£1,368 Raised for Abigail Housing
….. and counting!
As I’m sure is the case for us all, it’s difficult at the minute, I’ve been feeling it particularly in the shop and I like to try and think of things that are going well. Might be cheesier than some of my puns, but it’s true, my fantastic customers have kept me going during this time. I’m absolutely chuffed to say that you guys have raised this incredible amount of money through donations on the online shop since it launched in March. I’m so so pleased to have such amazing customers and I know that Abigail Housing have been so grateful for your generosity. Luckily I didn’t troll them with over a grand’s worth of red lentils, but instead it’s gone to some of the below…
100KG+ of lentils and rice
10KG+ of honey
40L+ of hand soap
20L of body wash
Lots of loo roll
104 cartons of Soya milk
Flour and yeast
Cooking oil
Loads of crisps and snacks
And plenty of other bits!
Also a big thank you to @sarahharrisprints and Dave for donating a TV which I was able to deliver this morning.
I drop stuff off every 3 or 4 weeks once donations have built up, keep them coming. If you’d like to read a bit more into @abigail.housing and their work supporting Asylum seekers, their website is abigailhousing.org.uk.
So ta very much and happy weekend!!
Isolation Inspiration #4 - Ellie Hawkes
Another talented maker and all round good egg is Ellie Hawkes. Her vinyl discs bring nature in technicolour to our window and gallery at giddy arts. Read about her artistic inspiration and thoughtful ideas on creativity during the pandemic below.
How did you get into your craft? I got into my craft after studying Fine Art at Central Saint Martins for three years and graduating in 2017. It wasn't until mid 2018 that I made my spare room into a studio and began making work again. I have always been creative and enjoyed experimenting with different craft techniques since finishing my degree. During my degree I experimented with drawing, painting and photography, which led me in my final year to work with photographic prints and vinyls - used more recently in my craft.
What do you love about your chosen medium? I love the flexibility of my subject matter. Working with the concept of nature allows me to create a range of pieces and ideas which vary in medium and size. For example, making vinyl discs, mounted photographic prints and framed works. One of the main assets to my medium is using transparent materials as they allow the work to become three dimensional, which I find interesting. Circular shapes are used a lot in my work too, I love working with circular shapes as they are unique.
How do you get the inspiration to come up with a new series or piece? Being in nature inspires me to create new ideas through my surroundings. Especially during lockdown, more walks and exercise have allowed me to submerge myself in nature and gather new ideas. Generally, ideas pop into my head at random and sometimes when I'm least expecting it I will have a new idea. I often get inspired by architecture too, especially circular shapes. Following other creatives on Instagram and doing artistic research helps to inspire me too.
How is Covid-19 affecting you and your work at the moment? Covid-19 hasn't changed my work that much at the moment. Although the pandemic is dark and horrible, it has brought peace and a sense of calm to us all. I feel people are appreciating what's around them and being grateful to be healthy and alive. It has given me more time to create work and more time to think about what's really important. It has allowed us to do jobs which we never thought we would get round to doing. My quote during the pandemic is to 'take one day at a time.'
Have you got any advice for people who want to use this time to tap into their creative side? Yes, be as creative as you can! Use this time wisely. Now is the best time to be creative and to try new things and further your creative knowledge. There is a great series on Channel 4 with Grayson Perry called 'Grayson's Art Club' where he has virtual conversations in lockdown with famous artists and creatives to see what everyone is getting up to, definitely worth a watch if you want to feel inspired!
A lot of people shy away from making work because they don't feel like they will be 'good' at making art, but it's really important not to think that and to just give it a go. Being creative brings about a calmness and that is what we all need in these uncertain times. Whether you paint, draw, do some crafting or take some photographs, now is the best time to explore your creative potential. Other things like baking or gardening are also ways of expressing your creativity. I have bee cooking alot more and making some new dishes! I ordered a pasta maker recently as I thought now is the best time to invest in being creative. We should always make time for creativity.
Isolation Inspiration #3 - Modern Alchemy Jewellery
I really am being too slow with these! Annie is the maker behind Modern Alchemy Jewellery, and some of you who have visited the shop may be familiar with her beautiful silver jewellery. Annie works out of the lovely Hebden Bridge, and has been kind enough to tell us about working with silver, and taking inspiration from the moon!
How did you get into your craft?
“I got into jewellery making by accident. I was originally going to train as a journalist but life had other plans! After taking a stained glass course, I discovered I was good with my hands and had the patience for fiddly things. I then took a jewellery course, and I was hooked as soon as I made my first silver ring and my business grew from there.”
What do you love about your chosen medium?
”I love how silver has to go through various stages before it becomes something beautiful. It often doesn’t look that attractive mid-process, but it emerges looking shiny, like treasure! I also love its malleability and the challenge of working out how to turn my ideas into something that can be created in metal.”
How do you get the inspiration to come up with a new series?
”I usually choose a subject that I am interested in or drawn to at the time, for example the Moon. I then do a little study on this topic, so I will paint the moon, read all about the moon, study its surface and forms. I then take these textures and shapes and translate them into test pieces and design ideas. Finally I pick my favourite ideas and these become a collection of jewellery.”
How is Covid-19 affecting you and your work at the moment?
”Work has slowed down considerably during the pandemic. All of my six stockists have closed during lockdown. Even though my website is still open for business people have understandably cut back on buying luxury items like jewellery, so sales are few and far between. Most of my silver suppliers also closed as they run large operations. I’m using this time to do things I never get around to, I’m having a little jewellery sale and planning how to move forward in these difficult times.”
Have you got any advice for people who want to use this time to tap into their creative side?
”Don’t take it too seriously. Just have a go. I think there is a lot of pressure (especially via all the beautiful work you see on Instagram) to create something perfect straight away. I’m trying to get back into painting. I’m too much of a perfectionist and that can make me avoid giving it a go but I’m trying to relax about it and just enjoy it!”
Isolation Inspiration #2 - Atlantic Generation Gap
Isolation inspiration #2 :
Hear from Brittany Staniforth, a friend of ours, and one quarter of a team who will row the Atlantic in December as part of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. Britt, her dad Stan, her friend Victoria, and Victoria’s boyfriend Ed are training hard, and fundraising for MIND, Rural Assistance Nepal, Royal Marines Charity and Women’s Aid. Read more about why, (WHY??!?!?), Mandy the boat and modesty ponchos here @atlanticgenerationgap . Once some degree of normality returns we’ll be looking forward to holding an event to support the adventurers and the charities.
“The team is made up of me, my dad Stan, my friend Victoria, our Spanish-Yorkshire woman, and her boyfriend Ed, the royal marine.
“The challenge is a race from La Gomera to Antigue, about 3,000 miles. Rowing 2 hours on and 2 hours off. It’ll take about 40-50 days. We’ll sleep in pods at the ends of the boat. We will also probably see dolphins, sharks and maybe orcas!
“We’re doing it for exploration, fascination and adventure into the unknown.”
Fun facts:
“Stan will be in his 60th year during this adventure.
Out boat is called Mandy, after my mum, Stan’s promise which helped convince her it was a great idea.
We will be the first father and daughter in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.
Victoria is the first Spanish woman to complete the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.
We are taking an Aeropress in order to have fresh coffee as our favourite treat.
We’ll eat about 5,000 calories per day.
Our toilet is a bucket on deck.
A lot of the time we will be naked - due to chafing! – and we will therefore employ the use of a ‘modesty poncho’!”
Find out more about the adventure here.
Isolation Inspiration #1 - Gary Thomas Ceramics
Isolation inspiration #1
We first mentioned this at the start of lockdown but in between drowning in flour we’ve been a little slow to start… I’m going to try and put some features up on a roughly weekly basis of some of our makers, along with other interesting bits to have a look at whilst we’re all stuck indoors and waiting this out. Hopefully some of you find these worthwhile.
To kick things off, hear from Gary Thomas, a ceramicist based in Todmorden. Lots of you will have seen and purchased his beautiful pieces in the shop. Gary is a lovely guy, he’s always so interesting to talk to when I go to pick up stock from his studio full of amazing artwork in many different media. He always has great stories about trying out different art techniques, bird watching and travelling. It’s a privilege to have met Gary and be able to stock his work. Read about Gary’s creative process and see link below to view some of his work for sale.
How did you get into your craft and what do you love most about your chosen medium?
”I started potting whilst on my Art Foundation course at Burnley School of Art in the late 60s.”
”I love many aspects of ceramics, especially the fact that you never stop learning new methods and techniques. Constantly you are becoming aware of new approaches to forming and shaping clay. I wish Youtube had been around when I was training, showing you that there are many and varied approaches not just one way. There are so many creative people all around the world to tap into.”
”Ceramics is not unique for me but just one of the Arts and Crafts which were once considered equal but have since been separated into specialisms. I also enjoy and spend time drawing, painting and printmaking.”
How do you get the inspiration to sit behind the wheel and throw clay, do you have something in mind before you get to work?
”Inspiration comes from many sources. Usually I have an object in mind, such as a bowl or vase with a certain glaze but occasionally I will sit at the wheel and just let the clay talk, not having anything specific in mind, just seeing what emerges. Sometimes I might just enjoy the experience of throwing something big! - a large round form or a tall cylinder, just for the fun of it. It can also be a good idea to think of a finished product with a certain glaze in mind before starting. That way you are clear in your mind about the intended outcome.”
How is Covid-19 affecting you and your work at the moment?
”Covid 19 has greatly affected my work schedule, no galleries open! - no shops! - no craft Fairs! - all cancelled or postponed, but I can still enjoy the process of making, creating, crafting. How people are coping without creating I cannot imagine. I do love the fact that I can see real clouds and that there are no aircraft, not many cars and periods of real peace! Not to mention the real change in peoples’ attitudes to each other, basically much less selfish. I'm not enjoying being isolated from the family though but on-line zooming and the occasional quiz is keeping us together.”
Have you got any advice for people who want to use this time to tap into their creative side?
”How to enjoy creativity…maybe viewing a range of pottery styles and approaches on Youtube - I think Bill Van Guilders’ work and communication is really good.”
”Start a sketchbook, draw anything, a flower, a small still life and use the media you have at hand. Find an old frame, mount your work then frame it! This will give you the confidence to do more. It’s all about being visually aware! Looking, observing and seeing - appreciating the visual world around, (all schools should be art schools) to make us aware of and appreciate what we have.”
Coronavirus Update
Hi everyone,
Hope everyone is coping as well as can be. Here at Giddy Arts we've been trying to think of how best to stay afloat, provide essentials, and keep things going if possible without putting anyone at risk. I have broken too many drill bits, got too many wood splinters in my eyes and put too much money and time and love into this place to let it go down now, it's going to be difficult but I hope we make it through. However, I know the main priority has to be the safety of our customers and ourselves.
We have therefore taken the difficult decision to close the upstairs shop. For now, we will keep the eco shop running from the back alley behind the shop, at the moment hours will be 12 - 4 Wednesday - Sunday (if this doesn't work for you, let me know). I will serve people at the door - you tell me what you need/give me what you need refilling, and I will get your products together. We're hoping this will reduce the number of people in close proximity and people using the dispensers etc. The extra cleaning and restocking has been a lot of work and worry, and I hope this will make things easier and safer for everyone whilst continuing to provide what we can in terms of useful household supplies and my reknowned top quality small talk (from a distance of 2 metres).
I have put most of the eco products and food refills on the website in the form of an online shop too - orders can be placed on the website and either collected from Giddy Arts, or I will deliver to those with a BD18 postcode free of charge. Stock levels are live so please bear with me if anything is out of stock, we’re working hard to keep things in and add new lines. The address is giddyarts.co.uk and also through our Bio. For those further afield, please remember Refill Shipley has a great range of liquid refills and products that Soraya will deliver to you.
Obviously things change so rapidly at the moment - if there are updates, if this is not the right thing to do, if it’s not working, I will have to change things.
I will reopen the shop upstairs and the gallery when it is safe and right to do so. For continued support for our artists and makers, I'm aiming to do features on here showcasing my makers, their processes, and their amazing work, hopefully bringing a little beauty and creativity into our lives that have suddenly become very isolated. We are really trying to put our heads together for other things we can do and I would welcome any bright ideas!
As always, thanks so much for your support and patience. I feel so lucky to be part of Saltaire and have been so humbled by some lovely messages of support recently. Some of you kind folk have offered to support us with donations, which has been overwhelmingly generous - I'm really conscious at the moment that there are so many people who are much more at risk now more than ever. I propose a Pay It Forward to a local charity, I'm just in the process of firming this up, but the plan is you will be able to purchase food online through us (at cost) and I will then take donated food and supplies to the charity. Once I have all the details early next week I'll update you and put it onto our website.
For now, our priorities have to change - take care, stay safe, look after each other, and try to stay sane and happy.
Obligatory joke:
What’s the most humorous type of pasta? Chortellini!! 🤣🤣🤣😑
