Artsmart the festival

Here are a few pics of the Betty's Revenge stall at Artsmart.  So lovely to be outside after hours being inside designing and sewing!  The weather was great and all the stewards and stall holders were helpful, friendly and relaxed.  Due to the weather, several friends visiting/helping out, food and drink stalls and music it felt more like a festival than working...


While there I managed to get a one to one chat with Paula Reed, Style Director at Grazia Magazine.  She thought my bags and purses were on trend and stylish!!  She particularly liked the Sketchy bag and the new 50s Sears range of purses (images coming soon).

The stall

Purse collection

Bag from new range - recycled leather with printed panel

Bright sunshine

A few recycled bags

With a couple of sketchbooks

Ken and Barbie bust up

I'm not usually one for gossip (ok of course I do read the gossip columns and am a secret fan of gossip girl outfits). Anyway I feel compelled to share yet another inspired campaign by Greenpeace. Barbie is made by Mattel which uses packaging causing deforestation in Sumatra. For more info see the Greenpeace International website here and watch the break up in action in California. There is also an interview with Ken where he finds out the news.

More on artsmart

I'll be exhibiting alongside Tatty Devine and Undergrowth, it's well worth a visit. Hope to see you there!

artsmart

I am delighted to have been selected to exhibit at artsmart - the University of the Arts London's first alumni curated art and design market.  A new collection plus some old favourites will be exhibited by Betty's Revenge in the Fashion and Textiles section.  Exhibitors will wholly include alumni from:


Camberwell College of Arts
Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design
Chelsea College of Art and Design
London College of Communication
London College of Fashion
Wimbledon College of Art 


The market will be at Rootstein Hopkins Parade Ground at Chelsea College of Art and Design (next to Tate Britain).  If you fancy going it's cheaper to book tickets in advance:

Advance tickets
One-day pass £5 (concessions £3.50)
Two-day pass £9 (concessions £5)

Tickets on the day
On the door: £6 cash only (no concessions)

Keep posted on Facebook and Twitter.

Istanbul

Istanbul (Sultanahmet) skyline

Just spent a wonderful few days in Istanbul.  After creating the Izniks Abroad collection I had to go and see the real thing! The Aya Sofya is my favourite mosque, last year I made a series of notelets from a painting of it (sadly from a photo in a book), to see it for real was great and the inside is simply stunning. It was wonderful to see some of the original motifs that inspired my designs.  Naturally I visited the 'must see' spots including the Sultan Ahmet Camii (Blue Mosque), Topkapi Palace, Spice Market, Galata Tower, Beyoğlu, took a Bosphorus boat trip and of course shopped at the Grand Bazaar where I acquired two beautiful scarves and a tile to add to my coaster collection.

Sketch of the Aya Sofya

Inside Aya Sofya

Topkapi Palace - exterior of the Harem

Fair Fares - Craftivist Collective

The Craftivist Collective are collaborating with the Climate Rush campaigning group to fight for fair transport fares and they're seeking craftivists!


They are seeking:
5inch x 7inches wide fabric train coaches (patches like their Mini Protest Banners) with stats, facts, quotes, views on the  effects these train fare hikes will have.  You can use cross stitch, hand embroider, write in fabric pens, or whatever you can.

* make your bunting coaches on the train as in individual or group
* make your bunting coaches in Train Waiting rooms together and talk about the issues with each other and the public
* make your bunting coaches on Train platform stations
* get local groups involved, get your MP involved
* send your patches in (preferably before 16th April) to Flat 2, Heron House, Searles Close, London SW11 4RJ


A few facts are listed here that you could use!


You can also join on Facebook.

All Stitched Up

Hi there, my latest post at Remedy Magazine (on the charity Fine Cell Work) went up today.