Product Development Day at Powertex UK

It is very important to us at Powertex UK hq that we make sure we use the products to the best of our knowledge and what better way to do this than having a product development and experiment day! 

This was no way at all, just a jolly and play day! It takes hard work and tons of dedication and effort to push the boundaries of products and ideas, it's a tough job but someone has to do it! ha, ha, ha. 

We did have a fabulous amount of fun, pushing the products in every direction so that we can learn and pass on that knowledge to our tutors and Powertex addicts. 

Here's some of the new inks in use, they come in a fabulous variety of colours. 

 

 It would have been rude not to have tried out the new rice papers and on a big canvas too! We were really going for it and learning new techniques.

 We can't wait to see what you create. Toodles Anna xXx

If I only had a heart

I have been manically trying to get my ducks in a row. After a very busy end of October and beginning of November. My body obviously thinks I need to slow down as I have the dreaded man flu and feel like I have been dragged through a hedge backwards I think I may look like I have too. Anyway, this is a little commission I created sometime ago I though I would share. 

I am pretty chuffed with how this one turned out. It's always really tricky when creating a custom piece for someone. 

Compositions don't always come to me very easily, I really have to work hard on a special piece, the pressure seems a little more intense. I always seem to second guess myself as to whether I am hitting the mark or if what I create will be received well. Doesn't really help that I am such a perfectionist as well!

The tin in on the heart represents tin for ten years of marriage. The one side represents the mechanic in the relationship and the flower and filigree side is the feminine side. With the map representing travel. I love being able to create a meaningful piece. Toodles Anna xXx

The NEC with Powertex UK

Well, what an amazing response we had from you all at the Birmingham NEC hobbycrafts show. It was so wonderful to share with everyone our love for Powertex!

The team at Powertex Uk hq worked like busy bees and did a grand job of filling packets, labeling, punching, stapling, organising and packing stock in between the normal day jobs. 

Tracey and Garry out did themselves again!! They had a long Wednesday set up, with a 7 am start and they didn't return home to 6.30 pm. But they certainly brought the blank canvas that was the stand to life. With a beautiful array of new products, samples and jaw dropping, stunning artwork.

The creative team were a buzz with excitement. It's so lovely for the tutors to get an opportunity to get together and put a face to the name you often speak with on social media. And gives them all the experience of a big show and to share there knowledge and passion too! 

We managed to catch up with some old faces and some brand new ones who had never seen Powertex before.

We had a good lark about with our neighbours, whom included the crew at Hochanda, Craig at Marbling 4 fun and the team at Totally beads to name but a few. Convinced some of them to go pink for Powertex pink sunday. And raised a bit of money for Cancer Research in the process.  Who says you can't have a bit of fun on the last day!

We crashed out yesterday and had an easy one. Traceys feet were broken, don't worry not literally, Garry had overdosed on sweeties and my ribs were aching from all the laughter. We always have a good crack at the shows and I think that's apparent from the atmosphere on the Powertex UK stand. 

We hope you all enjoyed yourselves. We definitely did! Until next time, we'll meet again. That's all folks. Toodles Anna xXx 

Slime and snails Or puppy dogs' tails.......

What kind of magic spell would you use? Well Halloween is here. I love this time of year it is literally magic! Hope you have all had a fantastic time carving pumpkins, dressing up, eating toffee apples and lots of candy. 

I decided to create a little Halloween project of my own. If I was at Hogwarts I would definitely be using this to write all of  my spells in.

For the base I used Black Powertex, I added some lace and used 'the end' stencil with easy structure for extra texture. 

I love the black for how the colour pops once you have dry brushed your piece. I always lay out my design so I get a balance to the composition. I used a mixture of plaster and metal embellishments. The roses were created by pushing stone art clay into the rose mould.

I am loving the new mdf hinges, alphabet and cobwebs they give great depth to any project. Once everything was coated with Powertex I left to dry and then dry brushed with turquoise and burgundy. Toodles Anna xXx

A time for reflection

I have to say I am still a little in my infancy when it comes to knowing who is who in the craft world.This will change the longer I am a part of it I am sure. I have already made some wonderful close super talented friends and this has only come about from my love of being creative and I am glad I quit my job nearly 3 years ago to pursue my dreams because really life is far to short to not give what you were born to do a try. 

This is an image of one of my works the rest are all Liz Welch's beautiful works of art.

On that note I would like to pay tribute to a lady who was a friend of one of my dear friends and who appeared to leave a mark on the world that will remain.To Liz Welch. Knowing she was dying of cancer she still had a positive outlook right to the end and didn't want her death to be all about her but her family and friends left behind. 

What a superb role model to look up to.I would like to honor a lady who seemed to shine brightly where she went with a smile on her face and positive energy surrounding her. I am sad to only have come across her work now.

Sometimes our life on this earth is shorter than we expect and we truly need to understand making the most of it is important. Knowing I can continue to inspire and light peoples passion when I am gone would make me happy. Then I will feel like my purpose on this earth was fulfilled. A reflective Toodle pip Anna xXx

These are a few of my favourite things

This one has me in the mood for a little music. My guitar playing has something left to be desired. Perhaps, when I find some spare time I will give it another go, for now I will leave it to the experts and stick with singing in my local Rock choir. Although, I do have some pretty mean guitar skills in rock band on the xbox but I am not quite sure that counts...... 

I have mixed my love of music with my favourite time of year which is autumn. Not so much for the change in temperature but for the beautiful colours that come with the harvest. 

The yellow ochre and red Powertex universal medium seems to offer itself so well to the russet orange, reds and golds of the fall. 

The approach of harvest honors rebirth and renewal and is seen as a time for reaping what has been sewn through out the year. But I especially love that it celebrates creative talents and craftsmanship. A long established custom is the rise in craft festivals and skilled artisans selling their wares particularly at this time of year.

 As the dark evenings grow close, it's seen as the best time of year to learn a new craft, or hone creative talent and skills. Seems like the perfect time to crack open a bottle of Powertex and let the creativity flow. Enjoy and do share your makes with me on the Powertex addicts group. 

If you like the look of a project like this and want to learn some new techniques why not contact a tutor  near you who can show them to you. If you want to support me as a full time artist follow my page on facebook at Rosehart Studio.
Toodle pip Anna xXx

What have I been up to?

Well, what an amazing time we had recently! Powertex Uk Hq was a buzz with a wonderful visit from Brigitte Grade, the creator of Powertex. We had a CRACKALACKING time!!

Thanks to the organisation of Tracey, Garry and the Powertexuk Team a handful of lucky tutors got to spend the day under the tuition of Brigitte. Learning some marvelous new techniques and having a jolly good time.

The weather was kind to us and we had absolutely beautiful setting in the marquee in the garden and we all came away with works of art to be proud of.

I you'd have told me I would be doing works of arts and abstract paintings ca couple of years ago i would have laughed. I am in absoluet love with this medium and ll the things you can create. And i think this form of art has aalmost become my favourite. 😉

Toodle pip Anna xXx