A spectacular jubilee craftacular

Ta da - here it is crafting fans - our spectacular crafting event is back - this time with a vintage vibe in honour of the Queen's 60th jubilee.

You'll be able to design and print either your own commemorative tea towel or your own jubilee inspired piece of wall art AND make a vintage jam jar sewing kit. We'll also have some craft demonstrations showing you how to upcycle vintage crockery into gorgeous cake stands and how to turn vintage containers into lovely candles using soy wax. If that's not enough there'll be a vintage style tea party thrown in courtesy of Lilico's, the ladies from local salon Nirvana will be showing you how to create the perfect 50's style up do and we're also hosting a super cool Vintage Boutique in association with Country House Vintage. All materials are provided we just ask you to bring a clean jam jar with you. All this for just £16 - booking is essential. Staff and tutors will be dressed up for the event so why not dig out your best vintage clobber and join us on Sunday May 27th from 1pm. Tickets from www.gallery-atelier.co.uk

This event is a social crafting event encouraged to foster the appreciation of all things handmade and to spend some quality time with working artists and makers. Atelier runs it on a not-for-profit basis because we are passionate about crafting and the handmade ethos. We host Craftacular Craftacular events 2-3 times a year. If you're not in the area it's definitely worth a trip as - on top of a brilliant crafting event and a gorgeous gallery (smiley face) - we have some of the most breathtaking coastlines in the UK right on our doorstep.

We're in Vogue ...

Strictly speaking We're not in Vogue - as in Atelier being featured in the magazine - but one of our artists is. See the Fab bright pink letter press print from masters of typography Wasted & Wounded.

And in a stroke of pure, unexpected genius, the said same print just happens to be gracing the Atelier window as we speak. Does that make us 'in vogue' kind of?

Anyways chuffed to pieces for John Cheves the maestro behind the new series of 'Punk Rock' inspired prints we have here in the gallery. They're based on lyrics from key works by bands from the punk era such as: the Sex Pistols debut album 'Never Mind The Bollocks', the Ramones album 'Rocket To Russia' and The Clash's first ten singles

They're a great addition to his 60's collection featuring the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and The Beatles.

We have all the prints in the gallery framed (£60) and unframed (£36) , we also have selection online

Giveaway!

The hugely talented screen print artist Jane Ormes was one of the first artists to work with Atelier when we opened back in July 2010. She's been a hit ever since and keeps her work fresh by introducing new work each year. Interesting fact is that Jane's mum used to live on Sticklepath Hill in Barnstaple so Jane is very familair with the area and has popped in to say hello when she's in the area for a wee visit.

Last year Jane was approached by high street giant Marks and Spencer to illustrate their Easter confectionery range. How unbelievably cool is that? So her gorgeous bunnies have hopped out of her Bristol studio and onto some boxes choc full of Easter choccies.

To celebrate Jane's success we're giving away a goodie bag full of chocolate treats with Jane's lovely designs on them ... if we don't eat them all ourselves that is ... no, no promise to just taste a few to check that they are yummy enough for Atelier's discerning customers.

The lucky winner will receive goodie bag full of chocolates including a big chocolate bunny, some little bags of mini eggs ready to hide for your Easter egg hunt and some chocolate bars. The whole package is worth £10!

All you have to do is leave a comment here on the Atelier blog, you can also enter by leaving a comment on our facebook page or sending us a direct tweet at @galleryatelier and we'll automatically enter you into the free prize draw. Closing date is midnight Monday 2nd April and is only open to UK residents (sorry oversea's fans). You've only got a week so quickerty quick, first name pulled out of the hat wins the goodie bag.

Jane has been super busy because on top of all the work for M&S she's also designed some new prints. We have a selection here at the gallery and we've popped some of her new gocco prints on the Atelier online shop. At only £20 each they're just as irresistible as those M&S choccies ...

Emily's work is in Mollie Makes

Those of you who, like me, have swooned over Emily Hogarth's screen prints and paper cuts in Atelier will be delighted to know that a piece of the artist's work has been featured in an article on Edinburgh by Mollie Makes.

Here's more info on the article from the journalist and blogger Zoe Pearson who wrote the original article.

Emily was introduced to me by a close friend who lives in Edinburgh when we were looking for a paper cut artist for a commission. I tried popping over to her studio in Leith when I was last there but it was shut - my fault as I should have called first. Doh! Leith is fab BTW, it's just a hop and a skip away from Edingburgh with lovely galleries and eateries and THE coolest place called Roseleaf where you can have cocktails that you pour out of vintage teapots. I know - how fab is that? You can also get authentic Chinese food at Chop Chop too - it was the only place that I've ever been to that serves the same food that you eat in mainland China. Green beans Chinese style yum yum.

Anyhoos I digress, Emily's a lovely friendly young lady who makes really cool screen prints from hand cut paper cuts. She has a very steady hand and oodles of patience. We have a small selection on our online shop. This is my personal favourite - it makes me happy, especially on rainy days.

And a quick word about Blue Bird. I got very excited and told absolutely everyone that I knew ... and many more that I don't ... that Emily's Blue Bird print would be appearing in the April issue of Country Living magazine. The editorial team had a re-jig of their features and Emily's print will now appear in the May issue instead as part of a 50's style photo shoot, can't wait to see how they've used it. I'll post a pic once the issue is out.

We're in the Journal this week

The lovely Rosanna from the North Devon Journal has done a great feature on Atelier's new workshop programme. The Journal (and Rosanna in particular) is very supportive of the local arts and crafts scene, so a great big Thank You on behalf of all of us x

Here's a link to the article:
http://www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk/Creating-craftwork-gallery-s-help/story-15431227-detail/story.html

And while we're at it, here's a link to the 5* review we received from local news listings site Barnstaple People:

http://www.barnstaplepeople.co.uk/arts-and-culture/art-galleries/atelier/business-15307616-detail/business.html#comment-15308209

You saw her here first ...

(one of Kayleigh's card designs for Sainsbury)

A huge and hearty very well done to the talented and rather blingalicious Kayleigh Moore who, in just her very first year as a professional maker, has been doing freelance designs for both the fashion designer Henry Holland AND Sainsbury's.

I first saw Kayleigh's work at the graduate show New Designers where degree students show off their work to the public for the first time. Her work caught my eye immediately. We got in touch and started working together towards the end of last year. Here at the gallery we have one-off originals from Kayleigh's degree show. The designs are printed onto fabric and then embellished with crysals and other lovely shiny things. It's not in the least bit surprising that they're been going down a treat. Look ...

They're cool, colourful and oooo that bling is just perfect! More work is at the framers and will be back in the gallery next week. Each piece is a completely unique and one-off piece.

In the mean time Kayleigh has told us that she has been a very busy bee since graduating. Apart from working with Atelier she's also been snapped up by the fashion designer Henry Holland for his Designers At Debenhams collection. So expect some gramaphones, lots of pink and some serious bling next season!! AND she's designed some greetings cards for the supermarket giant Sainsbury (see the image at the top of the page and the one below)

All this in just her first year since graduating. Amazing and very well deserved. Kayleigh is definitely one to watch and remember folks you saw her here first!

*Scratches chin for a moment * I'm thinking it might even be prudent to snap up some of her work before she gets hugely famous and out of reach of my wee pocket ... maybe there'll be one less piece in the gallery next week and I'll have a gorgeous piece on my wall at home ...