Book Reviews\
Boro has become a word known in our creative vocab. Why? More than just a passing phase, this method of repair is care, it is continuing, it is loving.
Read MoreMost of us are aware of the now fashion to visibly mend our garments, especially related to wool varieties, the knitted jumper we wore so well, which now has a threadbare vibe.
Read MoreColor Basics For Makers, Understanding The Rainbow
This may look like a small offering, sitting at under 80 pages in length. BUT, think about it - where would we be without colour? This book is ideal for students and those wanting to comprehend all the colour basics, values such as complementary shades, what the differences are between secondary, primary and tertiary colours….the author also unpicks the more complex parts surrounding colour play. Saturation, tone…it is all covered.
Read MoreSpink guides us through the process of lino printing so well that there is no need to visit a studio to learn in person. There are ten projects, each built with developing instructions. Some are easier than another.
Read MoreI read many titles which begin with the word embroidery. They are all a little different of course, however most are set in a certain form, we know much of what we are getting, before we open the cover as it were. This book by Yanase Rei alters that view. I believe it is due to her cultural setting. Yes I read many a book on repair by Japanese authors, they are wonderful at this topic area, yet I have not read as many which are subject related to embroidery itself.
Read MoreThis french artist of the frothy clean squeak side, began with a base of biology, which moved onto birds…which then launched into natural soaps. I really enjoyed learning the building methods, the make up and chemistry of her creations, which could be ours if we just try.
Read More‘Indulge’, that word lives in more than just the additional subtitle of this book. The author, let me tell you straight away, is very much the person to trust when it comes to all our skincare concerns. She is a naturopath and has a successful business in skin. So this is no unpracticed offering of information which may or may not work. As someone who has had a past reason to be very strict when it came to natural x organic etc products, this tilte got me excited.
Read MoreI remember experimenting with this method during my degree studies, but it never occurred to me what materials could be used. I was very stuck on the fabric side of things, yet this title pushes this medium into a number of projects. Imagine necklaces, (using this technique on the hard surface of clay), lampshades….oh and yes fabric.
Read MorePreviously I reviewed another title by this same artist and author, on another pom-pom theme - birds. Now she has turned her attention to all the more furry than feather finds, the creatures who live amongst us, yet not generally with us.
Read MoreAs a child, did you ever dabble with wool? If so, you may have learned how to make a simple pom-pom. Most of us only challenged a colour choice, never the shape or what a pom-pom could be - become.
Read MoreThis book focuses on the feline, guiding readers through every stage to create felted cat figurines. Each project has a numbered step by step pattern to follow with related imagery. This book contains all the templates too.
Read MoreMaybe you have thought about making your own clothes; the usual skirts, dresses….have you thought about what lies beneath? At times, finding something to fit can be a nightmare, the too tight knickers….do not try to pretend you have never had a disaster that way.
Read MoreAs a young artist, who was totally new to anything relating to the textile genre, I remember first teaching myself how to felt; then needle felt. I actually gained confidence using these skills which led me on to a career in textile art as a whole. Why did I begin with these? Because they were reachable, easy to learn and results could appear before my eyes in a beautiful way.
Read MoreDare I admit it, I find the art of crochet currently beyond my stress ability. What do I mean by this? I come to my life as an artist, via fine art, the messy end of the tactile. No ruler in view, no pattern to behold. Yet this art form and yes it IS an art form in my eyes, is one I envy others and would secretly love to master. It is mathematical, methodical….almost otherworldly at times.
Read MoreThe feel of a stitch, the reminiscing of by-gone days…..a child’s view of the house old, a memory. We do not need to look far to find security, it can come right from within the place we spend most of our time - home. As humans we seem to be obsessed with harking backwards…things were better when….I wish it could be like that…again. So why not let this infiltrate into our artwork too?
Read MoreWithin Textile Creativity through Nature, there is a definite focus towards the felt, again wool being a natural medium - lending to her love. Its about what you can do with the fibre, not just seeing a flat piece of felt.
Read MoreWhy do we sew? Is it for dry cold need, a mend of a garment, an object, a dress we cannot afford to buy in a clothes store; or is there some magic behind the act in itself?
Read MoreMending matters - these two words definitely apply to this offering. This subject matter is timely, we have hot a period of dare I say mending as cool. I
Read MoreDo not be put off by the small size of this book nor its cute persona. I first discovered this form of crochet via a beautiful lifestyle store on holiday. In this relaxed location, I would totally visualise making some myself.
Read MoreThis ‘20 to make’ idea is a series with all different subject areas included by Search Press. This publication sits in a stable hardback cover at a small but mighty (Approx A5) size; making it an ideal travel companion.
Read MoreI am a freelance Fine art and Textile artist.
I teach all over the UK, holding workshops / Masterclasses and giving talks to a variety of groupps; including the Embroiders' Guild.
I welcome commissions and any questions.
I enjoy writing articles for maragzines and hope to publish my own books in the future.
Ailish Henderson | 5 Coltspool, Gateshead, NE11 0YS, United Kingdom