Hello and welcome to the January edition of the HotHive Textiles newsletter. We hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New Year and are back at work with a new found enthusiasm!

This month's newsletter is packed with information to help you further your career, whether it's by learning a new skill with the Open College of the Arts or selling your goods at a spring fair, you can find out about either below. We also have some great designer-makers to introduce to you and an interview with stylist to the stars Rebekah Roy.

Don’t forget to keep in touch with the team here at HotHive Textiles to tell us what you’re up to as we may well be able to feature you. We are always open to suggestions for stories and articles to publish on the website and have lots of opportunities for artists, designers and makers to sell their books, DVDs and kits through us – so do get in touch! We can be reached at the usual places – by email at textiles@thehothive.com or by telephone on 01386 760406. We look forward to hearing from you!

Best wishes
Sara
Editor of HotHive Textiles (www.hothivetextiles.com)

tea for two: an old English tradition
	Sarah Daly is creator of tea for two, a gift company that specialises in beautiful buttons, bags and purses, among other items, made from a wide variety of reclaimed fabrics and vintage buttons. Sarah has loved crafting and sewing for most of her life. She says that her Mum, a textiles teacher, is a huge inspiration to her, having taught her to sew when she was younger. tea for two was started on a whim after she started making gifts for her family and friends. “Their reactions were so positive that I just wanted to carry on,” says Sarah. “Now I am thoroughly enjoying selling my work at festivals and craft fairs.” Take me to the Full Article

Making a difference one stitch at a time
	On January 9th 2010 a unique event will be taking place in Twechar, East Dunbartonshire. Quilters from all over the central belt will be taking part in the first Chromosome 18 Registry and Research Society Europe Sponsored Sew to raise funds for the new charity, and in the process will be making patchwork quilts for Project Linus. Kathryn McKerracher, one of the founders of the charity, and a non-quilter, is being sponsored to sew as many half square triangle patches as she can in an hour. Joining her will be many quilters who know her mum Bonnie, a local patchwork and quilting tutor. All of them have been sponsored by their friends, families and colleagues in an effort to raise funds to enable this tiny new charity to realise her dream of holding the first ever conference for families living in the UK and Europe whose children are affected by these rare chromosome disorders. 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

Jelly Roll Competition Results
	Some time ago you may remember that we published an article on our website about the Jelly Roll Quilt Challenge, which aimed to find original quilt designs that make the best and most creative use of Jelly Roll. The competition has now closed and the twelve winners have been announced, with each of their quilts now appearing in a new book compiled by Pam and Nicki Lintott. The twelve winning quilts – designed by Karen Al-Ghabhan, Paula Diggle, Marion Brown, Shelagh Roberts, Joanne Ridley, Jenny Hutchinson, Laura Paulu, Angela Davies, Helen Allison, Pamela Boatright, Sarah Soward and Annie Harris – were made up by Pam and Nicki, alongside full making up instructions and an alternative colour variation. Each quilt requires just one Jelly Roll and some additional background fabric to make, ensuring that all projects are quick, inexpensive and fun. Take me to the Full Article

Insight into textiles part 4: Rebekah Roy, Stylist
	Rebekah Roy is a personal stylist who has worked with clients such as Nintendo, Virgin, Harvey Nichols, the Feeling, Little Boots, Sophie Ellis Bextor and Madness. We spoke to her to find out what her role entails and how you could follow in her footsteps… HHT: How would you define your role? RR: I’m a fashion stylist and consultant, which means I work with a variety of clients from styling shows at London Fashion Week, to working on editorials, to styling bands for videos. Take me to the Full Article

A flexible approach to learning textiles
	The Open College of the Arts offers a flexible approach to learning that helps develop your skills so you can earn a degree – at a pace to suit you. The college offers modules in a range of arts subjects including textiles, printmaking, sculpture and photography and each of the subjects have credits associated with them that can be added together to create your degree. There is also the option of just studying individual modules if you simply need to brush up on skills, or just fancy trying something different without wanting a qualification at the end of it. For those of you looking for a textile degree that can be completed at home in your spare time, with the support of a tutor via the telephone or email then this could be the ideal solution for you. The three year textiles course offered by the college begins in year 1 with a practical course which gives an introduction to textiles. You will learn basic techniques such as stitching, basic design, printing and painting on fabric, which you then culminate into a design piece at the end of the year. In years 2 and 3 you get the chance to develop your skills and style, while you will also get to prepare your portfolio ready to start life as an artist. Take me to the Full Article

Contemporary Textiles Fair details announced
	The Landmark Arts Centre will again be hosting the Contemporary Textiles Fair next March, bringing together more than 70 individual designermakers offering a stunning range of contemporary textiles. From sumptuous designer made knitwear to handwoven scarves and stunning hats and fascinators, the show will feature the very best in textile art and design. This is a great opportunity to purchase some unique items directly from the artists who made them, while also enjoying a range of feltmaking demonstrations. The Contemporary Textiles Fair is taking place from 12-14 March 2010 at the Landmark Arts Centre in Teddington. For more information please visit www.landmarkartscentre.org or email meg@landmarkartscentre.org Take me to the Full Article

Silk flower creator offers something special for your big day
	Andrea Mannion is a textile artist based in Bristol who creates vintage silk flowers, which she uses as jewellery pieces or to adorn clothes and bags. She began her creative career as a wedding dress designer and tells me, “I used the flowers on dresses quite a lot and decided to focus more of my energy on them.” As well as using the flowers in jewellery and to adorn clothes, Andrea has also developed them into bridal bouquets. She explains, “Each flower in the bouquet is individual and has crystal and glass beads in the centre. The flowers are also made using recycled silks and antique laces so have a nice eco feel about them. I can also incorporate any old fabrics that are special to the bride as well.” Take me to the Full Article

Keeping Scotland in check
	We have recently received a fabulous article from our friend Jenny Lewis, who has been delving into the tradition that is the Scottish tartan: With cold winter nights and blazing log fires, the mind turns to warmer clothes and the glorious comfort of tartans from the glens of Bonnie Scotland. Whose heart isn’t stirred at the sound of a pipe band, with its players in full tartan dress? That nostalgic sound reminds us of how the tragedy of the battle of Culloden nearly stamped out the national dress of Scotland. Yet, tartan popularity never fades; it has withstood the test of time and like all great fabrics of the world it will always hold a place in our hearts. Take me to the Full Article

Giveaway
	This month we have a great giveaway courtesy of tea for two creator Sarah Daly (you can read more about her above). This gorgeous button heart made with cream buttons and a pink spotty ribbon will add a bit of chic glamour to your bedroom. Sarah says, �These cream buttons are my favourite! I'd recommend the lucky winner hangs it somewhere pretty at home like a dresser or a wardrobe door handle." For your chance to win simply email textiles@thehothive.com with �button heart� in the subject line. Good luck!

Jelly Roll Inspirations
	Jelly Roll Inspirations By Pam and Nicky Lintott Published by David & Charles Price: �14.99 Reviewed by Bron Ellis This book follows on from two previous books by the same author, Jelly Roll Quilts and Layer Cake, Jelly Roll and Charm Quilts. For those who are not familiar with Jelly Rolls, they are bundles of forty strips of pre-assorted fabrics 2-� inches wide by 42 inches long supplied by Moda. They are available in many colour and design ways and make piecing of simple quilt designs quicker as the work of cutting the strips and fabric selection has already been done by Moda. This has its limitations as the standard width of the strips dictates mainly simple geometric designs but they are very popular and this book provides lots of good suggestions. Pam and Nicky Lintott of the Quilt Room launched a competition in collaboration with Moda, Singer and David and Charles called the �Jelly Roll Challenge�. They wanted to find twelve quilts producing the most creative use of one Jelly Roll fabric bundle and reproduce the designs and instructions in a new book. The book features these twelve quilts in the original form and a suggested alternative colour way made by the authors. The makers of the chosen quilts tell a little about their chosen design and what inspired them.� Not all of the quilts in the book have to be made with Jelly Rolls, some makers have chosen to use their own stash of fabrics cut into the appropriate strip width. The instructions are clear and easy to follow even by a beginner in the craft. The instructions indicate the small extra fabric requirements and it is reassuring to know that you have sufficient fabric in one roll to complete a project. There are a variety of designs and enough scope to make several different style of quilt. The book would inspire new quilters to try the bundles of fabric and give ideas for further quilts to make with their own fabric choices too. Experienced quilters may find inspiration to make a quilt from the bundles if they have not tried them before. Click here to purchase

Diary Dates
15 January - 27 February 2010	Beware of Embroidery - PM Gallery, the extension to architect Sir John Soanes home, Pitzhanger Manor, Ealing, West London
17 January 2010	The London Vintage Fashion, Textiles & Accessories - Hammersmith Town Hall, King Street, London, W6
18 January-22 March 2010	Taking Time: Craft and the Slow Revolution - Dovecot Studios (Innovative Craft), 10 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh EH1 1LT
19-24 January 2010	Pagodas & Pavilions: Eastern Influences on British Design - The Marquee, Battersea Park, London SW11
21-24 January 2010	Stitch & Creative Crafts Show - Sandown Park Exhibition Centre
23 January-18 April 2010	Through the Eye of a Needle - Pickford House, 41 Friar Gate, Derby DE1 1DA
25 January-6 February 2010	The Uncanny: Exploring an Uncertain Reality - Harvey Gallery, Harvey Road, Guildford, Surrey. GU1 3RX
29-31 January 2010	Stitch & Creative Crafts Show - Manchester Central (formerly G-Mex Centre)

Word 4 Word Design and Publishing, Suite 8, King Charles Court, Evesham, Worcestershire, WR11 4RF
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