Sharon McSwiney

Animal Alphabet Greetings Cards

2009-06-27T14:24:00.003+01:00

These are my latest greetings card designs which I've been working on since our visit to Cornwall in March this year. I did some sketching for the idea then & while at the Hampen exhibition recently finally got round to finalising the designs. I particularly like the butterfly, owl, snail, mouse & tiger designs. The next plan is to look into producing a poster & possibly a children's colouring in book!?

Upton Jazz Festival this weekend!

2009-06-25T20:00:00.003+01:00

After a rather hectic time last weekend doing 2 shows at once this coming Fri/Sat & Sun should be a little less frantic!! We're showing at the Arts market as part of the Upton Jazz Festival. Not sure if jazz is my thing but thought it was worth giving the show a go??? It's a new one for the Boffy tribe so we'll see how it works out....

Market opening times:

Fri 26th June: 12pm - 7.30pm

Sat 27th June: 10am - 7.30pm

Sun 28th June: 10am - 6.30pm

More info on the Jazz Festival can be found on http://www.uptonjazz.co.uk/

Landmark Arts & Leigh Events this weekend

2009-06-17T16:33:00.004+01:00

This coming weekend I'm exhibiting at 2 events - good job I have Tim on board isn't it!

I'm off to Landmark Arts Centre on Friday for the Midsummer Arts Fair. I haven't done this event before but have had good reports from other makers. The centre is situated on Ferry Road, Teddington, London TW11 9NN. You can find more info on the website http://www.landmarkartscentre.org/

Leigh Open Gardens & Craft Fair

The second event is on Sunday 21st June 12 noon to 6pm at the Tithe Barn in Leigh. This craft fair is part of the Leigh Open Gardens event with around 15 gardens ranging from courtyard to extensive being open to visitors.

The craft fair is being held in the fantastic 14th century Leigh Court Tithe Barn which sits adjacent to the 12th century St Edburga's Church. Leigh is not far from my studio at The Fold - off the A4103 follow the signs from the Bank House Hotel roundabout.

Funds raised from this event will be donated to the establishment of a dedicated breast cancer unit at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

Visit www.leighandbransford.org.uk for details of the area.

1st day in Bunny Studio

2009-06-17T15:12:00.003+01:00

Today I've finally got organised & started my long planned one day a week out of my Bransford studio working from a space in the garden at home in Worcester. We had replaced the roof & insulated the 'shed/summerhouse' last year for which the resident rabbit Duke is very grateful!

The idea is that I can get lots of work done with no phone, customers or computer! I want to work on some new ideas & sometimes you just need the space to do it...

I have been entertained by the wildlife though this morning with a baby blackbird & a cheeky squirrel.

PUFFINS!!

2009-06-13T15:10:00.004+01:00

One of my customers has a passion for puffins! I've created this oxidised silver puffin necklace which I think captures the character. As puffins are such cheeky little birds I'd quite like to make a collection of pieces; earrings/brooch & cufflinks.

I've also had a new delivery from Glazed & Amazed.......

Five at the Factory exhibition

2009-06-05T13:41:00.004+01:00

Yesterday I spent the afternoon at Hampen Factory with Sue Brown & Carolyn Foulkes arranging the exhibition 'Five at the Factory' which is part of the

Cheltenham Art Festival & Open Studios www.cheltenhamopenstudios.org.uk

6th - 14th June 2009

Hampen is in an idyllic setting with birds & wildlife in abundance around the buildings www.hampenfactory.co.uk

It is amazing how well our work compliments each other. My verdigris panels highlight the greens in Carolyn's bird picture. Caroline's fantastic embroidered creations with leaf & spiral motifs emphasise detailing in my red & gold panels.

I really love Sue Brown's work (several pieces adorn my walls at home!), the new great tits are fab - might have fallen for those!

Lesley Maddox McNulty's head sculptures look stunning - the textures & colours really work well.

It's well worth a visit to the exhibition which is open everyday during the event

Tomorrow we are having a late evening until 8pm where all the artists will be present to discuss their work - come & join us for a glass of wine & watch the birdies!!

Mr Whiskers has arrived!

2009-05-28T16:20:00.003+01:00

I've just taken delivery of 2 new pieces by Roy Dutton at the studio....

My favourite is Mr Whiskers (as cats are always the best!) but the double birds are also very appealing - they would make a lovely wedding present. Once again these pieces are made from reclaimed wood & metalwork sourced locally.

BENGT & LOTTA arrives at studio

2009-05-26T16:20:00.005+01:00

I'm very excited by my latest additions to the studio shop... I've been an admirer of this work for some time & have at last got some in stock. Designed by Lotta Glave and Bengt Lindberg in Sweden inspired by folk art, wanting to express humor & happiness......bit like me really!

Stainless Steel Bookmarks

Metalwork Candleholders

Hangers

You can see more of their work on the website

www.bengt-lotta.se

I am stocking: candleholders, napkin/letter holders, hangers, bookmarks & greetings cards. I'm sure these are going to be very popular, I know I want to take some of the things home with me! I shall also have a range of the angels for Christmas... but let's have a good summer first!

Retro Cat Postcards

2009-05-26T15:14:00.002+01:00

Yesterday we went to the Giant Flea Market at the 3 Counties Showground, organised by B2B Events http://www.b2bevents.info/

It was brillaint - found some really funky stuff this time....Whitefrairs set of wine glasses, groovy owl vase, Jersey Pottery retro style dish plus these cute postcards... not sure what I'm going to do with them yet but couldn't resist them!

Baby blue tit rescue!

2009-05-26T14:57:00.003+01:00

Well the weekend was a success in Cheltenham with lots of interest in the metalwork panels & pictures in particular, it was a good opportunity to promote the forthcoming Five at the Factory exhibition in Hampen.... more on that shortly!

We had some extra excitement on Sunday when a tiny baby blue tit decided to try it's wings out next to our stand. After we found it on the pavement we decided to probably safer to try & put it back up into the tree. Mum & dad then came back & fed the little cutie but a further 5 rescues were required! Here's hoping the little chap survived the ordeal ok?

Today I've had another delivery from Stoneware Birds... The blue tit design is still my favourite, especially after the weekend. I feel a piece of jewellery may develop too........

Cheltenham Event 23rd & 24th May

2009-05-17T14:48:00.004+01:00

Here's hoping for better weather next weekend!

We'll be showing at a new event in Cheltenham on Saturday & Sunday

The Promenade Arts & Crafts Market

The Long Gardens, Cheltenham

Sat 23rd 9am - 5pm

Sun 24th 10am - 4pm

Fathers Day ideas.....NEW greetings card designs

2009-05-15T14:23:00.003+01:00

A customer recently commented at the studio that most of my greetings card designs were more suitable for ladies than men. Hopefully I have addressed the balance slightly now with my new designs.....

With fathers Day coming up on 21st June one of these designs might fit the bill...I'm open to suggestions for further ideas!

Wedding Couple

2009-05-13T11:26:00.003+01:00

I have discovered some pieces when having a sort out at the studio.... These were made some time ago with the idea of them being wedding cake toppers! I think they make unusual wedding day or anniversary gifts. One lady bought one the other day to hopefully bring her luck in finding love.... you never know!!

Each piece is made in brass and stands approx 10cm tall. I am offering 2 finishes at the moment; a shiny satin finish or an oxidised darker finish. I have plans to make a solid silver version in the near future.

Makes an unusual alternative to a plastic or sugar piece & will last forever!

Spring Colours at Spring Garden Show

2009-05-06T21:42:00.006+01:00

Verdigris metalwork with embossed & etched decoration

Medium panel

I have set up my display stand at the Malvern Spring Gardening Show today. I'm showing my new colours for the first time....a duck egg blue with bronzed metalwork & chocolate brown with new verdigris finish. I'm really pleased with the look - it has given a 'fresh' feel to the work. Some of the pieces look quite ancient ...like they have been buried underground.

I think the contrast between the colours works really well. The inspiration may have come from my last Cornwall break... looking at some of the photos...particularly the fab garage door I found in St Ives

Worcester High Street Stand

2009-04-26T11:12:00.003+01:00

Thought you might like to see the stand display at Worcester this weekend. We set up again this morning - much brighter than yesterday thank goodness!

Tim is holding the fort while I'm at the studio with the farmers market going on at The Fold. It's a lovely sunny morning so hoping for lots of visitors.......
Our stand is next to Roy Dutton's wooden sculptures......
I really like the big head figure the texture on the metal surface is fab. If you see Roy ask him about the trouble he had making this piece!
We already own 2 figures with earrings...can feel another purchase coming on!!!

2009 EVENTS

2009-04-25T09:38:00.002+01:00

The following is a list of the shows I have booked so far for this year. As usual I'll post more information on the individual event nearer to the date. If you'd like any details on a particular show please email me for details: info@sharonmcswiney.co.uk

2009
APRIL

Sat 25th & Sun 26th Art Market Worcester High Street
Sun 26th Farmers Market at The Fold (studio open 10am - 2pm)

MAY

Thurs 7th - Sun 10th RHS Spring Gardening Show, Malvern

JUNE

Sat 6th - Sun 14th Five at the Factory, Cheltenham Artists Open Houses, Hampen Studio
Sat 20th - Sun 21st Midsummer show, Landmark Arts, Teddington
Sun 21st June Leigh Open Gardens
Fri 26th - Sun 28th Art Market Upton Jazz Festival

JULY

Fri 10th Art Market Ledbury Poetry Festival

AUGUST

Sat 8th & Sun 9th Create, Walford Mill, Dorset

SEPTEMBER

Sat 12th - Sun 20th h-Art Autumn Leaves exhibition at The Fold (studio open)
Sat 12th Art Market Hereford
Sat 26th & Sun 27th Malvern Autumn Show

OCTOBER

Sat 24th - Sun 1st Nov Hookshouse Autumn exhibition
Sat 24th & Sun 25th Showing Off, Ludlow

NOVEMBER

Sat 15th & Sun 16th Craft Fair, South Hill Park, Bracknell (TBC)
Fri 20th & Sat 21st WGDC Winter Show, No 8, Pershore
Sat 28th & Sun 29th Craft Fair, Blackthrope Barns, Rougham, Suffolk

DECEMBER

Sat 12th Art Market, Hereford

Worcester City Arts Market this weekend!

2009-04-23T14:14:00.004+01:00

Bit of a last minute decision but we'll be showing on

Worcester High Street this weekend.

The event will include a range of local makers including Roy Dutton's woodwork who I've been exhibiting at the studio.

Opening times:

Saturday 25th April 9am - 5.30pm

Sunday 26th April 10am - 4pm

The Studio will still be open on Saturday as normal & on Sunday we have a

farmers market at The Fold so we'll also be open 10am - 2pm there too.

Hope to see you in Worcester or Bransford this weekend!

New Jewellery Designs

2009-04-18T16:54:00.004+01:00

Just completed some more of my oxidised range of jewellery.

Brooches, pendants & earrings in copper & brass with a 'bronzed effect'.

Available from the studio & space permitting at the Malvern Spring Show this May.

Etched brass applied details on to copper discs then stamped to decorate the piece further using flowers, leaves & seed pods for the inspiration.

MALVERN SPRING SHOW

2009-04-15T14:10:00.004+01:00

This year seems to be whizzing by... It's Gardening Show time again & I shall be exhibiting with the Worcesterhsire Guild of Craftsmen once again at the Malvern Show.

This is my first major show of 2009 and is usually a very busy event.

Fingers crossed for good weather......

I'm working on pieces for this event at the moment which hopefully I shall complete in time!

Easter Bunny!

2009-04-10T10:18:00.003+01:00

We have a new addition to the household......

Meet Duke who we have adopted recently.
He's a silver fox about 12 months old who has amazing ears!
Hope you have a lovely Easter weekend

Easter Opening Hours

2009-04-02T15:39:00.004+01:00

Easter studio opening is as follows:

Good Friday 10am - 4pm

Saturday 11th April 10am - 5pm

Easter Sunday closed

Easter Monday closed

Tuesday 14th closed

Wednesday 15th normal opening starts

EASTER CHICKS!

2009-04-01T12:35:00.005+01:00

Made some chicks yesterday in time for Easter......

I've displayed them on some twigs in the studio but they could hang in windows or decorate your kitchen.

Cornwall visit

2009-03-31T13:52:00.004+01:00

Just returned from a lovely visit to St Ives again (I need to go at least once a year!!) it really is my favourite place in Cornwall. We stayed in a great cottage in the Digey. Took lots of photos, ate too many cream teas & visited lots & lots of brilliant galleries.....

Thought you might like to see a few pics

Sad News

2009-03-18T10:18:00.003Z

Very sad day yesterday as we had to say goodbye to Ivanhoe. He'd been with us for over 8 years which is pretty good for a rabbit. We'll miss him very much as it won't be the same without seeing him at the end of the garden. My friend Lucie says hopefully he'll be happy in the big bunny run in the sky!

Allotment News!

2009-03-18T10:07:00.003Z

Managed to get to the allotment on Monday afternoon. I'm so glad that for the first time we'd managed to dig over the plot last winter. Normally when we visit in March/April we have to start again removing weeds & tidying up but we'd worked hard before our hols in India so it looked quite good! It's not the same without Mikey the cat who sadly passed away last year but we do still see the foxes & hear the woodpecker.

It was great to pick our first purple sprouting & enjoy for tea! Early rhubarb & some leeks ready too.