Allansart.co.uk - Arts and Crafts
Welcome to my Arts and Crafts pages.
Arts and crafts comprise a whole host of activities and hobbies that are related to making things with one's hands and skill
and the end product being decorative in design.
These can be sub-divided into handicrafts or "traditional crafts" (doing things the old way) and "the rest". Some crafts have
been practised for centuries, while others are modern inventions, or variations of crafts which were originally practised
in small or remote areas of the world.
Most crafts require a combination of skill, speed, and patience,
continued practice and perserverance, but they can also be learnt on a more basic level by virtually anyone. Many community centres
and schools run evening or day classes and workshops offering to teach basic craft skills in a short period of time.
Its not always easy to determine which
activities fall within the term Arts and
Crafts, but can be grouped by material types e.g. crafts involving the use of
textiles, wood, metal, clay, paper, canvas and/or plants etc.
some of the
art activities could be
labeled as folk art, mixed media or simply
artwork. People who make crafts or produce
artwork could be described as artists,
artsy, arty, a crafter or an artisan.
An artist is
one who makes their craft into fine artwork producing a
visual representation. Artsy or arty being one who is
artistic. An Artisan is a craftsman working in a crafting
medium and who makes items that may be functional or strictly
decorative, including furniture, clothing, jewellery,
household items, and tools.
I prefer to
think of myself as an artisan who enjoys working in
any art and/or crafting medium and
one who appreciates and admires works by masters in the profession
such as Wedgwoods finest "Daisy Makeig-Jones"
and her famous Fairyland Lustre!
Inspirational Artisan and Craft Related Quotes:
Greeting Cards Handmade & Painted in Watercolour
Greeting cards are
one of the most popular activities in the world of arts and
crafts and are always gratefully received whatever the
occasion may be, whether it's for a Birthday, Christmas,
Holiday, Anniversary or Thank you cards etc. but to receive
a handmade and hand painted greeting card is something
special. Why not send your loved one a handmade hand painted
greeting card today.
I offer a large selection of greetings
cards, all painted in the finest watercolour medium. They come
in two sizes of 18cm x 20cm and 11cm x 15cm and with two cut
out shapes of oval and oblong.
My online cards cover Events, Relations, Occasions and
Seasons. I can supply hand painted handmade greetings
cards to gift shops and to individuals.
My greetings cards are individually
crafted so I am able to tailor my designs to meet your
exact requirements - and nothing quite compares to
receiving handmade greetings cards that have been
individually designed, and painted by hand. They each
have a hand cut pattern edged internal page with your
very own verse or message printed inside. Click
Here
to view an example of the internal page.
If you are interested in buying my greetings cards why not
buy a selection now and always have a card handy when you need one! Each of my
greetings cards are hand crafted and painted using the finest watercolour
medium.
The inside of the card is left blank for your own greeting
or message - suitable for any occasion, such as a birthday, 'get well',
congratulations, or a 'thank you' note. If you wish I can personalise your
greetings cards with your own verse or message printed on the insert page Free
of charge; It's your choice!!.
You just select your handmade greetings card or cards from
your selected page. Then send me your verse/wording and your choice of gold
lettering for the front of the card by
E-Mail.
Each finished card is supplied with a good quality envelope
and individually packaged in cellophane. They represent
excellent value, Competitively priced, even compared with
ordinary mass-produced cards.
Please feel free to contact me if you wish to
commission your own set of watercolour greetings cards
from a favourite photo or picture of yours. Otherwise,
I hope you will send lots of my greetings cards to
your friends and relatives! I will regularly be adding
new cards, so come back often and browse.
Each of the
hand crafted and hand painted
greetings cards are original watercolour "not prints"
so if choosing two of the same card there may be some
slight but subtle differences.
Selling my artwork is not my
priority, I just want people to enjoy my crafts and to
inspire others in to some form of art and crafts. If I
do that then I have achieved my goal!
Inspirational Art Related
Quotes:
Woodturning and Wood Crafts
Woodturning and wood crafts as a art form
appears to be largely overlooked by
arts and crafts galleries in general these days, so
the woodturning pages in this website have
been created not just in the hope of selling
my artwork but in the main to showcase and
publicise some of the projects that I have
enjoyed making and that may appeal to
others who work with wood. More importantly
it is hoped that my wood crafts may inspire
those who haven't yet started woodturning
or working in wood
generally in to having a go.
Each piece I turn is totally unique and hand
turned using timber obtained from a local
tree surgeon where ever possible. I do use
other woods but they are selected
sustainable hardwoods from around the world.
A large part of the fascination of
woodturning and in wood crafts to some
degree is in exposing the treasures that lay
beneath the bark. I love wood with character
and often look for pieces with wild grain
and natural flaws which may well become a
feature in a particular wood product.
Some of the wood turned
items involve an element of carving, some
require decoration using car body filler or
wood dyes others just require the beauty of
the grain, but it's good to cross boundaries
by integrating another art form in to your
work.
Almost all of my wood
products are finished with at least three
coats of Danish oil which allows the
character of the grain to show through.
Alternatively I use a coat of sanding
sealer, a good coat of friction polish and
then where possible give it a finishing
polish on the buffing wheel.
Each of my woodturning
galleries include relevant turning topics
and tips. I do hope you enjoy viewing them.
Colour and markings may differ in
appearance slightly in your finished turning from the
one's shown in the photo's depending on wood used at
the time they are turned. Each item is handcrafted
individually, so slight variances should be expected
especially if ordering more than one item. The sizes
listed are approximate. They may be a couple of
millimeters taller, longer,
wider or little shorter, etc.
Commissioned Wood Crafts
- Why not have that special one off piece hand
crafted. I am available to make commissioned pieces
for any special occasion, to your requirements . To
discuss your requirements contact me
Here.
Inspirational Painting Related Quotes:
Original Watercolour Paintings
The key to becoming a painter in
any medium is to never give up....' Like any new form of
art, watercolour painting can be difficult at first. It
is only with time and practice that you'll become a
better painter. Never become discouraged by your
mistakes or lack of progress.
If you find yourself uninspired or
confused about what to paint, think about what you like. You
can develop numerous ideas for subjects in a variety of
ways. Visit art galleries, I myself find inspiration in
seeing what other artists have achieved so I regularly
attend various art exhibitions at my local art gallery. If
you love animals, you could take a trip to the zoo and take
some photo's or head to an aquarium and do the same. If you
are a lover of the outdoors and nature, take a trip out with
a camera.
If you become frustrated or discouraged
remember that every budding artist has been there. Take your
photos to your studio and select things from a number of the
photo's to create the most desirable topic for your
painting. It will soon become second nature. I hope my
paintings inspire you to have a go!!
To choose from my extensive range of
original watercolour paintings, simply click on the menu
options above to take you to your selected page.
Some of my watercolour paintings
and many greeting cards have
found new homes in many parts of the world, some as far
away as America and Australia.
Inspirational
Watercolour Related
Quotes:
Arts and Crafts -
Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre & Ordinary Lustre
Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre was manufactured by the Wedgwood factory from 1915 to 1929 after original designs by Daisy Makeig-Jones (1881-1945),
the Fairyland line proved to be popular in the United States as well as in the UK.
Credited with helping improve Wedgwood's struggling profits,
Daisy Makeig-Jones' novel designs were far more than 'pretty patterns'.
She prided herself on creating stories and hidden worlds with fantastical themes,using rich jewel-like colours and imaginative details.
Daisy's fairies came from many cultural backgrounds and the articles they decorate often tell complex tales... Some [pieces of Fairyland Lustre] needed as many as six firings.
With expressive titles such as "Fairy Gondola", "Butterfly Women" and "Leap-frogging Elves", her work appealed to the public possibly as they offered a form of escapism during
the difficult post-war years. Wedgwood stopped the "Fairyland" lustre ware line in 1929 due to an apparent lack of interest.
Today the enthusiasm for Makeig-Jones' work is as strong as it ever was, possibly even more so than when the designs were first introduced in the 1920s.
Interest in the artist's work has been further enhanced by various Art Deco
and Arts and Crafts exhibitions featuring examples of her work including one at the
Victoria and Albert Museum, in September, 1990; an exhibition of "Wedgwood Fairyland and Other Lustres" at the Long Beach Museum of
Art, in September, 2001; and an exhibition comprising solely of her work from the Collection of Maurice Kawashima at the San Diego Museum of Art in 2005.
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If you wish to place an order simply
follow the order details given on any
of the gallery pages. If you have any
comments or questions about any items
on this site or you wish to discuss
a commission this can be done via the
contact page
Here.
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