Selvedge - Newsletter

HAPPY DAYS
It’s refreshing to take a break, escape what we know and explore other possibilities... a holiday opens our eyes. For those of you destined for distant shores this summer, don’t forget to take inspiration from the other ‘worlds’ you discover and the textiles therein. A tiny showroom in a quiet, cobbled backstreet could be your epiphany. One such discovery is the embroidery of the island of Angra do Heroismo in the Azores www.acorbordados.com where 300 embroiderers work in their own homes on fine linen in traditional designs to create furnishing fabrics and household linen. More than a souvenir, you could bring back the real spirit of a place....

If a prize existed for imaginative shop names then these people would win hands down...Tobias and the Angel is more redolent of a verse in the bible than a retail outlets. They offer everything from balls of string to antique Staffordshire jugs. With a passion for good workmanship and design, their resulting range of furniture, furnishings and block printed fabrics include these pretty bags - perfect for the beach. Visit our object catalogue to order one for only £60 as part of our summer sale!* (excludes p&p) www.selvedge.org
Offer ends 31 August 2007.

‘Cloth is the second skin of human beings. Transparency and reflection will be our future skin,’ says Jun-ichi Arai. The master weaver will introduce his new textiles (Gold and Transparent PPS) and limited edition clothing produced with artist Yoshiaki Yuki at gallery gen in NY until 28 July www.gallerygen.com

As for competitions...nimble fingers should be feverishly embroidering to make Art of the Stitch’s deadline of 21 September 2007 www.embroiderersguild.com. Also, in conjunction with the Create conference at Bristol’s University of the West of England www.create.uwe.ac.uk 18-20 September, print aficionados must submit a work on the theme of ‘The Art and Science of Colour’ by 30 July 2007.

Fancy a recycled lace dress from rock chick Pearl Lowe? Ethical fashion boutique Ecobtq is celebrating its first birthday this month and still cares just as much about style as it does about our world. Find classic labels CIEL, Beyond Skin and Carry-A-Bag amongst their eco-friendly offerings www.ecobtq.com

Graduating students launching themselves into the real world might like a little spring in their step. The Artists Web is offering art students their own free website (for six months) to display and sell their work. To sign up go to www.theartistsweb.co.uk and click on ‘student offer’; you’ll get your own web address, 10 pages, 200 images and the facility to sell your work online. Perfect! Also, sixth former student, Kate Sargan has won an award for ‘Imagining the Brain’ from the Medical Research Council’s Laboratory for Molecular Biology. Her poetic and fragile textile piece in muslin and wax was inspired by a family member’s experience of Parkinson’s Disease. www.endocytosis.org

SELVEDGE LOVES... Out of Xile
We love that Cathy Hewlett believes in making her clothes in England and supporting local retailers. Central to her feminine, organic creations are the detailing and subtle dyeing process which she describes as a ‘strange alchemy’. Luckily for us, her flattering styles won’t break the bank either! enquiries@outofxile.co.uk

SUMMER SALE...
This month there’s an incredible 20% of all items in the Selvedge objects range!* Support small designer/makers by purchasing beautiful products made with integrity and the finest materials, direct from Selvedge magazine. Prices start from only £10! Visit www.selvedge.org or call 020 8341 9721
Offer ends 31 August 2007.*