JH Textile Arts

2011-11-06T10:41:00.000-08:00

We held our Textile Adventures Exhibition in the Cromer Studio Oct 22-28th. 2011. It was pretty busy and we had a really wide range of work. Brigid Warner, Justine Williamson and myself shared this space. These are some professional photographs for a change taken by John Worral.

2011-10-13T09:42:00.000-07:00

Another busy year - this year we returned from holiday on September 30th with 3 days to prepare for the K&S show!! All got finished and set-up on wens 5th October. It was another really good show - this year I included some knitwear on the stand. Doll supplies still very popular and I shall be starting on a new book very shortly. This should be out summer 2013 and will be on fantasy dolls. Next week we shall be holding a week's exhibition in the shop/studio in Cromer as part of the local Arts Week. More of this end of October.

2011-07-24T09:55:00.000-07:00

Recently I spent a considerable time on a hanging in 3 panels. It is 2 sided i.e. can be viewed from either side. It was made specifically to submit to the ERTF exhibition to be held in Dragon Hall in Norwich in September this year where free hanging pieces are particularly suited. Unfortunately, I was unable to submit this piece as the list of duties I would have had to agree to were beyond my availablility. This hanging is 1mtr long by .75 mtr wide. It is composed of many pieces of cotton fabric I had dyed and printed. The structure is based upon Louise Bourgeouis' textile pieces which I had spent sometime copying how they were made. These are in a previous blog I wrote about a year ago. I was moderately pleased with it.

I have also been working on some knitted silk and cotton in white/natural and then dying with procion dyes. I think this has a lot of possibilities and exciting progressions to come.

2011-07-24T09:43:00.000-07:00

Long time since I last blogged - as usual I'm afraid!

Some progress with the new studio - I have added new blinds and also work names on our window. my new working name is 'Textile Adventures with Jan Horrox' which will encompass what ever types of textile work I am involved in. I have started knitting again and shall be posting images of new work shortly. I am preparing for the 'Knitting and Stitching' Show at Ally Pally as well as our local Arts Festival in Cromer where Justine Williamson, Brigid Warner and I will be showing all kinds of textiles in My studio - Oct 22-28th as well as doing some taster workshops.

2011-04-07T03:37:00.000-07:00

Visited the BCTF for the first time for 10 years or so. We used to show knitwear here for may years. It is now in a different venue at the Yorkshire Show Ground. My good friend Clare Cox had a stand there with her wonderful multicoloured velvet cushions and throws. It was a slow show this year due to the general downturn but some excellent work.

2011-04-07T03:05:00.000-07:00

We made a 5 day visit to our good friends Paul and Linda who have a beautiful house in Rodia near Carcaussanne in the S. of France. We had rather grey weather but a lovely trip thanks to Paul and Linda's great hospitality.

Note the 'mad hat' gallery. Hundreds of hats in a strange nissan hut in the middle of nowhere!!

2011-02-12T10:31:00.001-08:00

Following my earlier post a couple of weeks ago I can now say that I have moved into the new workshop in West St. Cromer and today have spent my first day working there. its all comming together well - I still need to collect a duplicate of various tools and equipment as I am still stitching at home as well. Next week I hope to get a knitting machine up in there - haven't touched one for 6 years - and incorporate a bit of knitted textile with other work.

2011-02-12T10:23:00.000-08:00

I have been experimenting and producing a quantity of procion dyed and screen printed fabrics during the last few months. I mainly dye 3 metre lengths of silk crepe de chine, silk chiffon and silk velvet. These fabrics have a beautiful drape and take the colour fantastically well to give rich and vibrant tones. I am also screen printing single images onto the dyed fabric with discharge or pigment dyes. its a whole world of techniques to master.

2011-01-24T06:51:00.000-08:00

I have recently signed the lease on a shop premises in Cromer - which I shall use as a textile studio. I am having an 8' x 4' print table built which can be used for screen printing and painting lengths of fabric as well as work shops and all manner of artistic type activities. It would be nice to start a local textile group and have some weekend sales etc. All very exciting. Here are a few photos of the outside and inside before we start work. We are at 26 West Street in Cromer.

2010-12-11T01:03:00.000-08:00

December 7th. Day trip to london to see 'Treasures from Bulgaria' especially interested in Egon Schiele drawings. Alas despite being featured on the publicity there was only one drawing exhibited. Carried on up Saville Row to see Louise Bourgeois Textiles at Hauscher and Wirth. Fantastic exhibition and well worth a visit though I think it may have now finished.

2010-12-11T00:42:00.000-08:00

Saturday Nov. 13th saw this year's ERTF conference held at Dragon Hall. The Eastern Region Textile Forum was formed about 4 years ago by Textile artists in SE England to promote textiles as a recognised art form. This years conference included talks by Debbie Lyddon - textile artist and musician and Les Bicknell - conceptual artist who was lately course leader for the NUA MA course. A really good day - packed with interesting talks and great networking opportunity.

There is to be a juried exhibition by ERTF members to be held at Dragon Hall next September.

2010-12-11T00:32:00.000-08:00

Nov 29th 2010.

Visit to the Costume and Textile Collection, housed in Carrow House, Norwich. This is one of the most comprehensive collections in the UK. It is not on permanent display but appointments came be made to view chosen items. Our group had chosen to see embroidered shoes and hand embroidered items - mainly 18th and 19th century.

2010-07-09T09:14:00.000-07:00

2010-07-09T08:22:00.000-07:00

2010-07-09T08:10:00.000-07:00

This the new book I spent last year working on. It is available Sept 1st 2010 from www.jan-horrox.com at £9.99 + 2.00 P&P

2010-04-10T19:38:00.001-07:00

Some new drawings done at Wensum Lodge during the last 6 months - still struggling on.

2010-04-10T19:18:00.000-07:00

I haven't written here since 2008 - what happened! I have moved onto pastures new with my work and now have a new website http://www.janhorroxtextiles.co.uk/ . I have been working with pastel drawings and sculpted textiles - recently producing a range of shoe sculptures.

2008-11-13T02:53:00.000-08:00

These little 6 inch dolls are devised for a one hour workshop I am running at the Knit and Stitch show in Harrogate next week. They were all made from cheap light weight garden wire and scraps of this and that found around the house and in my sewing room. They have little flat stuffed heads and embroidered features. It was great fun making all the characters and I feel sure it would be an excellent project for children.

2008-09-25T04:53:00.000-07:00

Fran Doe

Harriet Wilson

Maureen Wilson

2008-09-25T04:38:00.000-07:00

LHS. Annleen Raubenheimer

and Fran Doe

LHS Brenda Connolly and Clare

and Sarah Slade 's

Polly and Fairy delight

LHS Brenda Taylor

Below: Fran Doe - all made since July's workshop

2008-09-10T08:31:00.001-07:00

Pandora the Craft teacher has a huge stash of fabrics, trims, wools and beads. She loves to make all her own outfits from her stash and always carries her knitting in a bag. She has gold rim glasses and black leather shoes. She is almost free standing.

2008-09-10T08:25:00.001-07:00

Norfolk Pixie is a jolly chap - he has a pretty elaborate tunic as well as a knitted pointy hat, mitts and socks.

2008-09-10T08:21:00.000-07:00

2008-09-10T08:19:00.000-07:00

This is Bubbles. She has a knitted sweater and practice leggins worn over her black tights, with fabulous curly hair.

2008-09-10T08:13:00.000-07:00

At last some new dolls - I've really pushed myself to get these finished and am moderately please with the outcome: These four ladies form the 'Corps de Ballet' and will be available in two patterns which include all the body shapes and leg and arm positions.

2008-05-05T08:28:00.000-07:00

I am continuing with the life drawing classes on Fridays and getting a lot of experience from them. They are FE classes put on by Norfolk County Council who have unfortunately removed subsidies for over '60's. I'm still managing to attend and have started using soft pastels and A1 size sugar paper. I always do a number of sketches in my sketch book with pen and ink - my favourite media at the moment.

2008-05-05T08:27:00.000-07:00

Life Drawing classes at Wensum Lodge in Norwich.

2008-05-05T08:23:00.000-07:00

Holkham Beach looking toward the pinewoods. Sorry didn't catch the horses in full canter.

2008-05-05T08:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we were out walking from Holkham to Wells and back through the nature reserve at Holkham - with stunning views and beautiful weather. The beach at Holkham is vast and flat - it is reached through pinewoods and is completely uncommercial. There were horses cantering through the surf and on the sands - all breathtaking. We finished the day watching the sunset from Cromer Pier - thoug a bit cloudy - still as good as the med!

2008-04-10T10:20:00.000-07:00

Heather Chandler made this wonderful version of Miss Fantatsic. A beautiful face.

2008-04-09T10:48:00.000-07:00

This doll is by Sandra Eggett - Alisons sister - a very talented pair.

Sandra and Alison are known as 'The Scissor Sisters'.
They have a curtain making business in Norwich and also run Paverpol classes in Norwich.

2008-04-09T10:46:00.000-07:00

This is Miss Fantastic by Alison Ward

2008-04-09T10:41:00.001-07:00

Here's the snow in Cromer on Sunday morning.

2008-04-09T10:38:00.000-07:00

More pics from Sheringham

2008-04-09T10:33:00.001-07:00

We had a workshop at the Sheringham Community Centre last weekend - April 5/6th and despite some bizarre weather we all had a great time. Eleven ladies attended and all made Miss Fantastic. Here are some of the pictures from the weekend - including the snow!! It was the first time I used this venue and it turned out really well as it provides plenty of space for 12 with a table each, a kitchen and parking. I shall be booking again for this Summer and Autumn.

2008-01-28T10:23:00.000-08:00

Here's my first finished figure - not varnished - this was just to get the hang of the process. Will try some acrylic paint and varnish on the next. My kit was missing the fabric for dress so I used a dyed muslin which wasn't ideal. I'm waiting for stockinette to come. I think this is like scrim and will hang well.

2008-01-28T10:15:00.000-08:00

2008-01-28T10:11:00.000-08:00

More drawings.

2008-01-28T10:07:00.001-08:00

This academic term I have managed to attend a life drawing class back in Norwich AE - where I was at Art School in 1958!! My tutor is Diana - a friend of mine from our student days. Its very difficult to go back to drawing and I shall have to be working at it for some time to get any skills back. All very relevant for cloth/doll figures.

2008-01-19T04:06:00.000-08:00

I recently finished another new doll and have a pattern for her. I think she will be appearing in a Magazine as a pattern in May. More of this later. She is 'Polly Patches' and is made with a wire armature wrapped with wadding strips and ponte strips. She is costumed using patterned socks and a lined patchwork skirt made from 2" squares of all your brightest scrap materials. She can be posed in all sorts of ways as she is made on an armature. I think this method of making lends itself to something one can do with children.

2008-01-19T04:01:00.000-08:00

This is a photo of the original Rambling Rose who has blonde frizzy hair and a cigarette standing with the new version of Rose. The original was made for an exhibition during Somerset Arts Week in 2005 and I have just got around to remaking her with a pattern to follow shortly.

2008-01-19T04:00:00.001-08:00

Here's a close up of Rose's face.

2008-01-19T03:51:00.000-08:00

I can not believe it is almost 5 months since I last posted! That's what happens when moving house. I have just finished a new version of a doll I made about 4 years ago. She is called 'Rambling Rose' and is bigger than most of my dolls being about 22" tall. She stands on her own as long as she is not in a strong wind!! Rose has enjoys life a lot and is not always very focussed and 'rambles' around her life in a vague way. She always has a cheery smile and a joke for everyone.

2007-08-19T10:03:00.000-07:00

Colleen Babcock has kindly tagged me and my blog so now I am invited to tag another 5 blogs.

The first is Teresa Malyon who is a doll creator of cloth dolls and sculpted dolls:http://360.yahoo.com/fantasyinflight

http://dollmakersmuse.blogspot.com/ is the blog of Rivkah Rosendfeld - I find this a fascinating writing and visuals.

http://artgirlz.blogspot.com/ is a varied and zitsy blog covering all sorts of stuff. I love their stuff and will be stocking it very soon.

http://epbdolls.typepad.com/ Eleanors whacky art work. Always inspirational.

I'll have to leave my fifth for my next post -as I don't know any more blogs I'm embarrassed to say!

2007-08-12T04:44:00.000-07:00

Finally we have exchanged contracts on the purchase of our new house and sale of our house here in London. We shall be moving home on the 28th September although the studio and all the stock must stay in London until Oct 16th after the 'Knitting and Stitching' show at Alexandra Palace. So this is all difficult timing but somehow what one expects!! We are moving to Cromer on the North Norfolk coast - a beautiful Victorian seaside town which still retains much of its original architecture. We have bought a large victorian terrace there so I shall be moving the studio into the house which will be so much more convenient for me. Heres a photo of the beautiful beach and sea front facade.

2007-08-05T23:43:00.000-07:00

Treez Malyon made this fab doll at one of my workshops. She has knitted all the clothes despite being quite new to knitting. What a beautiful face she has - Teresa produces wonderful faces and has written an excellent booklet on face painting.

Treez website is in my links list - 'Flights of Fantasy'

2007-07-23T12:14:00.000-07:00

There is a pattern of a doll called Philomena which I designed and wrote for 'Stitch' magazine at the end of last year 2006. The pattern has just been published in the issue for July/August 2007. I feel that the photographs turned out well and hope I all those making her will enjoy the pattern.

2007-07-13T07:12:00.000-07:00

This is Maureen's photo of some of the 'Rachels' made during the day workshop on July 1st.

Most of the ladies attending had knitted their costume in advance so we had a lot of fun fitting them all on to the dolls and comparing one with another.
It was the last workshop I shall run for some time - until I have achieved my move to the Norfolk coast.

2007-05-06T05:11:00.000-07:00

This is Rachel Raggs - my final version of the wrapped wire doll with knitted costume - sitting on a large ball of wool. There will soon be a pattern and kit available.

She is 16" tall and the pattern for clothing will be available separately. More knitting patterns to follow.

2007-05-06T05:07:00.000-07:00

Barbara Twaites produced this lovely doll. It was her first doll. Barbara designs and makes jewellery and her designs can be seen on www.silverunicorn.co.uk

2007-05-06T04:56:00.000-07:00

Teresa Malyon created this beautiful doll improvising with the 'Miss Terrie' pattern. She used cotton fabrics and wool tops for the hair.

2007-05-06T04:53:00.000-07:00

One of the April workshops in my studio in Deptford was making 'Miss Terrie'. We had a super group who all produced great results as well as having a really fun weekend.

2007-01-15T12:13:00.000-08:00

This is the first 'mock up' of a hand knitted costume - its taking me quite a while to get the scale and textures right. Thankgoodness I have found a really good knitter now, to knit the outfits.

2007-01-15T12:08:00.000-08:00

This is one of the armatures dolls wrapped in wadding and windsor comfort with cloth head and hands.

2007-01-15T12:06:00.000-08:00

This is the wire skeleton for one of my wire wrapped armature dolls. I am dressing them in hand knitted costumes - there will be about four to start with. 'My Weekly' will probably be doing one of them as a pattern.

2007-01-15T12:00:00.000-08:00

Here's June McGee and myself enjoying the sculpting class - we both made two heads - one open eyes and one closed eyes.

See Teresa's site 'Flights of Fantasy' for class details.

2007-01-15T11:32:00.000-08:00

This is my first attempt at sculpting a face with which to make a mould and then face masks. It was done at one of Teresa Malyon's classes in her studio in Clacton. We made a mould as well and I shall soon be trying various materials to press the masks into the mold. We did this is a very busy day - it was a very rewarding day.

2006-12-11T11:09:00.000-08:00

Knitting and Stitching Show at Harrogate November 2006. This was a corner of my stand there - we had a very busy and enjoyable show where I met up with many customers face to face for the first time. Its always lovely to put a face to a name! This was my third year at Harrogate and it was great to see old friends again. Nicky Dillerstone is a textile designer who has become a firm friend - I love her work. See her site in the links - Fun to meet the York Dolly birds again there - Harrogate is a very enjoyable venue.

2006-12-10T09:10:00.000-08:00

This beautiful fairy is created by Trisha Joyce. I think we can aggree she is absolutely beautiful.

2006-12-10T09:04:00.000-08:00

Teresa Malyon is a doll maker/designer of many years experience. This is a wall doll with a cast face and hands.

Teresa teaches all sorts of doll making as well as selling patterns and various clays.

Teresa's website: www.splendorincloth.co.uk

2006-12-10T08:59:00.000-08:00

Ray Slater sourced all the dolls for this exhibition, as well as organising the exhibition. This magnificent doll is Ray's 'Pantomime Dame' which she also teaches as a weekend class. Ray has been teaching clothdoll making in the UK for 4/5 years.

2006-12-10T08:47:00.000-08:00

I'm very late in writing about the 'Cloth Doll Art Uk' exhibition which was part of the 'Knitting and Stitching' shows this year.

There were around thirty exhibits and these are pictures of a few of them. This piece was by Jeanette Bright - to quote her
'I begin with a piece of fabrc which I stitch, dye and cut to make into a doll. Social history and life events are her strongest source of inspiration'

2006-11-13T12:15:00.000-08:00

I held a weekend class in my studio in Deptford, London over the 11th/12th November. Four ladies who had never made a doll before came for this weekend. We made 'Tallulah', a doll which I designed especially to introduce the various cloth doll techniques to new doll makers.

All the ladies did wonderfully and everyone went home with their finished doll, except may be a little hand sewing.

All my classes will be with groups of four as space does not allow for more. This is a really nice size of group and allows a lot of individual attention for everyone. Below are some pictures of the class members and their work.

2006-11-13T11:31:00.000-08:00

Mariangela made a great success with her first doll.

We had a super weekend, if very busy. I hope to meet up with all these ladies again.

2006-11-13T11:29:00.000-08:00

Chris and Jean both work at the Welling Sewing Centre and were thrilled with their results. They have both gone away to begin another doll on their own.

2006-11-13T11:27:00.000-08:00

Ann Gissing with her 'Tallulah' Doll, with a little handsewing to finish.

Tallulah was especially designed as a first doll to introduce the main techniques of cloth doll making.

2006-11-06T13:30:00.000-08:00

This is an embroidered picture of my favourite holiday palce - which is Lakka in Paxos. It was also made as one of the final pieces for my City and Guilds in machine embroidery, taken this summer. It was designed in the format of the Bayeux Tapestry as a project entered into with other members of my group.

2006-11-03T10:34:00.000-08:00

Got Knitted was made especially for the 'Cloth Doll Art' exhibition at Alexandra Palace. She also got to sit in Blackheath Library!

2006-11-03T10:09:00.000-08:00

Man of Leaves by Gillian Bowden

2006-11-03T09:54:00.000-08:00

Embroiderers Guild - Blackheath Group - Bi-ennial Exhibition
was held at Blackheath Library, South London from Oct 25th - November 4th. I am pleased to be a member of this small but lively group. Many of us helped to set-up and steward over the two weeks. We have very varied work on display - from small to very large - hand stitched and machine sewn. Beading, felting, jewelry, accessories, boxes and vessels are all shown here. Some pieces of group work as well as examples of our monthly workshops we hold at our meetings.

We meet on the last Saturday of every month in Balckheath Library at 1.30pm. Anyone nearby is welcome to join us. These are just a few of the works on show.

2006-10-29T09:22:00.000-08:00

Freedom by Mary Herron - our chairperson

2006-10-29T09:20:00.000-08:00

'Flying High' was made with a wire armature and recycled knitwear. He was at Alexandra Palace as well Blackheath
exhibition.

2006-10-29T08:33:00.000-08:00

Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace -Oct 2006

This was a fantastic show for me this year. I had a stand in a fabulous new position which had three open sides and I saw many regular customers and met a lot of new enthuisiasts. Ray Slater curated the 'Cloth Doll Art UK' exhibition which included one of my dolls.
Unfortunately my photos of the exhibition did not come out well so I am not able to show you but I hope for better results at Harrogate in November.
It was great to meet up with Barbara Willis, Patti Culea and Betz Vidal again. Barbara and Patti have been teaching lots of wonderful classes while they were here, which I'm sure some of you attended.
There were some terrific gallery exhibitions - Paddy Killer is one of my favourite artists and had a stunning display of work.

'Got Knitted' is a doll I made for the Ray's exhibition and will be at Harrogate as well. 'Flying High' is my latest figure and was made on an armature and costumed with recyled knitwear which was machine embroidered together.