2017 ANNUAL EXHIBITION SILKEN TREASURES

Just started to advertise our 2017 annual exhibition.

Here is the poster that will be used in both A4 and A6 format.

There will be the usual eclectic mix of silk paintings and mixed media textile art work as well as the ever popular original hand painted and dyed silk scarves which the local ladies find invaluable for early Christmas shopping. So from reasonably priced cards to the more considered purchase of an original work of art there will be something for everyone.

Do pop along and have a chat there will always be a member on duty.

MACCLESFIELD MAKERS DAY

This was our second time standing at the Macclesfield Makers Fair day. We had a room to ourselves and made the most of it. We had the Sales Table where we displayed a wide range of goodies made by members.

 We had a sale of silk activity bags and notions that always go down well. People like a rummage and a bargain.

The silk scarf rail is always a riot of colour and displayed a full range of techniques.

 

In addition Beryl and Annette organised painting sessions where members of the public could come and have a go.

AUTUMN EXHIBITION

THESE PHOTOS SHOW THE FINISHED RESULT OF OUR BUSY MORNING OF HANGING THE 2011 MARPLE EXHIBITION.

 The cabinet is full of 3D items that members have been busy making over the past 12 months. some have been inspired by the Monday workshops led by members throughout the year. Silk Collage books, Tyvek jewellery, silk covered boxes and painted ties are amongst the goodies.

 We had a warm day to hang the exhibition and we are very pleased with the result. The overall surface area allowed this year was much smaller than in p[revious years but we quite like the 'busy overall' effect. Some of the scarves for sale are shown on the left in the above pic.

This pic shows the second wall and the tables of cards and more scarves, 2 of which sold before we had finished hanging!! All the works contain some silk, most of which are painted but there is also some textile mixed media on show with silk as a part.

TATTON PARK EXHIBITION LATEST

TATTON PARK EXHIBITION 15th MARCH - 1st JUNE 2008

Members are busy putting the finishing touches to their paintings for the forthcoming exhibition in the Mansion House at Tatton Park between 15th March and 1st June 2008. The exhibition has been advertised in 'Stitch', 'Embroidery' & 'Workbox' and I have been receiving phone calls from interested individuals already which is very encouraging.

The Mansion House is open each day except Mondays from 1-5pm (last entry at 4pm) and for National Trust members there is no charge, for full details go to the Tatton website . The Park is managed by Cheshire County Council so there is a car parking charge of £4.50 for everyone.

We have a selection of silk paintings and mixed media textiles on display as well as 3D items that range from silk scarves, boxes, bags and jewellery. All the items can be purchased by special arrangement, details on site.

Taster pictures to follow.......................

EXHIBITON UPDATE

MARPLE LIBRARY

9 members of Silk-n-Threads are also members of the International Guild of Silk Painters and between the 3-17th November are holding an exhibition at Marple Library, Stockport. The above picture is of the preview evening, in the background is the array of silk scarves for sale and in the cabinet 3D artefacts. One of our members, Chris Sims is on the left of picture.

Three members of Silk-n-Threads enjoying the evening and wine are left to right, Muriel Draper, Joy Wheatley and Jean Davies.

JUNE WORKSHOP - INDIGO DYEING WITH SHIBORI

Our June workshop was awaited by many with great excitement. Ruth Brown of Stone Creek Silk arrived despite the wet weather over in Yorkshire to demonstrate indigo dyeing with shibori techniques. Above is one of Ruth's striking indigo pieces. Click on Ruth's website above to see more of her work.

We made up a vat of indigo dye and then proceeded to prepare our fabrics, silk and cotton, by sewing, tieing and clamping. This photo shows a piece of cotton being prepared with strong synthetic thread.

Maggie and Muriel with their hands in the indigo vat. The fabric had to be held under the surface for 5 minutes. We had to be careful not to disturb the surface which would have added oxygen to the vat thereby reducing the dyeing qualities of the dye.
Note the green tinge of the fabric this is the colour the fabric is when first removed from the vat. Only when it is oxygenated in the air does it turn to blue.

Out to dry, in the afternoon we tried a range of larger samples, amongst them scarves that were clamped and wrapped around poles shibori style.

A hand stitched row of leaves although some of the group thought that they would make good fish. Belinda who completed them was very pleased with the result.

Annette clamped this scarf to get this striking effect.

This is a napkin that Denise sewed in a spiral resulting in this effective end result.

Maggie used a predyed scarf that she folded into a cone before knotting it several times.
Joy tied this chiffon scarf and this delicate pattern was achieved.

A bold pattern achieved by Pauline by tieing large marbles with string.

Beryl's butterfly was achieved by sewing the shape on to cotton, she intends highlighting the features with embroidery.

After rinsing and ironing the special effects achieved by indigo dyeing is obvious. The lack of flat colour, that is present with other dyeing methods, is the attraction of this method.This was a piece of silk satin and again the lack of flat colour creates a unique effect.

MEMBERS GALLERY 1 - DENISE HOPPER

Denise is the Treasurer of Silk-n-Threads and an active member sharing her expertise by regularly leading members' workshops.
This photograph was taken at the 2005 Harrogate exhibition when she was manning the stall of the Guild of Silk Painters.

Denise qualified as a teacher of Art and Design in 1967 at Bingley College, Leeds University. After teaching in London she became Head of Art and Design in a large comprehensive school in the Midlands. In 1989 she moved to Stockport and developed textile design in the Art Department at Marple Hall School.
She now concentrates on silk painting using dyes and threads to produce evening bags, scarves, ties, cushions and mirror frames, as well as pictures. Her work has been influenced by travels in Asia, especially Indonesia, China, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and India. Previous exhibitions of her work have been held at Quarry Bank Mill, Styal; Stockport Hat Museum; Staircase House in Stockport; Bramall Hall; Buxton Visitors Centre, Bollington Art Centre and Stockport Art Gallery. Denise is an active member of the International Guild of Silk Painters and Silk-n-Threads.
Her most recent work has been a collection of individually designed textile necklaces.

EXAMPLES OF DENISE'S SILK PAINTINGS

Denise uses steam fix dyes for her paintings as she believes they give the most vibrant effects. She does not use gutta (resist) in her paintings, instead using the movement and properties of the dye to create the effects.

Remember to click on each picture to enlarge and appreciate fully the vibrancy and effect.

EXAMPLES OF DENISE'S SILK SCARVES.

All of the scarves below are 100% silk, and have been dyed using steam fix dyes as they give the most vibrant colour.

Denise sells her scarves through various local outlets such as the Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester

Remember to click on each picture to appreciate the vibrant colours and effects that silk painting can achieve.

The four modelled scarves have been folded and then clamped before being dipped in dye, resulting in their patterned effect.

These two scarves have been folded and wrapped around a pole shibori style resulting in these stunning patterns.

The remaining scarves have been stretched on a frame and then the design painted on. Salt has been added before the dye dries creating the effect of movement.