Our resident artist and project coordinator Carole Miles was invited to run a lace inspired print making session during the Keep Calm and Carry Yarn day at the National Centre for Craft and Design in Sleaford.
This gave Carole the perfect opportunity for some experimentation in her garden studio, using lace donated by a variety of Back To Books members whilst developing a new Remake Remodel activity and the chance to take some more steps further afield. Carole persuaded Back To Books member and walk facilitator Andrew Rushton to accompany her and to help document the work. It was also and opportunity for Andrew to explore the delights of the NCCD and of the area surrounding the building. He loved exploring Sleaford inspite of the torrential rain and took a lovely sequence of images in the rain-less moments!
The workshop space provided at the NCCD was lovely, as was the group and only one or two had any previous print making experience. As this was a short session prints were made in a variety of quick and simple ways and Carole gave advice on how to avoid the pitfalls of using either too much or too little ink / texture. First impressions were a pathway towards much more successful prints as participants got the feel of what the materials might do and which colours might work best.
We loved the journey this particular print took
and were intrigued by the choice of materials.
We also love the way that Carole showed the group
how to get two prints from one pull.
There was also time to explore different ways of
utilising inked or embossed lace and
both sides of the materials inked.
We feel certain that participants were happy as they left with a sheaf of printed papers which could be remade or remodelled into other things. You can see more impressions here
The day was also a great opportunity to connect with other makers like Anna Steiner, Phiona Richards, Amy Lee and Carol Parker and to see the gorgeous window exhibition by Ruth Singer. There was a wonderful exhibition of jewellery called Jewellery for the Famous and the Infamous taking inspiration from contemporary icons. There was so much to see and many old techniques being used in new ways or new techniques taking craft into new realms. The shop was full of delights including gorgeous work by one of Carole's favourite jewellers Helen Noakes and we can heartily recommend making a visit or taking a course at the NCCD if you get the opportunity!
