AUSTRALIA - WORKSHOPS

I'm getting very excited now about my trip to Oz in March when I'll be running a series of workshops near Melbourne and Sydney through Grampians Textures and Timeless Textiles. I'm delighted to say the workshops at in the Grampians are now fully booked, but have no fear my Australian friends! There are still places on the Timeless Textiles one which is running from the 7th - 9th March in Newcastle. You can find all the info here. It's $460 AUS, for 3 days exploring 3D fabric sculpture and manipulation techniques to create a bird of your own design. I haven't run anything as long as these workshops before so I'm very excited to have time to share ideas and processes and see what wonderful things you will create.

We're hoping to fill the places quickly so I can get my flights booked and start planning, so come on and join us!!!! :-D

3D Bird Sculpture with Abigail Brown

We will start the workshop looking at a variety of textile manipulation techniques such as: appliqué, reverse appliqué, pleating, tucks, gathering and basic embroidery which will form the creative part of the workshop.

On the second day you will be offered a selection of different bird templates or assisted in creating your own design. We will then go through their assembly from pattern cutting, machine sewing and soldering to stuffing. Once the basic bird form is assembled you will be asked to draw on all your individuality and creative flair to decorate your own bird sculptures using the manipulation techniques we have explored. Outspread wings, flowing tails, ruffled breasts, full of texture, colour and magnificence. The Bird Kingdom is a tremendous source of inspiration for Abigail and she looks forward to sharing her passion with you.

7th, 8th -9th March 2015, 9.30 am - 4.30 pm @ Newcastle Community Art Centre, 246 Parry St Newcastle West. aus$460.

I'm in search of a part time/flexible paid studio assistant to join me at my central London studio, starting 1 day a week, on a freelance basis, from September.

The role involves:

- Sewing assistance

- Pattern cutting

- Admin (including emailing, photo editing, web/shop/blog/FB updating)

You will be assisting me with all aspects of my studio life, from ironing fabrics, pattern cutting, basic machine sewing to responding to email enquiries, editing photos, visiting the post office and buying materials. I need someone who is happy to do all the above as the job will be varied.

Requirements:

- Confident sewing, both with machine and by hand

- Confident in Photoshop and Excel

- Preferably with experience working in a studio, but not essential

It's a pressured time in the run up to Christmas so it is essential you can work with fabric and stitch at speed, confidently and to a skilled degree.

If you would like to apply please send a CV and cover letter to: abigail@abigail-brown.co.uk. It will be helpful to see examples of your sewing skills if you can include images or a link to a website/blog/FB page.

I will confirm receipt of your application, and let you know within 2 weeks if I'd like you to come to the studio for a meeting.

Thank you!! x

Open Studios - Cockpit Arts

This weekend I welcome you into my studio for a peek at my latest creations and am excited to showcase a menagerie of paper maché animals in the internal staircase. My studio is strewn with fabric, thread, paper, paste, paint and strange creatures as I frantically assemble the final pieces before we open on Friday. Really hope to see you!

Cockpit Arts - Holborn

Cokcpit Yard

Northington Street

London

WC1N 2NP

Friday 6pm - 9pm

Sat & Sun 11am - 6pm

Free Entry

Meet The Maker

Very pleased to be featured across 2 pages of June's Country Living UK magazine. It's an interview with me and includes photos of me at work in the studio captured by my very talented photographer step sister Emma Collins.

Lilac Breasted Roller

Paul Smith 2014

I delightedly hurried back to London after Christmas to make an army of paper maché animal sculptures and heads, commissioned for two Paul Smith shops in Paris and Milan.

The paper sculpture is very new work and I was thrilled to get such an amazing first commission with them. I love his shops; the colours, the playfulness and the style and quality of everything. Such a beautiful setting to showcase my work, I couldn't have been more happy to return from holiday!!

So, what did they do with them?? Well…

Milan - Via Manzoni

Paris - Rue Du Faubourg St Honore