Derbyshire Open Arts 2012

Here is a very long awaited blog post about Derbyshire Open Arts weekend.  I had a successful three days, sold lots of cards, got lots of positive feedback on my work and some very kind words about my watercolour prints, which I have never exhibitd before.  So, here are a few pics to show off how the amazing Spring Bank Arts Centre venue looked in all its renovated glory and how the eight of us artists fitted in...

Left to right from the back: Adele Kime, Lucy Gell, Paul Smith, John E.Walter, Clare Allen, Karl-Christian Geleff, Jo Orme, Me (Helen Harkawenko, incase you weren't sure!)

Exciting Art Auction!

New Mills Original are hosting an art auction to raise much needed funds for the gallery itself.  Take a peek on the website www.newmillsoriginal.co.uk to see all the goodies up for grabs, all made and offered by NMO members, artists and craftspeople from the High Peak, Derbyshire.  There are some beuatiful pieces; hand made quilts, found sea-glass jewellery, photo shoot opportunity, original art works and many many more!! Take a look and see for yourself!

Mother's Day Special deal

A hand crafted original Mother's Day card and a hand made stuffed love heart together for just £8.  Get yourself down to New Mills Original Gallery, New Mills for this special offer :)  Or if you're not local let me know if you'd like a duo deal!

'Autumn Leaves'

... has sold!  Very chuffed indeed!  I don't think I've ever posted about my more recent embroidered pieces so here is a sneak peek of what is up at New Mills Original gallery.
 

It's only Day 7...

...of December, so there's still time to get original and individual Christmas cards for your loved ones.  Visit my Etsy shop here or my Folksy shop here if you'd like to buy online.  Or visit my stockists Fibre in Manchester, No 12 in Marple, The Pavilion Gardens in Buxton and New Mills Original Gallery in New Mills.  Or, failing that send me a little email if you've got something specific in mind! 

Cherry Blossom

I have finally finished a new larger stitched piece of a cherry blossom tree, developed from this watercolour.

It's in the process of being proffessionally photographed and then will be framed, hopefully in time for the next rehang at New Mills Original at the end of October.  I decided to make a new piece in response to the popularity of the first blossom tree I made, which sold at the start of the month (yay!).  Fingers crossed my new piece, Cherry Blossom, will be just as popular!

Feeling Festive!

I thought this year I'd be more organised and make a start on Christmas cards.  I've completed a few orders for Pavilion Gardens in Buxton and No.12 in Marple already and I am continuing to stock them up for New Mills Original, Fibre in Manchester and for the Stockport Handmade Market I am taking part in on the 27th November (more about this soon!)

So, to get you all in the Festive mood I'm posting up some images of the Christmas cards I've made already.  Happy (almost) Holidays!

A 'Softer' side to graffiti...

If you are out and about anywhere near New Mills town centre in the next two weeks, you should pick up a map from New Mills Original for the Woolly Wander.  A huge collaboration of volunteers and artists have descended upon the town and graffitied wherever they could get the mitt(ens) on, in the more unusual method of knitting!  Visit www.facebook.com/NewMillsOriginal for more information.  Meanwhile here are a few photos of the event!

A Little Update...

... on my goings on.

I am pleased to say my embroidered chickens that were on sale at New Mills Original flew away in July!  I am still pleased as punch that someone has purchased one of my embroidered pieces, hopefully this is the start of a trend!

A friend of mine got married recently and kindly asked me to make her thank you cards.  I am super excited about this opportunity, it will be a great experience and hopefully if everything goes well I'll be able to offer personalised wedding thank you cards in my Etsy shop.  Updates on this once the client and recipients have sent and seen them!

New Stockists page...

... on my website! Please see the new stockists page on my website to see all the places you can find my hand made cards.

www.helenharkawenko.co.uk

Derbyshire Open Arts

So, today I've been setting up for the opening of the Derbyshire Open Arts Festival which I am taking part in through New Mills Original gallery. It runs Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 11 - 5 and lots of artists and venues are taking part throughtout the whole of the Derbyshire county. It will be an interesting few days in which I will be exhibiting a few new pieces.

Come and visit us if you can at:

Unit 4/4A Rock Mill Lane,

New Mills,

High Peak,

SK22 3BN

More information about the event here at http://www.derbyshireopenarts.co.uk/

Artist cards

I sell my artist cards at New Mills Original so I thought I'd share with those who aren't local to the gallery what my hand embellished art cards look like.




It is a print of my hand stitched 'Spring Tree' which I then hand stitch tiny beads onto to accentuate the colours and add dimension. I then attach them with foam pads which creates a 'floating' effect.

Father's Day

The special day for Dads is creeping up fast, only a month to go! So I've been busy making lots of cards; simple bold designs in bright but manly colors and patterns.


You can find them in New Mills Original gallery, Fibre in the Manchester Craft and Design Centre and select designs in my Etsy and Folksy shops.

I've also been working on a few commissions, I'll post up the pictures in a week or so once I know the recipients have had chance to see them!

Super Busy Times!

This past week has been incredibly jam packed! I have been very busy making lots and lots of Mother's Day cards for Fibre, New Mills Original gallery and I've had quite a few personal orders too.



I taught in a joint embroidery and felting workshop at New Mills Original; it has made me think about maybe hosting my own which would give me the push to start stitching again. I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed it!

More art news, it is the big re-hang at the gallery this week and I have had this image framed for it. It'll be something new to look at as it's been four months since I joined!

Feeling Festive

Handmade Christmas cards most of which can be bought from New Mills Original and Fibre (at Manchester Craft and Design Centre). Or contact me if you can't get to the gallery or into Manchester.

My Local Gallery...

... of which I am a new member.



The gallery is a wonderful space which exhibits work for sale by artists who live in the High Peak. Three of my original hand stitched pieces are on display as well as four prints. I also have hand made cards, hand knitted keyrings and hand stitched suffolk puff brooches for sale there too. There are some beuatiful pieces in the gallery by very skilled artists and craft makers. And the organisation re-invests any profits back into the gallery. Well worth a visit and a great place to find that original Christmas gift!