It's a small world...

It may be a cliche but when different worlds collide and parts of your past pop up when you least expect it, it's a chance to take stock, gain perspective and marvel at everything life brings!

Heatons Arts Trail has been on my radar for a couple of years since getting my studio in Stockport (now in my third year here!) however after sharing a stand at Great Northern CCF last year with one its committee members I resolved to get involved in 2018.

Its a two-day, free to visit, community-led trail where local artists and artisans open their homes and studios to showcase their work to the public.

Enter McAuley Photography Studios in Heaton Chapel who are also taking part for the first time and who very kindly offered to host myself and fellow Market Place studio jeweller Lauren Taylor.

On recognising Claire McAuley's name I racked my brain to dust off some hazy post-baby (my first!) memories of ante-natal yoga classes and sunny park trips with prams and a snap happy fellow mum that turned out to be Claire. Ten years and four children (two each!) down the line and she has her own photography business and I'm a milliner. Her recently acquired studio on Wellington Road North in Stockport is a fantastic bright, characterful space that compliments her passion for portrait photography. 

Model Charis wearing Beau headpiece and jewellery by Lauren Taylor

Claire suggested a collaboration and the end result are these fantastic images. The photo shoot was set up and styled by the three of us with model Charis making life easy with her natural elegance and poise. It was a thrill to see my designs in this way and I felt lucky to be working with the support of old friends and new on a great project.

Model Charis wearing Ava and jewellery by Lauren Taylor.

 

Heaton Arts Trail is on

Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th July

from 11-5pm .

My work will be on display at McAuley Photography Studio alongside Claire McAuley's photography and Lauren Taylor's jewellery.

Myself and Lauren Taylor will be giving live demos throughout the weekend so please come along and join us for a weekend of creativity.

You can find a map of Heatons Arts Trail here 

London Hat Week

 

London Hat Week is a collection of hat related events across London that celebrate the art of hats in the city that is home to some fo the most talented hat designers in the world. It runs from 22nd-28th March.

I am delighted that my Liberty headpiece will be featuring in the Great Hat Exhibition and will be getting on the train tomorrow to attend the preview in the evening (no school run for me on Thursday!)

The name of 2018 London Hat Week's official exhibition came from the historical event that took place in London in 1851: The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations or ‘The Great Exhibition,’ was the first in a series of World Fairs, exhibitions of culture and industry that became popular in the 19th century and it was a much anticipated event.

The exhibition will show case over 200 hat designs inspired by a piece of history or culture, or crafted with a unique technique or craftsmanship of their nation, from milliners from all over the world. 

Liberty; laminated beech headband with paper covered beech loops and aluminium rivets

There's a whole host of millinery related events and I encourage you to look at the schedule to get involved; a highlight for me is the Hat Works Mobile Museum which is the idea of Bronwen Simpson, the brains behind Stockport's first ever Hatstock last year. Lucky me having such a resource on my doorstep and great that it is showcasing it's historical millinery treasures to a wider audience!

I am also looking forward to the LHW launch party on Thursday evening where I will meet up with a new millinery acquaintance; Joanna Zara, a hat maker based in Brighton. We are both taking an online business course which accompanies the Dream Plan Do book written by creative business coach Patricia Van Den Akker.

Joanna is my "accountability partner" which so far has meant that we've had a couple of chats on the phone sharing our experiences of the course and life so far as a self employed milliner. For me, it is helpful to be able to talk through ideas with someone in the same field and I'm looking forward to meeting up in person!

On a more seasonal note, Spring is hopefully now on the horizon after all the snow we've had and we can look forward to some exciting events on the millinery calendar.

Watch this space for my latest SS collection!

A quick round up and A Happy Christmas!

The run up to Christmas (only 1 day left before the children break up) is an opportunity to reflect on the highlights of this year whilst trying to ignore the lists of things still to do! 

HatStock in March was a good focus for Springtime and a particular joy was having many family member and friends that came along to support me. Having begun my Millinery training at Hat Works, it was exciting to return to show my work there and even better to sell a piece to Georgina Abbot of London Hat week.

Dad and me with the "Arc" headpiece that I sold.

In June I did a 2 day intensive boot camp business course at MMU which resulted in me acquiring a mentor called Naomi Timperley. She is a specialist in brand development network building and is a valuable source of encouragement and advice when I’m finding things difficult.  

Catching up with an old Millinery friend in July was a highlight especially when it turned out that her son was due to get married and she needed a hat! I felt very privileged to make this for Sue who spent many years selling and helping design hats when she managed Susy Krakowski Millinery in Wilmslow where I did some work experience during my degree. 

Sue on the right, with her daughter Kerry.

Organising my first professional photo shoot was a goal for this year and I used a company that specialises in photographing headwear. I used the images on my stand at GNNCF as well on my website and in other marketing; everyone says good photos make a big difference and I think these prove it!

Photo by Hatshooter

Looking forward to next year now and I’ve just found out that my work has been selected to be shown at the London Hat Week exhibition in March-great news!

In actual fact now that I look back over this year there's many things that I've accomplished. Despite the challenges that arise in doing things for the first time and putting yourself out of your comfort zone; the end result is worth it and I appreciate the opportunities that having my own studio and business bring. 

I’m lucky to have made many new acquaintances this year and would like to wish everyone who has helped and supported me and my business over the last 12 months a very happy Christmas and 2018 ..and a big thank you!