TexInnovation is based at the fabulous Upcycle Kernow. This was a Lottery funded project. I have worked with Dawn at Upcycle before, running a 'lino' workshop using flooring vinyl. Reusing and giving things a new lease of life is not only band on trend but also very close to my heart. I worked at Scrapstore in Bristol on the Play Team for a few years and 'making waste things play things' was our strapline.
People were able to pay a suggested donation to cover materials for this workshop. This was a two week course.
Week One
We cut stamps and plates from easycut vinyl. This isn't the most 'green' of resources but it will last for ever and can be reused time and time again. One of the people attending had been clearing out her shed and found some extremely old lino. I was a bit skeptical but, amazingly, after over 20 years it was still pliable and attendees said 'it cuts like butter' Maybe the very old lino is the good stuff! Seaweed, waves and fish were popular.
We used Speedball screenprinting ink to print with. It gives great coverage on fabric and dries quite quickly so items were easy to transport home.
I was chuffed to bits with the variety of prints that people made. We printed on small scraps of white fabric. I asked Dawn what it was and it was Beekeeper suit fabric! White, thick and stingproof! Who knew?!
Week Two
We went LARGE! Dawn had some beautitful old linen sheets which the participants cut to size and printed on. They bought their blocks from the previous week and I had also taken some of mine. We explored printing with scrap materials, an old chair castor made a brilliant mini roller. Pegs, string, food pots and bottles were all used. Can you spot which is which? I was particularly pleased with my mushroom box bottom!
More linocut workshops in Porthtowan Cornwall and West Acre Norfolk all on TicketTailor
I am also running some with Julie at The Barn Lanivet, please book those direct with The Barn.