What's happened since October? Well, my husband started a training course at college which unfortunately brought the schizophrenia back in a big way. We knew it was a gamble but he was doing so well ... but sadly, it didn't work out so that has taken time to get him back on track again. And I've been busy organising an exhibition which my college group are holding later this month ... they voted me to be the Chairman - which I didn't want to do - but I got a do or die look from the tutor!! So organising that has kept me quiet too. Not that the group would say that ... they're probably sick to death of my emails ... I know I am!!!
Anyway ... as you know I'm working on handbags for my final show in June at uni. (Well, it's not actually my final 'final' show because I've still got another 2 years to go studying for the BA Hons top up, but it's my 'final' show as far as my Foundation Degree is concerned.)
So far, I've discovered that the razor blades handbag is going to look pretty good. I just have to motivate myself to blunt down and polish about 100 razor blades ... and it's a very time-consuming job! And tedious actually! But I need to add some 'glamour' to the bag in the way of beads or fringing otherwise it will look too 'gothic' and I don't want that ... even though there's probably quite a big market out there for that!
Here's a sample photo for you:
I'm really pleased with the way the blades are turning out ... but to get them this shiney, you have to polish each one about 10 times ... times that by 100 blades ... it's going to take ages and I just can't find the motivation at the moment!
As regards my rock pooling bag, we did a quick three week project at uni in November looking at 'Artists Books' ... not as in published books but as in pieces of art. Artists books are one of the hardest things to describe. Our tutor had trouble explaining them to us and now I have trouble explaining them to other people! Basically, an artist can create a piece of work that's a book, but doesn't necessarily look like a book. Err ... that's a rubbish explanation - you'll have to look them up on the internet, that's the best thing!
The picture above is of the purse laid out in a box with other sea shells and stones I've collected over the years. I placed the purse in a box because that's the way my memories are filed away in my head ... in boxes. There's a box for child hood, there's a box for school years, there's a box for mum's death ... there's lots of boxes - some I (mentally) open up reguarly, some I leave closed.
Anyway, I think this purse worked out ok so will continue with the rock pooling bag - only with the handbag, the rock pooling items will be on the outside so that the inside can be used as a proper handbag.
That's as far as I've got with the handbags so far. It's been quite a busy time for me really, even though I haven't produced much practical work. I will say, however, that my theoretical work is coming along nicely. For some (strange) reason, I have found working at the computer on boring stuff more enjoyable than the practical stuff, for a change.
I've also set up my own website now. It's still in the newby stage with improvements being made all the time and I know there's a list of things that I need to work on which is building up, but take a look when you have time.
There's still a lot to be done on it though ... but it takes time and peace and quiet at home, which at the moment, is not happening!!
Anyway, that's it for now. I've got to get back to organising this bloody exhibition again. I'll be glad when it's over and done with!
