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Hello and welcome to the April edition of HotHive Textiles newsletter. We have been very busy this month planning some great opportunities for all you artists and designers out there. Firstly we launched some great new product pages to give you some ideas of items you could be making as gifts for friends and family, as well as special treats for yourself! You can visit our new product pages here – there are some great bunny ideas for Easter!

The second idea we have been working on this month is a fantastic opportunity to create a bag design for our Fair Trade Competition to celebrate World Fair Trade Day. We will be commissioning fair trade company Bishopston Trading to make up 100 bags featuring the winning design, which will be available to buy through our website. We will be giving £1 from each bag sold to the Fairtrade Association. To find out how you can enter then please read the article below!

If you have any other ideas you would like to see HotHive Textiles developing then please let us know – we love to hear from you!

Best wishes
HotHive Textiles (textiles@thehothive.com)

Bags of Ideas for Exclusive World Fair Trade Day Competition
	Do you have an interest in design? Would you like to see your work produced by skilled artisans in India? Do you support Fair Trade? Then we have the competition for you! HotHive Textiles formerly HotHive Textiles is launching an exciting new competition to celebrate World Fair Trade Day. We are inviting all artists and designers to submit a design for a fabulous fairly traded organic cotton shopping bag. The theme of the competition is ‘India’. This theme is open to your own interpretation and we welcome you to incorporate your own creative ideas to produce a vivid design. Your challenge is that you are only able to use one colour, so use your imagination to make your design stand out. Take me to the Full Article

New Project Pages Now Available at HotHive Textiles
	We have had lots of feedback from visitors to HotHive Textiles website telling us they would like to see some project pages that show them how to create some unique and crafty items. We always try to give you what you are looking for, so we are pleased to announce that our project pages have now gone live! We have 13 different projects to start you off with, covering felt, knitting, embroidery and jewellery and we will be adding to these regularly. The projects are rated according to difficulty and we also have a few for the children, which will be ideal for the Easter Holidays we have coming up. A few of the projects we have for you can be seen at the bottom of this article - we hope you like them! To get started please click here. Take me to the Full Article

Join our textile community

Take a listing in HotHive Textiles to get in touch with the textile community and be sure your work will be seen by the people who matter!

A basic listing in the directory is absolutely free and there are some fantastic low-cost packages available for those of you who would like to promote your business even more.

To list yourself today please click here or for more information give us a call on 01386 760406

Demystifying Devore with Dionne Swift
	Dionne Swift’s Demystifying Devore DVD is advertised as ‘clear concise instruction to help you explore the devoré process’, and after watching the DVD, I would agree with this description. The DVD provides comprehensive instructions on the devoré process, and offers clear information to those who may have little knowledge, without patronising the experience of others. Dionne’s instructions are easy to follow, making the DVD interesting and enjoyable. The programme is divided into two sections, ‘Starting points’ and a ‘Scarf Project’. In ‘Starting Points’, Dionne takes the viewer through the basic equipment and preparation needed for devoré, followed by a step-by-step demonstration of the process in action. Her clean and spacious environment gives a crisp feeling to the presentation, while the attractive shots of Dionne’s colourful work in the background provides an inspirational touch. Although Dionne uses her own equipment, she gives advice on more domestic alternatives, ensuring the DVD remains within reach of less experienced artists. While there is some need for specialist equipment to achieve the desired effect, Dionne also demonstrates how everyday objects, such as a vacuum cleaner nozzle, can be used to create effective patterns during the devoré process. Indeed, watching Dionne apply the devoré paste with the creative flair of an artist is the most enjoyable aspect of the DVD. The ease with which she appears to create an effective pattern is inspiring, and also encouraging, for beginners. The ‘Scarf Project’ section of the DVD continues in a similar way, however this time Dionne uses a larger piece of fabric to show the viewer how to use devoré to embellish a scarf. In this section she incorporates the use of dyes, making the final product even more impressive. Take me to the Full Article

Supporting Rural Communities with Fabulous Fairtrade Fabric
	Bishopston Trading Company has recently been announced as The Most Ethical Clothing Company in an independent survey by Ethical Consumer. The Bishopston Trading Company scored an ‘ethiscore’ of 16.5, which was the highest when compared to other Ethical Specialists. The company’s conscientious approach to sustainable fashion combined with its array of beautiful fabrics interested us at HotHive Textiles, and we spoke to the company director, Carolyn Whitehall. The Bishopston Trading Company provides a refreshing blend of beautiful products and a positive ethical outlook, benefiting both consumers and workers. The Bristol based company grew from a twinning link between the South Indian village of K. V. Kuppam and Bishopston. Whilst the link was effective in supporting social development projects in India, it became evident that what the village really needed was long-term stable employment. The Bishopston Trading Company, set up in 1985, allows skilled weavers in the area to put their craft to economically productive use, providing customers in the UK with hand woven fabric and tailored garments of an exceptional quality. The company now provides employment to over 300 tailors and 100 handloom weavers, whilst ensuring that all cotton used is Fairtrade and organic. Take me to the Full Article

Revamp your home this spring with just a few simple touches
	It is getting to that time of year again when we are all thinking of spring cleaning our homes and redecorating ready for the summer. HotHive Textiles has been speaking to some of the soft furnishing and interior design experts listed on the site to see why you may not need to completely redecorate your home to give it a new look. We began by talking with directory member Jan Merryweather of Sunflower Soft Furnishings to find out what colours and patterns were going to be popular for the next few months. “I think the two big things this spring and summer will be black and white vintage and geometric prints and silver and shimmering finishes for added pizzazz. Think checkerboard flooring in black and white marble or zebra print rugs,” she says. “I would also suggest adding hints of colour – scarlets and purples with charcoals and greys. Use accessories such as throws, rugs or wall art to inject this colour into a monochrome scheme.” HotHive Textiles is full of artists and designers who specialise in making these items if you want something bespoke to suit your current décor, but for the really adventurous why not have a go at making something yourself? We have some great books to help you, which we will look at in more detail later in the article. Take me to the Full Article

Artists Take The Lead To Design Innovative Art for 2012
	Do you have inspirational creative ideas? Would you like to design a vibrant cultural revolution to celebrate the London 2012 Olympics? Could you create an artistic celebration of culture using your talent? If yes, then you may be interested in an exciting new opportunity from Artists Taking the Lead. The Arts Council England are ‘challenging artists to use the nation as a blank canvas’ and design a piece of artwork that responds to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games. The project offers artists from across the UK the opportunity to create a £500,000 artwork that will represent their region. The country will be separated into 12 regions and the best entry from each area will be commissioned to take part in a final unifying ceremony before the opening of the London 2012 Olympic games, and hopefully create an artistic and cultural legacy that will continue long after 2012. Take me to the Full Article

Embroideries with a difference by Richard Saja
	Richard Saja, an embroiderer based in New York, is famed for his unusual embroideries, which he describes as “a cheeky and irreverent take on classic textile history.” Richard was recently featured in the New York Times and was awarded a Searchlight Fellowship by the American Craft Council, which allowed him to show his work at their annual show in Baltimore in February. I caught up with Richard once his feet touched the ground after an action-packed show and he was clearly still revelling at his first jaunt into the craft world. He told me “I entered the professional world through the design community so many in the traditional craft scene weren’t familiar with it. The response to my work was incredible.” Despite some initial reservations about doing a trade show – “I don’t really like them, mostly because people can be so dismissive and disrespectful” – he met some great friends and business contacts at the event. Take me to the Full Article

Alzheimers and memory lost explored at new exhibition
	Textile Artist Kay Haskins, of Trashy Princess, will be having her first solo exhibition next month, which will provide a fantastic chance to see her work first hand. Those of you who managed to get along to our Spellbinding Textiles exhibition may remember Kay’s work she made the set of booties so will know that this is one exhibition well worth visiting. The exhibition is based around an installation Kay produced while at university titled ‘Loose Threads’. Kay explains, “The piece consists of two drawers that have been lined and filled with handcrafted treasures to represent two very different generations, mine and my grandparents. The installation depicts the debate surrounding Alzheimer’s disease and the loss of memory.” Take me to the Full Article

Giveaway
	This month we have two copies of Dionne Swift�s fabulous new DVD, Demystifying Devor�, to giveaway. The DVD provides useful information on the basic techniques employed in devor�, and also demonstrates how these techniques can be applied to produce attractive garments. For your chance to win one of these fabulous DVDs simply email your name and address to textiles@thehothive.com with �devore� in the subject line. Congratulations also go to last month's competition winners, who all win a copy of The Sewing Book by Alison Smith, courtesy of Dorling Kindersley publishers. The winners are Mattie Richardson from Exeter; Sue Beattie from Clevedon; Lilian Maclennan from the Isle of Lewis; Deborah Leeke from Llanelli; and Andrea Diggle from Wigan. Your prizes are on their way to you! Please note that HotHive Textiles and Dionne Swift will not pass on your details to any third party at any time. We will only use your email address to administer the competition, however in the future we may use your email address to send you details of offers, giveaways and promotions that may be of interest to you. If you would prefer not to receive such information from either HotHive Textiles or Dionne Swift please indicate this on your email.

Radical Lace and Subversive Knitting
	By David Revere McFadden Published by The Antique Collectors Club ISBN: 978-1-85149-568-9 Price: £18.95 Reviewed by Carole Kokinis Radical Lace and Subversive Knitting is ostensibly a catalogue of the exhibition of the same name, at the museum of arts and design in New York. It turned out to be much more interesting than that, with artists’ statements, essays and installations, all textile related. The 42 works are from artists in Australia, Brazil, France, Iceland, Japan, the Netherlands, the UK and USA. The construction of the book is unusual, as befits an art and design museum. The pages are inverted, so every one has a folded edge, with the openings in the spine, apart from the last section. The introductions are good and the essay by chief curator David McFadden is excellent. He tackles the art versus craft debate sensibly and has some thought provoking things to say. The remainder of the book is devoted to the artists and their work, working practices and inspiration. There are full colour photos of the works with detail shots, many created specially for the exhibition. The final section shows the exhibition galleries, with the works in situ. This is a book which will appeal to anyone with a serious interest in textile art, new materials and thought provoking themes about humanity, community and cloth. Click here to purchase

Diary Dates
1 April � 18 October 2009	Henry Moore Textiles Exhibition � Henry Moore Foundation, Perry Green, Herts
2 April 2009	Fine Cell Work Sale � Layer Marney Tower, Colchester, Essex
3 � 5 April 2009	Quilts in the Garden � Events Pavilion, Trentham, Stoke on Trent
5 April � 19 June 2009	Let No Loop Down Exhibition � The Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes, North Yorkshire
7 April � 14 June 2009	Margareta Kern � Clothes for Living and Dying Exhibition - Impressions Gallery, Centenary Square, Bradford BD1 1SD
8 April 2009	Easter Arts and Crafts for the Family � Bankfield Museum, Boothtown Road, Halifax, HX3 6HG
10 � 18 April 2009	The Living Threads Group Exhibition � The May Hall, Trent College, Derby Road, Long Eaton NG10 4AD
11 April � 4 July 2009	An Embroiderers Eye: The Diana Springhall Collection � Silk Museum, Park Lane Gallery, Macclesfield
16 April 2009	Quilty Pleasures Exhibition � Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum, Clarence Street, Cheltenham, GL50 3JT
16 � 18 April 2009	Stitch & Creative Crafts Show � King's Hall, Belfast
21 � 26 April 2009	The Spring Decorative Antiques and Textiles Fair � The Marquee, Battersea Park, London, SW11 4NJ
23 � 26 April 2009	Stitch and Creative Crafts Show � The Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet
24 � 26 April 2009	Creative Stitches and Hobbycrafts � Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool
25 April � 16 May 2009	The Fabric of Life Exhibition � The Bristol Guild of Applied Art, 68-70 Park Street, Bristol, BS1 5JY
26 April 2009	Prom Art � Grange-over-Sands Promenade, The Lake District

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