hand and lock competition

All I can say is Im on a roll. I guess going back to being a secondary school employer has achieved what I had hoped for, a bit of time for me to get my head together. Im glad I didnt return as  a teacher, at least as a teaching assistant I have time on an evening and weekend to enjoy some creative experimentation. Getting back to my title, I am thinking of entering the 2013 Hand and Lock competition. I dodnt expect to get into the second round, but third time lucky or if its 'all things come in 3s' at least I will have a body of work behind me. It could  come in useful if I can afford to do an MA.
If I do enter H and L the section I will be choosing is to combine Tudor England and 1970s rock concert.
I got hold of some original vinyl Ziggy, Roxy music and Marc Bolan LPs,  but no  records unfortunately. Theres something to say about album covers and inner sleeves, nostalgic overload for someone who would have been 3-4yrs at that time. Anyway got a few sketches, took some photos and a bit of research done, in between removing  goldwork  from my fabric.


Im thinking Bowies 'spiders from Mars' merged with the web of deceit  amongst Elizabeth 1st royal court.



Also though web would be a good starting point as they look  like crystal lace work. This image however also has a feel of a cobweb on a ships mast which is another idea I am thinking of going down.



this cobweb could be inspiration for embroidered wings but Bowie style. 





I dont even mind the terrible quality of the phots, I think it adds  inspiration. I might print of this photo and embroider a drawing to see if  things develop further.



have I used the fabric?

The answer is of course yes. However I did have a few problems trying to dye it becasue although the fabric was silk Im not sure if it is a silk mix because there has been some interesting results when removed from the dye bath. Procions didnt work well at all, colour didnt take at all, acids did take but not in the way I had expected, But on a positive note the colours are just what I was wanting for my 39-45 project, which I havent forgotten, but am now back on track with due to mesing around as if I am a student again.


original colour before experimenting with dyes. 




the dye is very subtle




a few samples, subtle but elegant I think and to think I only used four dye baths for the whole collection.




the beautiful red and dark grey were put into the same dye baths as my 2nd hand fabric but the difference in colour take is amazing. This is the best prt of dying fabric. 





I think this has got a Japenese military feel about it, which did help to re-inspire me with my life long project



But thats not all! theres goldwork and beads too.







Found this fabric in a second hand shop, thought even if I dont use the fabric I could use all the gold work and beads, that was a border around the fabric, so since September I have painstakingly sat most evenings and removed each bead and strand of goldwork, and this is why I guess I am able to send a blog. I feel I have completed something and now I ready for my other ventures, but let me show you some of the fabric close up before you see what I have done with it.

my apologies for the terrible photos you know they are not my strong pioint, just wanted to show you the ammount of work that was involved in removing this embellishment. By the way the fabric was 3-4 meters long. The box of goldwork and  tin of glass beads are what I emoved. What a treasure eh.



where have I been/ what have I been up to ?



its amazing what you can do when you play around with ideas.



I know I have been away for a long, long time but things have been pretty hectic. But at last I have finally put together a few print designs. These were taken from my markmaking drawings, some of which I posted on my blog in the Summer. I played around with ideas, mixing things up a bit and hey this is where I am at the minute.



This is my first print of the design. Not bad since I have not done any print since may time. Looking forward to adding some of my embroidery and embellishment magic. Will post result as Im going along.



keeping on the right track

As you know I wanted to keep my 39-45 project focused on positive aspects of ths period, as these years were for me. So I started to research films, dances dancers, and mucis of that time. Talk about an abundace of material and ideas, I think this project will be a continuing life long one rather than something I will finish in the near future. Check out this you tube its amazing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0BHxhUnokU

My ideas are spirilling out of control. Not sure where the ideas are ggoing to go but if I can capture someof this energy I will be happy. Other influences and inspiration will come from films like gone with the wind, pinocchio, judy Garland, 1939 worlds fair at New York, and this is just 39 - 40.

more mark making



Im thinking tie? collar? cuffs?



Small but still relevant

As promised I did some embroidery. I know its only small but once I have phoocopied it, cut it out and then placed into onto fabric it will be something else. But this will take a while.

Im on the ARTS Thread blog !

First of all I'm so surprised they put me on there after I scared the journalist half to death. I was so emotionally overcome when I heard someone with a camera at ND ask for me, I jumped into the air and asked if I could hug the girl standing infront of me . The look on her  face quietly screamed 'mad woman' but  I am emotional and it had been a long, long, long week, with little - no interest in my work. ( I need to just reign myself a little, not everyone can handle me, I am overpowering at times). If your not interested in embroidery you too would walk right past it. It looks nothing from a distance, its all in the close up. I guess this is a major learning curve for me. My work needs to attract atention from a distance, it needs to draw the viewer in otherwise it will be overlooked.
Anyway here's a link to my blog interview. http://blog.artsthread.com/?s=Pauline+Easby
Excuse the photo, Im not a pretty sight in reality but photographs make me look even worse.

never got through to Hand and Lock

OH disappointment. Its just not my year. Anyway will try again this year as soon as the brief comes out. At least I can structure my work around the brief rather than trying to structure their brief around mine. God what did I expect, really?

Im not emotionally overwhelmed Im passionate about life

Yesterday after walking home from the shop I began a little rant in my head regarding  where I want to be in life and how much it had changed since I began my six year degreeathon. I had forgotten all about how initially I had only wanted to learn how to relax, no expectation of changing careers etc, but I got so involved in the creative process I just fell in love with each module, continually pushing my ideas and creativity mentally and physically. Then I got an internship in Copenhagen which resulted in freelance work, (which I have now returned to after the hectic final year) and thought this was as good as it gets for me. Then my minor project, Indigo and interest from an exclusive boutique began to raise my hopes. I began to think on a completely different level, maybe I could make it as a top designer, and get paid for the time I actually put into my designs. But alas this fell through and lets just say rocked my confidence, and made me devalue my First class honours, making me question where I wanted to be and what I wanted from life. After talking to Ingrid I began to realise where I want to be, I want to be with a company that likes me for who I am, someone who accepts my emotional overwhelmingness. Hey I'm passionate about life and everything in it . So this is a big shout out for  family, friends, lecturers and Fusion for believing in me. I'm finally coming to terms with the fact that just because you want something for a year doesnt mean you deserve it. I guess you have to want it from being a babes in arms.

I'M BACk

Ok, finally got my fears of my chest now its time to work. So as promised I began a few sketches, not yet with a needle but as Im not working at the minute I will try to get on with these. (health reasons and  the freelance work I had expected to be carrying out fell through, unfortunately). But I will be back on track soon, I dont stay down too long. Anyway started with a few blind mark makings, looking at my photos of Paris rather than looking at what I was drawing. I think some of them have potential .


inspiration for a brooch perhaps ?




I like this as it reminds me of twisted barbed wire and railway lines, which  worries me as this is not the route |I want to go down for moral and humanity  reasons.  



Im liking this if photocopied and mirror images etc it could lead to something beautiful

and this I love the thick / thin lines and dots, all created using my new pens from CASS Art in Islington.  

where's my head at?

I can't believe its been a week since I returned home from New Designers. I remember going there  six years ago when I first began my Part time marathon degree and leaving  with both a headache and heartache at the awe inspiring work and creativity within the building. I aspired to be like these students and hoped beyond belief that in six years time I too would be there at New Designers with my fellow students. AND I got there AND it was as daunting as it was the first time Only now I had nothing to aspire to, I couldnt re-do another six years, I was no longer an eternal student, I had made it to ND which in theory meant I was in the real world, which leaves me with a bit of a dilema. WHAT DO I DO NOW? Every time I went to ND I would walk away thinking how can I compete against the new emerging talent and competition year in year out,  but this time it was all the more real because I was up against them for real. How did it make me feel? invisible, unworthy, uncreative but also imensley sad as this was the finale to my passionate dreams. I would no longer be going to college, talking with my mates and lecturers and feeling part of something exciting or discussing how our ideas where developing or not. For me it was the end of an era, but I'm hoping its the start of a new one.

cant wait to start sketching with my needle

These are some images I took whilst in Paris in February. Hopefully if time allows I may have some sketches next week  either with a pencil/ pen or if I'm lucky with a needle and thread. I just love the detail within them, I am truly inspired. I hadnt fortgotten about them just never had the time to look at them. But now with college finished and what looks like time on my hands I can start sketching and designing and do what I do best embroidery.

new project 39-45

Here are some of my primary and secondary reserch for my next project 39-45.
I chose this because I began my degree when I was 39 complketing it age 45, but as I love concepts and stories I hope to include inspiration from the years 1939-45. However I am aware this will need to be done with the utmost sincerity.
The type of things I want to take from that time are personal stories and testomonies such as remebering their homes or objects they loved, their wallpaper or painted walls, their furniture, clothes and accessories, even uniforms. Rather than focusing on the painful memories of war and detrimental loss.

As a student 39-45 I had a specific birthday, I remeber certain clothes I wore and even completed my dissertation on objects within my home and their meaning to me. As a result of contextual studies I now look at architecture and design with fresh eyes. I look forward to any comments you feel willing to give me.

Student of the Year for BA (hons) Textiles and Surface Design

Thought I would add this since I have uploaded a photograph of myself on the very night I received my award. I am not photogenic but this photo will always hold such happy memories for me.

what a weekend

well this weekend has been rather strange. I found out it is extremely important to ask people if you can mention them if ever you are featured in a newpaper article. Life is a learning curve and this is something I had not thought about, but will never forget if it happens again.
The second thing I found out was I am featured in mewspaper articles in Australia, America and London. This was a complete shock. Although it is the same story nonetheless its bizarre to see my name come up on google. Something else I have found interesting is many people have viewed my blog over the last month but have not left any comments. I value any feedback I can get
My final finding is no surprise that nothing comes easy in life, we all have to work through the bad times but that family, friends, collegues and evaluations are essential for discussing things through to get to the bottom of them.
Ymay also have noticed I HAVE FINALLY TAKEN THE PLUNGE and posted a photo of myself. I am not photogenic as this images proves but yes this is me. Look out for me at New Designers. After six long years of hoping and wishing I could one day get there, I did. I set off tomorrow with nine fellow students. Good luck to all of us.

where have I been?

First of all apologies to anyone who has looked on my blog since march and found it has not been updated. As student of the year for BA (Hons) textiles and surface design  2012, I have spent most of my time completing my final major project, going for an interview with Fitriani and setting up my degree show, which I now have images of. Let me know what you think.