Sewing Roll Demonstration and Pattern

Buy our really great step by step pattern HERE

Christmas In The Studio

Christmas has definitely arrived in the studio.

The Tree is up and the decorations are those made by

Jane and the studio team. Take a tour around the studio, Here.
Crochet snowflakes, paper ornaments,

Victorian style lace decorations all hand sewn.

Not a fairy on our Christmas Tree but a White Rabbit:)))

The Studio window has changed too, a winter forest.

There are decoration in traditional reds and greens with a hint

of gold and of course Christmas Quilts, sparkle and glitter.

There is also the Christmas Bow Decoration, that

acts as a beautiful decoration or holds many of your cards

or holiday keepsakes.

We are so excited in the studio as The Christmas Bow is the first of 

our online patterns are are beautifully presented on your computer and can be 

printed so you have them forever.

you can take a look here and if you would like to receive

news, patterns and giveaways from the studio fill in your details:))

So have a look here at our first pattern.

http://jeclark176_1.getresponsepages.com/

Workshops and sessions six days a week:)))

Autumn Window Display

Autumn is definitely here and we have changed the studio 

window display.

Lots of Black, White, Gothic and Steampunk inspiration

due to All Hallows Eve:))

Maldives Holiday

We had a wonderful holiday at Meeru Resort and Spa,

in The Maldives.

All I can say is "WOW",

and "Breath Taking".

The blue of the ocean, the light and warmth.

I relaxing atmosphere:)

A great place to spend a Birthday or special occasion. 

I made a sketch and sticky book to document the 

holiday, which I do for every holiday or visit.

Inspiration is often different when you are away from 

your normal surroundings.

The photographs I took daily went on Instagram, 

and Facebook,these inspired many, 

which was so lovely. 

 and I put a sticky note in my book,

so I knew where they would go when I got home

and printed them out.

I picked up a lovely magazine in Gatwick Airport

called,'Breathe' and it contained all the 

articles on 'Mindfullness', Mandalas and thoughts

on how to re-think a purposeful life.

These I added to my book as a permanent reminder of the 

wonderful feelings and ideas that came to mind.

Thank you to all that have encouraged and helped

make this trip of a lifetime happen.

A re- visit I think:))

but it did take ten years to save for this one!!!!

See my tour round the Jacuzzi Water Villa 712

Lampshade Making

Caroline taught Lampshade Making Sessions,

and had a great time with everyone.

We have Lampshade Kits available in the studio to buy or you 

can come along to a session and Caroline will teach you how to 

make your own:) 

Canadian Smocking

While I was away on holiday Caroline gave workshops on Canadian Smocking 

which went really well.

Artist in Residence

Hello one and all!

My name is Benedict Farley and I am a pencil artist. I currently study Animation and Visual Effects at Teesside University, up north in the town of Middlesbrough.

Drawing is a long-time passion for me, and the best part is always seeing people's reaction to the work I create. When I was younger, my parents encouraged me to draw to keep me quiet at church, and since then I haven't stopped. My favourite subject to draw is people and the human figure. All the proportions fascinate me, and always give a great challenge to draw. It astounds me how much beauty there is in ourselves, both inside and out. I also take commissions, often drawing pictures of people's loved ones. My aim is always to capture the essence of that person in a drawing. It can be easy to simply copy a photograph, but when we create art, I always feel that our soul is put onto the page as well as the ink, graphite or paint.

My best advice to anyone doing anything artistic is to practise, practise, practise! No matter how nervous you feel or how far down the artistic path you are, nothing beats making it.

Whilst I don't have a great opportunity to use drawing in my future career in visual effects, it will always be a favourite hobby, with the hope that I can always inspire and uplift with the work I create.

Here are the links to my websites, and don't hesitate to get in contact! I'll be at The Old Art Room all week this week. Pop in to say hello!

Facebook
DeviantArt Gallery
YouTube
The Journey is the Most Important Part
Vimeo - My university work

Dressmaker's Window At The Old Art Room

This window at The Old Art Room Swaffham, 

is inspired by the Dressmaker who has just left to 

go and make herself a cup of tea.

The window is filled with fresh, pastel, vintage fabrics and quilts.

Her sewing machine, dressmaker's dummy, patterns, magazines and storage. 

We teach dressmaking on a Tuesday or Thursday 

and have some costume Fridays:)

The 10 week Creative Textile Course and other workshops 

are available look to the tabs above:)

The sewing machine is a lovely 1950's 'Jones' blue sewing, don't you just love vintage.

Some of the magazines for inspiration are 1950's Vogue.

The fabric on the machine is a quilt in progress, real icecream colours.

Lots of quilts made and inspiration in the studio.

Sewing Storage, a suitcase renovated by Caroline. 

A dressmaker's mood board:))

Our little artist mannequin fairy with his sewing top hat on:))

Window side wall art.

Adapted wall paper samples.

Next window will be celebrating The Flower Festival.

Instagram and Twitter

The Old Art Room is now on Instagram and Twitter under 

The Old Art Room Jane Clark

The photos show at the top of this blog:)))

The red Indian Door Toran above is the first photograph

on the Twitter post.

Visit our Instagram

HERE

Bags Galore In The Studio

We have been busy this last couple of weeks making various types of Bags.

I made this Urban Camouflage Bag this week, needing a break from all the florals

in the studio:))

Then set it up for photographing and loved the display.

We are now on Instagram too follow the-old-art-room

A wall of bags slowly making an Exhibition.

Inspired by 'Linen Garden' we made our own pattern and have adapted the pattern

in various ways.

This is the start of a bag made with 1950's fabric and trim. 

A variation on a Bucket Bag:)

Muriel's versions.

Irene's.

Lorna's 'Scottie' bag is made from a previous pattern we have made in the studio.

New List of Dates for Textile Class

There is an inspiration every week and participants can make the topic or bring along a project or idea that they want to make, Jane and The Old Art Room team will help you achieve your goal:)

 August

2nd&4th Red and White Floral and Stripe 

9th&11th Pocket Tidies

16th&18th NEC Show, Tell and Makes

23rd&25th Charmed Squares and Keepsakes

30th Own Project

September

6th&8th Canadian Smocking with Caroline

13th&15th Lampshade Workshop with Caroline. Kit Available

20th&22nd Forget-me-not Cushion with Brenda. Kit Available. See Here for more info) 

27th&29th Own Project

Creative Textiles 10 Week Course. Starts on Wednesday 21st of September. Enrol now, information available:)

Remember Mixed Media Wednesdays and Fridays are available too for Printing, Contemporary Textiles, Book Folding and Papercrafts.

Nest Wonder

Lena brought me in a gift today of a Blackbird Nest which

had been on the window seal of the house her

husband and her are building. 

They had let the bird make the nest with it's extension of leaves. 

She laid her eggs and Lena and her family photographed them.

When they hatched they videoed them feeding and finally

watched them fly.

Lena then knew she could finish her windows and thought I

would like the nest.

As some may know I have a thing about creating nests 

and have several in the studio. 

I place one in the shop window each month and our Robin.

I put two with this amazing nest and created some additional sparkle:)))

for a photo. 

Lena had made her own creating with leaf moulding

 in the mixed media piece she made at Art Class.

See more enchanted nests in this post

HERE

Baby Cot Quilt

I made this Baby Cot Quilt last week and finished the quilting 

this afternoon. Just the bias edging to go on and then it's in 

The Old Art Room Swaffham Shop. 

There is only one like it and it's £24.99

Machine washable and nature friendly:)))

Learn how to make quilts at Textile Classes or commission

one in your colours.

Contact The Old Art Room

New Bag Shape for the Studio

After Art Class I started designing a new bag for next week 

Textile and Sewing Sessions using 1960's and 1980's Fabric.

Part of the Floral Designs are for the August 

Flower Festivals and we are celebrating by having

a 'Floral Window'

See more of what happens at Textile Classes

Here 

Art Class Monday Morning

Monday Morning Art Class in the studio starts with Mark Making.

Every week it is different and opens up discussion on

how the marks relate to Art and Artist.

Mark Making is a really good way of opening different areas of the brain.

Isaac who was participating in Work Experience last week

from Swaffham Hammonds Academy, tried one of the Circle Techniques

using a toy truck tyre and a paint brush without its brush.

(Work Experience is available all year round)

We then go into individual mediums such as water colour, acrylics, collage etc.

Drawing is vital and Jane teaches lots of ways to get good results.

The Piano hands were drawn by Lena with lots of tips and encouragement.

Sarah our Drawing Skills Tutor and Gold Award Winner is 

teaching 'Light on Dark' on the 18th of July.

Sessions are £10 and are from 10-12.15 ever Monday.

See more information 

Here

The Blue Window

This month the window is inspired by Peacock Blue.

It is in response to my business card which is based

on a peacock feather. 

made by embellishing and lots of embroidery and beading.

It is Norfolk Open Studios from the 

28th of May until 8th of June.

The Old Art Room Swaffham Studio will be 

open daily from 9 until 4pm weekdays and 

10 until 4ppm weekends unless stated.

There is lots of new work in the studio 

including work completed on 

The Ten Week Creative Textile Course.

Another course will be starting shortly if you 

are interested.