Blog Collaboration with Laura Parkin

Hello all, ok, I'm back on it!!! Life has taken me by the feet and swung me upside down a few times, but I'm back! The really great news is that for a few months at least, SlickSilver Jewellery is going to get 100% of my work attention! As a result of this new pieces have hit my website, but more on that later.  I want to introduce another blog collaborator, woven textile designer, Laura Parkin.  I found her recently quite by accident and I think her work is really beautiful, so I asked her a few questions about where she finds her inspiration.

1. Where do you get the inspiration for your designs?

The coastal areas where I live in Northumberland influence the ideas of pattern and scale in my work. Stripes are predominant in the areas; I can take ideas of proportion of stripe from objects such as boats. These ideas stripes can be transferred into warp or weft designs in my fabric.

 My clients massively influence my use of colour in my work; I tend to work on a bespoke basis. Clients individual colour ways can be influenced by there personal preference of colour.

2. Is there a craft medium you’ve always had a hankering to try your hand at?

I would love to have a go at spinning, as it would be great to make a product from the beginning. I could start from the raw materials can work all the way through to the final finished products.

3. If you could see one famous person owning one of your designs, who would it be?

Amelia Fox. I always see her on Silent Witness wearing lovely scarves, I think one of mine would look lovely on her.

4. Where can fans buy your work?

My work can be bought from my online shop (a link can be found on my website www.lauraparkin.co.uk), Milk It Craft Market www.artandcraftsmarket.co.uk and at local craft fairs I am attending.

So what do you think? Aren't these colours and textures just stunning?  I hope that you'll all rush out and order something pretty from Laura and it just remains for me to say thank you to her for taking part.

As I mentioned I am currently working full time on my jewellery and this week some new work has been added to my website.  I have introduced the Pansies Collection to the Aluminium Collection and Rose Petal Necklace to the Signature Collection.  Both of these items are available from http://www.slicksilverjewellery.co.uk

See you soon!!

Pansies I Necklace

Rose Petal Necklace