Hello again, I'm currently trying to design the third lampshade which will sit along side two others at my degree show. The first was inspired by free bark. I spent some time studying and drawing tree bark until some made it on to screen. I then worked with these images to create large scale designs which may be chosen to be made into lampshades.

The second lampshade was inspired by twigs on the tree. I again spent a lot of time studying and drawing these twigs. Some made it onto screen but I felt that they lost personality when screen printing with them. So I decided to have draw them onto the design, which took a whole week to complete. I then stitched into these designs to give it some added texture. 

Finally this brings me to my third lamp shade, I think I will choose a design that I have already done to print off. That way my hard work from before won't be going to waste. I better carry on or there will be no third design. Thank you for reading my blog, I will keep you updated on how the designing goes. X

new to blogging

Hello, let my start off my introducing myself. My name is Kelly Dyke and I'm currently coming to the end of my final major project at Birmingham city university studying textile design. As you can imagine I am extremely stressed, tired and over whelmed yet loving every minuet of it and I'm sad that is it coming to the end. I would love to share with you some images of what I have been up to over the past 13 weeks or so. My initial inspiration for this project was the English woodland. I cant tell you why exactly except that I just love trees! They are amazing, so organic, raw and rustic. Its the closest thing you will ever get to pure nature (well in my opinion anyway!). I started off with quick mark making to represent the tree bark. Mark making comes very natural to me, I love it, its so quick, fun and playful. To use ink and what ever is lying around the house be it the end of a paint brush, a tooth brush or a hair slide you can make mark with almost anything. However this project required more from me and with some encouragement from my peers at university I sat down to draw tree bark and twigs.

This can seem like an easy task, however to me the thought if sitting down and drawing anything really scared me. I think it is because I'm very impatient and I want things done now, rather then taking the time over it. I was so happy I gave it a chance as I have discovered I love to draw, I only wish I did it sooner! 

I am now currently designing a rang of lampshades and vessels from these original drawings. This had proven very difficult but I think it will be worth it in the end when they finally get made into the huge bespoke  one off lampshades. I will be sending them off on the 5th May which is very exciting :) at the moment I am stitching into one of the designs for the shades, I will then moving I to the vessels. Thank you for takin the time to read my blog post. I will keep you up to date with it's progress over the next few weeks.