abigailBROWN

Set of 10 Postcards

2012-01-31T07:36:00.000-08:00

New to my shop...a set of 10 postcards featuring beautiful photographs of 10 of my fabric bird sculptures.

Flamingo

Long Eared Owl

Golden Oriole

Budgerigar

Blue Tit

Wren

Kingfisher

Peacock

Hoopoe

Anna's Hummingbird

All printed on 350gsm matte board and packaged in a biodegradable cello bag.

www.abigailbrown.bigcartel.com

Wedding Dress Swan Commission

2012-01-13T03:24:00.000-08:00

Just a little look at the commission I just finished, creating a little Swan using the off-cuts of an altered wedding dress and some of the veil. Such a lovely idea to make use of something that was only intended for one occaision. Now the lady who commissioned it can have a little piece of her wedding day sitting in her living room!

Homes & Gardens feature

2012-01-11T04:15:00.000-08:00

Love this photo from February's H&G, styled by Ali Brown. (p117) Great display idea you may just see appearing in my shop in the not too distant future! Really adds another level to the birds.

Thank you Ali!

...and another little press feature from last year in Germany's 'in' magazine...

Cute Xmas Wrap

2011-12-14T01:48:00.000-08:00

This will be one just for readers in the UK... if you're looking for some super cute, beautiful quality xmas wrapping paper...I highly recommend a trip over to Etsy shop 'Cotton Baked by Lulu'

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Nikkipea?ref=si_shop

...it's just too cute, and there are only a couple more days left to grab some in time!!

Cockpit Arts Christmas Open Studios 2011

2011-11-17T02:15:00.001-08:00

Holborn: Cockpit Yard, Northington Street, London, WC1N 2NP

25 - 27 November

Deptford: 18-22 Creekside, London, SE8 3DZ

2 - 4 December

It's the time of the year for mulled wine, mince pies and Christmas shopping! And the makers at Cockpit are preparing to welcome you in from the cold for this year's Christmas Open Studios. You'll find me at both sites this year...with a few new things to show you, including postcards of the birds and some brand new prints.

Vogue calls us ''...London's most excting creative talent'', come see for yourself!

Competition

I have 4 tickets to give away, each entitling 2 people to enter for free to either site. To enter the competition please email me at abigail@abigail-brown.co.uk, entitling your email 'xmas'. I'll pick the winners at random on Monday.

Ghosts of Gone Birds exhibition

2011-10-28T04:57:00.000-07:00

The wonderful exhibition 'Ghosts of Gone Birds' is now being put up, ready to open on November 2nd. I just finished my piece...the Lesser Akialoa who disappeared from Hawaii in the 40's.

I've grown quite attached to this little fellow and feel so sad that he's no longer to be found.

The idea behind the show is to bring to our attention the crisis facing so many species of bird by bringing to life the ones we have already lost.

The artist, musicians and writers all involved in this great project, have each chosen a bird from a list of extinct species to represent in their medium.

The exhibition will showcase all these works alongside a second section which looks at the birds who are facing a rapid decline... hoping that we can draw enough attention to it and prevent the same from happening to them.

Cery Levy (filmmaker/producer and writer best known for the Gorillaz film Bananaz) and Chris Aldhous are the visionaries behind the whole project and have brought together so many wonderful people; Sir Peter Blake, Jamie Hewlett, Keith Newstead , Ralph Steadman, Margaret Atwood, Rob Ryan, Polly Morgan, Matt Sewell, Le Gun, Jon Burgerman, Oliver Jeffers, Angie Lewin, Claire Brewster, Emily Sutton...on and on...

Here's a little taste of the work on show, but really... you must come and see for yourselves!:

Esther Tyson

Matt Sewell

Pete Fowler

Emily Sutton

Greg Poole

Ben Newman

Le Gun

Margaret Atwood

Rob Ryan

Ralph Steadman

Ghosts of Gone Birds

November 2nd - 23rd

Rochelle School

Arnold Circus

London

E2 7ES.

www.facebook.com/ghostsofgonebirds

Harper's Bazaar

2011-10-27T02:19:00.000-07:00

Great press feature in November's Harper's Bazaar! Wonderful!! I feel very chic!

...and two other press features:

Quilts Japan, November issue.

Gardens Illustrated November issue.

New Illustration Blog

2011-10-15T02:01:00.001-07:00

Way back in 2003 I graduated from a degree in Surface Decoration and Printed Textiles. Whilst the majority of my work now is in craft, I can still be found making many a doodle as a freelance illustrator and designer.

I've worked for all kinds of fields from children's books to children's wear, fashion to interior textile print design, and greetings cards to stationery.Over the years I have worked for Mothercare, Marks and Spencer, Adams, Mamas & Papas, Usborne Publishing, John Lewis, Hotch Potch Publishing and Zutano to name a few.

I've just created a new blog to showcase my print and illustration work and you can find it all here. Enjoy!!

Decor8

2011-10-12T02:20:00.000-07:00

Origin was a great week for meeting all kinds of wonderful people whose work I admire greatly. One of these people was Holly Becker, creator of the beautiful blog Decor8.

Holly bought a couple of pieces from me and I was delighted to see they made it onto the blog.

Thank you Holly!! You have such great taste so it's quite an honour and it was really lovely to meet you.

New things!!

2011-10-03T13:07:00.000-07:00

My latest creations have just been added to the webshop...come take a peek....

There are some beautiful, bright, exotic birds to add to the collection, along with some equally lovely British varieties, including the lapwing, heron and plover.

Hmmm...what next?!

Origin 2011

2011-10-03T03:10:00.000-07:00

Wow! What an exhausting week!

It's taken me a few days to get over it but it was a wonderful show. I met so many lovely people, talented makers whose work I love (in particular Sophie Woodrow, Claire Brewster and Guy Bird...hmm slight bird/creature theme there!) and admirers and collectors of my own work.

It takes a lot of courage to put the things you have created out into the world for people to judge and a great deal more to be there with it. I have to say I struggle a little bit with this part and after months of working really hard to build the work and think through how I would exhibit it all, I'd already reached the brink of exhaustion and the point at which you question everything you have done and it's worth before Origin even began!

I know that art is very subjective and that we won't all like the same things so I accept fully that people won't like what I am making...but it feels pretty wonderful to know that there are people who do, and even more wonderful when they come back a second time, or a third or forth time to buy more!

Aside from one lady's comments on my display that didn't make me feel very good, and another funny lady who felt inclined to tell me I was far prettier and younger looking in my photos! Ha! ...I had such a great time meeting people who had such touching things to say about my work. THANK YOU if one of them was you!!!

All in all it was a great week and after a long weekend in the sunshine I'm now...just about...ready to go back to the studio and make a start on all the orders!

I somehow managed not to take any photos the entire week :( but have managed to hunt out a few to show you what it all looked like...the idea behind it was an old curiosity shop/natural history museum...so there were display cabinets, a bell jar with a little moth inside, spools as plinths, bird books, some english garden flowers to make it cheery and little name plaques for the birds on the wall which identified them in english and in latin...hope you'll like it!

Origin- COMPETITION!

2011-09-07T06:11:00.000-07:00

I realised I had forgotten to mention I would be at this years Origin show opening later this month. I exhibited there last year for the first time and it led to so many wonderful things this past year. I was sharing a stand last year but have opted for the full stand all to myself this time and have been having a wonderful time scouring flea markets, second hand shops, junk yards and Ebay for the perfect display equipment. I'm going for a take on a museum exhibit, and have some beautiful cabinets I'm still in the process of restoring...(will add some photos in another post)

Origin is a contemporary craft fair run by the Crafts Council and takes place in London at Old Spitalfields Market.

****COMPETITION****

I have a limited number of passes for the event and wanted to offer one ticket out to a customer/fan/reader of my blog...so here goes.

All you need to do is email me at abigail@abigail-brown.co.uk and say what your favourite piece of my work is. I will pick a winner at random on Friday 16th September so you have time(if in the UK of course) to get yourself organised for a visit.

It'll be a great show!!...GOOD LUCK!!!!

Origin

22-28th September

Old Spitalfields Market

London

E1 6EW

Anna's Hummingbird

2011-08-22T04:13:00.000-07:00

I had made an anna's hummingbird a long long time ago for a lady who was very fond of them. I just finished up my second commission and am delighted with the results...it's nice to see how my work moves on over the years as I develop my skills and techniques further.

BBC Homes & Antiques magazine

2011-08-12T07:56:00.000-07:00

There's a lovely feature on me and my work in this months BBC Homes & Antiques magazine. The piece is in the 'Antiques for the Future' section and is written by Emily Brooks, with beautiful photography by Sarah Cuttle. I was delighted to reason that antiques expert Graham Lay 'honestly, truly love[s] them'! Thanks Graham!!

Oh Canada...

2011-06-27T06:47:00.000-07:00

Excited to show you the pieces I created for a beautiful little group show in Toronto, Canada which opens this week. I was invited by my lovely friend Margie, from Resurrection Fern to take part in a show she has curated on the theme of birds.

The show is titled 'Winged Migration' and features the work of:

and me!

These ladies are all incredibly talented and I can trust with Margie at the helm, this will be wonderful show to visit if you can...sadly I can't :( .

Open June 29th - July 24th.

Bookhou, 798 Dundas Street West, Toronto, Canada.

And here are my contributions, 4 Canadian birds: blue jay, canadian warbler, chicadee and towhee. These items will also be added to my shops very shortly.

New!!!!

2011-06-22T05:32:00.000-07:00

These delightful little swans have just appeared in my Etsy shop and will shortly be found on my own webshop too.

They are my newest creations, launched at my open studios weekend and to huge success to my delight!

I can picture them as wedding gifts or even as exquisite cake toppers! but equally simply perched on a shelf in a home or work space, and lovingly admired.

Cockpit Arts Deptford- June 18-19th

2011-06-18T01:08:00.001-07:00

Come on down and visit me this weekend at Cockpit Arts in Deptford for their Open Studios weekend...

18-22 Creekside

Deptford

London

SE8 3DZ

Styling by Emma Cassi

2011-06-16T02:44:00.000-07:00

I had the most wonderful afternoon at the incredibly beautiful home of Emma Cassi and her photographer husband Bertrand Bosrédon a few weeks back.

Emma set about arranging my work around her house whilst Bertrand composed the photos. It was fascinating to watch them at work and I was in awe of the beauty of their home, so many gorgeous things filling very little corner.

The photos are just perfect I'm sure you'll agree!

Emma is also a jewellery designer, crafting her pieces by hand from antique lace and beads. They are just as delightful as she is!

Elle Deco and Homes & Gardens

2011-06-16T02:38:00.001-07:00

Two lovely press features this month...bit of a game of hide and seek...each image features a bird or two, there's also some butterflies in there...

Country Living June 2011

2011-05-19T06:06:00.001-07:00

This month's Country Living magazine features two of my little birds. You can find them in the Emporium on page 16. Very nice indeed!

Made in Clerkenwell

2011-05-19T05:38:00.000-07:00

Tonight from 5-8pm it's the launch party of Made In Clerkenwell, the summer open studios event at Craft central.
You'll find me in the showcase space at:
33-35 St John's Square
London
EC1M 4DS

Opening hours:
Thurs 19th May: 5-8pm
Fri 20th: 12-8pm
Sat 21st: 12-6pm
Sun 22nd: 12-6pm.

Financial Times- HOW TO SPEND IT

2011-05-19T05:26:00.000-07:00

Dominic Lutyens has written a piece for the on line version of the FT's How To Spend It magazine, on Made In Clerkenwell, an event I am taking part in this weekend...and it features my peacock!

Craft2eu Hamburg, Germany

2011-05-09T14:57:00.000-07:00

I regretfully missed off some other important information from my recent newsletter and wanted to post about it here for any of you in Germany who might like to see my work or the work of other very talented artists and makers...

Vogelshau is the title of the beautifully curated exhibition on at Craft2eu currently.

On from 27th April until 18th June. Mon to Fri 12am- 7pm. Sat 11am- 4pm.

Craft2eu, Eppendorfer Weg 231, D- 20251, Hamburg, Germany

Made In Clerkenwell

2011-05-05T08:42:00.000-07:00

On the 19th-22nd May, you'll find me at Craft Central in Clerkenwell, taking part in the Summer show. All work is for sale throughout the weekend, so come...avoid the high street crowds and meet 90+ designer makers selling exceptional craft and design.

Special Launch Night on Thurs 19 May, 5-8pm
Late Night Shopping on Fri 20 May, 12noon - 8pm

Craft Central, 21 Clerkenwell Green, London EC1R 0DX
and
Craft Central, 33-35 St John’s Square, London EC1M 4DS

New in the shop...

2011-05-05T08:32:00.000-07:00

Hooray!! There are finally some new things in the shop!
Adding to the bird collection are 4 new species birds:

Flamingo
Great tit
Wren
Cardinal

And then to add to the creatures section there are:
The Wierdlets
You can find them all in both my Etsy and Bigcartel shops...now!

...and whilst in Paris...

2011-05-05T08:31:00.000-07:00

...I also found this in the pages of Marie Claire Idées...
Love the painting in the background here too!

Paris in Springtime...

2011-05-05T08:22:00.000-07:00

I took a little day trip to Paris last month so that amongst other things I could see my birds on display at Bensimon - Home Autour du Monde in le Marais.
They had a beautiful display...and not too many of them left which was pleasing to see!
My birds were shown alongside the bird paintings of Rob Clarke...I do love those!!

Where do my birds go?...

2011-04-06T04:41:00.000-07:00

Just received word from this little blue tit now settled in his new home in France...beautiful! Thank you Gaelle

Junior Magazine

2011-03-10T03:56:00.000-08:00

Ooh, now this is pretty! Love the muted colours with the pretty floral fabrics.

Thank you to Junior Magazine for featuring my birds in this months issue.

Paul Smith- Fashion week

2011-02-23T08:37:00.001-08:00

Finally, after a long excited wait...my birds have made it to the Paul Smith Sloane Avenue store in London! They're on show for London Fashion Week, but might possibly hang around a little longer...they certainly look like they've made themselves at home!

I'm so delighted to see them in such a wonderful shop...here's a peek...

Commissions

2011-02-15T05:36:00.001-08:00

My latest commission, just collected and on it's way to it's native home land, Israel...introducing the white bespectacled bulbul...with his flashy yellow bum!

New additions to the flock...

2011-02-07T10:54:00.000-08:00

I have been building work for an exhibition I am very excited about, but I will keep schtumm a little longer, just until it is open and I can take some photos to announce it properly.

These little fellows, and one not so little fellow, are my new works...I was trying to cover a few different colours rather than think of a theme, so we have a mix of tropical and British birds who look happy enough in each others company!

a little bee eater
a collared dove
a wren
a fairy wren
and the gigantic pheasant! my biggest conquest to date!

I really can't wait to see them on display...

New things!

2011-02-04T03:51:00.000-08:00

Last year I started to do a little experimenting with laser cutting and finally have these little brooches to add to my shop...

So far we have a swan and a peacock, each available in 4 different colours: turquoise(malachite), mustard, lilac(frozen raspberry) and salmon(shrimp) at £18 each.

I look forward to introducing some more pieces very soon!

In Vogue

2011-01-31T11:50:00.000-08:00

My little Blue tit has made the 'If you like, you'll love' feature in March's Vogue(UK edition)

Hooray for him!

STYLENV blog feature

2011-01-28T03:37:00.000-08:00

I did a little Q&A session for the design blog Stylenv a few weeks ago...it's now online featuring the beautiful photos my talented step sister Emma took.

Tales from the Sock Drawer...

2011-01-14T03:39:00.001-08:00

I've finally got some photos of the exhibition through...LOVE the Felt Mistress's chest! awesome characters! and love the tiny scene Kate Toms has created in the back of her chest...so sweet! Donna Wilson's fab characters looking as cool as ever... Great that everyone's pieces are so different.

The show is still on at 20-21 Visual Arts Centre Scunthorpe, until January 29th...then hopefully it'll all take a little tour to some other places. Will keep you posted.

Elle Decoration

2011-01-13T04:11:00.000-08:00

My little Siskin is making a tiny cameo appearance in this months Elle Decoration...it's a bit of a hide and seek game, but he's there...perched on some cushions...

This weeks treat...

2011-01-13T03:55:00.000-08:00

I would like to announce the opening of a wonderful new shop, Cotton baked by Lulu.

I dropped in this morning and made my first purchase...this gorgeous little fellow 'Ned'...can't wait for him to arrive.

Cotton baked by Lulu is a new venture of the superbly talented designer Nicola Pearson. I've been a fan of Nikki's since I first met her at uni some 11 years ago! I'm delighted she's now selling her stuff again...pop over yourself and take a peek!

Commissions

2011-01-12T09:52:00.001-08:00

I had some lovely commissions at the end of the year and didn't manage to post up any photos.

Here are 2 of them...a beautiful Curlew made for a couple from good old Yorkshire, and a delightful little Eastern bluebird, commissioned as a surprise for someone's Mother...

...commissions are always a bit daunting because I worry my representation won't live up to what the customer has imagined...but so far so good!

Where do my birds go?...

2011-01-12T05:09:00.000-08:00

Over the years of selling my little creatures, I've occasionally received photos of them in their new home. It's lovely to see where they end up and what new sights they behold.

This month I received a lovely email out of the blue from a talented photographer/artist, Peter Yankowski...who sent me this fab photo! Isn't it wonderful?!

...and it got me to thinking how lovely it would be to continue this sort of thing so I can share with you where my birds go when they leave me, but this of course relies upon their new owners sending me some photos, so we can only sit tight and hope!...

On the 6th day of Christmas...

2010-12-06T07:08:00.000-08:00

...a lovely customer sent to me...

this beautiful photo of her new friend enjoying the snow!

Thank you Sarah, it's such a pretty photo.

Cockpit Arts Christmas Open Studios

2010-11-17T04:08:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again for snooping in studios, sipping tasty mulled wine, feasting on fine foods, and most importantly purchasing some beautiful handmade gifts for your nearest and dearest this Christmas...

Yes...it's Cockpit Arts' Christmas Open Studios!

Holborn: 26th-28th November
Deptford: 3rd-5th December

I'll be here, at my studio in Holborn, ready to greet you all with a glass of glögg and some spiced biscuits and with plenty of new treats on display. Do hope you can make it!

This year I have 5 free tickets to give away that will provide you with free entry to the Holborn open studios on 26th, 27th and 28th November. Entry is £5 so to snap up your free ticket please send me an email to enter yourself in the draw. I'll randomly select the 5 winners on Monday 22nd November...so get emailing!!

abigailbrown81@hotmail.co.uk

What?!?!?...more new work!!!

2010-11-10T00:24:00.000-08:00

Gosh...even more new work to post, I do feel like I've been busy!

These little critters are on their way to Munich, Germany for the 'Artistic Toys' exhibition at Galerie Handwerk. I've taken part in this Christmas exhibition for the past three years now and love being invited back. It's a fab gallery and the theme is left as open as that so we are all free to come up with whatever it is we might like. I try each year to make something new and exciting for myself and this year has certainly been the most fun. I doubt many of us will be in Munich this Christmas so here's a peek at what I've sent...

Some new things!!!

2010-11-09T08:39:00.000-08:00

Wow! It's just non stop crazy at the moment and as usual I'm thoroughly behind on everything...including posting anything on here! I've been making new work for several exhibitions and it's been great to take a break from the birds, as lovely as they are!

The first project was for 20:21 Visual Art gallery in Scunthorpe, 'Tales from the Sock Drawer' called upon the 9 artists taking part.... ( Claire Montgomerie, Donna Wilson, Kate Toms, Lindsay Marsden ( The Black Rabbit), Rebecca Shreeve (Quirkles), Lucy Turnner (Lucy Moose), Louise Evans ( Felt Mistress) and Anna Creighton).... to work their story around a chest of drawers.

My creatures turned their chest of drawers into a travelling circus...

Paul Smith

2010-11-08T01:20:00.001-08:00

I had an incredibly exciting request from Paul Smith's head office, to borrow my birds to feature in their Spring/Summer 2011 Press Day last week. Here is a look at how they were displayed...

http://www.facebook.com/paulsmithdesign

Selvedge Christmas Fair 2010

2010-11-08T01:16:00.000-08:00

I shall be at the Selvedge fair on the 4th December, selling my wares. It promises to be a lovely day, just how Christmas fairs should be...mulled wine, mince pies and lots of beautiful handmade treats to feast your eyes on.

Hope to see you there!

Natural Beauty

2010-10-04T10:11:00.000-07:00

Through some blog, at some time...I completely forget when and where...I discovered the blog 'resurrectionfern'. It is the daily diary of Margaret Oomen, a talented maker from Canada, whose interests and explorations in nature are captured and documented for us all to share in.

I'm swept away into the forests of Canada every time I find my way to her blog, tiptoeing past nesting swans, breathing in the moss and decaying leaves, the fresh forest air and the many flowers and plants she sweeps gently past. Her eyes find the most exquisite examples of natural beauty, from tiny mushrooms to dew dropped spider webs, often added to to form compositions for her photographs, or simply captured as they are, in all their glory.

I don't feel I've ever seen Nature the way Margie sees it, I feel as though they are things I am seeing for the first time. Her pictures excite me, they fill me with that wonder of childhood, the introduction to things you know almost nothing about. They make me so very envious of where she lives and the journeys she makes into that land each day...but I am sure if I set out each day, exploring my surroundings the way Margie does I'd find those same things that currently go by unnoticed.

Margie asked me to make her a little Blue tit a few months back and in exchange I asked her if she could make me one of her beautiful crochet covered stones.

It's taken me such a long time to post it up for you to see, but I didn't want to just throw it up here without taking time to explain how wonderful her blog is. If you feel trapped in the city, severed from nature, take a trip to resurrection fern and get yourself a little dose, it will force you to find time for explorations of your own! and if you would like a beautiful crochet covered stone for your very own...here is Margie's shop

Origin

2010-09-08T04:20:00.000-07:00

Eek! 2 weeks to go for Origin. I'm madly crafting and the collection is very steadily growing...making some exciting pieces and some sizes bigger than I've so far managed.

I hope it'll be a great show and all the hard work will pay off.

I struggle a bit being on show with my work so it's a mixture of excitement and dread that I'm feeling in anticipation of standing there with my work for a week! It's always lovely to meet people who admire my work and I love the smiles I can see appearing on people's faces as they take the birds in...but I do find it a bit scary standing there all alone waiting for those responses!

Hopefully I will see lots of friendly faces and the days will fly by!

Origin is a wonderful show, packed with talented makers from all disciplines. This year will be it's first at Spitalfields market...which I personally feel is a great location.

Origin will run from the 23rd-29th September, tickets are £8 in advance and £12 on the door.

Please come and say hi if you make a trip!

Calling All Stylist Assistants...

2010-09-06T10:25:00.000-07:00

My friend Polly is looking for some freelance stylist assistants. If you are interested please go to her blog here for more details. You can contact her from her blog. Thank you :D

Big Chill workshop video

2010-08-24T07:07:00.000-07:00

Following my post after the Big Chill Festival, Mr Goode has put together this lovely video he shot during the workshop days. Magpahi has kindly let us use her music again...very befitting a bird making workshop!

Bringing my creatures to life....

2010-08-24T01:41:00.000-07:00

My super talented friend Craig Goode, was asked by IdN magazine to contribute a video to their 100th anniversary edition. I'm on tenterhooks waiting for it to appear in the shops but until then I have the animation to post here for you all to see.

It was a first for both Craig and myself and so much learnt for next time...but I think he's done an incredible job...it's got such a beautiful feel to it and works perfectly with the Magpahi soundtrack.

I'm keen to give it another go with Craig as chief animator so stay tuned!!

Big Chill 2010

2010-08-11T23:54:00.000-07:00

Earlier in the year I'd been invited by Selvedge to join them in running a sewing workshop at the Big Chill Festival. Last weekend Team Selvedge headed out to Eastnor Castle to set up shop, teaching participants how to make a little fabric bird that would then be hung in a nearby tree for the duration of the festival.

The event was a huge success, with hundreds of birders keen to take part. It was lovely to see the dedication, care and love that went into making these little birds...and the smiles on so many peoples faces as they finished theirs up and hung them in the tree.

Thank you to any of you who might have come along and taken part, and to my friends who offered themselves up to help and of course to the lovely Selvedge ladies who asked me to be part of it.

Photograph credits to the lovely Abbi and Craig Goode and Benedict Sanderson.

Small Magazine

2010-08-02T07:07:00.001-07:00

Delighted to find my flamingo and peacock gracing the pages of Small Magazine today!

I love how they piece the magazine together, really inspiring pages...there's always a heap of people to investigate.

This second page lead me to some other textile artists making some other truly beautiful works...

...gorgeous!

Swanning about...

2010-07-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

I've just finished up the last stitches on this fine fellow... introducing... Mr Swan!

He looks a little on the plump side so he obviously likes a good feed! He's taken me a fair old while to create. His body involved a third section which created his large tummy, and added considerably to the stuffing time. Very sore little fingers now!

I'm feeling really pleased with him. It's quite an accomplishment as my pieces grow as I'm really only comfortable in the realm of small things! But it's really quite something to work larger, this little guy has such presence...hmmm...what next?!

Mr Swan will be heading off to Birmingham next week to be part of the 'Once Upon a Time' exhibition at the RBSA gallery.

He measures 28cm in height and is priced at £380.

YOU magazine

2010-07-14T07:59:00.001-07:00

Two of my species of birds were featured in YOU magazine last week, following an article on Nathalie Lete's beautiful home. I am a huge fan of her work so I'm delighted to be shown alongside her.

New little birds for sale

2010-06-29T07:54:00.000-07:00

I've just added 5 new species birds to my shop...they are part of my British Garden Birds collection.

There's a Song thrush, a House sparrow, a Blue tit, a Redstart and a Siskin...all waiting to hop off their branches and fly away home.

Please come and take a peek...these are limited edition pieces and likely won't be seen again.

Origin

2010-06-24T03:37:00.000-07:00

I am delighted to announce my hugest news...I will be showing at Origin this year!!

This is a new year for Origin, moving from it's home at Somerset House to Spitalfields market, and now all as one week.

I'm delighted to have been accepted and more than a little nervous about it, but very excited!

Please come and say hi if you're planning a visit, friendly faces will be more than welcome!!

Selvedge issue 34

2010-05-18T06:38:00.000-07:00

Hooray! Today I finally got my hands on a copy of this months Selvedge magazine, the 'Romance' themed issue...
Pages 76-79 feature a little interview with me and some photos of my studio which is really an honour so a huge thank you to Polly and the girls for featuring me.

I was delighted to see Emma Cassi's beautiful jewellery is featured, giving us a sneaky peak at her elegantly styled home...such a talented lady!

A Girly Interior In London

2010-05-10T05:29:00.000-07:00

Very excited to open the little parcel that was sent to me last week containing the Japanese book 'A girly interior in London' that featured a shoot at my old flat and an interview I can't read because it's in Japanese!

The book was styled by Emma Cassi, jewellery and styling extraordinaire!

It was really fun to have the team round making things look nice in my rather bizarre old bedroom...would have preferred slightly to have had it in my new one but hey ho! I would guess a lot of time went into painting those wardrobes so it's nice that they can be appreciated so far afield!

Thank you to Emma for choosing to include me in such a beautiful little book, and to Aya Nomura for writing, what I'm sure is a nice little account of me and my room.

The book is published by Editions de Paris.

Kids Modern 2010

2010-04-15T07:26:00.000-07:00

Head to Dulwich College this Sunday, 18th April, where I'll be showing some work at the fab 'Kids Modern' show. The show features all kinds of product and clothing design for kids, aimed at parents who want something a little different and more imaginative than the average kids shop offers.

A fun day is planned for all with workshops and activities, food, music and beautiful things to fill your homes with.

Sunday April 18th

10-4pm

Dulwich College, SE21

Embroidery feature

2010-03-06T07:40:00.000-08:00

Months back I was interviewed by a lovely lady, Susie Johns, for a feature in Embroidery magazine, the publication of the Embroiderer's Guild.

I had no idea how big a feature they would make of my work and was totally blown away to discover that not only do I have a 6page spread, but my little butterflies adorn the front cover!

Wow! Thanks so much to both Susie and Jo Hall at Embroiderer's Guild for the coverage, I am delighted!

Little Birds

2010-03-06T07:19:00.000-08:00

Available from April...this very cute little book I contributed a project to.

Filled with a variety of really sweet little sewing projects all on the theme of birds! It's published by C&T Publishing and available to order here :

http://www.ctpub.com/showproducts.cfm?WPCID=1072

More on the book when I receive my copies!

Touchstones Rochdale

2010-03-06T06:29:00.000-08:00

Finally managed to get some photos up of the Creatures Show at Touchstones. They did such a wonderful job with the display, lining old drawers with beautiful wallpapers to display Julie Arkell's pieces and creating a little 3D forest for my creatures to live in.

It's still on for a few more weeks if you're in the area.

They have also very nicely chosen a piece of my work to feature as the cover for the March-August information booklet, very pleased indeed!

A break from the birds...

2010-02-03T13:51:00.000-08:00

I've been working on some new things which went into an exhibition now open in Rochdale at theTouchstones Gallery...

It's a delightful little show of creatures from Samantha Bryan, Julie Arkell, Anya Keeley and me, on until 18th April.

As part of the exhibition I was asked to do some large scale painting on the walls...something of a feat for such a little person who works so small!
I had such a wonderful experience meeting such friendly people and taking part in something so lovely. I hope to get some photos up of the whole show soon but for now here are some little peeks at the new pieces...my little squirrel friend is incomplete I feel...lacking something such as a wee red waistcoat perhaps?!

Shop shop shop

2010-01-18T04:05:00.000-08:00

Freshly posted items in both shops for you to come take a peek at...

www.abigailbrown.bigcartel.com

www.abigailbrown.etsy.com

Magazine features

2010-01-17T12:02:00.000-08:00

Some beautiful features to post up from the past few months, from Marie Claire Idées, Selvedge and Wedding Ideas. Really delighted to have my work selected by such lovely publications.

This last feature is my lovely friend Beth's beautiful wedding...such gorgeous photos!

Flamboyant Birds

2009-11-24T01:29:00.001-08:00

Two new pieces I struggled to part with! This pink flamingo and white/blue peacock are now in Germany on show at Galerie Handwerk in their 'Artistic Toys' exhibition.

Remake it

2009-11-24T01:16:00.000-08:00

Just received my copy of a book I contributed to earlier this year... Remake it, by Henrietta Thompson, published by Thames and Hudson. This book is the bible on 'appropriation' and a must in our current climate for the design conscious on your Christmas shopping list.

Papier Mache

2009-11-19T04:28:00.000-08:00

Delighted to discover these beautiful pictures in the wonderful online magazine Papier Mache

today...absolutely gorgeous and an idea I may very well pinch for my own birds nest hair!

New work

2009-11-11T22:31:00.000-08:00

It's been, and continues to be, the busiest time my working life has ever seen! I'm a little more than frazzled and my memory keeps on getting worse and worse with all the things I'm juggling but it's wonderful to be here and to keep finding people who want to know about my work and to own some of their very own...THANK YOU!!
I didn't know how this would all pan out last May when I quit my job so I am absolutely thrilled it's still going.

I've found snippets of time amongst it all to develop some new work and create some pieces I am really very excited about. It's difficult making things to sell...it all gets a little sad when you create something you really love and then send it off into the world to find a new home.
Sitting next to me now are two such pieces that I'll post up as soon as I get them photographed...
...but for now here's a peek at some new pieces I'll be further developing into a little collection that will be on show at my Open Studios at the end of December...
...I hope you like them...

Emma Cassi

2009-11-11T22:17:00.000-08:00

It's a hush hush project I can't say very much about but I wanted to get a little bit of excitement going by teasing you with a snippet of info!
I had the delight of meeting the wonderful Emma Cassi...crafter of beautiful lace jewellery and talented stylist...at my home this month.
All I can say is that next year there'll be a beautiful book to present to you all which will feature my work in my somewhat bizarrely decorated, rented bedroom in London...sadly it comes before I have my own place to adorn fully the way I would choose...but perhaps I'll get another opportunity then...
...for now this was a wonderful honour and I'm so grateful to Emma for including me...
...stay tuned!

Birds of Europe

2009-11-11T21:44:00.001-08:00

I've previously posted my newest works...studies of species of bird...including Mr Kingfisher, Robin redbreast and the Grey wagtail...
this past month I've been further crafting and these delights are now, I proudly announce, on sale at the beautiful Liberty store in London.

There you'll see a swallow, a blue tit, a greenfinch and a chaffinch, a gold crest, another little robin and a grey wagtail. I'm so delighted that they've found themselves a home there...but I do hope they all fly out to even better homes very soon!

Cockpit Arts Open Studios

2009-11-11T21:21:00.000-08:00

I personally find it so much more interesting to meet the artists and makers behind the work and to buy directly from them...
...if you find so too then you'll be delighted to know that you have this very opportunity coming up!

My studio is in London at Cockpit Arts , Holborn, and we open up to the public so you can come meet us, snoop round our workspaces and hopefully find beautiful little delights to take home with you...on Friday 27th, Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th November.

It's such a fun weekend full of so many wonderful things to feast your eyes upon and the chance to pick up some truly original works of art for Christmas.
We also have a competition to win a Christmas tree decorated with one off decorations crafted by the makers of Cockpit and kids colouring and making activities run by ME!...

...so please do come and visit beacause it's also so much more wonderful for us to meet the people who buy our work!

New Babies...

2009-09-30T05:54:00.000-07:00

Just finishing up a stationery commission...announcement cards for the arrival of 2 little babies to a lovely french couple, Anne-laure and Edward Bates!
The twins were born a year ago but better late than never!

For similar commissions please email: abigailbrown81@hotmail.co.uk

FOR SALE...

2009-09-20T06:05:00.001-07:00

Just a little note to announce the arrival of 3 more birds into my shops...
http://www.abigailbrown.bigcartel.com/

http://www.abigailbrown.etsy.com/

Craft fair- Saturday September 19th

2009-09-16T02:08:00.000-07:00

I'm busy busy busy this week making a variety of new little treats for a craft fair in Clapham, London this weekend. The fair will take place on Saturday at the Papered Parlour...which looks set to be a very cute little venue.
http://www.thepaperedparlour.co.uk/
So as part of my busy week I've set about making these little cuties...who have been flitting about in my head for some time now. I am delighted with how they have turned out and have already found my first stockist! They are priced at £32 for the larger size (9x7cm approx) and £26 for the smaller (6x5cm approx). I'll be adding a couple to my online shops but please do contact me by email if you are interested in one to brighten up your coat now autumn seems to be setting in.
http://www.abigail-brown.co.uk/

Small Birds...Big Apple

2009-09-07T13:22:00.000-07:00

I was delighted to see my little birds have made themselves a home in the window of the exquisite Takashimaya department store on Fifth Avenue, New York!! I think they look pretty happy amongst the asparagus spears!
www.takashimaya-ny.com

Authentication certificates

2009-08-31T09:39:00.000-07:00

My birds now come with this little certificate to authenticate them as original Abigail Brown's. It also makes it even more of a superbly special gift...and can be personalised for no extra cost.
My standard flock of birds come with a simple certificate (shown above)...but the species birds come a little more special with their own studied drawing and a little bit of information on that specific species...all very cutely presented in it's own little printed envelope!

NEW online shop

2009-08-31T09:38:00.000-07:00

I finally got round to organising an online shop of my own to run through my website. I'm very excited about it...I know it'll make a lot of UK customers a lot happier! and it's something I can make much more personal too. Don't despair any customers outside the UK...my Etsy shop will still be operating alongside...you'll find the link in my 'links' section from now on.So come take a peek...
http://www.abigailbrown.bigcartel.com/

Birds of Britain

2009-08-28T07:39:00.000-07:00

There's been a whole lot of bird geekery lately...

The Yorkshire Sculpture Park-SHOWCASE

2009-08-20T04:41:00.000-07:00

I'm very excited to be included in an Autumn showcase at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park's craft gallery this year...it will run from September 7th until October 31st...and will feature lots of new bird sculpture including a Kingfisher, a Long-eared Owl, a Green Woodpecker and this little fellow: a Turtle Dove.
The grounds of the sculpture park are beautiful, it's such a lovely place so spend an afternoon as the trees begin turning their greens to reds and orange...
http://www.ysp.co.uk

Events

2009-08-12T04:38:00.000-07:00

The first event I'd like to invite you to will take place on Saturday 22nd August in Bethnal Green, London.
The event is organised by BUST, and is the 2009 London Craftacular.

It will be held at York Hall in Bethnal Green from 12pm till 8pm.

There'll be sweet treats, dancing, dj's and drink to make the day a really lively one...I'll be sharing my spot with my lovely friend Hazel of RickRackRow
http://www.rickrackrow.etsy.com/ ...come along and see us!

More for the Etsy shop!

2009-08-12T04:34:00.000-07:00

Building a stock pile of work for various events through the next few months but for those of you not able to make it along I'd like to offer them up to you through Etsy...not as nice as seeing them in person but wouldn't want you to feel left out!....come and take a look at a range of new birds and tweeter brooches...
http://www.abigailbrown.etsy.com/

In the Etsy shop...

2009-08-10T03:07:00.000-07:00

Today I've posted up a whole new flock of little birds in the Etsy shop...there are 5 small birds and one green Ponsenby Owl...come take a peek!

http://www.abigailbrown.etsy.com/

Etsy sale

2009-07-28T08:29:00.001-07:00

This little bird has just gone up for sale in the shop...he measures 17cm in height and is £65, or $107 US.
Come take a peek!

http://www.abigailbrown.etsy.com/

Little nester

2009-07-28T05:26:00.000-07:00

Posting out some work to the New Ashgate Gallery in Farnham, Surrey, where they'll be on show for a few months.
It's just a small selection...including this little one...my favourite little nesting bird so far!

A bird like this in a little nest would be around £100.

Mr Kingfisher

2009-07-24T00:53:00.000-07:00

Just finished up this little fellow...he's a Kingfisher, a commission for a keen ornithologist!
I rather enjoy the challenge with these pieces, trying to recreate the shape and get the look of the bird recognisable as that species.

Looking forward to taking him to the river for some location shots!

He measures 15cm in height and is painstakingly detailed.

For similar commissions of your favourite bird please just email for a quote: abigailbrown81@hotmail.co.uk

Little Ponsenby

2009-07-23T02:59:00.000-07:00

Just finished another little Ponsenby commission...this is my most favourite yet and a difficult one to part with, but I know he'll be well cared for in his new home...goodbye little Owl friend :(

NEW- Owl prints

2009-07-15T02:37:00.000-07:00

I tried this design out as a screen print recently on canvas and sewed into it to finish it off. It went down very well...but in the absence of screen printing facilities I thought I'd offer him as a digital print...he works very well like this too!

He's printed on lovely textured card, A4 size...and soon for sale in my Etsy shop!

www.abigailbrown.etsy.com

Kitty Canvas for sale

2009-07-15T02:27:00.001-07:00

I have just listed this little Kitty canvas for sale in my Etsy shop...come take a peek! Perfect for little girls' rooms!

www.abigailbrown.etsy.com

Commissioned birds

2009-07-13T12:23:00.000-07:00

Here's a pic of 2 lovely little birds I was commissioned to make this month. The commission request was to make 2 birds to match a beautiful antique quilt in terracotta, orange, brown, green, yellow and cream.

For such a commission please email me: abigailbrown81@hotmail.co.uk

Christening Commission

2009-07-05T14:01:00.000-07:00

Personalised canvases such as this one start at £125, measuring 25cm x 25cm. Please email for details.

Colouring Outisde the Lines- Exhibition

2009-06-23T03:08:00.000-07:00

From Friday June 26th- Friday July 24th, Gallery II at Bradford University, will be showing the work of a selection of female British artists, myself included. It sounds very sweet if you're in town and can pop along.

Long Eared Owl

2009-06-16T06:37:00.001-07:00

Open Studios

2009-06-16T05:34:00.000-07:00

Thank you so very much to anyone who came along to Cockpit's Open Studios weekend...I had such positive feedback and so many left contact details for my mailing list...I was really delighted by the interest.
Special thanks to you if you purchased some work, it was wonderful to come back and see how much had sold...if a little sad to lose some of my favourite fabric friends!...I hope you'll all be very happy with your purchases and give them good homes. Here are some photos of the studio before the selling started...

I now have new work to add to my shop so please come and take a look...
www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5161243

Birds, bird houses, pocket mirrors....

Coast magazine feature

2009-06-05T02:37:00.000-07:00

This months issue of Coast magazine features a beautiful photo of my Black Winged Stilt.

Really delighted with how they've shot it...and that it got it's own full page!

Issue 40, July 2009, pg15.

The Talented Mr McAulay strikes again

2009-06-03T01:04:00.001-07:00

My wonderfully talented friend Graeme McAulay and I took a stroll into the wilds of Hackney a few weeks back and shot some new photos of my birds...
Here's a little selection of the days accomplishments...I think you'll agree Graeme takes a lovely photo!

Owls

2009-06-03T00:53:00.000-07:00

I've had a couple of pleas now for info on how to get hold of my newest little creation...Ponsenby Owl. The ones I've posted pictures of are taken but they can be replicated, and even made in your choice of colours...availability permitting!
A wee little Owl like these ones here costs £130. They are part of a new series of work I am making which is very highly detailed...huge amounts of hand stitching and subsequent finger pricking!
If you are interested in owning your own little Owl...(Ponsenby is sitting by my desk now napping like he does most days!...I can say he's a wonderful companion!)...then please just email me:
abigailbrown81@hotmail.co.uk
Many thanks for the interest in him!

Cockpit Arts Open Studios- June 09

2009-05-25T03:08:00.000-07:00

I would love to welcome any of you close enough to visit my studio over the weekend of June 12/13/14th. You'll be able to buy directly from my making space, get to snoop around it and be the first to see some new products I've been working on.

Visit Cockpit's website for further details.
http://www.cockpitarts.com/

Anna's Hummingbird

2009-05-25T03:07:00.000-07:00