Different View of Christmas

Recently I ran a couple of workshops in Buxton with a children from a local church group. The basic idea was to create a model of Bethlehem from two different views on one side the model shows Bethlehem as it would have looked at the time of the Bible stories and the other a modern day view looking at the effect of conflict. the sessions included studying architecture from the area and looking at how space is used. Making many cardboard sheep (with cotton wool of course) and tiny barbed wire created from fine Jewellery wire.

Cirque Bijou

Back in the spring I attended an amazing event in Bolton part of the Inspiring Communities programme.

Working with local young people in the Tonge and Haulgh area Cirque Bijou put on an amazing show at Castle Hill playing fields. Today I've just received in the post a calender from Cirque Bijou using one of my photos ( for April, my Birthday!)

Wonderful Whitworth

Yesterday with the rest of Manchester Craft Mafia we held our Christmas fair at The Whitworth Art Gallery . A big thank you to everyone that made the effort to fight though the snow and come and see us. I also worked with fellow Craft Mafia member Debbie Greenaway to run one of the Whitworth's Crafternoon. An monthly craft workshop for adults. Debbie was creating lovely sparkly baubles and I was teaching simple origami techniques to make decorations and gift boxes. I was a great way to spend a perfect Saturday

Manchester Craft Mafia Christmas fair

Now I do a lot of craft fairs but I am soooo excited about this one.

I'm a member of the Manchester Craft Mafia and on Saturday (18th) we are hosting our Christmas Craft fair at The Whitworth Art Gallery. find the Mafia and event on our facebook page

I am also doing a workshop with a couple of other Mafia members making Christmas decorations at the Whitworth on Saturday (sorry fully booked) but for those of you who have a place should be great. we promise unique decorations and lots of Christmas sparkle

sock farm!

yeap still busy with socks.

just finished a little commission to make sock cows! and a monkey

not sure whether or not they will join the sock pigs as a regular thing I make. Let me know what you think?

have also been busy making a second litter of sock pigs for Manchester Craft Mafia's craft cabinet at The Turnpike Gallery (first lot sold out) there until Christmas.

so hoping there are more lovely people in Leigh who will give a sock pig a home.

hmm so what to make next?

I am currently working on a penguin commission spent years drawing them but making this one (not from socks though)

socks socks and more socks

sold out of Sock Pigs today worry not I am having a word with Mummy and Daddy sock and there will be another litter of little sock pigs very soon. I am also about to attempt my first sock cow! But for now here are some pictures of the good old Sock Monkeys

the robot sock monkey was commission and has inspired someone to make the pink one. hee hee yes it's official I inspire people!

I have now made many personalised sock monkeys. There have been Monkey's made from football team socks, monkeys with clothes, rainbow monkeys for pride and even Monkeys with little monkey hats on their heads.

Heaton Moor Craft fair

just about to set off in my little car with other members of Manchester Craft Mafia. to a Craft fair in Heaton Moor, with my newly made Christmas Puds

Ramsbottom!

Tomorrow I will be selling at an Extra Special Craft and Gift show run by the Bury Society for Blind & Partially Sighted People.

from 10am - 3pm at The Ramsbottom Civic Hall, Market Place, Ramsbottom BL0 9HT

I will be joined by another of The Manchester Craft Mafia members Chris Webb for more info on Chris check out his Website and Blog http://www.lazycrafternoons.co.uk/

http://lazycrafternoons.blogspot.com/

The show is just 50p to get in and all profits go to the Charity

the event includes facepainting, music and other fun

here is just a couple of my penguin pictures available as cards for Christmas

BANG!

In celebration of the November 5th Bonfire night these are a couple of my firework photos

cardboard creations

Spending Thursdays in Buxton at the moment working with a lovely Church based Youth Group in the centre of town I am helping them with a creative project looking at the story on Christmas in a different way. we are creating a sculpture depicting a now and then view of Bethlehem.

you've not seen a nativity seen like it. photos to follow but for now some pictures

of other cardboard sculptures I've done during workshops. These were in parks in Preston.

I'm also going to be making a life size cardboard

piglet this weekend. never too long

between pigs!

Chirstmas craft fairs

I'm going to be at many craft fairs over the next couple of months all over Greater Manchester more details to follow
this is one of the first I will be with some of the other members of The Manchester Craft Mafia

sock pigs

another litter of sock pigs has escaped into the world!

this time they are heading for the Turnpike gallery with other crafty stuff from The Manchester Craft Mafia the Mafia will have a couple of cabinet full of stuff throughout Novemeber and December.

paintings on esty

A few of my painting are available on Etsy

see my shop

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ccillustrator

remember I also do commissions

more than just paper

loving paper and always looking for new things to make I did a workshop recently at The Manchester Craft and Design Centre called Book Bangles run by Magpie Arts highly recommend their workshops and not just because they have used a picture of the bracelet I made!

back to using origami paper for origami I am running a workshop on Friday going to be trying to make giant origami!

Samlesbury Craft fair

Just a couple of snaps from Samlesbury from 26th September

I will be there again on the 31st October

(best get making so spooky goodies!)

I'll be showing at many other craft fairs though out the North West leading up to Christmas

including Bolton, Manchester and Ramsbottom!

keep an eye on the blog for more details and first look at new ranges

SAMLESBURY HALL FARMERS MARKET & CRAFT FAIR

THE LAST SUNDAY IN EVERY MONTH 10AM - 3PM

Lancashire’s newest Farmer’s Market, combining a delicious display of the county’s finest produce with amazing hand-made art and craft stalls.

The day includes over 40 indoor and outdoor food and craft stalls as well as courtyard food displays.
The Art Gallery will be open to view exhibitions, and maybe you will buy a painting or piece of craft. West Wing antiques, is a definite place to visit or dine on our seasonal menus at the restaurant-cafe. Plus the Samlesbury gift shop, featuring fabulous creative art and crafts, distinctive gifts and local produce

facebook

finally got facebook page for my illustrations

go to Caroline Coates illustration on facebook

Lancashire!

Well spent a summer doing craft fairs all over Manchester well now have a few booked in Lancashire first in Samlesbury

Samlesbury Hall Farmer's Market & Craft Fair

This Sunday 10am 3pm it's a really pretty place

I will be there selling my usual range of paintings, cards and crafty bits including a new range of beaded jewellery.

As with all the crafts I do.....

Beaded jewellery can be booked as a workshops suitable for Children or Adults, Beginners or more Advanced, part of a regular class or a party

.

just send me an email at carolinecoates@hotmail.com for more info

I will be showing at this weekend's fair with by good friend Becky Andrew a very talented Artist, Illustrator see more or Becky's work on her Etsy site Dreamscene

origami at Lo-fi Tuesday September 7th

Next Tuesday I will be running an origami workshop at Manchester Craft and Design Centre part of

Sept Lo-fi DIY

Tuesday 7th of September 6 till 8

Lo-fi is run by The Manchester Craft Mafia

for more details on monthly lo-fi events see The Ophelia Button website

The session will include how to create some classic origami models and then by taking the techniques learnt to create contemporary cards and gifts. And if you are really confident how to turn your models into mobiles.

You may wish to bring a container so you don’t squash your creation on your journey home. All materials will be provided but bring a £1 donation to cover materials.

Places are very limited (AND MUST BE BOOKED) to book please email nico@opheliabutton.co.uk

craft fair this Saturday

Manchester Craft Mafia have taken over the Whitworth Art gallery again. Craft fair this Saturday from 10am-4pm entry is free

loads of lovely craft by some of the best makers in Manchester

Follow the Craft Mafia on twitter @MancCraftMafia

facepainter

Spent a luvly afternoon yesterday in Buxton.

these are pictures of my friend's children who asked me to paint their faces.

I can be booked for face painting at parties, festival, fairs all sorts of events.

I have an enhanced CRB and current public liability insurance. for more information and rates please on contact me on carolinecoates@hotmail.com 07792894345

dancer sketches

drawings for Amelia's Blog from the series reviewing Latitude Festival. these pictures are of the amazing dancers from Ballet Black

Next Craft Fair

I'll be doing my first craft fair in Bolton next weekend 31st July 11am at Longsight Church Hall

with the crafters of Fuse Crafters

Will be there selling my usual range of paintings and handmade goodies as well as some new stuff

Fashion Illustration

Sketches based on the beautiful designs of Sabina Bryntesson for

Amelia's Magazine Full article on Amelia's Blog

Manchester Craft Mafia in Didsbury

I will be joining the rest of the Manchester Craft Mafia at this Family Fun Day on Sunday. if you are around come and say Hi to the new litter of sock pigs!

does this mean I'm an international artist?

photos of the sock monkey I made for a friend. Little sock monkey has just been to France for the weekend. Though spent all weekend drinking pints definitely a British monkey!

I'm current just making a new litter of sock pigs and piglets these will all be going to market in Didsbury on Sunday, more details to follow I wonder where the little pigs will end up?