Thursday 20 February 2014

WabiSabi - Gold and Dark Greeen

I've been experimenting with gold paint just yesterday. I had a  green hand dyed scarf that has been calling out for something unusual for months and I recently rediscovered my metallic gold  fabric paint so seeing as I've been inspired by Japanese aesthetic I thought a little experimentation was in order.

As well as the Wabi-Sabi inspiration I have found  some amazing examples of Kintsukuroi just lately, another Japanese art this one means repairing with gold.

 My colour palette is worn oak green and gold and its hand worked texture and design seems a perfect match between the two







Tuesday 11 February 2014

Spring Inspiration

Some of the colours for Spring/Summer 2014


Pantone Spring/Summer 2014 colours

A SEASON OF COLORFUL EQUILIBRIUM Designers take a modern twist on the traditional for spring 2014 by pairing soft pastels with vivid brights to create a colorful equilibrium. Inspired by a mixture of blooming flowers, travels abroad, and strong, confident women, designers use color to refresh, revive and defy conventional wisdom.



 Personally I feel that Hemlock and Freesia are going to be my favourites.I love a soft,subtle steel green tone and the bold yellow adds a touch of saffron sunshine without being too harsh. Cayenne also hold promise with its connotations of  Indian summers and festivals vibes. Quite a lot of this seasons colours are designed to add highlights to the ever popular neutral tones beloved of so many

Sunday 9 February 2014

New Directions

Some may know that I have been thinking of the direction I want my work to go in for the future. I  have made a recent foray into the world of  fabric dyeing and I feel so comfortable in it I'm focusing my energies onto that medium for the foreseeable future.

I will be keeping on with my wrap bracelets and silk rose brooches as smaller items but I feel that for myself to mature as a designer I need more focus, more singular work and a single platform from which I can launch my ideas.
I also feel that I am going in a more genuinly creative and artistic direction with this as will involve me being able to create my own collections, be more experimental in my colour and design choices not mention the joy of focusing creativity on one aspect of design that  means I can go upwards rather then spreading outwards in the way I want to take Shalotte in 2014.


I will be stopping making anything from commercially printed fabric and may do a spring sale to destash some of my current stock.

Dyeing  Inspiration for Spring 2014

I'm torn between doing a sea inspired collection in blues.greys, greens or the bold and exciting colours for Spring. I would love to make my own Indigo vat but I know I require more research before commencing such a large and intense project. I want to experiment with Stitch Shibori, my early works in this field are very promising and have sold quite well over the winter season.