My Very First Exhibition

Not so long ago, I was approached by my friend and gallery owner Emily, to take part in an exhibition she was putting on at the SHO Gallery and Shop in Cardiff.

The idea behind the exhibition, Art Flare, was that artists who produce small-scale works - jewellery or greetings cards for example - would have the chance to showcase their work in open-fronted boxes measuring 40x40x50cm, alongside larger-scale wall-mounted works.

Well this sounded right up my street, so I sat down with a cup of tea and had a little think about what I wanted to make to go in my little box.  Some time later I came up with a list of items comprising of things I've made using patterns by other people (with permission granted to sell what I make from the patterns), and things I've designed myself.  Mice featured heavily on this list, you'll see what I mean later!

As usual, just when I thought I had some time to devote to making the product, a million and one other things  popped up that I had to do at the same time  So in between making up custom orders, swotting for and attending job interviews, and working at both day jobs, I crocheted late into the night for several nights, practically crippling my hands in the process, to get everything done in time...

But I did it!  I got everything done!  Last Thursday night, straight after work, I made the train journey up to Cardiff, and on Friday morning, straight after a job interview, I scuttled down to the SHO Gallery, laden with crocheted delights (and a wooden hand.... you'll see...) and set up my box.

Ta-dahhhh!

 

I told you that mice featured heavily didn't I?!  And the wooden hand (it's meant for displaying leather gloves) that I borrowed from work came in mighty useful for displaying the finger puppets don't you think?

The lovely thing about this particular exhibition is that all the items on display are for sale, and are available to take away on that very day, so you don't have to wait until the end of the exhibition to collect your purchases.  So once an item is sold, I will simply make another to replace it.  Hurrah!  (The big blue cat, however, is not for sale.  He belongs to my mister and his housemates - I made him as a housewarming gift for them you see.  But I am taking commissions for him instead.)

And whilst we're on the subject of my mister, I should say a very big thank you to him for all his help and support.  He did an excellent job of cutting the yellow background for my box to the right size and shape, helped me ponder the positioning of all the goodies, and generally put up with all my questions and ramblings.  He's ace isn't he? :-)

Oh - AND he went along to the Preview Day on Saturday and took this photo for me of all the completed boxes:

The other artists exhibiting include Jessica Draws (her box is right in the middle there), Rosaline Dolton (her box is directly under mine, bottom left) and one of my favourite jewellery makers I Am Acrylic.  Remember this shooting star necklace I bought from the Old Fire Station shop back in February?

Yup, that's I Am Acrylic.  Pretty, huh?  They've got a whole online shop full of pretty things at the mo, especially this little lightning strike brooch:

So sweet!


The exhibition will run until Tuesday 7 August, so if you're in Cardiff or passing anywhere near, then please pop in and have a look at everyone's handiwork.


I'm off to finish crocheting a cushion cover that I started over a year ago now.


Toodle-pip!


Emmalemonade x x