Making Something from (nearly) Nothing!

I've been working on a new project lately, melting a lot of plastic carrier bags to make a new fabric and then upcycling in to a range of products!  I wondered if melting foil (the kind that's usually stuck with a special glue on to textiles) would melt on, to my amazement it does and creates a lovely crackled look as it picks up the textures already created by heating the plastic. I hope you like the results!  You can see more in my etsy shop...

Patriotic Patterns!

Here are some things I've been working on to celebrate the events happening here in London this summer!  The cross stitch pattern is available as a free download from my website here, so if you're starting to feel a little patriotic too you can try it out (it will be available for a limited time over summer 2012).   I've also designed this tea towel which doubles up as a make-your-own bunting kit, it's available to buy from my etsy shop.  I'm so pleased the sun's come out this week, it's definitely helping to build anticipation for the summer celebrations!

Pop Up Shop!

Come along to the Pop Up Shop in Bethnal Green on Saturday.

There'll be lots of LOVE-ly goodies from local designer makers for you to browse, including crafty products you can personalise and give to someone special on Valentines day.

In the afternoon, there'll be a special Stitch Me Up drop-in workshop, where you can choose a cross stitch craft kit or tote bag and get crafting there and then. There are no additional costs, just pay for the kit you choose and relax, enjoy the surroundings with tea and cake!

Kits start from £5 and it's great if you like being spontaneous as there's no need to book. If you know you're definitely coming, so we know how much cake to make for everyone, you can join the facebook event page here or RSVP to workshops@cerysturner.com

Merry Christmas Deer!

A cute deer pops up to wish you a Merry Christmas... and we really mean it! If you like it, you can download this artwork for free here.

'I heart...' stitch tote bag featured in N.E.E.T. Magazine Christmas Gift Guide

The lovely N.E.E.T. magazine featured the 'I heart...' stitch tote bag in their Christmas Gift Guide as part of the Make, Do, or Send section. N.E.E.T. describes itself as an 'eco-friendly, grassroots style bible for the digital age' and it really is a great read with beautiful images...

Stitch Snowflake

Throughout advent I'll be showcasing Christmas craft and a few mini projects. This is a cross stitch snowflake design for you to use in your crafty projects this winter! (You should be able to click on the image and use 'save image as' so you can save it and print it out if you want) *Update* You can now download this cross stitch pattern here.

The Museum of Everything

If you live in London and haven't been to The Museum of Everything at Selfridges yet, I recommend you make a visit before it closes on October 25th. I was drawn in to the exhibition after being intrigued by the exciting window display and discovered some fascinating, inspiring art works inside.

Autre Mers by Francoise Dupre at The Women's Library

Recently I went to The Women's Library and saw an exhibition by Francoise Dupre. It was fascinating to see how the artist had explored the art of making and crossed over the disciplines of sculpture, art and design. I got excited while walking around the space and took loads of photos so I've put a few here for you to see.

'Stitch Me Up' bag in the Laden Showroom window!

The stitch me up bag I designed is in the Laden Showroom window just in time for the start of fashion week.

?Choices! - The AACDD 2011 Festival @ Bargehouse

I went to the Bargehouse this weekend, which is a great space on the southbank just behind the OXO tower. There's a show from the African and African-Caribbean design diaspora, my favourite piece was the chair pictured, designed by my friend Julie Kouamo. I love the way her printed textiles fit in so well with the textures of the walls in the space.

New paintings

Some new work produced for a recent commission.

Little blue bird

I went to my friend Bola's open house sale where she was selling some of her creations and I couldn't resist this sweet little bird, I had to take it home. Here are some more images of her pots inspired by fairytales and other childhood memories. You can read about her and see more here.

Todays bright new ideas!

Popped in to the Power of Making exhibition at the V&A briefly today, they have some excellent things and will go back to look in more detail -it was really packed as it only opened today! Have been working at the British library today, as I walked in I noticed an inspirational quote from Anita Roddick on the wall, 'To succeed you have to believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a reality.' With that in mind, I got on with some new design work...

A window

The cut-out piece could be a window looking backwards at the past, but I like to think it's catching a glimpse of the future...

Summer is officially over...

But the weather's been quite glum for quite a while now... Here's a sneak peek from my sketchbook and what I'm working on at the moment. Some exciting things in the pipeline with people getting in contact recently with new project ideas to work on, stay tuned to the blog and I'll keep you posted.

Rainbow Haze

I'm in Wales for the bank holiday weekend and glad the sun has come out after yesterday's rain and waking up to dreary grey skies.

Shiny New Website!

Go and have a look! www.cerysturner.com

James Brown at the V&A reading rooms

Tonight I went to see the (east)London-based illustrator and print maker James Brown give a talk at the V&A reading rooms. The whole experience was amazing, I arrived a bit early and was worried I'd be left twiddling my thumbs, I shouldn't have been as the reading rooms stocks a wonderful collection of books on all kinds of things. I sat near the 'London' section, as a born and raised Londoner I am quite skeptical about books on this subject, but to my delight they had an eclectic range of books filled with places off the beaten track and quirky things to do. When James started he invited us all to get closer and we surrounded him at the table as he talked through his work, from beginning with studying textile design, to working designing prints for agents and in-house at a studio, designing brand and t-shirt graphics for a small label and to his present day illustration and screen-printed poster designs. All of his portfolio was very interesting, having sold fashion prints to a wide range of clients from Kookai to Marc Jacobs. But of course I love the work he does currently, with a vintage feel and catchy messages all handmade in his studio. It was also really great to see the original lino he had cut to make the designs, which were works of art in their own right. I was surprised at the similarities to the jobs I've done having worked doing t-shirt designs and brand graphics at a small label and designing textile prints in-house and for studios. It really inspired me, the way his work has evolved was really interesting, he has just had a children's book come out which is visually stunning (see image above - from his blog). I look forward to seeing what he does next!

Tropical secrets

Sorry for the silence, I've been working on an exciting new project but can't really reveal much right now. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy a few more colourful, tropical prints. Also, was really sad to see Susan Collier has died, check one of her prints at this link, and her story, it's amazing.

Flamingo Disco!

Having fun designing this morning making colourful computer collages with graphic shapes and tropical themes.