I have been making and teaching Altered Tins for a few years and each time I do a workshop I'm so delighted by the work that is done by my learners.
Artwork in tins is a modern take on the little pocket Shrines of Ancient times.
These were the precious pieces that were used to store mementos and relics and were passed down through the generations to be treasured and adored.
In a nod to that tradition the tins become a hiding place for a treasure which has been worked by the artists hand. Precious slow stitches, a piece of a memory hidden within, a feeling from the artist's heart!
In April when I exhibit my work in France at Pour L'Amour du Fil I will be launching a small range of kits of tins with the inks to decorate them, vintage papers to decorate the inside of the tin and the beautiful textiles to embroider the artwork within.
The Heart kit will have a heart shaped tin and a very beautiful piece of Silk Brocade to embroider upon. It will come with the inks and applicators, beads, flowers and threads to decorate with.
The Circle Kit will come with the round tin and a piece of handmade silk and merino felt, the inks and applicators and a metal flower and leaf to decorate. It will also have threads and beads to decorate with.
It would be lovely to see you there or at another workshop soon. Pour L'Amour du Fil
For the Love of Thread!
Click Here! Pour L'Amour Du Fil
I have been invited to exhibit my work and teach workshops at this beautiful textile show in April at Nantes in the stunning Loire Valley in France.
The show is run by Quilt Mania who publish the most wonderful textile books and Quilting Magazines.
There will be some amazing highlights at the show including exhibits from the Tokyo Quilt Festival, and artists from around the world including Yoko Saito from Japan, Linda Koenig from the USA as well as wonderful textile artists from Australia and Turkmenistan.
Representing the UK in addition to myself will be Karen Ruane and Val Holmes . There may be other names that will be announced nearer the time. There will be some fantastic suppliers and exhibitions.
I will be launching my new range of embroidery kits that feature heart and circle shaped tins which can be painted with alcohol inks and embroidered with hand dyed threads onto silk brocade and handmade felt. These will also be the kits that will feature in my workshops at the show.
In my exhibition space I will be showing my Altered Books, Fabric Books, Altered Tins and sketchbooks as well as some of my other Mixed Media work. I will also be demonstrating some of the techniques in the Cut Shape Stitch book if there is time.
Paul my husband will be with me and will take lots of photos around the show to share with you so you can feel like you are there with me. Paul Watkins Photography
