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Creative Portfolio Download as a PDF
A catalogue of events detailing what I have achieved through my enterprise Ophelia Button and my involvement with the Ministry of Craft and Manchester Craft Mafia.
♥ Ophelia Button
Ophelia Button - 2006 to present
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A creative venture which began when I realised that my button collection was getting too big! I am thoroughly committed to the old-fashioned art of lovingly making things by hand; the unique accessories I create are made using forgotten, discarded materials recycled and brought back to life in imaginative ways. Vintage buttons and buckles and other tarnished treasures are dug out, polished up and combined to create unusual fashion accessories. I have also introduced button art in the form of canvases. Just as the majority of the products are made from recycled materials, so is the majority of my packaging.
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Hulme is Where The Art is - March 2010
A community Arts event at which I hosted a stall as Ophelia Button at Venture Arts
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Creative Recycling Workshops for National Science and Engineering Week - March 2010 held at St Francis Primary school
Wire Space Sculptures - Alien and rocket sculptures decorated with household recycling waste.
Fashion Your Plastics - Plastic bonded accessories made using carrier bags.
Fantastic Space Plastic- Turning household recycling into sparkly space storage.
Click HERE for feedback from the school.
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Junk Jumpers! - Feb 2010
Tutor of a creative workshop held at Withington Library Homework Support Group, Manchester City Council.
Shrunken woolens sewn into fashion accessories, hats, phone and i pod covers, brooches etc.
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Ministry of Craft - Visual Stylist for Ministry of Craft website photo shoot. March 2010.
This involved me preparing the products to be photographed to illustrate the content of forthcoming craft courses.
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Extended Schools Subsidy Scheme - held at Manchester City football ground - Feb 2010
Ophelia Button hosted a trade stand to promote creative workshops after being included in the Extended Schools Service Directory.
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Didsbury Vintage and Craft Fair - held at Emmanuel Hall Didsbury - Feb 2010
Hosted a stall as Ophelia Button.
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UK DIY exhibition held at The Craft and Design Centre - 20th March to 9th May 09
Exhibited work as member of Manchester Craft Mafia as Ophelia Button (see UK DIY in MCM section below for full exhibition details).
I submitted 2 collections for the exhibition under the headings 'Supercolourfragilistic' and 'Vintage chic'.
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Yarn Forward is an installation project to which I contributed - May 09
'To accompany the UK Craft Mafia's exhibition, ArtYarn have installed a yarn wrapping round the 1st Floor banister of the Manchester Craft and Design Centre to celebrate the many versatilities and techniques of knitting and crochet from around the world. ArtYarn aim to use traditional knitting and crochet techniques in contemporary traditional knitting and crochet techniques in contemporary visual arts projects. And aspire to promote the diversity and versatility of knitting and crochet as a medium.
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Interested in the artistic, social and historical contexts of knitting and crochet, ArtYarn are focused on the tactility of hand processes. ArtYarn view knitting and crochet as an opportunity for individual creative expression and at the same time explore the medium as a way to make art accessible through participatory making and collaborative exchange'.
For this project I submitted a strip entitled 'One for the boys' The brief being to knit or crochet your knitted strip to measure 7cm wide x 40 cm long. Any colour, yarn and technique is accepted, the brighter and wackier, the better.
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Stenner Lane Street Fayre held at Didsbury, Manchester - July 08
Hosted stall as Ophelia Button.
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Manchester City Council Lift the Lid on Recycling held at Manchester Town Hall - May 08
I was asked to exhibit my work as Ophelia Button in a public exhibition on recycling opened by the Lord Mayor. The exhibition displayed consultation results, with stalls, displays and demonstrations. As an exhibitor I was interacting with the public and on hand to answer any questions about my work and the recycled materials that I use to create it.
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Manchester City Council feedback; 'I know that some time has passed since you kindly attended the recycling event at the Town Hall on May 19th, but I wanted to offer my belated thanks for bringing and managing such a great display and stall. I hope that you enjoyed the day and felt it worth your while. We have since had some really good feedback from Manchester residents and other's who attended, with many commenting on how impressed they were with the set up in the Great Hall. We couldn't have done it without you making the effort, so thank you!'
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Kids Modern held at Dulwich College, London - Feb 08
Hosted stall as Ophelia Button. alongside the likes of Clothkits and Ella Doran!
'The international one stop shop for design for kids and kidults. Show open to Public and Trade. Fun, funky and fabulous - the new public show championing the coolest furniture, fashion and toys for children, presented by the organisers of Midcentury Modern'.
www.ourshowhome.com/docs/kidsmod/kidsmod.html
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Artsmix Arts and Crafts Market (Formally known as Mosaic) held in Chancellors Court (Leeds city centre behind the Corn Exchange). Various dates in 2006 - 2008.
Hosted stall as Ophelia Button.
'A project to support artists and crafts people through setting up a unique market in Leeds where people can sell and exhibit their work'.
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Making stuff for Kids a children's craft book - Nov 07
A contribution of 2 button-based projects Collecting buttons 'There's no nicer feeling than dipping your hand in a jar of buttons and running your fingers through them' and Cute as a button necklace 'This extra special button necklace will add sparkle for a special day, and be warned - once people see your beautiful necklace, they'll all want one'.
'The twenty-first century has seen an explosion in of all kinds of crafting. So much that it sometimes feels like kids' craft has fallen by the wayside.
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Following on from the success of Making Stuff: An alternative Craft Book, Making Stuff For Kids brings children back into the craft equation, with a collection of cool, exciting and useful projects that kids can make on their own, or that adults can make for them. Featuring new ideas and old favourites from puppets to potato printing to pom poms, this book has something for everyone, and lays out over 50 useful and exciting project ideas with clearly accessible, step-by-step instructions, hand drawn illustrations and photography. Organised by age group and containing a useful key showing where an adult needs to get involved, this book is both a practical and beautiful volume.
With the same refreshing light-hearted tone as Making Stuff, this is a book that will inspire and educate the young and the young at heart - a shot of pure unadulterated fun for all!'
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Emerging Artists Award held at Leeds - Oct 07
(In association with artsmix* an enterprising and creative Leeds based social Enterprise providing sales and development platforms for artists and quality arts projects across Leeds and the wider Yorkshire area).
'The idea behind these awards was to encourage local artists and our new Enterprises to reflect on their artistic and production techniques and to put forward examples of their work which they felt truly encapsulated their ethos'.
The criteria was to enter a piece of your work accompanied by a written statement. My entry was a necklace created using vintage buttons in a variety of materials including glass and mother of pearl entitled 'Going to the ball'. It was shortlisted from 27 entries and got through to the top 3!
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Pretty Crafty Things held at Leeds Met student union and the subculture nightclub, Leeds - Various dates in 2006 - 2007 (In association with Leeds Craft Mafia)
Hosted stall as Ophelia Button.
'An alterative market showcasing the work of a new generation of indie designers and renegade crafters'.
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♥ Ministry of Craft - Tutor of Craft Courses - Aug 09 to present day
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'The Ministry of Craft is a sociable and friendly place which offers a varied programme of fantastic courses. So why not 'make and take' something unique, develop your skills or experiment with your ideas - whether you are just starting out or are well on your way to being an expert - Ministry of Craft is for you! Come along and satisfy your creative needs. We'll get you crafting!' Detailed below are the Craft courses which I have taught.
www.ministryofcraft.co.uk
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Trashion - May 2010
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'Love turning outfits from 'now' to 'wow' with unique accessories? Keen to sparkle without spending a fortune? Discover how to transform unwanted or discarded household materials into cute accessories or statement jewellery pieces with our brand new course Trashion: Recycled Jewellery.
Trashion will help you unravel the mysteries of shrunken woolens and plastic bonding - enabling you to magic unloved woolly jumpers and old plastic bags into a whole range of gorgeous accessories.'
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Unique Yuletide - Dec 09 'Create a wonderfully unique gift and delve into the satisfying and super thrifty world of homemade Christmas decorations with this festive explosion of pretty, glittery fun, which will have you kicking up your Christmas heels with excitement.'
www.ministryofcraft.co.uk/courses/cp-2-unique-yuletide/
(Adult workshop held at Fred Aldous Craft retailer).
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Fantastic Space Plastic - Nov 09 'Turning uninteresting containers and bottles into sparkly space inspired storage! Using a variety of shiny and textured recycled materials transform your chosen rubbish into a robot, alien or spaceship keepsake box or desk tidy.'
(Children's workshop held at MOSI as part of Manchester Science festival) |
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Junk Jumpers! - Nov 09 'Learn to cut and piece together scraps of shrunken wool jumpers to make a fantastic felt flower brooch or winner's rosette, using some basic sewing skills. Choose from our huge collection of multi-coloured buttons to add an extra special touch and leave proudly wearing your own recycled fashion!'
(Children's workshop held at MOSI as part of Manchester Science festival)
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Accessory Junkie - June / July 09 'A Quirky fashion accessories workshop to encourage you to gather inspiration providing a collection of ideas and preferred styles to set your mind a whirl and ignite a burning desire to create! Learn new found skills and create a number of completed accessories to adorn yourself with at the envy of your friends!'
(Workshop for adults held at The Friends meeting house Manchester)
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♥ Manchester Craft Mafia
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Manchester Craft Mafia Co-Founder - July 07 to present day
See www.manchestercraftmafia.co.uk and www.craftmafia.com
'Manchester Craft Mafia introduces, encourages and promotes craft as a career and as a hobby; bringing like minded people together to create and enjoy craft individually and socially; and spread a new fired up crafting buzz throughout the city and beyond'.
My main responsibility within the Craft Mafia is organising social crafting events, from which Lo Fi DIY was born (see below). As a founder member I collectively decide on the direction of the Manchester Craft Mafia.
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Lo Fi DIY held at Manchester Craft and Design Centre, An Outlet and Urbis - Aug 08 to present day
Lo Fi DIY is a monthly crafting club (organised by myself and in association with Manchester Craft Mafia), it is all about having fun, sharing ideas and making new friends. It's an eclectic mix of crafting friends (see pic left!) bringing together skill swaps of crafts past and present. People are invited to bring along a project they are working on (whatever it may be?) and continue with like-minded individuals. Or join in the event or activity that is on offer that month. Inspiration is at hand in the form of scrapbooks, previously made crafts (we call this show and tell), through demonstrations and with the plentiful treasure trove of materials on offer. Lo Fi DIY celebrated its first birthday in August 09 and of this I am extremely proud!
Hear radio interview - Nov 09 www.pocketrock.co.uk/blog/?p=346
and www.gsfcuk.com/
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Manchester Craft Mafia Xmas Market held at Whitworth Art Gallery - Dec 09
I was involved in the organisation of the event and also hosted stall as Ophelia Button.(see "Ophelia Button" above).
'Manchester Craft Mafia's Christmas market is back! Come and peruse an assortment of sumptuous a la mode, handmade gifts with price tags to suit all budgets'.
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UK DIY exhibition held at The Craft and Design Centre - 20th March to 9th May 09
Exhibited work as member of Manchester Craft Mafia.
'The first UK project to explore the resurgence of craft skills being adopted by an on-line generation. In an age of ready-made entertainment and disposable fashion, craft DIYers are rediscovering the joys of granny's knitting patterns and dusting off their crochet hooks. This social and business network that originated in the U.S. has infiltrated our shores with an enthusiasm for open source inspiration, combining a nostalgic appreciation for the hand-made with a passion for technology and contemporary references'.
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'UK Craft Mafias celebrates the rise of online Craft Mafias in the UK, showcasing the best of members' work from Manchester, Nottingham, Glasgow, and Sheffield. The Mafiosi's output ranges from cutesy to controversial, revealing the wealth of talent brought together through this web-based network. Deploying techniques passed down through family members and friends, many Mafiosi are self-taught craft aficionados'.
http://www.ukdiycraft.blogspot.com
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Manchester Craft Mafia Xmas Market held at Whitworth Art Gallery - Dec 08
Hosted stall as Ophelia Button.(see "Ophelia Button" above).
'Christmas gifts like no-one else. Last year saw paper shoes, bamboo headwear, button jewellery and retro toys. Manchester Craft Mafia Christmas market is back. Peruse a delectable range of contemporary handmade gifts'.
www.manchestercraftmafia.com/blog/?p=183
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Fashion Accessories workshop held at Urbis, Manchester - Oct 08
Vintage Style a drop-in accessories workshop that I hosted with 2 other members of the Manchester Craft Mafia for the visitors to Manchester in Fashion Week. Based on the success of previous events (such as Lo Fi DIY and the Craft Markets) held both here at Urbis and at The Craft and Design Centre.
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'Fashion your own accessories from scratch or adapt items of your own in this fashionista-friendly drop in workshop run by Manchester Craft Mafia. Take advantage of their stunning assortment of collectable vintage lace, buttons, fabrics and other treasures. Arrive empty handed and explore the Mafia's wonderous trinkets for inspiration; or bring your own bags and accessories to personalise'.
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Urbis feedback; 'Everyone who came out of the session seemed to have enjoyed it, and it was buzzing but also organised, with your staff constantly going round checking how people got on. And some of the 'creations' that were made as part of the event were fantastic. I'd definitely work with you again as this was the most successful of all the events I worked on for Manchester in fashion'
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Manchester Craft Mafia Xmas Market held at Urbis, Manchester - Dec 07
Hosted stall as Ophelia Button (see "Ophelia Button" above).
'Xmas shopping like you've never seen before'
www.indiequarter.com/blog/category/podcasts/
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