Pressure and productivity

Life has been a whirlwind since the return to school and studio life in September. On top of moving into a new studio all to myself, I've been working towards showing my work at Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair which took place last week at its new venue of Upper Campfield Market on Deansgate, Manchester.

Having an impending deadline I think benefits most of us in terms of productivity; I have always worked better under pressure and although the night before might be cutting it fine these days, you can't beat the flurry of activity and energy that arises when a big event draws near.

Working part time around school hours means I often just get into my creative flow and then have to dash off to do the school run.  Having time to "play" in the studio is underrated but its the time when I accidentally do something as a result of another task perhaps, that often leads to a design or solution that is successful.

The thought of exhibiting at a fair fires my mind into action: the ideas I want to make, how I want to display my work, the experience I want to give visitors, the messages I want to put across and how I'm going to make it all happen. As weeks fly by and the event draws near I quickly scribble down the ideas that arise whilst making so I can revisit them when I have time; I often wish I could bottle them like the BFG bottles the dreams that he collects- I would love to have a studio wall lined with bottled ideas!

This year GNCCF teamed up with Patricia Van den Akker from The Design Trust who ran two webinars for GNCCF exhibitors prior to the event with a focus on planning and marketing. I am a keen devotee of Patricia and last year took her Creative Business Planning course after seeing her talk at various places. She really understands creative businesses and how they are different; offering practical, down-to-earth advice and guidance on everything from how to price your work to tips on social media and blogging. Her in depth questions and tasks are thought provoking and challenging but her genuine passion and interest in helping your business succeed really comes across and makes you feel less alone in driving your dream forward.

Highlights of my stand at Great Northern

The fair gives me the opportunity to talk to so many interested and interesting people and now I feel motivated to get back into the studio and focus on my next goal.

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What's next?

OPEN STUDIO

SUNDAY 12TH NOVEMBER

COME AND TRY ON HATS IN MY STUDIO  

12-3PM

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Floral fascination

A highlight in the North West Summer calendar is the RHS Tatton Flower Show. This year I saw it from a slightly different angle as I helped on the Manchester School of Art stand. Two frameless greenhouses supplied by pure greenhouse were decorated with illustrations by different artists and designers over the course of the show. 

Thanks to the British Summer, soggy damp visitors looked on intrigued as we were fortunate enough to be cocooned in the greenhouse;  the warmest driest visitors in the show!

It just so happened that Friday was Ladies Day and Cheshire Life's fashion editor Janet Reeder was the judge of the Best Dressed Woman, with BBC's Louise Minchin presenting the awards. 

It was great to see so many women getting into the spirit of the occasion-another excuse to dress up and don a hat!  

Back on home turf; I'm excited to hear of plans for my neighbouring building, the grade II listed Produce Hall.  The team behind Stockport's infamous Foodie Friday are proposing to animate the Produce Hall with food, drink and entertainment, bringing people to the area to enjoy their offer in the evening and at the weekend. They also want to attract visitors to the Market Place who will stay to explore the surrounding businesses, including all the local pubs, cafes and traders at Stockport Market and not forgetting my very own Market Place Studios!

 What's next....?!

Look out for my Summer holiday inspiration feed @emmafozardmillinery on instagram

Save the dates: I'll be exhibiting at Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair October 12-15th at Upper Campfield Market, Manchester 

Emma Fozard Original travels to NYC!

The annual dinner for The Headwear Association took place on April 27th at the Loeb Boathouse in New York City's Central Park. Their central mission is, "To promote hats and the headwear industry throughout the world, and to foster goodwill and fellowship among those engaged in the headwear industry."

More than 170 hat-clad guests and models gathered to celebrate the headwear industry with a marvelous dinner, fashion show, industry awards and personal tributes.

Amongst the headwear modelled was one of my latest creations "Arc"; a zebrano headpiece with a metallic silver finish and worn by Georgina Abbot of Atelier Millinery. She was there with Becky Weaver, editor of HatTalk E-magazine and co-organiser of London Hat Week.

Becky Weaver and Georgina Abbot featured in The Hat magazine.

Meanwhile I followed a different hat to Germany in May to be worn at a friend's wedding. Headwear isn't usual at German weddings so I took advantage of my "Englishness" and wore it with pride.

Navy sinamay button perch hat with trim made from beech veneer laminated with gold embossed paper and handpainted. 

Congratulations Steffen and Kathrin!!

Back from holidays and it was straight into an event run by Sale Arts Trail founder and jeweller Jo Lavelle. Artist Takeover took place at Waterside Arts Centre as part of the Sale Festival and featured artists, jewellers, printmakers and crafts from the region.

What's next?

Date for your dairy.... I'm pleased to have been selected again for the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair which returns for it's tenth anniversary from Oct 12th - 15th at it's new home of Upper Campfield Market, Manchester.