Flights of Fancy
You only have one 50th birthday - well, you only have one of each birthday, of course - but one ending in a 0 always has some kind of significance, whether good or bad! And I wanted this one to be a little different. This could be the middle of my life (my paternal...
The delights of teaching
One of the wonderful things about teaching is the sheer variety of people you meet. This weekend, I have a lovely couple with fascinating backgrounds, and so much knowledge about a wide spectrum of subjects. We have discussed travel, philosophy, geography/geology...
From Rings of Saturn to humour, From The Element to landscape
What do humour, the rings of saturn, landscape and passion have in common? Stumped? Well, they're all books that I have read this week. And what diversity - from an excerpt from On Humour by Simon Critchley; The Rings of Saturn by W.G. Sebald; The Interpretation of...
Lost in Lace Conference
An eagerly awaited conference, allied to the Lost in Lace exhibition, this was not a disappointment. A wide cross-section of people attended the conference, hosted by Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery with partners, the Crafts Council to hear quality speakers. The...
Lost in Translation
One of the things about a university education which pushes you out of your comfort zone is how it opens your mind and your understanding. At the Lost in Lace conference (feature post to follow) today (3rd Feb 2011) at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, I met up again...
Contemporary Craft in Historic Settings
I belong to an organisation called Designer Maker West Midlands, and from time to time they organise various seminars. In the Peak District, an area which stretches across quite a lot of Derbyshire, Cheshire, South Yorkshire and the Staffordshire Moorlands, and which...
Joseph Wright, of Derby, painter
Hmm. It seems to be conference season! Nothing for months, and then several come along in quick succession - just like metropolitan buses! In the country we're lucky if we get one an hour (each way)- buses that is... Anyway, I digress! Where was I?.... Oh yes,...
Labcraft: Digital Adventures in Contemporary Craft
This week I went on a little trip. Around 150 miles in total. In retrospect, I would have gone a lot further. This exhibition is most definitely worth it! Labcraft is a touring exhibition under the auspices of the Crafts Council. Currently, it is showing at The...
Are you a seasonal person or a routines person?
I don't know about you, but around this time of year, I get lots of inspirational emails from online marketers and various business 'gurus', some of whom are suggesting ways for me to live my life to be more productive and balanced. I'm all in favour of balance as...
Lost in Lace exhibition
This week my fellow masters students and I visited the Lost in Lace exhibition, curated by Lesley Millar, which is being held in the Gas Hall of the Birmingham Museum & Art Galleries. The Gas Hall, along with its sister building across the street - the Water...
The Weave Shed
A little while ago, you may remember I posted that a new weavers' website would be coming online to signpost everyone to all things weaving in the UK. Drum roll, please.... THE WEAVE SHED is now open for business.... Visit www.theweaveshed.org to find: - Weave...
Miniature mountains
A few weeks ago, I hurt my back. It's an old injury and one I can usually keep under control with regular yoga, but I had a period of two weeks where I was driving a lot, and moving heavy boxes, looms, and equipment then more driving for several hours, and at the end...