Creative finds from Goa!

I could have bought so many bold bright and colourful items in Goa. Especially these beautiful fabrics which were only £1.50 a meter! I have no idea what I want to make with them yet. I did think a very bold patchwork quilt. They would make some lovely summer dresses or even brighten up a room as a cushion. 

This was one of my favourites. I love how it isn't always perfect and there are slight areas where the print has bled. I certainly can't wait to get designing again. I've never done a design with just motifs and paisley shapes but I would love to have a go. 

I also bought some heavy woven fabrics which unfortunately I do have a cheeky snap of. These were from what I called an Indian Liberty. It was full of amazing antiques, high quality fabrics, carpets and some very sparkly jewellery. 

I also took along with me a printed tote bag, I wanted to give it to someone I met on my journey. I met a lovely lady called Anita who travelled each day to work at a beach shack on the beach. She helped them out and when all the sun loungers was full, was able to start selling her own souvenirs or paint peoples nails. She left around 7 each day, travelled home and returned the next for 9am. She sometimes has to hide her items from the coast guards as they would confiscate them. I thought it would be a good bag for her to hide her belongings in. 

We also visited one of the busiest markets in Goa. It was also on for nearly the entire night! It was fantastic! Talk about late night shopping. Lots of different pieces of art and souvenirs. Leo really liked these carved masks. At first I found them extremely scary but then after time I really liked this white one of the elephant god. It seemed to have more detail than the rest and we chose to buy it. We also bought a couple of prints by two other modern artists. 

I loved this sign that I came across on one of the artists stalls. It is known in India to haggle a good price but I completely agree with this statement :)

Cannot believe its been a month ago now! I still love looking at the photo's! 

Printing in My Studio for the First Time!

I am so excited to get printing in my studio! I only printed a couple of cushions but it was a start!

My table is about three metres long so I should be able to print some larger pieces soon! I had been slightly putting off printing because I was worried that I wouldn't be able to wash my screens, but using the long planter I bought was fine. Next to my studio I also have a water butt. This is great as I can recycle the rain water for cleaning my screens. 

My next task is to finish my new designs and get some lovely new pastes mixed up. That can be the messy part.

I also hope to get a heater in the studio for winter, I think it might get quite cosy. Dylan has had a little nosey inside but he is yet to settle in while I print. Maybe he deserves a new studio bed :)

Valentines Weekend and the 16th!

Valentines weekend already! Can you believe it! Its fair to say these chocolates did NOT last long at all. I was also delighted to have my first fair of 2014 this weekend, back at the Merchant Hall for the third time. This time my stall was placed in a different location on the ground floor of the building. (Next to the yummy tearoom). It was great to see some familiar faces. Especially my friend Sam who's business is Samantha Grig, you can check out her lovely work here: http://www.samanthagrig.co.uk

Here is my little stall, I did have a helper with me for the day but they decided to hide for this picture. Sunday was such a gorgeous day, especially after all the horrible wind and rain we had. My heart goes out to all those effected by the floods. There was lots of people making the most of the Spring sunshine. 

The buildings wooden beams were amazing. Even though it was slightly creepy I loved the sound of people walking on the old wooden floor boards above.

To the event I took a long many of my current designs to the fair. I have a few new ones on the go including Mr Fox, I cannot wait to produce him on my work and get printing. The fair also has a cute little vintage tea room serving delicious cakes and tea. Yum!

Anyway, I hope you all had a fab weekend. I thought it was Valentine's Day today so was very disappointed to find out it isn't for a couple of more weeks!

Last Fair of 2013!

I know its nearly a little late but I thought I would just share with you some pictures from my last fair of this year. Here I was at the Merchant Hall in York with the From Yorkshire with Love Team. I had a stall there last summer and it such a beautiful location I thought I would come back for the Christmas season.

This time round I had a few new designs and some different products at hand! It was also lovely to see some familiar faces from the Living North event in November! 

I also want to add I have now finished my time at CCAD helping out as a print technician. It is always a pleasure being back but I am looking forward to spending January planing more designs and hopefully popping back up for print club! 

I hope you have all had a fab Christmas and if you have opened a present to find a Lauren Cherice product you love it! 

New Stockist! Studio 61 Gallery.

I am very excited to share with you my new stockist, the lovely Studio 61 Gallery run by Karina Goodman. The Gallery is based near by to the beautiful peak district in Leashaw Holloway, Derbyshire.  I first came across Studio 61 Gallery via Facebook and have been following their posts for a while. I completely love the warm feel the studio has and knew my work could fit right in and make its self at home. 

Karina works and displays her own wonderful art work in the gallery and has the reputation of selling high quality made British work. I am very excited for my birdies and friends to have flown the nest down South. 

Available to purchase at the gallery is a selection of my screen printed cushions, giclee prints and greetings cards. Featuring the favourite love birds design and Mr Squirrel just to name a few. 

For further information about the gallery please check out their website: http://www.studio61gallery.co.uk

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/www.studio61gallery.co.uk

Creative Expo Fair : Looka Teesside at Stockton.

The 1st June seemed to come and go really fast! I was very excited/ nervous for the first of this summers craft events. I was very surprised to have such a large table at this event and was worried I would't fill the space well but I was very pleased with the finished result. I always try to give my stall a vintage market stall theme with my wicker baskets and boxes. I love hunting the local charity shops and online for various props. So here it is my stall...

What do you think?

I also love meeting people at these events. I was excited to see one of my close friends Bev at this event from Uniko Studio. As a class mate from Cleveland College of Art and Design I have had the pleasure of following Bev along her journey. It is always exciting seeing her new creations. For more about Uniko Studio, check out their website here: http://www.uniko.co.uk

I also had the pleasure of having my stall next to the lovely Samantha Grig. Samantha creates beautifully hand knit and crochet accessories for you and your home, all made out of British wool! Her work is stunning and as a fan of bobble hats I would love some of her creations for myself! You can find Samantha's work on her Folksy page: http://folksy.com/shops/samanthagrig Go check it out!

Since the beginning of May I have been creating many little 'to do' lists leading up to this event. I think my planning worked well as I didn't have to worry about things not been done in time. The day was lovely although we had alot of rain in the morning. The drive was lovely too and I spotted two deers near Whitby. I absolutely love the drive from Bridlington to Middlesbrough and threw the Moors. 

I had some little sales which is nice but I do love the experience of showcasing my work and getting feedback. Many people say my work reminds them of Beatrix Potter which is a huge compliment. I never thought of my work in that way before but when I think about my imagery I can clearly see why. 

On my stall I had a selection of screen printed totes, cushions, cards and squirrel kits. Some Giclee prints, greetings cards and iPhone cases featuring my original drawings. I now think I am ready to start some new designs and get my studio ready :)

I have also sent more Squirrel tote bags and Squirrel Making kits to the Joe Cornish Gallery in Northallerton! So if your near by why not pop in and check out some lovely art work! 

You can also view and buy my work on my Etsy page:

http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/LaurenChericeDesigns

Or visit me on my FB Page:

www.facebook.com/Laurenchericedesign

New Stockist- The Old Grammar School Gallery in Otley!

You may have seen on my Facebook and Twitter this week that I have a new stockist of my products- The lovely Old Grammar School Gallery in Otley. 

I have never been to Otley so decided to take a little road trip and visit the gallery myself. Otley is a lovely little town near Leeds. The countryside surrounding it was so beautiful covered in this weeks snow. As a child I was lucky enough to visit lots of stately homes/castles and Otley is located near the fantastic Harewood House. (I also recommend this for visiting). 

By myself for sale, I have a selection of my hand printed tote bags and cushions which I print from my home in Bridlington. I also have my range of greetings cards and Giclee prints featuring some of my favourites- Mr Duck and Mr Owl. 

Here is a little picture of my card display in the Gallery :)

The current exhibition at the gallery for February is the work of David Johnson.

"The exhibition, entitled ‘A Study of Trees’ by David Johnson, comprises 38 paintings using oil and acrylic to express the trees in a manor not too far removed from the portraiture Johnson is traditionally known for."

 The work was simply striking and bold, especially with such vibrant use of colour and mark making. The exhibition is on till the end of February. Go check it out now! 

For more info on the gallery check out their website:

 http://togs-gallery.com

Christmas Designers Marketplace 2012!

Last Saturday was the Annual Christmas Designers Marketplace in Middlesbrough. It was my very first craft stall so I was very nervous and excited! I wasn't sure what to expect. The day seemed to fly by. Middlesbrough Town Hall was a beautiful venue, it was full of festive joy with Christmas music and films on the big screen. Here are a few pictures from the day and my stall. 

I bought some props from an old fruit and veg shop. I wanted to create a 'farmers market' stall appearance as I felt it would fit in with my imagery and products. I think this has worked quite successful. 

I took these snaps from my stall, although they don't do the place justice! The day had a fab range of 60 stalls with a fab range of gifts. I had to stop myself looking as I wanted to buy everything! 

It was also great to see some friendly faces. Here's my friend Bev from Uniko Studio having her debut also at the Designers Marketplace. Her stamps are fantastic and she had a great try before you buy on them so I was eager to have a go.

It was a great day with more sales than I expected. Thank you to everyone who came along and visited. I hope to see you all there next year! 

CCAD Interview With the PR!

EEeek! I have never had an interview about my work before! So, I was very excited when CCAD contacted me regarding some PR about my work and current exhibition in The Alex May Gallery in Bridlington! 

I was very nervous but also excited! The interview was great and I can't wait to share the article with you when it's published! In the meantime, here is the photo's I got taken with a selection of my work! 

P.s You can find all of my items featured at the Folio, Hartlepool! Get yourselves there! 

Screen Printing Love

Hello, I thought incase any of my followers aren't on facebook I would share with you some images of my recent prints. I am trying to make use of imagery that is ready to go so I enlarged my little squirrel and he is now ready to get printing. Here is my first prototype of him on a Tote Bag.

I am also back to printing cushions, this time I have been printing on a gorgeous sage green for summer. They have been printed in a lovely light brown. I'm sure my squirrel is dying to get printed onto one too :)

If you read my previous post you would of read I bought some wooden letters for my branding- here they are! I haven't quite decided what to do with them yet, whether to just varnish them or paint them white. I'm not sure. Either way I do think they look nice on my green rug :)

Hope you like my new creations!

Love Lauren x

Cushions at the Folio!

What a GORGEOUS window! This is the Folio again at CCAD in Hartlepool! I am so excited to see my birds in there again! This time on my cream cushions! Have a peek!

Cushions...

Hello!

I have had a go at printing some birdie cushions!

What do you think?

Going to get organised and pretend I'm back at uni and decorate my space with inspiration over the next few days!

Some of these are also available in the CCAD Folio Shop!