Our blog has a new home

With the release of our new Folk Art Masterclass for beginner painters and website revamp, our blog has now moved! 

Please head over to its brand new home to continue enjoying lots of Folk Art inspiration and ideas. 

Find the beauty in the old, the worn and the weathered

When my youngest son announced that he would like to relocate to Barcelona with his girlfriend, I didn't know how to feel.  Part of me was happy that he would begin this amazing new adventure, part of me knew that I would miss having him around.  When he was deciding on the logistics of getting there and suggested he should drive down in our car, for us to get it back to Sheffield, I was not jumping for joy.  Then I thought about it...leisurely travelling back through Europe, visiting a few places that have been on my wish list....maybe it wasn't such a bad idea at all.

The plan was to arrive in Barcelona and spend a couple of days with Tom and Darcie before saying our farewells and heading back to Sheffield over the next week or so.  Just like so many of you who have spotted Folk Art on your travels this summer and sent us some wonderful photos, I was thrilled to spot this gorgeous handpainted fan in a shop in Barcelona.

After saying our farewells, we headed to Andorra (pictured above) and most recently we have just stayed in a little village called Bourg near Bordeaux.  After a busy few months renovating the offices, I have to say I am in love with the slower pace of life here.  I was not able to seek out any Folk Art but what struck me as we enjoyed life in the village was the beautifully worn appearance it had.  

From faded colours to peeling layers and years of use, I was surrounded by the beauty of the worn and weathered.  It struck me that I have spent hours during my life striving to achieve this look on chairs and other pieces of furniture but there is something so humbling about seeing it in all its glory when it has happened naturally.  

I can create a distressed finish with a wet rag, Weathered Wood or candle wax but walking around this village thinking about the stories these doors and windows must be able to tell was fascinating.  In a world where so many have a desire to fill their world with the new, the bright, the shiny, this was a lovely reminder that old is so, so beautiful.  

Layers of paint, years of wear, plenty of character. 

I did spot this shop that I would have loved to have visited but it wasn't meant to be. Maybe it will be open next time I'm on my travels....

Love, Carol x

5 Undeniable reasons to love Folk Art

1. Anyone can learn whether you are creative or not

Whether you are a creative person happy to try your hand at a number of different crafts or if the idea of picking up a painting brush, you can learn folk art.  Each brushstroke is a skill that you can learn with practice and patience, even more, practicing each brushstroke can improve hand eye co-ordination, dexterity and confidence.

2. It is so therapeutic

We've said it before and we will say it again! Concentrating on your brushstrokes can help distract and slow down a busy mind 

3. You don't need lots of equipment 

4. You don't need to learn lots of different skills 

5. You can use your skills in lots of valuable ways 

You never know where painting will take you!

Sometimes, you learn a skill with a clear intention of what you are going to use it for. Sometimes, however, life likes to throw you a curveball or two.  After realizing, way back when, how important creativity is, I always encouraged my two sons to be creative too and follow their passions and their journeys have provided amazing opportunities and experiences for them - Oli is now the lead singer in a band called Bring Me The Horizon and Tom is a photographer, videographer and Graphic Designer.

As they've developed their work, I often hear "Mum is there any chance you can create/paint/distress...." From wall murals to jackets, video props to dresses, these requests have excited me, challenged me and often encouraged me to think outside of the box.

This weeks request was from Oli who wanted help transforming lots of boxes and frames before they added screens which would light up and display images to make them look like speakers.  So Alissa and I collected some supplies from Folky HQ and headed to the LS Live Production Park.  This place is amazing - filled with so many treasures and creations, there was always something to look at.  These studios have welcomed Hugh Jackman, Elton John, and Shawn Mendes as well as all the very talented people who work behind the scenes creating bespoke, breathtaking props for any set.

Carol (right) and Jackie (left) who works hard sculpting, creating and painting for all the stage sets.  

Jackie sculpted this beautiful rose for Shawn Mendes an illuminated centerpiece on stage.

The studio is a treasure trove of sculptures and art. What an amazing place to work. 

A prototype of a huge stage project  

After Jackie had shown us around, it was time to get to work creating and painting the set.  Oli & Alissa had a very specific look they wanted to create and were adamant they wanted it to look authentic on stage.  I have to admit, I felt like a big kid again! To know 'the rules' and completely throw them out of the window was such fun. No two frames were the same and it was fantastic to see them all together. 

                 

 

                 

 

The process was far from pretty and less than glamorous as you can see but it was great to see Oli and Alissa's vision coming together.  If anyone had told me 20 years ago that this is where my creative journey would take me, I would never have believed them! What an experience.

Love, Carol x

Play with pattern

When I was learning to paint and teaching, one thing I loved was combining different elements to create something different.  Whether you have learned daisies, roses, ribbons or all three, there are numerous ways you can combine them to create something unique.  There were always some elements for me though that pair so well together, I found myself pairing roses and delicate lace time and time again in different ways.

This month, for our theme in April we are focusing on pattern and I just couldn't help but look through a few of my old pattern folders and came across this design.

Mixing vintage roses, flat brush leaves and lace, it creates a delicate pattern that I will be working with throughout the month. So join me as I play with colour and play with this design to show you how you can create many different looks with just one design.  

If you would like to have a go at painting this design and want to join in and discover all the different looks you can create throughout the month, you can download the design from our Pinterest Folk It pattern board.  

I do hope you will join me on this journey :) 

Love, Carol x 

The beauty and history of Matryoshka dolls

Just as Sheffield is known for it's steel, The Full Monty and Hendersons Relish, Russia is known for its Matryoshka (or Babushka) dolls.  Beautifully decorated in handpainted Russian Folk Art designs they are often painted as Russian Peasants but may also be painted to depict fairytale characters and people of importance.  Despite the variations, one thing is certain, they have become a symbol of Russia, part of their culture and not only a popular item within Russian homes but in the homes of all those who have visited.  

Recently welcoming some Russian guests to Sheffield, I was honoured and touched when they gave me a set of Russian dolls.  Both sets I own have been given to me by young people who were not aware of my love of Folk Art or my company.  I love seeing these on my mantelpiece, not only because of the gorgeous handprinted decoration but because of the colours.

First seen in Russia in the late 1800's, there are a few ideas regarding how they first came to be.  It is thought that they were inspired by the nesting boxes of China and Japan.  In Japan, nesting dolls were loved by many and consisted of 7 dolls, the largest made in the image of Fukurojuro, the Japanese god of happiness which opened to reveal 6 other lucky gods.

Wanting to find a way to preserve Russian culture, Savva Mamontov opened a workshop with the sole purpose of creating childrens dolls to help illustrate different aspects of their culture.  Part of the workshop group, Sergei Maliutin was inspired by the Japanese dolls. Pairing up with Vasiliy Zvyozdochkin, a wood turner, Maliutin began designing the decoration.

The very first set of Matryoshka Dolls created by Maliutin and Zvozdochkin

Right from the beginning, the dolls were made to depict peasant women. Dressed in womens clothing, you will most likely see them with Babushkas or kerchiefs around their heads.  They have certainly become a symbol of family, of Motherhood and the strong female role within Russian culture often being referred to as Matryoshka (meaning little matron) dolls or Babushka (meaning Grandma) dolls.

When we looked into the history of these dolls a bit further, we loved hearing that traditionally, making these sets would be a family affair.  Beginning with the smallest doll, made out of a single piece of wood, the others would be carved or turned out of two pieces before being decorated by the whole family.  They were traditionally painted to depict everyday life and so many were seen (much like the original set) holding items such as bread or flowers.

Since then, their decoration has developed.  Seen as a great educational tool and toy suitable for story telling, you can find dolls decorated to depict fairy tales and stories, animals or important figures in history.  However, we have to admit that our favourite is still the more traditional design.

When we were designing our very own Matryoshka Doll to paint,
we just had to include a babushka headscarf and apron. 

I liked the Russian Dolls before I even owned a set of my own but being presented with sets as gifts from young women made it clear just how successful Mamontov, Maliutin and Zvyozdochkin were in their vision to create something that would become an symbol of Russian culture.  It is true that they hold a certain charm and beauty that communicates the importance of family, friendship and love and that message seems to have endeared itself to the hearts of many, in Russia and beyond.  I know I will certainly treasure my own sets for many years to come.

Happy Folking,

Love Carol x

Inspired by music and having #funwithfolkit

This month, our challenge has been to find inspiration in music.  While we may turn up our favourite tunes in the studio while we paint, that is usually where our inspiration ends! We are pleased to say however, that our inspiration and yours has taken us by surprise. Pairing our painting kits with music has created a range of great ideas and we thought we'd round up a few for you.

Musical notes - when you're practicing brushstrokes, it can be fun to create something new with them and play with ideas without committing too much time in case your idea doesn't work out.  These daisy notes by In Blume are a lovely twist on our Daisy Details kit.

                         

At the Painting Table has created this lovely card by painting a little music using her liner brush.  Painting with your liner brush is a little different to painting comma strokes but once you've mastered it, this brush is perfect for painting more delicate designs. 

Carol recently went to visit friends in South Africa and got creative with her friend Ronel.  Armed with some free music sheet printables, she used them to create a border before adding some liner brush patterns and hearts.  We think the black heart would make a great Valentines card for the music lover in your life. What do you think? 

Take a silhouette and decorate it with a few liner brush strokes to create your own unique design.  Sandra used a mixture of comma strokes, lines and dotting to create this pretty pattern.  For the strings she used a Micron pen.  If you don't feel comfortable using a liner brush for the longer lines and swirls, why not use pens or colouring pencils and just use the brush for the comma strokes?  

Get your hands on some old music sheets to create some Vintage vibes? Here we toned down the background (you don't want the music distracting from your painted design) using a little Antiquing.  If you want to know more about how to do this, check out our You Tube tutorial. 

Use a little music to create a centrepiece and add a little lace around it.  Learn to paint our delicate lace design using our kit and then follow our great tutorial to build on those skills and learn to create your own patterns. 

Jo from The Original Craft Co doesn't get much time to herself but inspired by this months theme, she knew the perfect project.  Sitting unloved in a corner of her home, she dusted off her tired looking radio and gave it a new lease of life with our Vintage Roses kit.  

Inspired by a song, At the Painting Table searched for this pretty flower and used her Folk Art round brush skills to create a version of her own.  Once you've learned the techniques from our kits, it just goes to show you can create and paint so much more.  

When we first came up with our monthly themes for our painting challenge, we thought it would give us a focus, a way to inspire us and we are so pleased that it has done that and so much more.  Once again, we are blown away with all that you can do with a few brushstrokes.  

Happy Folking!