HOLLY BERRY WEAVE BLOG

TWIST and SHOUT

2012-03-07T10:54:00.000-08:00

In this months Twist textile magazine, about all things fibre, yarn and wool! my hand woven scarves are chosen as 'objects of desire'. Thank you twist.

http://www.textilemagazines.com/twist/twist_march_22j2f/twistmarch/index.html

The Invitation Atelier....

2012-03-07T07:59:00.000-08:00

A close (and very talented) friend of mine has just launched her Invitation Atelier site, to cater for all of your stationary needs; save the date, wedding, parties, events and births. Beautiful pieces of work, to get your event off to the right start.

http://www.theinvitationatelier.co.uk/index.htm

Woven Elephant

2012-03-01T01:30:00.003-08:00

Whilst looking for structure, pattern and repetition inspiration I regularly look at buildings in the city, seeing them as woven grids and planning what yarns I could use to recreate what I see. I often look at this, one of my favorite buildings, it’s in South East London, Elephant and Castle on Harper Road SE1. It’s a disused council block and I am not the fist to be inspired by it. Artist Roger Hiorns pumped copper sulphate into one of the flats, making a growing blue crystal installation, and ‘The Streets’ filmed a music video there. A special building. I’m sadly waiting for it to be torn down, like many other old brutalist treasures. It will be missed.

Excellent Makers

2012-02-23T01:54:00.001-08:00

I am a proud maker and girlfriend today! My designer-maker boyfriend Osian Batyka-Williams was chosen to feature in the New Balance - Excellent Makers campaign for 2012. Here's what they say about him:

A London-based designer, and modern Jack-of-all-trades, Osian works as an industrial designer, furniture maker, teacher, and builder. He believes in utilizing eco-friendly practices as often as possible—most of his pieces feature recycled and/or reclaimed materials. For Osian it’s about, “finding these shapes, these discarded projects, these discarded forms, and putting them back together in a way that creates something new that has a value.” One of his most recognized pieces is the “cutlery chair.” Working with discarded cutlery from hotels, restaurants, etc., Osian individually bends and spot-welds each piece to create a uniquely, handcrafted work of art. His latest project is a 1960s townhome renovation in London. Osian hopes to create a space that the community can utilize for years to come.

Watch this short film about his life and works as a maker, and take it from me, he is excellent!

I do....

2012-02-20T06:13:00.000-08:00

Just finished the most romantic commission yet! These ring cushions were for a very special wedding at the weekend, my two best friends Dominic and Julien tied the knot with handsome rings placed on these hand woven, lavender scented cushions. With the Morse-code spelling 'H' .... or 'M' _ _ depending on which way around you're looking; their new double barrelled surname initials! Such a treat to be part of their special day!

Colours of South London.

2012-02-15T08:58:00.000-08:00

Walked around South London for a bit this morning to clear my mind whilst working in the studio, these dust covered grimy industrial shades and shapes beautifully illustrated my mood. Completely inspiring; a metal and tile collage' scuffed, used and worn; I love this industrial South London vibe. I may re-visit this site for a photo shoot back-drop when my new season pieces arrive!

S.N.O.W

2012-02-05T10:01:00.000-08:00

It's snowed in London and it looks beautiful, bright, clean and full of fun! Inside when the sun goes down it's a different story, super chilly and perfect for a snuggle in my LOVE blanket, packed with colour and Morse-code messages of Love, to keep that positive snow day feeling going all evening! Shown here on the lovely model and musician Jude and on a very stylish bed in a cosy flat in Islington. I have less than ten left in stock, if you'd like to buy one, click HERE.

Contemporary Weaving Patterns Margo Selby

2012-02-03T03:11:00.000-08:00

I had a super time last night at Margo Selby's shop in Bloomsbury, celebrating the launch of her lovely new book; Contemporary Weaving Patterns. After lusting after all of the amazing woven textiles in her gallery and studio, I treated myself to a (signed) copy of the book and am already completely inspired by it. I was lucky enough to be taught by Margo when I learnt to weave, so this book is in the language that I know, beautifully explained and illustrated. An inspiring evening, with beautiful textiles and creative and talented women. Just what I need for a little weaving joy on these chilly and dark February days.

Click HERE to link to Margo Selby and book.

Colour on the run...

2012-02-03T03:01:00.000-08:00

This is a photograph taken by my friend Sarah on her travels. I love the combination of plastic acid brights against urban mat concrete colours and the blocks and lines that frame this abandoned fridge. I'm really inspired by this image and will be digging out some yellow, turquoise, grey and terracotta yarns as soon as I've finished my current warp!

Bauhaus: Art as Life at the Barbican May 4th

2012-02-01T09:51:00.000-08:00

I am beside myself with excitement having just learnt of the the up-coming Bauhaus exhibition at the Barbican, opening on 4th May-12th August. You may see later in the year how some of the laws, colours, simplicity and line of the Bauhaus school has influenced a design I am currently working on, so it will be very exciting for me to take in 1st hand these works. I am hoping to see work by some of my favourite weavers Gunta Stolzl and Annie Albers, as well as Joseph Albers and Laszlo Moholy-Nagy! Bring it on, I cannot wait!!

Mesmerising Anthems.....

2012-01-27T07:36:00.000-08:00

Or more accurately 'mesembryanthemums' are such a welcome hit of colour in winter. Short, bright and colourful (like me) and nestled into the hardiest landscapes. I've been re-drawn to these photo's I took in Lerwick on the Shetland Islands, for their acid tones and positive cheer. In a background of greys and khaki I am developing pattern and colour ideas for new pieces based on these. Watch this space.

Harmonious Clash

2012-01-24T02:51:00.000-08:00

My most favourite things to spot when I'm hunting for colour and pattern are these splashes of colour that stand out in the landscape and have either a natural or functional reason for being, safety, nature, these signs of life make the world look better. The rocks I found near Ullapool in Scotland and the images from the harbour are in Lerwick Shetland. It has been interesting for me, as a born colour addict, to notice colour where I believe there is none. Grey stones, bleak landscapes and industrial sites now hold an interesting combination of slates and acid brights.

God save the King, Fu*k Hitler!

2012-01-22T10:14:00.000-08:00

I'm not the only one who has used Morse-code within textiles to communicate secret messages, though this piece of cross stitch has an infinitely more heroic, historic and patriotic story; created in 1941 by Major Alexis Casdagli whilst he was a prisoner of war, being held by the Nazi's in the second world war. Pinching and scavenging various scraps of canvas and bits of yarn from fellow inmates' old jumpers and tattered pyjama's, Casdagli slowly started to create this embroidery with it's subversive coded message that was never understood by his captors, despite it being show throughout the castle in which hi was being held in Germany. Major Casdagli also created an embroidered map of his cell, as well as a fully stitched letter to his son, saying;

‘It is 1,581 days since I saw you last but it will not be long now. Do you remember when I fell down the well? Look after Mummy till I get home again,’

Casdagli continued to stitch well into his old age, and passed the skill on to his son, who has now made a book called 'a stitch in time' about his father's experience during the war. His father believed that stitching could transport him from his worries, allowing him to become fully absorbed in his activity, whilst pouring sentiment, memory and story into his patterned textiles. This is something I aim to share with this extremely inspiring and talented hero!

Tony Casdagli, , holding his father’s work depicting his PoW cell.

A Stitch in Time: God Save The King, Fu*k Hitler' by Captain A Casdagli, is available from lulu.

Colour & Pattern, SE London style

2012-01-17T08:31:00.000-08:00

I am infinitely more productive and creative after a cold early morning walk around London, and every day I try to hunt for new colours and patterns that may one day feed into my work and tell a story of my many walks and memories.... here's some from this morning: bars, gates and tiling in porches.. seeing pattern everywhere, and good smoggy London colours too.

Pattern hunting Saturday

2012-01-15T02:59:00.001-08:00

Maltby St Market, Hoxton and Brick Lane, turned out some pattern treats for me yesterday. Reclaimed tiles and radiators, African plastic floor mats, wholesale kitchen shops and stacks of plates, all make my life a bit more full of colour and in turn, my head full of weave plans and patterns. I remember times and places in pattern, so of I trap that in weaving I can record a story, memory or trip in textiles. Where will i go next?

Window spot at 123

2012-01-14T15:24:00.001-08:00

Morse coded blankets spotted in the delightful 123 shop window on the corner of Brick Lane and Bethnal Green Road, nice jazzy January display, thanks guys.

the Heart Part

2012-01-12T01:23:00.000-08:00

It has nothing to do with weaving, but allot to do with love, life, creativity, community and enjoyment, and it is the concept and creation of my lovely and very clever friend Fatima. Watch the film, upload your hearts onto her site HERE and get sharing, loving, hearting and eating in a brand new super fun and superbly coloured manner!

www.iheart-this.com

World full of pattern and colour....

2012-01-10T01:46:00.000-08:00

Favourite thing to do is walk looking whilst hunting for patterns and colours. London, Budapest, Scotland and Portugal, walls, tiles, buildings, pavements and signs.... all for the interpretation of the eyes that see.

Beautiful site Lin Morris now stocking LOVE blanket

2012-01-06T10:36:00.000-08:00

I'm delighted to have met one half of Lin Morris this morning to deliver my blankets for their on-line shop. Lin Morris is a beautiful site and blog that actively hunt for and dream of a world where design - and the products with which we choose to surround ourselves, are as thoughtfully considered as the people, places and experiences that we allow into our everyday lives. Their site is a joy to browse and I'm proud to be among their featured makers. Have a little browse here.

http://shop.lin-morris.com/

Handwoven Cushions

2012-01-05T07:49:00.000-08:00

Brand new hand woven cushions, in Autumn and Rainbow. 16" by 16" with duck feather inserts. A dash of colour for dark nights on the sofa with hot chocolate and cuddles. One sided with a calico envelope back. Woven in pairs, and soon available from my online shop.

Lego Loom

2012-01-03T03:56:00.000-08:00

Oh yes, I'm so happy I've just found this robotic lego loom weaving a scarf! Technology, Toys and Tradition, ticks all the right boxes and actually works, what genius is at work here! Playful weaving is as it should be. My own first weaving tasks of 2012 are to spend the rest of a cashmere rainbow warp playing with structure and experimenting with new block work, more subtle and irregular than normal, and just seeing how things turn out with a few looming experiments. Will post results. Happy New Year.

New Stockist...

2011-12-22T08:51:00.000-08:00

Just in time for Christmas, a new central London stockist; the beautiful design boutique - department store 123 Bethnal Green Road. This independent family run shop celebrates all that is hand made, locally produced and sustainable, making it the perfect home for my blankets. Located on the corner or Bethnal Green Road and Brick Lane, you wont miss this four storey emporium, it's well worth a visit on your way to Columbia Road Flower market on Sunday mornings. Available from tonight!

http://www.123bethnalgreenroad.co.uk/

PRESS

2011-12-13T03:36:00.000-08:00

In this weekends Sunday Telegraph Stella Magazine. Stella Loves....Must see, must do, must buy section. They say they'd love to 'cosy up with one of my LOVE blankets on a cold winters day.' I couldn't agree more! Am doing so right now in the studio whilst choosing colours and secret codes for next year, joy!

Press courtesy of The Shop Floor Project

Shop doors open NOW!

2011-12-07T13:14:00.000-08:00

I am very happy to finally announce the launch of my online shop where you can have a browse of my limited edition Morse-code blankets and hand woven wears. I will be putting up new pieces regularly, often one off's and even some samples so look out for a unique piece or get in touch with me about a commission in your favourite colour way. Here's a sample selection of pieces on offer now:

For more info or to go to the shop, click here. Enjoy. xx

Send me your Shuttle Drawings

2011-12-07T05:05:00.000-08:00

Hello all, new project about to start, and I want you to get involved please. I want to create an online gallery of Hand-Drawn pictures of the tools used in Hand-Weaving. I am collecting drawings from all ages, using all media, realistic or utterly abstract, what ever style you fancy, this is not a competition but a community of people who love and appreciate the value of hand making and hand drawing. When I have enough drawings I will launch the online gallery, so please include your name and age (if you want to) and you will be credited next to your drawing. Heck, if I get enough drawings we could even do a real life exhibition!! Send your drawings to my studio address and/or scan and send in high res to holly@hollyberryprojects.com

Here are some of my hand weaving tools - shuttles and some of the first drawings I have recived:

Don't be shy, I can't wait to see what people do!

A Very Merry Berry Christmas!

2011-12-07T03:09:00.000-08:00

Seasons Greetings to everyone from me and my snowy mascot, may you all have a snugly season!

re-boot and re-connect

2011-12-07T02:20:00.000-08:00

So yes, I have been AWOL since my trip to MADE11 in Brighton last month. It was a wonderful experience to meet some of my lovely customers and make new friends, as well as winning a very special Peer Prize at the show! Since coming back I've been trying to catch up with all of the things I couldn't do when I was frantically weaving in preparation for the show, note the new look blog and brand spanking new WEBSITE with even spankier new SHOP for your browsing pleasure. Now I can move on to more weave based studio activities such as designing new pieces for next year, developing ideas for an exciting new commission and I have scheduled in some very important play time at my loom to experiment with some new structures, shapes and techniques! And getting back to a bit more blogging activity. Here's my stand at MADE11:

Ready steady MADE!!

2011-11-10T09:29:00.000-08:00

Apologies for my lack of blogging action of late, I've been putting the finishing touches to my collection of blankets, scarves, wraps, cushions and lavender pillows that I'll be showing at this years MADE11 in Brighton at the Corn Exchange next weekend.

If any of you are able to get there, come and say hello at stand 77. xx

For details of MADE: click here

Autumn Commission

2011-10-13T08:02:00.000-07:00

The recent low profile has been due to working on this autumn commission for a close friend, has got me in the mood for Sunday lunches, dark evenings, red wine, woolly tights and duffel coats! Now using the rest of the warp to make some big autumn cushions and lavender pillows to take to MADE11 in Brighton next month.

Hand Woven Alphabet

2011-09-22T04:57:00.000-07:00

I have now unveiled my hand woven Morse-code Alphabet at Portraits In The Making, a new exhibition at PM Gallery & House in Ealing for the London Design Festival. I have been making my alphabet all summer, my aim is for it to provoke an emotional response to textiles, the history, love, stories and memories embedded in them, in this case quite literally with lettering. This is a coded technique I use throughout my weaving work to communicate a sense of identity and value.

Portraits In The Making is open to the public until 12th November and there's a mass of workshops and activities for you to engage with, as well as a specially created Handling Collection; a room full of objects, sample and developments for you to touch, hold and feel, to gain more of a sense of the makers and processes behind these works.

For more details and images of the full alphabet please click here

AUTUMN HAPPENINGS IN HOLLY LAND >>

2011-09-05T01:48:00.000-07:00

LOST AND FOUND

2011-08-31T01:39:00.000-07:00

Friend and fellow textiles lover Becky Oldfield has recently opened a fantastical new shop and studio space at 77 Tower Bridge Road. I popped in a couple of Saturdays ago and was blown away by the intricate and very charming world she has created.

The wall tiles were discovered in the restoration of the shop, covered up by previous owners, and lovingly restored by her team of fellow creatives. Antique finds, design classics and vintage treasures are adorned with Becky's textile designs, quilts and London signage inspired objects and light boxes. It's a huge success and a brilliant sign of the times when independent designer are creating their own work and retail spaces to deliver their vision. Also very happy that she's chosen to stay in South East London!! Home of unaffected style and creativity!

Becky we salute you and your textile adventures!
Lost and Found website: www.lostandfounddesign.co.uk

I heart Lucien Day

2011-08-26T05:36:00.000-07:00

Textile designer Lucien Day makes me proud to be a British textile designer today.Her prolific career and imaginative, inventive and personal designs are an inspiration. If you're quick you can see a great collection of her work at the beautiful PM Gallery and House in Ealing, the exhibition shows work from her and her husband Robin Day's long careers in putting great British design on the map. The exhibition closes on the 4th of Sept, so be quick.

Towards the end of her career, Lucien stopped producing designs for printed textiles and tried out a new image making technique she called 'silk mosaics' using tiny squares of silk, tightly wrapped around cardboard and hand stitched together to create large, almost pixelated modern images. I have been lucky enough to sit and enjoy a coffee with some of these pieces, as they are hanging in the John Lewis Cafe in Kingston! A great reflection for the notoriety, popularity and accessibility of the Days work. Their connections with nature at the same time as industrial production, and total philosophy of good design are an inspiration and good blue print for any contemporary designer.

Hand Made in Britain

2011-08-25T01:42:00.000-07:00

It's the Southbank centres anniversary of the festival of Britain this summer, the original festival was 60 years ago this year, it is also the anniversary of my mothers birth, also 60 years ago this summer, and also Made in Britain! 1951 was obviously a very good year.

I saw these signs that stood out to me, as how important making in Britain was in 1951, and how we have somewhat lost this today. I do feel a shift though, we have mass unemployment and a new appreciation for goods made within the UK, add those together and you get, perhaps a somewhat naive dream of a solution! I want us to become an island of makers again! We need to teach our children the value of making, we need to support our factories, mills and production sites, and we need makers to communicate the joys and rewards of making, and the value in products that have had a human if local touch.

There's lots of great things going on down there, I missed the Honey Festival last weekend, but am heading down there now to see what I can find.

Peckham Peace Wall

2011-08-17T01:30:00.000-07:00

There was a fleeting moment last Monday when I wanted to just leave London and run for the hills, I though the community and creativity and strength of the people that I believe in had evaporated. Sitting in my flat watching the riots on TV with all of my local shops boarded up, waiting to see if we were next.... I didn't want to stay here any more.

But now I go around my area and community and I see things like this Peace wall in Peckham and I see kids on school holidays making films about their area on their phones, and now I know I don't want to leave. I want to help get things better. To 'be the change I want to see in the world'.

This shop on Rye Lane in Peckham had it's windows smashed in by rioters last Monday, the local public reacted by covering the then boarded up windows in reasons that they love Peckham. Now this board and these people have become one of the reasons that I love Peckham! And FYI I wont be leaving London!!

Working on new things.... thinking, planning, plotting, winding.

2011-07-29T14:59:00.000-07:00

Spotted in Liberty Window!

2011-07-26T00:36:00.000-07:00

I walked past Liberty on my way around London on a research trip yesterday and look what I saw! My blankets in the legendary Liberty window! Had to stop and take a snap!

Portobello Colours

2011-07-24T11:23:00.000-07:00

Trip to Portobello on Friday unearthed this rather special colour story, including my new favourite mustard and pink trims on khaki. Also loved the odd collection of angular and rather decadently trimmed velvet upholstery. I can't imagine that these chairs would have been friends in their former life, but here they make a lovely motley crew of individuals.

Creative Communities Brain Storming

2011-07-15T09:55:00.000-07:00

I think brain storming and generating ideas and thoughts on mass is one of my favourite ways to spend time. This is a group of students I'm currently working with in Kingston, thinking about creative communities. I can't wait to see what project work comes from it!

Portraits of colour >

2011-07-13T09:43:00.000-07:00

Spontaneous experiments and colour studies leading up to creating ideas for colour and structure for new exhibition pieces. Aiming to show a portrait of myself as a maker in a collection of hand woven panels communicating the process I go through as a maker and a portrait of myself in textiles, to show how much a person puts of themselves into their work.

Textiles telling stories

2011-07-13T04:45:00.000-07:00

On Sunday I visited for the very first time The Hill Station Cafe on Telegraph Hill in New Cross. On the outside some of the building is clad in the most wonderful imagery of local peoples textiles stories, each annotated with stories, memories and accounts of personal attachments. Such a beautiful way to communicate the emotions embedded within our textiles and a great community project displayed excitingly outside a community cafe.

It is this relationship and enriching, precious quality that I am interested in exploring and developing within my own textiles work, aiming to create textiles for the future for people to fill full of memories, comfort and emotion. Whether that is by co-designing special commission pieces with an individual and their own loves, histories and stories, or by creating visual and bold Morse-code signals and messages that communicate the emotive connection embedded in all my weavings. This cafe in New Cross was really inspiring and perfectly captured the message that's most important to me; that textiles tell stories and can enrich our lives. A move away from fast and throw away and a step towards specialness, individuality and slow design and making experiences.

Liberty London Stocking MY BLANKETS!!!!

2011-07-07T03:02:00.000-07:00

Probably just about one of the most exciting days ever, was going into Liberty with the lovely Sarah to see if my blankets had made it onto the selves, and there they were in all their colourful glory!

We decided to celebrate in the Liberty tea room with hot chocolate, macaroons and carrot cake, then a little wonder around the fabric and haberdashers section to get off cuts for a joint project.

Perfection!

Colouration

2011-07-07T02:34:00.000-07:00

Spending a few days purely trying to work out a fantastic colour story for the Pitzhanger show in September, with my fellow Crafts Council 'Hotties'. These seeped their way onto my table and getting in the mix, a good enough place to start as any!

Sample studio

2011-07-06T08:57:00.000-07:00

Hanging samples up to dry, trying to choose which one I like the most.

Wind me up on an Autumn morning.

2011-07-04T10:45:00.000-07:00

Sunday this weekend was spent playing with colour windings of misty autumn hedgerows for a lovely new commission, whilst eating cheese on toast on the studio floor. Quite perfect really. x

This little weaver needs a holiday!

2011-06-09T23:16:00.000-07:00

I have been a stary eyed midnight weaver recently, finishing some very personal commissions and developing a collection of new colour-ways and designs. But now, this little weaver is heading off to Italy for a week of reflection in the sun, with a suitcase full of inspirations. All weavers need a break from time to time, look at these ladies for example!! I bet they didn't get the chance for a restorative break! The weaving world has changed. Goodbye loom. xxx

Big tings gwan in holly world!

2011-06-06T05:26:00.000-07:00

It's all been getting a big weavy in the studio, finishing some special commissions and making some exciting new samples, ready for a new very romantic commission to get straight onto the loom. I'm seeing double cloth and floating Morse blocks in my sleep!

Baaaaaaaaaaa!

2011-06-01T07:09:00.000-07:00

I think it is the best day of my year so far!

After a super excitingly inspirational meeting about an exhibition I'm doing called Portraits in the Making with other Hothouse Crafts Council graduates this morning..... I came running home to find my studio taken over by my new 100% British sheep yarns! The place is practically bleating with Black Welsh mountain sheep and Gray Jacobs! Now I have to focus on getting a couple of commissions woven so that I can then concentrate on having some design and sampling time to see what I can create from these surprisingly soft and silky fibres. I'm thinking blocks and pannels inspired by old fences and cattle grids, for home wears and interior. I'll be posting progress.... baaaaa!

Paint or be painted...

2011-05-25T01:29:00.000-07:00

Clearing out the studio a bit and keep finding these lovely little children's drawings, some sent from little nephews, some drawn on a hill in Hungary and one drawn by my little sister about 15 years ago. Love the unselfconscious colour. Would make wild textiles prints and colour stories for a children's collection, going into the sketchbook for another time.

Royal Britannia!

2011-05-20T03:49:00.000-07:00

Spending the day immersed in the joys of British wool! Lovely Jacob and black Welsh yarns from our friendly British sheep, in tones inspired by photography from my British travels from the Highlands to the Shetland Islands.

Upon the weave Tuesday

2011-05-17T02:49:00.000-07:00

Treating myself to a bit of studio time: getting stuck into the weave since finishing the student exhibition at Uni yesterday (which is going to be amazing by the way)... today by contrast, I will not speak to another soul and will get down to some serious Morse Coding, warp and wefting, double clothing, Love silent speed weaving Tuesdays!

Colour me pretty

2011-05-10T05:18:00.000-07:00

Spotted these blocks within the pavement on Borough Hugh street, some of my favourite shades, rose and slate, and great big chunky blocks. A possible weave idea?

UK Handmade Holly Berry Article

2011-05-03T08:16:00.000-07:00

My favourite online monthly UK Handmade has written up a lovely article about me, my weaving and my adventure... sit yourself down with a cup of something nice and have a read, pages six to eleven are Holly Berryesqe, and the rest of the magazine is a great read, full of projects, tips, reports and inspiration on all that is good about hand-making within the UK.

UK Handmade: http://ukhandmade.co.uk/

Figs for life!

2011-04-29T02:46:00.000-07:00

I am the proud owner of three new baby fig trees (we call them figlets), thanks to my wonderful boyfriend, that I will be planting in the new South London plot, to provide me with a lifetime of fig breakfasts! I'm planning to be a grower of many thigs in New Cross, that I hope to turn into delicious ingredients for the Cottage Cafe menu! Details of which, will emerge this year, but is guaranteed to be a melting pot of wonders!

m2 gallery : Peckham

2011-04-29T02:14:00.001-07:00

Oh and did I mention..... I stumbled past the tiny (actually meter squared) m2 gallery at 2c Kings Grove, Peckham last bank holiday Monday. A window/ a gallery/ a show ..... an exhibition about a circus, a mistake and a white elephant...that wasn't in fact white. I liked passing this space on my wanderings through Peckham, I think more people should turn their street facing windows into public art displays, this may need to happen if cuts continue no?

New London Gallery.

2011-04-29T01:49:00.000-07:00

I checked out the 'New London Gallery' last weekend with the lovely Oz, South Londons newest creative space to hang out, drink cocktails, see art, eat good food and read. All very very lovely (if there's not someone sitting behind you kicking your chair) and where B.C. (www.bazandchaz.com) are presenting their first exhibition of art from 25th - 30th April 2011. I shall be returning to sample their Sunday lunch very soon, and did I notice something about a hot tub and swimwear on the 1st may? I think I did....I'll take my bathers!

Knitty Gritty

2011-04-19T07:36:00.000-07:00

Finished, finally, and conveniently just in time for summer! This extra long curly neck scarf is made from locally sourced and finished yarn that I acquired from the Shetland Islands during the start of my weave residency last year. With the landscape historically and visually of the islands being my inspiration during the days I spent designing, researching and weave sampling there, I felt that a pass-time both useful and creative was called for, hence starting this piece. With all the colours of my rainbow, and non of the islands more subtle hues, it was a stark contrast and escape from my days spent stomping and looking around Yell in the North, I can't wait to go back!

The happy weaver...

2011-04-12T06:37:00.000-07:00

This weeks goings on...

Looming in the sunshine with panoramic views.

Helmshore Mills Textiles Museum

2011-04-07T03:59:00.000-07:00

Reproduction of a poster from the mill walls of 1836 stating the rules and punishments of the Manufactory.

Doffing cylinders for lengths of un-spun carded cotton.

Making the individual yarn lengths for spinning.

Teasels for finishing woven woollen cloth.

Amazing contemporary looking glass hooks for hanging cloth for bleaching when woven. Super old and super beautiful!

Mill walls all painted in this white and turquoise with a red stripe, good colour combo for a weave I think!

A recent trip to the oh so wonderful Helmshore Mills Textiles Museum. One of the first of the UK's mills at the start of the industrial revolution, closed in the 60's and 70's and is now a fantastic source of historic and technical detail about the processes and lives of the spinners and weavers who created the 'jewel of the realm'. First a woollen mill then diversifying into cotton production this mill was built by the enterprising Turner family in 1789, the details, images, examples, videos and wonderful tour guides really enlightened me to what it must have been like working in a mill in that bygone age. I recommend a visit to everyone!

Yarn Sourcing....

2011-04-07T03:39:00.001-07:00

If you're brave enough to open my cupboards today or to open that giant box underneath my weaving table -be careful of what you may find! Not teddy bears but bundles and cones and balls and wraps of yarn! All colours of the Holly Berry rainbow! Navy, mustard, coral, geranium, Khaki, pumpkin, turquoise, moss and violet! Cup of tea in hand, colour chart in mind I spent a very happy Friday morning recently in Rochdale dipping into piles of beautiful fibres and colour to cherry pick my new season shades, which have already found themselves onto the loom. This year I will be making new colour stories, including one inspired by the lichens, mosses and molluscs I've photographed on my trips to northern Scotland, and another influenced by Shetland Harbours and graphic-utility road markings and construction sites, and of course I will not be abandoning my acid bright colour junkie roots. The sun is shining in London and my studio is ablaze with colour, what could be better!

Calder ispirations

2011-04-07T02:58:00.000-07:00

Lucky old me found myself outside the university library at just the right moment, to re-home these discarded beauties! Books full of old images of the works of Alexander Calder the prolific maker, artist and innovator. The striking energy, unique balance and bold block shapes and colour will not fail to inspire me, and I would imagine will find its way into my subconscious when planning a new warp and the blocking designs on my loom. The thing that strikes me most when looking through these books though is the sense of enjoyment and obsession Calder found in his own work, making in his studio, his barns, outside in the open, town and country, he seems to have made from whatever came to hand wherever he was. This attitude and fixation on creativity and expression is uplifting and inspiring to look at! Thanks Mr Calder.

Blankets ahoy!

2011-04-06T16:11:00.000-07:00

Hello blankets! Sitting wrapped in blankets, making some changes to the Holly Berry website and putting the final touches to the online shop to go live soon, making it easier to get your hands on my woven wares. Also designing a story book and a woven alphabet, to come soon. And if anyone's interested in collaborating on a video with me please get in touch! Spring is most definitely in the air!

MADE IN THE UK!

2011-03-30T08:39:00.000-07:00

Big society, big ideas, big boy! The Holly Berry weave studio has a brand new mascot! Meet Napoleon, my fairy god dog!

Lovely LOELA

2011-03-19T06:47:00.000-07:00

I am now the lucky owner of an original - hand made LOELA dress, made by the lovely Laura who I am lucky enough to call a friend. Laura is a super skilled print and garment designer and is now selling her hand made frock, T's, vests and accessories as one half of Molly&LOELA in a beautifully constructed boutique in Manchester's Afflecks Palace. I popped in last Saturday and wanted to buy half of their stock, but instead came away with a pretty chiffon skirt, a slinky vest with leather shoulder panels and this colour blocked party dress with appliquéd printed collar. Now I'm all set for summer! Woop!

Check out LOELA on Facebook or buy direct from LOELA.

Spoonfull of Sugar...

2011-03-19T05:31:00.000-07:00

There are some people in this world who have a natural ability to spread happiness, and my friend Beth is one of them! This however is not her only talent; the Spoonfull of Sugar team are outstanding bakers, cake embellisher's and ambiance makers! This little cup cake cafe in my home town of Uppermill in Saddleworth is officially my favourite place to spend a Saturday morning. It can take the best part of an hour to choose your favourite cake and mere seconds to gobble it up, all the while sitting catching up with my Mum, chatting with the lovely Beth and soaking up the insanely pretty interior, surrounded by vintage tea cups, crystal ornaments, shimmering tea lights and spring blossom. For your special occasions they can whip up a beautifully boxed selection of personalized cakes, hold children's parties and generally spread a bit more happiness! Go, you will love it! I do.xxx

Home is where the blanket is...

2011-03-08T08:40:00.000-08:00

And this little blanket ran all the way to it's new home, where it now lives with it's superb owners Dominic and Julien in Islington, London. Where else have my blankets settled down? Send me pictures of your blankets in your house please!! How do you use them, where do they live, which side do you show? x

Evidence of a glorious day!

2011-03-04T09:37:00.000-08:00

Spent the morning drinking tea and making beautiful pictures of my blankets with the help of the loveliest of the Models 1 team and the ever so beautiful Jude. What better than lounging round my studio flat with pretty textiles and prettier people! These pictures, once edited will feature on my updated website, to be re-launched soon! And in the mean time I'm going to do a little bit more lounging around in blankets, before meeting said Models1 lovelies for drinks! ... it is Friday after all!

feeling a bit weavy!

2011-03-04T08:03:00.000-08:00

Seeking inspiration in ancient logs? Yes actually, found this at Kew last week and think it might come in most useful when I next sit down to design. It already looks intricately woven, and I imagine would look weavenificant when I wave my magic colour wand and a few shuttles over it!

from Columbia to Morocco

2011-03-02T11:13:00.000-08:00

.....in just one day.

I went on one of my inspiration/research walks today, from Columbia Road to Morocco Street. Via graffiti ghosts, mirrored dachshunds, and the amazing John Stezaker exhibition of fantastical collages and cut outs at the Whitechapel Gallery. Got home after mid day to get down to some serious work, inspired by the boundless creativity on my doorstep!

Cold snap psychedelic wrap

2011-03-01T11:23:00.001-08:00

Is anyone else suddenly really cold? Me too! Red wine in hand and wrapped in something soft and psychedelic and I'm ready for some serious film watching! Can't help feeling a bit delighted and excited by my woven hot hugs! Weaving brings a new purpose to living in England!

You don't bring me flowers

2011-02-21T10:57:00.000-08:00

Favourite cafe in South London at the moment award goes to 'You Don't Bring me Flowers' in Hither Green. A scrumptious menu (Bree and spicy pear sandwich for me please), a gallery and a florist boutique all in one...and nicest of all; somewhere I can sit with my friends for an entire afternoon of chatting and inspiration with beautiful surroundings and delicious home made treats... Now I just need more excuses to frequent...who wants to come??

Shoe box living

2011-02-21T10:47:00.000-08:00

I stumbled across this on my way to a meeting at the Royal Festival Hall last week; Shoe box living - 'an exhibition by Kids Company created by 125 children between the ages of eight and ten who were asked to recreate a room from their home in a shoe box and give it a short description. The results provide a fascinating snapshot of the lives of children in urban Britain'. My fave is the one with the purple tummies waster slouching on the couch next to a chocolate gateaux with a vintage print bed cover... just my style!

Coke re-appropriated

2011-02-21T10:35:00.000-08:00

I find myself in a fine art studio and come accross some loveliness, finding another use (other than curing a hangover) for the dreaded coke brand...make upsidedown oxegen generators / hanging baskets. This will be happening in my kitchen windowsill very soon let me tell you!

Fashion Film by Robyn Dombey

2011-02-14T12:46:00.000-08:00

Look what one of my lovely students made last week! Lovely, genius and uplifting it was on a Friday afternoon and a bleak Monday morning! Thanks Robyn!

the colour junkie is getting stronger

2011-02-07T09:47:00.000-08:00

My inner colour monster is getting stronger and stronger... but the outside world is demanding paper work, presentations and trips to the post office; so there are only mere moments in the day to dream in colour. I feel as spring comes it will get more and more out of control until my studio resembles the town where the munchkins live at the end of the yellow brick road.

Museum of everything

2011-02-07T09:36:00.000-08:00

Can you squeeze in one last visit to the museum of everything before it closes at the end of the week! Circus freaks and shell grotto's, squirrel dinner parties and two headed lambs.... plus a crazy farmers mini mechanical fairground! = inspired! Go to the cafe and sip strong coffee whilst noting down your inspirations and listen to little tiny children declaring that all the dollies in the exhibition should be theirs.... Challenged not to go home and cut up my newspapers and get out the colouring pencils.

Favourite quotes:

"I bought four or five machines that didn't work...our family motto is who wants to be normal anyway?"

"Artists like Ted (Wilcox) probably start off wanting to achieve something, but do not quite have the means to do it. So they invent means. Somewhere in between the intention, the ambition and the finished product, the outsider artist invents his own way of doing it."

Hard core colour junkies!

2011-02-07T09:10:00.000-08:00

ACID NATURALS

2011-01-28T07:39:00.000-08:00

I openly admit to being a bit of a hard core colour junkie, I just can't help myself! A wold without colour is no world for me. But it is nice to come across these colours in the wild... these were found in a windswept front garden in Lerwick port in the Shetland Islands last year, and have influenced my colour story for these three new hand woven pieces. When people refer to 'natural colour pallets' it usually means beige beige beige.... but no, not me! This is my Natural collection! To follow will be 'Shetland Harbour' with graphic, utilitarian, industrial tones, and ' Dry stone wall' with accents of moss, lichens and barnacles.

And is it just me, or does my loom look happy? Maybe it's a colour junkie too?!

I see in weave...

2011-01-15T09:14:00.000-08:00

A new month, a new year, even a new day...I am designing and seeing inspirations for shape and pattern everywhere. I love grids, repeats, blocks and stripes. I like boldness, edges, graphic shapes and perspective. I cannot wait to get to the sample length on my current warp and have a little play!!

The march of Inspiration.

2011-01-04T14:42:00.000-08:00

I am the luckiest girl! To go on my favourite bank holiday walk and discover such hidden beauties as these! By the Thames, over Tower bridge and part the Tower of London, following the river to St Pauls Cathedral and over the walkway to the Tate modern, to pop in to see the new turbine hall instillation. Then past the Globe theatre and on to Borough Market, and then up the back streets past prostitutes graveyards and magnificent Graffiti. All in under an hour!

The importance of being a sketchbook!

2011-01-04T14:34:00.000-08:00

It's a new year and a time for new diaries, sketchbooks, calendars and notebooks....for me anyway. My new year stationary is always a monumental excitement to me! So laden with potential and creativity for the year. These books catalogue a year of ideas, projects, concepts and memories!

Here's some I found from the Tim Walker exhibition at the Design Museum a couple of years ago, a free spirited and and unselfconscious dialogue between mind, hear and unrefined inspiration!

I am dedicating 2011 to intense creativity, and that starts in my sketchbooks....coming soon!!

The (hand) finished article:

2010-12-20T09:39:00.000-08:00

My new babies.

I am not a machine! - The Joy of hand making.

2010-12-20T09:15:00.000-08:00

Oh the joy of hand making! What a wonderful and rewarding pleasure! Even when I make a gazillion mistakes, as the reward of rectifying them is great and brings order to my chaotic and confused world! (studio) If I were a machine these eccentricities and occasional imperfections would not occur, they are the traces of me as a person and maker, evident through all that I make, each telling a small message about me.

I have spent the last week glued/tangled to my loom, weaving like a demon! Getting over some very sticky situations with some new 100% British wool I'm using, and breaking the record for number of snapped threads per 1" of weaving ! (all rectified now, thank you). It was freezing cold in my studio, but radio four, weaving and a continuous supply of earl grey kept me warm, and I realised that when I'm weaving, my life seems to make perfect sense!

New Warping action...

2010-12-11T05:19:00.000-08:00

So among many other things, one of the reasons I have had a bloging break is to spend more time making. This is the biggest warp I've made so far and on the far right is a totally new design I'm trying out to create larger block sections. It's extra long and extra wide and extra beautiful. This is a real test and challenge for me, but I so love spending time actually working with the material and getting stuck into a few days of maths, it makes the back pain worth it! Will be spending the rest of today getting the dam thing weaving! But loving and learning all the time...x

Holly Berry seasons greetings!

2010-12-11T03:44:00.000-08:00

It's been a while I know, but I'm back...well almost. I've been looming, winding, designing and weaving...all very studious really, getting lots of exciting projects and pieces off the ground for next year! The special luxury blankets are currently on the looms in a very lovely Scottish mill, and will be party-worthy when they are delivered to the studio in January, so keep looking to see news on studio events.

Well what an exciting year this has been! I have been embraced into the wonderful world of weaving like I couldn't have imagined! New friends and collaborators, adventures to the Shetland islands, inspirational trips to Scotland and everything in between! I'll have to do another post with images of my recent doings! But for now, I wish all those who have supported and encouraged me this year, a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Love Holly.xx

"Fish balls"

2010-11-02T08:48:00.000-07:00

I wonder in a dream around small Scottish towns and come across traces of human obsession! Hidden discretely in the back yard or unashamedly stacked either side of the garden path, stacks of 'fish balls' - buoys, life rings, rusting components, tangled fluorescent ropes and long forgotten anchors, lobster pots and wheelbarrows full of nets. It reminds me of the inside of my head and is exactly what I am looking for in colour and proportion. These fishy sea towns provide me with inspiration and spontaneity, an accidental tangle of colour and texture, beautifully unthoughtful and unaffected, not yet contrived by a designer such as myself, who will try to reconsider this mess and interpret it in a way that reflects the life and energy of this pretty disorder.

My London art week

2010-10-18T11:50:00.001-07:00

This last week I have been treated to some beautiful art that has visually nourished and stimulated the very bones of me! I was first at the opening of 'And then there was....' at Salon Vert near Regents park to see five wonderful artists show their work, some lit up the room, some were stuck onto the side of the room (see brown tape cityscape above) , some painted onto the actual room and some brought the room to a standstill when it was knocked over with the loudest thunderous bang...not once but THREE times! and I am glad to say I wasn't responsible for any! A beautiful show, in a beautiful house by beautiful people!

I was then drawn to the opposite end of the London world, to a disused office block in Elephant and Castle, taken over by ASC and rented out to lots and lots of AMAZING makers, designers and artists. I went to see the work of Chris Eales a friend and very talented illustrator and animator, and was drawn in to many more open studios among the nine floors of creative space. Moving sculptures, depressed hamsters, felt tip drawings, pleating mania and nap corners, all made me warm with an enriched view of my home town. Thanks.x

Crafts Council Hothouse Collective Exhibition.

2010-10-15T07:53:00.000-07:00

Here's some sneaky peeks at the delights of contemporary British craft exhibited at the New Ashgate Gallery in Farnham. Myself and nine other makers are exhibiting here for one more week to show off our range of talents, obsessions, philosophies and skills. The preview evening last week was a lovely evening of mutual appreciation, story telling and too much wine. We plan to exhibit as a group like this again in the future so I will post details on the blog when we know more!

Details of the cohort:

Heidi Parsons ceramics

Helene Uffren glass

Leon Lewis wood

Rosanna Martin ceramics

Gillian Royal textiles

Claire Baker ceramics

Stella Harding basketry

Jo Lovelock textiles

Katherine May textiles

Holly Berry textiles

Gold Peg and Mighty Mo!

2010-10-11T06:56:00.000-07:00

"Who are gold peg and monkey"? I ask myself whilst on many a London tube and train, who are these graffiti artists that have so magnificently re-appropriated this simple clothesline adornment and re branded our brick walls with their delicate pastilles and menacing monkey faces??? It seems this is the work of Gold peg and Mighty Mo, part of the Burning Candy clan of roof hoppers and alley dwellers... risking their jeans to lumber up walls and decorate our 'staring out of the train window on the way to work' moments. It's just what October is made for...I love Autumn, and this just makes it even better!! I know a wall in New Cross that is calling out for such adornment! MINE! I doubt this is the sort of thing that can be commissioned, but if a peg suddenly appears anywhere near 106 New Cross Rd, I will be a very happy lady indeed!

Knit and stitch 2010

2010-10-10T06:53:00.000-07:00

I was pleasantly surprised to see these innovative and contemporary pieces of work by recent graduates at this years Knit and stitch show at Alexandra palace this week.

Full of lovely makers and hobby-ists, it is sometimes a worry how this area will grow and evolve in the future, so it was great to see new techniques, colours and aesthetics breaking through all that traditional style, ans made for a good balance between old and new. Also exciting was the work of Barley Massey in the 'swishing' area and the contemporary patchwork workshops of Katherine May! A good exhibition and worth fighting my way through the coach fulls of British hand makers and collectors, phew!!

E.X.H.I.B.I.T.I.O.N.

2010-10-07T09:01:00.000-07:00

Sooooo looking forward to gathering with the other 'Hotties' tomorrow for the start of our exhibition: Crafts Council Hothouse collective 2010. Expecting a lovely crowd and a family vibe with flowing wine and cuddles!

New Ashgate Gallery, Farnham.

Crative haze

2010-10-07T08:50:00.000-07:00

n

o
I am tuned into the loom at the moment, designing and sampling by sun and moonshine, and inspiration is following me around..I keep seeing piles of boxes, stacks of chairs and heaps of colourful crates, just waiting to be turned into woven designs! There's something beautiful about these forgotten and unseen man made finds, they draw me in and transform my landscape into possibilities, pattern and colour.

I don't expect to surface from this creative haze until spring!

Exhibition news!!

2010-10-01T02:06:00.000-07:00

I am showing two new pieces of colourful work inspired by my original Morse-code design, hand woven on my beautiful loom, at the Hothouse Collectives first group exhibition!

I have been lucky enough to be part of the first Crafts Council's Hothouse development programme, we are having an exciting exhibition of all of our work at the New Ashgate Gallery in Farnham from the 9th to the 23rd October, opening next Friday!

I am so proud and excited to be part of this wonderful and supportive collective of makers including ceramicists, textiles, wood, basketry and glass makers and artists and can't wait to see all of our work together in this amazing gallery space. We have been on a journey together, developing our practices and ideas, and supporting each other to achieve our ambitions, with specialist help and support from the Crafts Council.

We would love it if you could come and see us at the exhibition, and keep watching, as we are planning another show for 2011 too!

The many marks of man...

2010-10-01T01:48:00.000-07:00

e

Us humans are always being reprimanded for the marks that we are leaving on the earth; rain forest destruction, pollution, land fill, building sites, litter...it goes on and on endlessly making us feel guilt for our own existence. But what people fail to remember and celebrate, are the beautiful marks we leave, not just the architecture, art works and literature that for most are unobtainable and nothing to do with them, but the marks and 'imperfections' we leave all around us, memories, notes, little shapes and compositions. I love these things that prove our existence our work and our expression. Graffiti, notes of love on toilet doors, discarded shopping lists in supermarket trolleys and layers of paint, tape and paper that uncover the past. These things inspire me and tell a story.

If life imitates art then why can't the everyday human create their own masterpiece with sellotape, Biro and a bit of dirt. It proves we are alive, that we're existing and engaging with our surroundings. A pristine white box is no evidence of life or living. It's the little things that count.

Eco Factory at London Design week.

2010-10-01T01:33:00.000-07:00

It was a pleasure to see responsible and beautiful design featuring so prominently during the London Design festival this year, in particular the Annie Sherburne curated an inspirational exhibition which explores sustainable design and 'co designing' at the gallery in the OXO tower.

knitters and installation artists Eco Factory was founded by Annie Sherburne in 2010, following 18 years of research, and includes the following London based design groups: Barley Massey's Fabrications, guerrillaKnitty Gritty, clothes based charity Traid (who will be conducting sew good workshops), Osian Batyka-Williams' sculpted metal chairs, Out Of Bounds music, performance artists Sarah McPhee (human lace making) and Kate Morris (human decoration), sitting in this prestigious gallery space, opposite the heaving 'Designers Block' event (in which I incidentally bumped into the lovely Mr Wayne Hemingway).

This event proves that responsible design that is beautiful, sometimes provocative and always meaningful is finding it's place amongst the big players of London design; a design capital of the world. Good work guys!

Origin. Artisan. Localised

2010-09-26T07:58:00.000-07:00

I went to Origin at the new Spittalfields location today, wonderful makers and their fantastic work, it was an inspiration to see! Makes all the imported naff stuff around brick lane and the other markets seem really dated and out of place, I think we are slowly moving towards a society of appreciation for the artisan and localization again! Hello future! I love you! You can still go and have a look for yourself until the middle of next week, and talk to the people who are passionate about making their products! Ceramics, jewelers, wood work and weaving. I was spoilt for choice!

http://www.originuk.org/

Big up the Batyka!!

2010-09-14T05:25:00.000-07:00

http://www.osianbw.com/

Sketchbooking

2010-09-14T03:55:00.000-07:00

Sitting at the kitchen table, wine in one hand, pen in the other. Views, bits of plastic, mussel farms in Shetland waters, and anything else that took my fancy recently...

Woven grid inspiration

2010-09-10T03:29:00.000-07:00

I saw this grid on in the pavement in Farnham this week and was instantly inspired to design a new cloth! C I C I C I C I what does it mean I wonder?

Red Shetland sketchbook.

2010-09-09T05:41:00.000-07:00