Treasuries and Treasure Hunts

Just Discovered That my painting 'International Buffet' of Chinatown, Manchester is currently featured in an Etsy Treasury - 'No one does it like you' by 'hillarietasche' Thanks Hillarie! ( I've also just discovered (finally) how to post a hidden link here in my blog - not rocket science is it but quite a breakthrough for me. ) I have a print of this painting in my Etsy shop but the original can be seen at Artzu Gallery, Great Ancoats Street, Manchester. (Link-Mania Now!)

I had intended to be shopping in Manchester with the girls yesterday as an Easter Holiday treat but we were all so tired out from two intensive days in the Peak District. We stayed in a Youth Hostel in Edale - just for one night but managed to pack in a lovely bike ride on the Tissington Trail, (stopping halfway for a Deryshire Cream Tea, yumm!), followed by a Table Football Tournament at the Hostel. Then the second day we walked over Losehill to Castleton where we went down one of the Blue John mines. There are several but we picked the Speedwell Cavern which you travel through by boat. It was great fun and the kids loved it (though they weren't so pleased about having to find our way back to the Hostel and the car- we didn't drag them back over the hill but it still involved too much walking! Luckily we had lots of biscuits with us!)

Really looking forward to a week on Uist (The outer Hebrides) next school Break. It'll be lovely to spend Ten nights away - we are really lucky to live where we do but it can feel really busy here and its good to have a change. Finally got round to booking the Ferry last night so starting the count down now - Only six weeks to go!

Thinking of countdowns though, have just worked out I've only Twelve working weeks till the Summer Holidays and my Calder Gallery Show is in September. I also have other Commissions to finish- so some serious painting to be done after Easter. I did manage to finish two Landscapes in that last week of term. (No photos yet.) I need to be working on some new ideas now.

PIF WINNERS

A genuine HAT containing names of the fifteen contestants! And the Winners are...

Congratulations!!! to Jo Bradford, SF ( Sarah ) and Dovedale! Winners please notify me of your postage details through my shop or Email kateboyceart@hotmail.co.uk You will soon receive the archival print of your choice!

Sorry to those that didn't win. I'm sure to do something similar again. Watch this space!

New Oddgems Jewelery

Spent yesterday making jewelery at home because I had a little one at home sick (again). Was intending to be painting at the studio and eating Birthday cake with the others at lunchtime but hey ho! Anyways, got quite a few pairs of earings made and loaded some into the shop : take a peak: www.OddGems.etsy.com

OddGems is currently included in this BNR: http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=49392...so if you buy something there today you can GET AN ITEM OF YOURS INTO A TREASURY

Right, must get on with some painting girl!

PS. Oh yes, Repro Print PIF finishes today at 6pm GMT (see earlier post)

Multi-directional work!

My work's been taking me in a few different directions this week. And yes I do mean IT taking ME because I've had some sort of flu virus ever since the Craft Fair last Sunday and my head has been somewhat fuddled! I'm absolutely useless at doing nothing though so have kept busy though without direction. I kept planning to work in the studio- was desperate to work on the landscapes I had started but couldn't manage more than three or four hours all week!
I did manage however, at home to do some experimenting with painting and drawing on old book pages (see above) Its something I've been thinking about for a while - would be interested to know what you think. Have also today been working on my polymer clay jewellery- the craft fair last week made me realise I need more small stuff to sell!
I really hope I get in the studio for much of next week before the Easter holidays. Flitting about has started to send me just slightly loopy! I snagged a treasury today and gave it a crazy theme to acknowledge my plight- Take a peak at 'Blue Moon MADNESS' here:http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=48612

New Course - Paper Arts and assemblage.

New Course run by ME at Northlight Studios, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire.

Wed 9.30am - 12.00 Start Date 22nd April 2009
10 weeks
Paper Arts and Assemblage.
Tutor: Kate Boyce
cost £85
A series of projects experimenting with collage, transfer and paint. The work also incorporates found objects, personal imagery and text.

For more info see NS Website http://www.northlightstudio.co.uk/ or phone 01422 843 519

or contact me.

The general ethos will be an informal gathering, exchanging ideas, having fun and growing creatively! All abilities welcome. Disabled access.

Mothers Day Craft Fair !!!

I'm taking part in this on Sunday. It looks to be a pretty upmarket affair with many quality makers including the likes of 'Hannah Nunn' as featured on the flyer. If you are within Striking distance of West Yorkshire come along. Its just outside Bradford near the beautiful Shipley Glen and up the road from 'Salts Mill' where you'll find works by David Hockney. Why not make a day of it!

PIF Giveaway - A chance to WIN one of my Reproduction, Archival Prints!!!

Here's a chance to WIN one of my Reproduction, Archival Prints !!! This is a PIF ( Pay it forward http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pay_it_forward) I was one of three lucky winners of a print by LittleBird (http://verylittlebird.blogspot.com/) and now I am passing the competition forward !

I will send three lucky Winners one of my prints and in return all you have to do is "pay it forward", either with art works ( if you too are a maker/blogger) or alternatively you could pledge to clear your neighbour's path or help a work colleague or something like that.

All you have to do is visit my Etsy shop and leave a comment after this post here on my blog to say which print you like and if I draw you name I will happily send you that print. Three names will be drawn out of a hat on March 31st, 6pm GMT. Good Luck !!!

PS. The Picture above is of 'Rooftops at Nutclough' a new addition to the range of reproduction prints in my Etsy Shop - More being added daily. ( http://www.kateboyce.etsy.com/ )