or bottom, look for it in Paris!
Then I transformed it that way,
and maybe it could be come an embroidery that could be like a trim, an edge, une bordure. I am going to embroider it today. 

Couple inconnu

Yesterday I embroidered this couple (drawing at the top, embroidery at the bottom) who is the starting point of a story, a narrative for my project. I think the duality that they represent is a current theme in my work that I am going to follow. I still need to cut the circle and stitch it onyo a heavy ticking cotton. voila!

l'homme aux graines

This is the inside of a shop Place D'Aligre in PAris, near Bastille. This little epicerie is amazing, from muesli, pasta, sweets, plants to birds and baskets... You'll find everything. On week ends you can find a huge market, for fruits, food to old stuff, this shop is then even busier. The guys are really friendly, pop by and say hello!

Chaise Longue

The Chaise Longue (not a deck chair, a chaise longue in Francais!) in Paris are scattered around the Canal St Martin during the summer months. Keep going after the cinemas and you'll find a very enjoyable bank. You can grab a drink at one of the cafes, take it with you on the side of the water and enjoy it on your chaise longue. Watch out for the men playing the boules, you don't want to interfere with their game, they would throw you their cochonet! (which is not their baby piglet but the tiny ball in the game!)

Paris Project sketchbook

Those images are from my sketchbooks and my samples that I started to do since january. They are the first drafts for my Paris project that I am currently working on. My themes are people, bikes, patterns, buildings, flee markets amongst other things...

Valentines Boutique at the Art School

Special Event this week at the Art School, The Valentines Boutique organized by me and my pals! Come along for some lovely, crazy, funny gifts for your loved ones and yourself!

xxx

Bike and drops / leaves

I am starting to finding ways to translate my drawings (top) into embroideries (bottom). This sample was realised with free hand stitch for the bike and hand stitch for the drops. 

Paris Illustration

I have been working on my final 4th year project based in Paris. I have done a lot of illustration, I am now transforming them into design ideas (above) to finally make some embroideries. I really need to make a real start at sampling next week. It is so exciting and at the same time scary!! 

Lovers Candles

If you lit this candle, the lovers will for ever part! Lovers candle, cinammon scented, available in white and red, £3

Mini heart candles

Turn round one of those wee heart to lit it up as each of them is a mini candle!  x

New Earrings!

New range of earrings created from vintage french buttons. I have always been collecting buttons but recently I acquired an amazing amount (about two truck loads!) from a knitting factory which just closed down back in France, in my

 mum's village. They are absolutely gorgeous as the type of knitwear created by this company was of a very high quality, then they also used fantastic buttons! the designs go from sophisticated shapes, engraved motifs, faceted surfaces, marble effects, sprinkled textures... Nearly every single colour is available from bright to muted shades and many of one type comes in different colours and shapes. How amazing is that? I am so excited about it, I can't stop playing with them! Just now I have been making rings and earrings (silver plated backing by the way!). Available on Etsy! x

----Made in the Shade (last saturday) ----Art School (this week)

Last saturday we were at Made in the Shade, at the Lighthouse. We had a great time, we hope you did too. Here is a picture of our lovely Ruth in her hand made polky dot dress (If you fancy one of those fantastic killer outfit or one of her cool t-shirt let her know at ruth@ruthansell.co.uk)

We also had tea cup candles, french vintage buttons rings and earrings, berets, headbands, feather headpieces. My other friend Jemima put some of her jewellery on display and launched a new exciting range of printed scarfs. How exciting!! 

If you missed Made in the Shade, join us for a sale this week at the ART SCHOOL this wednesday, thursday and friday in the VIC gallery. XMAS is coming, get your presents sorted! x