New Otts On The Blog

I've been tampering with the Original Otter Formula lately and thought I'd share a sneaky peek with you lot!

I've managed to get hold of the amazing fluffy felt in taupe and made two little cuties, Caspar and Boo.  However, one day I came across them standing around on the dining table staring rather intently at me and just for a moment they reminded me of a gruesome twosome from a classic movie . . .

With apologies to Stanley Kubrick

But they have asked me to tell you that they are very sweet really, and they wouldn't be seen dead wearing blue dresses. Huh huh huh.

Caspar and Boo - "We think we are nice"

They made a special trip to Londinium on Friday to go on sale in the very wonderful Oak Studios in Perrins Court, Hampstead.  Here they are in their glamorous carriage.

The sharp-eyed amongst you may have noticed some otters with accessories.  I have bowed to commercialism and produced a limited range of loving little otts just perfect for Valentine's Day.  They are much smaller (around 12cm high) and are brandishing either a big felt heart or a bouquet of roses.  They are not currently listed on my website, but contact me if you would like one, or see my Facebook page for details.

Messin' with resin

I have long been thinking about making jewellery in a material that might be considered more acceptable than papier mache by the general public (what do they know anyway, huh?). I tried silver in 2010 but knew pretty quickly that it wasn't for me as it lacked the potential for colour and pattern that I love and would require too much specialist equipment.  Plus I work in a quiet studio where everyone else uses Macs to design and illustrate, and they probably wouldn't relish me getting busy with gas flames and hammers on a daily basis.

The next choices were acrylic or enamelling but I couldn't find any suitable courses in Brighton and was ready to give up until a chance conversation with Paula Eastman of Feather Fancies revealed that there was a resin one at the London Jewellery School that she was also thinking of attending.

We duly signed up for 19th-20th January and spent two busy days having our minds blown with all the creative possibilities that were suddenly revealed.  YOWZA!

The resin is easy to use and very versatile.  We got started on about four pieces simultaneously, as whilst you're waiting for one layer to dry on one piece, you can start on another. The possibilities for including stuff in the resin really inspire me, as I love using found objects, and the 3D effect you can get is very new and exciting to me.

My first forays into the medium - pendants

Our tutor didn't set limits, so we were encouraged to experiment and take risks, with the upshot being that Paula and I elected to try and make complicated bangles using animal forms.  I had previously drawn out some otter designs and found some gorgeous brown marbled paper that I wondered if I could use, so these were incorporated into a shape marked out in string which was glued to acetate and wrapped round a curved surface.

When finished, this would be unpeeled and then 'float' in a bangle mould formed by two cylinders of acetate and filled with resin, which I didn't have time to complete.

Note hideous leakage as resin breaches the glue barrier

This probably was too ambitious, especially in terms of the time available, but I do intend to finish it (just as soon as my materials arrive!) even though I fear it will look totes rubs.  Learning curve, learning curve!

I can't believe how incredibly tired I was after both days, what with all the concentration and creative stiumulation as my mind started pondering all the exciting possibilities.  I shall, of course, be sharing the results as soon as they are done!

Some of Paula's lovely things

2011

So 2011 is past and 2012 has begun.  No deep musings or resolutions to be found here, simply some pictures that remind me of an exciting year for Shark Alley.

This was the year I ventured into the world of the craft market.  Some were good and some were bad so I'm gradually learning which ones to go for and which to avoid!

Here I am at one of the good ones - the very lovely Craftaganza Christmas market, held at the Fabrica gallery here in Brighton.

The Landmark Crafts Fair was held in a spectacular venue in Teddington (close to where I grew up) and it was the first time I'd had a proper booth with back and sides.  I certainly didn't make full use of these, having never had them before, but will know better next time!

It was a great success for me because it felt like a vindication of everything I have worked so hard for since I started Shark Alley in January 2010 and this was reflected both in sales and the positive reaction to my pieces.  I met some lovely people too.  A lot of publications selected images of my work to publicise the event, including CRAFTS - the magazine of The Crafts Council, which was incredibly exciting and a huge boost to the morale.

2011 also marked the year I began to sew things as well as make jewellery - the first of hopefully many excursions into different products and projects that will come under Shark Alley's crafty little banner.

The hand-sewn otters have already been well documented in this blog, but I also really enjoyed making bird decorations as well as designing and putting together kits to enable others to feel the love!  Sewing is soooo (sew?!) therapeutic for me and although it can be time-consuming and not that cost-effective, I really enjoy it.

Elsa, a friend's eight year old goddaughter, used her kits to make the decoration and the key ring above.  Excellent work, eh?  I'll be outsourcing the otters to her soon.

A competition launched on Shark Alley's Facebook page yielded lots of lovely 'likers' and a chance to win four of the felty bird decs.  Here is one of the four on a lucky winner's Christmas tree!

Speaking of the otters, I haven't been able to confirm the full totals as yet, but I reckon I've raised around £50 to donate to the Otters and Butterflies sanctuary in Buckfastleigh, Devon, which I'm dead chuffed about (10% of all my otter sales go towards this).  I'm going to continue fundraising this year for another ottery organisation yet to be confirmed.

Plans for 2012 include moving Shark Alley jewellery into a different medium and I've got loads of ideas for lovely, unusual Christmas products using mostly recycled materials, something I remain passionate about.  I'd also like to try more 3D work using birds and animals as my inspiration as usual.

So HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of you who've managed to read this far!  Thanks for your interest and support and let's hope that 2012 is going to be a good one. xxxx