Trip to Bury St Edmunds

The ERTF Cambridgeshire Area rep is organising a trip to Bury St Edmunds, all ERTF members are welcome to join them, for more information go to the website- Cambridge- Events and Workshops

Owen Jones at The V and A

A group of 6 ERTF members made a visit today to the V&A, I'm sure that they will all agree that Caroline arranged a very well organised day. We met at 11 then spent an hour and a half looking at the two rooms which contained some of his works, this gave us all a chance to get a feel of what was to come! After lunch we had two hours in a room of our own where we were presented with books and boxes of Owen Jones designs, there were also 4 designs that were sold at auction by the Warners Archive in the 1970's, the fabrics from these designs are still held by Warners. Photography was allowed, but sadly I cant put these images up as they are only for my own use. It was a very inspiring day, I came away with lots of ideas for future projects, I'm sure that the rest of the group did too! There will be more opportunities to study Owen Jones either at the V&A or at Warners Archive. Register your interest by going on the website all the details are under Committee Organised Miscellaneous events!

Jersey Showcase

Now the first ERTF exhibition is over it's time to think about what else we have in our programme for the future. 2010 promises to be a busy year with a trip to Jersey being a prime example of what we have to look forward to. I thought I'd bring it back to the top of the blog, just a reminder................



ERTF has put together in partnership with Art in the Frame a private programme to include events specially for ERTF members as a group in order to have time to network and enjoy each others company along with plenty of opportunities of getting to know other textile artists from the Channel Isles, France and the UK and some time off to do your own thing!
For more information go to the ERTF members site and see all the information about this exciting opportunity in the committee organised event section.
The spaces for this event are very limited so book early.

Outside Eastern Region

There is another interesting post on the website by Janet Whiteman it's in the Outside the Eastern region section of the members site, check it out especially if your a Coco Chanel or a Michelle Obama fan!

Dont Miss It!

I popped into The Shop today, another work has been sold, a lovely felt piece by Cathy Unwin. Tomorrow is the last chance to see this exhibition, so if your in the Cambridge area I would call, in if I were you. It would be such a shame to miss it!

Contacting Chairman

My personal email is sending messages back saying "returned automatically without being read" or words to that effect and some people think they have sent me an email as they haven't had a notice that it hasn't got to me. Since Friday I have not received any mail (as I normally get around 30 a day I know something is wrong but unfortunately Virgin do not know what!) so if you think you have sent me something since Sat 19th Sep on my personal email I haven't got it. You can contact me through the web site so please use this until futher notice, for those that have my hotmail address, this is still working. Many thanks, Lorraine

Special Mention

Well done Isabel, age 8, who spent time with Sue and made this wonderful leaf - your leaf and small prize is in the post!

Strange Creatures in Cambridge!

Special mention goes to Glen Gerrard for her wonderful insect (got this round the right way on this post!!)

Sue Blackburn spent a weekend at The Shop running leaf making workshops but it seems everyone's imagination run away with them.....

Leaf Competition in Cambride

These are the winning leaves in the Glamourous, Funky and Autumnal categories - well done Marian Murphy, Pat Brunsdon and Sue Blackburn - see web site Members Section, Membership Challenges for more information.

Secret Cemeteries

Why not join Jenny on this community textile project? for more information, check the members website, look at the Hertfordshire or London section under workshops.

Fee Earning Opportunity for Members

Speakers are required - see in members section of website under Opportunities for Members

The Lion in Cambridge!

This absolutely amazing piece of work by Sue Blackburn sold last week and Sue has received a commission for another piece. Well done Sue. This striking piece of art work is the most commented on in the visitors' book - he seems to draw a lot of people to him.............

Funky Leaf Making in Cambridge

ERTF members Pat and Suzanne spent the weekend teaching young and not so young lace main with thick threads - please see picture left of my first ever attempt - no comments please. When I arrived on Sunday this young girl was waiting outside and keen to start - I think she made she made a funky lace leaf in about an hour - mine took me all day but I did talk to a lot of visitors as well!

Last weekend ERTF Sue spent the weekend making Funky Foliage with visitors and obviously imaginations run wild - insects and wrapped conkers were added to the window display....

What a great way of keeping updated

I have just added a blog entry to the EAST website, and thought I should also add something here. And I just wanted to say - what a great way of keeping in touch with what is going on in Cambridge. I couldn't get to the lunch or the opening day but seeing the photos and videos and hearing what is going on is really such an excellent way of keeping up to date with it all.

Well done to the bloggers who are keeping the rest of us informed.

ART STUDENTS AT CAMBRIDGE EXHIBITION

I spent another interesting day stewarding on Wednesday. Since opening the exhibition has been very well attended, slow days are about 30, over the weekend just under 200 came through and on Wednesday we had 60!!! S0me of the number was due to Cambridge Regional College sending its art foundation students to sketch at the exhibition - fantastic - it was great to see young students sitting around sketching and asking questions - they spent a good couple of hours with us and there was definately a few budding textile artists amongst them.

Great that the exhibition was noticed by the college and even better that the students came - I am bursting with pride at our achievements..................

JERSEY TEXTILE SHOWCASE MARCH 2010 Reminder

We have all been so busy with the exhibition, which has been a great success with private views,lovely lunches and not to forget those important stewarding days. But! we must not forget the great things still to come! There are still places on this trip so don't forget to book! I thought I'd bring it back up to the top of the blog, just a reminder................



ERTF has put together in partnership with Art in the Frame a private programme to include events specially for ERTF members as a group in order to have time to network and enjoy each others company along with plenty of opportunities of getting to know other textile artists from the Channel Isles, France and the UK and some time off to do your own thing!
For more information go to the ERTF members site and see all the information about this exciting opportunity in the committee organised event section.
The spaces for this event are very limited so book early.

MESCH- Exhibition 20th October to 21st November'09

Wendy Greene's Cambridge Blues

Firstly apologises to all, especially Wendy, for this photo but it is one I snapped quickly whilst setting up. Next congratulations Wendy, you have sold Cambridge Blues! The gentleman that brought it came back several times to look and to the joy for all in The Shop, we learnt he collects modern art, not textiles, and brought the piece as a work of art, not as a textile piece! Tra-la - success all round! Well done Mavis Howard for completing the sale!

Lorraine TC.

SUNDAY LUNCH AT JESUS COLLEGE

We started on Sunday with "breakfast" at The Shop, Michael Brennand-Wood, seen here with Ann Wise and Mr Chair!, joined us and we chatted over croissants, biscuits and chocolate brownies - yum.

It was then a short walk to drinks in The Cloisters are Jesus College - bubbles got the networking going and we enjoyed the sculpture in the Cloister Gardens which formed part of the sculpture trial in the college grounds - so we saw wonderful textiles and art by Anthony Gormley!

It was then lunch in The Upper Hall - we had a beautifully presented and served three course lunch and some of our new members were able to meet and chat with others for the first time.

A big thanks goes to the professionalism of all at Jesus who made the day work so smoothly.

Mary Cozens-Walker and Ann Wise joined us for lunch and over coffee and chocolates Michael gave us an entertaining fast track talk through the more important pieces of his art work. He wisely talked fast and furious so we had to concentrate to keep up so he managed the no mean feat of keeping an audience awake after lunch and wine!

Suddenly it was time to go, the day went so quickly and even though I was hosting the event I did, for once, thoroughly enjoy it - everything went smoothly, everyone chatted, laughed and joked and importantly, made connections with each other. I loved it - so thank you all those that came and supported the event and I hope to see more of you next time.

We are also pleased to welcome Mary Cozens-Walker as a new member and thank her for her voluntary support over the last week. We are pleased that she shares ERTF's vision of the way forward so joined as a fully paid up member.

Mary seen here on the left with member Mavis Howard - who made our first sale at The Shop, Wendy Greene's Cambridge Blues. See more on Blog re this!

Cambridge Exhibition

stewarding

Maggi,Caroline and I stewarded yesterday, we met lots of members which was great fun, and also really enjoyed our speaker at the Private View in the afternoon.
The day didn't start too well, as there was no electricity and the fuse box looked a bit intimidating.
Might be a starting point for a design however...........the electrician was very jolly, sorted us out and went off clutching a poster.

The Gallery looks sophisticated and many as they passed on the bus were peering in at the enticing colourful window display.

We had a steady flow of visitors who in their turn were under observation

All the work was skilled and presented professionally in this excellent space.Just a few pics to show some that hasn't already been posted, all of the pieces deserve a look so do try and come if you can it will make your heart sing.

Mary gave us a warm and encouraging speech, inspiring us artists to be true to ourselves.

Wow!

Yesterday was the first day of the ERTF Moving Forward exhibition in Cambridge... and wow! It looks fabulous. There was a slow but steady stream of visitors - not a huge number but those that came were very impressed. Several people stayed for longer than an hour and we have one definite new member and a couple more very interested. Not bad for our first day.

The pictures are just a taster of what's on display - sorry not to give credit to the individual work but although I can remember some pieces I would be bound to leave someone out. Let's just say well done to everyone... it looks great.

And a huge thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to put this together. Again no names because I wouldn't want to leave anyone out.

The private view is this evening and this afternoon so I hope to see lots of you there.

The shop looks good too... I've got my eye on a couple of those bags!

Moving Forward- Cambridge Exhibition

For more information see previous blogs giving details of when the shop is closed for the private view, there is also information about workshops. Or go to our website ERTF.

Exhibition Setup and Sewing Support Services

Well the exhibition is now hung, and if I say so myself, it looks a really good exhibition, so for all those who contributed very well done. Unfortunately I am not going to be at the private view, due to a prior engagement, but I would recommend going if you can, and if not to try and get up and see the exhibition while it is on - you won't be disappointed. Above are some quick previews.

Those involved in the setting up have worked very hard, and having worked on exhibitions myself before, it is often the "off the scenes" work that can be the hardest. Setting up was quite enjoyable with a good team working together.

However special thanks should go to the "sewing support services", the men who though perhaps having very little interest in textile art (though perhaps I am wrong here), turn up and help lift, carry, fix and even make the tea. Thanks to George, Dave, Simon and John - we couldn't have done it without you.

Oh - and don't forget there is also a really good shop with some really nice bits and pieces in it, (see above top, left).

ERTF-JERSEY TEXTILE SHOWCASE 3RD-13TH March 2010

ERTF has put together in partnership with Art in the Frame a private programme to include events specially for ERTF members as a group in order to have time to network and enjoy each others company along with plenty of opportunities of getting to know other textile artists from the Channel Isles, France and the UK and some time off to do your own thing!
For more information go to the ERTF members site and see all the information about this exciting opportunity in the committee organised event section.
The spaces for this event are very limited so book early.

Date Change for Herts Dyeing Day

Urgent

The date for the Dyeing Day organized by the Hertfordshire group has changed to the 31st October, please see the website for more information. ERTF.ORG.UK

MESCH exhibition at ART VAN GO

MESCH is a newly formed group of textile artists with two members of ERTF in it. MESCH will be having their first exhibition at Art Van Go from 20th Oct -21st Nov. All the members of MESCH are experienced artists from different backgrounds.

ERTF in Essex

Just thought I would mention the things going on in Essex at the moment - the Essex/London members have been contacted but those outside the area may also be interested. All the information is on the website - www.ertf.org.uk.

"We're on the Map" is a textile exhibition in Maldon, but finishes 5th September.

"Knit one, Stitch one" is by members Bev and Juliet and has now started and is in Rochford.

In Colchester a group called Slack Space has an exhibition on for the next two weeks in the town centre. (See iheartslackspace.blogspot.com for more information.)

In Billericay, Essex - there are details of a felt making workshop later this month.

Fascinating Fibres

A selling exhibition featuring members of ERTF, TAGS and Suffolk Open Studios

19th - 27th September at Willowmead alpaca centre

[weaving studio and coffee shop]

Otley Bottom [near Woodbridge], Suffolk

From Woodbridge head east on the B1079 and stay on the same road past Grundisburgh and in Otley Bottom you’ll find us on the right (north side) of the road before you reach Otley village. ] IP6 9Ng

01473 738212

Suffolk group

Members of ERTF exhibited at Suffolk Treasures exhibition [SE Suffolk Embroiderers' Guild] in Ipswich [26th - 30th August].

Landscape by Ruth Hurlock

We are looking forward to exhibiting in Cambridge next week

New Post on members website

Take a look at the ERTF members site - click on London, Current Exhibitions, a new post has been made by one of our members.
Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art/Missoni until 20th September’09