Sheila Roussel Textile Designer Maker

New Design Blog

2011-09-10T14:09:00.003+01:00

I'm just about to start in 2nd year in Jewellery and Metalwork at Duncan of Jordanstone College and I want to create a new blog as part of my course i.e. Design Studies. I also want a new address so I can record my progress and developments being a jewellery designer!
My new blog address is http://sheilarousseldesigns.wordpress.com
I hope you'll look in!

Angora Accessories

2011-07-17T18:56:00.011+01:00

Just thought I'd show you the end result of my latest experiment with an angora jumper. I decided to make a clutch bag from the boiled washed jumper and line it with lovely butterfly material I had left over from some cushions I made a while back. I thought the big button was just perfect for finishing it off.

Clutch Bag

Butterfly Lining

I transformed the rib of the jumper into some pairs of cuffs, and decorated them with antique effect lace. Perfect for peeking out under a winter coat and keeping the draughts out.

I'm still trying to find a button to complete the third pair I made!

2011-07-08T11:33:00.011+01:00

It's been a very busy few weeks, I've had workmen constanly in my house but the good news is that we are on the last of the finishings for the extension. Off to Ikea today for some ideas for Tom's room.

I've been volunteering with a couple of local Dundee Jewellery designers over the last couple of weeks -
Holly Willcox and Islay Spalding.

Holly has been one of the Jewellery Designers in residence at Duncan of Jordanstone College for the last year. I spent a morning with her, watching her work and getting the opportunity to try some soldering, hammering and sawing to make a wee silver ring. she designs and makes beautiful silver jewellery. Have a look at designs at www.hollywillcox.co.uk

One of Holly's silver necklaces

I've been lucky enough to be working with Islay Spalding too. She designs and makes really funky resin and silver pieces as well as really unusual silver kilt pins. Have a look at her website www.islayspalding.co.uk

I'm enjoying getting a shot of tools and materials in her workshop and beginning to learn a few basic techniques.
Some silver hallmark tags that I made for some of Islay's necklaces.

Islay's silver and resin jewellery.
Have a look at her website www.islayspalding.co.uk

Birkhill Primary Boys Sport's Champion

2011-06-30T21:04:00.004+01:00

It's been a busy time with my son recently as he has been off to induction days at Monifieth High School then 3 nights at Dalguise outdoor adventure holiday, science days, sports days, school swimming gala, prizegiving assembly and leavers assembly. Tom was the boys school sport's champion and won a lovely silver trophy as well as a medal. He was really pleased with himself as he was the house captain of the winning house this year too. Well done Tom!

Visit to Aberdeen Degree Show

2011-06-30T19:59:00.011+01:00

It seems that the more free time I have the less I seem to do! I'm not sure why that is but maybe I'm a bit lazy. I've still got builders in my house working on the extension and it's coming on nicely. The walls are being plastered as I type so hopefully we'll get on with some painting at the weekend.

I've not been totally lazy, I've been making some bits and pieces but they're still to be completed. I'm looking for one Mother of Pearl button (one and a half cm) to finish off some cuffs and a nice big button for a felt bag......watch this space. I've been on a pattern cutting course and made a great pair of trousers that fit! I 'll need to make some more before I forget what to do.

As part of my summer project I've been asked to visit the Art College Degree Shows. Last week my niece and I went up to Aberdeen to see what they had been up to. We both wanted to see the 3D Designs, Textiles and Fashion Departments.

Below are some of the pieces that caught my eye!

Metal and Ceramics by Nicola Walster

Seeing the Invisible by SuZie Guthrie

Textiles & Surface Design by Ingrid Stout

Textiles & Surface Design by Steph Reid

3D Design by Kelly McAllister

The 3D Designs Department was a real mixture of pieces including textiles, ceramics, metalwork, galsswork and jewellery. It was all really interesting to view and I like to take my time to study the peices in detail, look through sketchbooks ( there weren't too many on display) and read how the students have been inspired to make their collections. Luckily so does my niece likes taking her time too so we were both happy!

I thought it was interesting that Textiles and Fashion departments had used empty shop units in the Academy Centre in Aberdeen to display their work. The textile display was just like walking round a real shop selling lots of great fabrics, accessroies, interiors and artefacts, it was a pleasure to see. The fashion was well laid out too as there were manequins displaying the collections and rails filled with lots more designs and gave the feel of a fashion show about to commence.

All in all we enjoyed our day in Aberdeen. I just to get down to some sketchbook work now for my project.

Home and Garden

2011-05-15T20:34:00.012+01:00

We have started work on our house to extend the upstairs attic room and convert it into a living area, a bedroom and a shower room.
It has been a huge upheaval and a marathon to find new homes for all that was in the upstairs room.
Removing the flat roof created a big problem as the day it was taken off the rain came down. The water was pouring in through the light sockets in the bathroom, bedroom (over the bed) and in the kitchen.
It eventually got sorted out and so far there's only been some drips throught the kitchen ceiling and the kitchen door frame.
I had always liked the idea of open plan, but this was taking it a bit too far!

In amongst the chaos of the work going on in and around our house the flowers are continuing to bloom - something to do with all that rain last week I think!
It's amazing they contine to grow as we are not really gardeners and don't do too much apart from keep the weeds down.
I have to say that the colours are rather fantastic and they help brighten up the mess all around the house at the moment!

New from Old Jewellery

2011-04-12T15:52:00.015+01:00

It's been a busy last few weeks but I'm finally getting round to my blog again. The lastest project is the last one of 1st year. I can't believe that I've completed my 1st year at Art College. Just the assessments and results to go now.

I chose a Craft and Design project for my last option. I had ten and a half days to complete it. It involved making something new from something old. There were a various themes to choose from: performance, atmosphere, statement, ornamentation and the oportunity to make a garment, accessory, jewellery or a soft furnishing.

It's always the same at the start of a project, I have a million ideas flying around in my head and start to panic a bit as well as become excited. I thought the best way forward for me was to look around for something old that could be transformed. I had it in my head that I would like to create some kind of soft furnishing. I also thought that I would like to create some accessories too, but what theme could I choose?

After searching through every charity shop in Broughty Ferry, I came across some lovely angora/wool knitwear. My ideas were on the move again and I instantly thought about felting the knitwear to create a new material. I found a tweed skirt in a similar colour and another tartan patterned skirt all of which I bought. I was considering cushions and a throw at this point, soft, warm and comfy.

Back home to make felt! I first of all picked the knitwear apart and did a few experiments in the washing machine with it.

Back at college with all my materials and after going over the brief with the tutors I reconsidered my idea and decided to try to develop some accessories.

Lots of research, drawing, sampling and experimentation later my statement jewellery and a accessories designs were finished.

Finally a call out for help from one of my nieces to model for me and "Hey Presto" one finished project!

The "Spirit of Angora" Collection

2011-02-27T17:06:00.012Z

It has been an interesting two weeks at Art College. I have been in a Jewellery Design class and we were looking at working on a lighting design.
For inspiration I thought about the patterns light makes when it is shining on water. I already had some photos from my holiday in Turkey of the sunset. I also took lots of photos at Broughty Ferry of the sun (yes it was sunny one day believe it or not!) shining on the Tay.

Some material samples.
I played with lots of different materials during the two weeks. These two above are the ones that I have taken through to my finished piece.

One of my design developments. The orange you can just see at the back ( it's not too clear on the photos) is the sunset photo printed onto acetate. If it was a free standing piece You'd be able to see all round the design

This is my final design for lighting. I've put some LED lights inside jsut to show the lighting design and its effect.

Jewellery Design Project

2011-01-30T18:18:00.012Z

What is my GOLD?
This was the title for my latest 2 week project at Art College. I decided that my Gold was my life and time. I enjoyed using old clock bits and pieces, using Photoshop to enhance my photos and digital clock bits & pieces to develop my research into what my designs could look like.

Here are some of my sample design ideas.
I like the idea of having a snooze button, a rewind button and a pause button in my life. I like the fun side to this as well as the more thought provoking meaning.
If I decide to go on to study jewellery design in second year I would like to take these design ideas further and create wearable pieces.
I've got a 2 week textile project, then another 2 week jewellery project then I put forward my request for my study option for 2nd year. How time flies!

A Few Bits from Semester One

2011-01-15T10:31:00.017Z

Colour and The Word

We were given a letter of the alphabet and had to choose a word then interpret it in colour in some way.
That was a challenge but looking back it was fun. I chose "Kitchen" as my word and made up a "Kitchen Scrap Book" using colours, shapes, recipes and designs from the 50's. There are about 8 pages in the book but I've just copied a couple and the finished book with the miniature wire kitchen utensils attached.

Self Portrait Christmas Project

I didn't realise that doing a self portrait was so difficult! Obtaining a likeness to me or what I think I look like seems to be almost impossible for me to achieve.

After lots of sketching looking in a mirror, trial and error with a variety of materials and serveral "aliens" produced I am quite pleased with my illustrative self portrait. I used water colours, ink and stitch. (The camera flash has caught the black of the hair so apologies for the photography)

I 've to hand this in the first day back. I don't feel particulary confident about it but I'm Art School to learn and I feel I've learned a lot working on my self portrait project so that has to be good!

Fansite - Digital Imaging

2010-12-18T18:12:00.008Z

One of my recent projects was a Digital Imaging Project to create a Fanzine or a Fansite using Photoshop.

I decided to create a Fansite for the Artist/Architect-Cesar Manrique as I have visited Lanzarote so many times and I am still facinated by his work.
I developed a stitched image from one of his mosaics and used this as the heading for the Fansite. I also used my own photos that I had from my trips to the beautiful island.
The work for the digital Imaging Project was just one project in a bigger module and if it is selected it will be displayed in one of the Gallery spaces in the new year.

Poetry and Art

2010-11-21T18:40:00.008Z

Another week has gone by at Art School or Uni as everyone now calls it!

We were asked to make a piece of art in response to a poem. We were give a selection of 12 to choose from. I had to read and re-read the poems to try to find one that inspired me and let my imagination take over. I narrowed it down to two poems then to the one I eventually used. The Poem by Robert Gray.

The vision of the woman bringing in the washing and the smell of the fresh washing, folding seams, together with the moonlight was my starting point.

My tutor was helpful in explaining more about the poem and then I was off creating a mind map of my ideas for it.

We have four days to finish each project so it really makes you make decisions very quickly something I've not had to do much of up till starting this course. I thoroughly enjoyed making my textile piece this week. I used a real variety of fabrics and a whole range of techniques including grinding fabric between two stones to wear and distress it. I really loved adding the final hand stitching I found it very relaxing and satisfying.

I hope to enjoy the Poem and my response to it.

The Poem

The paddocks there are so wide open

she says you always feel

that the lid has been left off everything.

It’s all gone hard and stale.

The children have to stay in the shade;

they hang on the verandah,

and the game they fight about is discovering

a demand upon her.

On the backs of her hands, in this light, open

small, dry screams.

She is bringing in the sunlit bed-clothes,

putting together the seams.

Sheets still pegged she takes into her fist,

and stands inhaling each one:

taut with air, white as a heron in the moonlight.

This, which she has done.

ROBERT GRAY (Meanjin; Vol. 60 Number 2 2001. First published in New and Selected Poems, Duffy & Snellgrove, Sydney 1998)

Calm at the End of the Day

Playing with Paper

2010-10-22T19:48:00.014+01:00

I have been working on a Uni project - Form and Function ( playing with paper really!) All great fun. This has been the best week so far, I feel more comfortable making things.
I made a load of samples (a few are below) and experimented with different card and papers before deciding to make a corset!

I got there in the end after much PVA glue, Bostik and masking tape!

The corset is made from old music glued onto corrugated card with scrunched up white tissue paper pasted over the music. This was then folded like a fan then glued into position.
I used a dummy model to make a paper pattern then used the pattern to cut out the pieces for the corset.
It is held together with wide tape and strong glue.
I made small holes in the back then used gold rivets to cover over the edges of the holes, I then laced the back up with a gold cord. (sorry no picture of this)

The final piece is decorated with painted paper doillies and music printed onto acetate sheets, treated with a heat gun and burning tool. I rolled up some of the acetate sheets, glued them and cut them into circular shapes to add to the embellishment.

2010-10-07T15:47:00.007+01:00

I have done a bit more work on my Sketch Book Project Pages in between my University work and study.
I also have to keep a Journal that I have to carry with me to record ideas, thoughts, interesting things etc. I've made a good start to it and just need to remeber to carry it around with me.

Here are some more pages of my Sketch Book Project -
"It Must Be... Time for Tea."

Art School

2010-09-13T19:54:00.003+01:00

I'm now at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee!

I'm in the 1st year General Course along with another 159 other sudents. There are 27 in the group I am in.

Today we started on the 1st project "The Object of Drawing and Painting". The tutor set up a large installation with bicycle tyres, bicycle weels, bamboo canes, pieces of fabric, flags, bits of bikes- it's huge.

We were instructed today and had to work in charcoal, graphite or conte. A lot of sharing and constuctive comments going on. One of the exercises was - we had to think of drawing without drawing the outline and drawing the space to create the object. This was new for me but I enjoyed having a go.

This project lasts for 4 days and along with all the development drawings we have to produce an A1 drawing and painting. I'll post any interesting drawings!

The Sketchbook Project

2010-08-15T19:36:00.016+01:00

I've had a good summer and been keeping occupied with all sorts of activities, catch ups with friends, small jobs and arty crafty stuff. I've joined The Sketch Book Project and chose my title (from a list supplied) "It Must Be..... ", I've added on ...."Time For Tea" and taken it from there. Here are some of my pages so far.

I've recently achieved my HNC Textiles at Dundee College together with some HND Units and now I've accepted a place at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art to study for a Degree in Art and Design. I start in September and I'm looking forward to the new experience. Wish me luck!

Images of Turkish Holiday

2010-07-20T19:04:00.021+01:00

Here are some photos from my Turkish holiday. Some inspiration for future projects I hope.

View from our boat trip.

We went to look at a couple of apartments for sale. Maybe just a bit too small!

Hand made woollen socks on sale in the bazaar....it was far too hot for socks!

Wouldn't mind a Turkish carpet though.

Loved the colours on these boats.

They certainly know how to recycle their containers.

I'm sure I saw some snakes in the reeds.

The spectacular sunset at Calis beach.

If only we had some local bakeries like this one and so cheap.

.

Some lace I bought from a weeTurkish local shop. So lovely and cheap too. I'll put it to good use soon!

Dundee College Exhibition

2010-06-13T19:27:00.013+01:00

This is my booth at the Exhibition.
You'll maybe recognise some of the pieces from earlier blogs.
I had a couple of hours to set it up but I had planned it in my head before hand. I think it worked well. The preview evening was great, very busy and lots of interest.

A little bit more detail here.

The Jam Pot display. I had the idea for the cupboard and Peter made it for me!

This is how I displayed my accessories. I made a couple of brooches to pin on the wrap and the bag.

Someone wanted me to make a brooch and earrings to match. I have to say it feels fantastic when someone wants to buy my work.

More jewellery developments - delicious earrings and a brooch!

I'm finished at Dundee College now. I really enjoyed it, I was inspired by my tutors and friends and I will miss being at college and seeing everyone. Time to move on.....

Accessories

2010-05-24T22:14:00.004+01:00

I've finally finished the accessories for my underwater project. Thanks to Paula for being so patient with me while I was taking the photos of her. I think it was time well spent in the woods just to get the right shots to show off my work.

I'm going to make a brooch for the scarf and I have an idea for it. I'm waiting for the pin for it to arrive in the post. Hopefully it'll arrive tomorrow and I'll get it finished for the assessment on Thursday.

Thanks to Christina for being so patient for this photo too! I'm lucky my nieces both live so close by - very handy not just for photos, for babysitting too.

Sea Urchin Accessories

2010-04-30T09:25:00.006+01:00

I am working on a project based around a water theme and I am in the process of developing samples for a bag, scarf and a pair of mittens.

I'm developing my ideas from some sea urchins that I collected from a holiday in Crete. I'm enjoying using the green and purple colours and experimenting with lots of textures. I've also starting knitting again for one of the accessories!

Hopefully the finished pieces will be displayed on the catwalk at Dundee College Fashion Show at the beginning of June.

Dying to Make a Throw

2010-03-11T18:58:00.015Z

Two of the many photos I took on a field trip to Lieth at the start of this project. I was to look at marks in decay and architectural markings. I developed drawings from these photos ( and many others too) and finally came up with a design. My sketch book for this project is very thick!

A selection of fabrics that I dyed using low imersion technique.

This is a sample for the design of the throw. I used a wool blanket as the first layer. Then I added strips of the dyed material, a layer of dyed gauze then embellished the three layers. The sample is made up of three sections stitched together with a selection of stitch added.

This is the finished piece.

This close up shows more detail of the stitch and the different sections.

Jam Recipe Apron

2010-02-28T18:08:00.007Z

This is the last "Artefact" for my college project on memories -

the Jam Recipe Apron.

I am pleased with the end result and even more pleased that I have a great model.

I hope Aprons will become more popular again. I don't want this one to get used just yet -I need to pass the college project first!

Making Jam

2010-02-21T17:46:00.007Z

These Pot Holders are two more finished artefacts for one of my college projects.

I made these Fabric Strawberries for the same project as the Strawberry Apron I am just about finished another apron then the project will be finished.

Expressive Techniques Workshop

2010-01-31T22:34:00.007Z

These are the results from a workshop at college last week.
The process involved using Polly filler, bits and peices to print with, Shellac, Gesso, and Acrylic Inks to create these three pieces (which are small sections of larger pieces). The colours of the acrylic inks are great.
I am pleased with the results and look forward to using them in the development of one of the projects I am working on.

Strawberry Apron

2009-12-30T22:55:00.005Z

It's all happening in the kitchen with the new Strawberry Apron I designed for my Fine Art project! Sure to add a bit of glamour to the dinner party!
Thanks again to Christina for modelling for these shots.

Jam Pots and Strawberries

2009-11-24T21:51:00.004Z

These are some of my fabric Jam Pots.
The pots are made from silk habotai and one from cotton and PVA glue.
The cover is silk organza embellished with wool fibres.
Two of the pots have been made by first of all decorating the silk with transfer painted strawberries.
I have quite a few to make for the final piece of my project.

Jam Making Developments

2009-10-30T21:15:00.011Z

I thought this strawberry was so sweet.

One of the last ones in my garden this year.

This is one of my Mum's Jam recipes from when I was a child.
Reading the handwriting brings memories of my Mum flooding back.
I have kept them for several years hoping that one day I would use them!

I am happy to be developing ideas from my Mum's hand written recipes in my college project.

One of my developments from my Jam Making.

Maybe it'll be a Jam pot cover.

One of the stawberries I have been working on.

Another development from the jam recipes.
I am pleased with the mini strawberry.
I have been tryng out machine embroidery and I am quite surprised with the results.

More to come on this project!

Making Jam

2009-10-16T10:06:00.011+01:00

I took the photos as I am doing a textile project based on memories and I have decided to look at the memories I have making jam with my mum when I was young.

The plums were picked from my neighbour's garden. Tom was fascinated by the whole process.

Some of the colours and patterns produced making the plum jam were brilliant ( not to mention the smells) and I will be using them as inspiration hopefully!

By the way the jam is delicious (according to those I gave it to) !

Tom's Miniature Garden

2009-09-06T18:55:00.008+01:00

This is Tom's Miniature Garden. He made it for the Dundee Flower Show which has been on all weekend in Camperdown Park. He spent hours on it getting it just right. He got a wee bit of help with planning from me and help to make the box from his dad.
It was all worth the effort as he won 1st prize and two trophies for his entry not to mention £15 in cash!

A close up of the vegetable plot

The Sundial.

The Fish Pond.

Making a Nuno Felt Scarf

2009-09-05T19:21:00.002+01:00

I recently learned how to make Nuno Felt. This is the scarf I made. I am looking forward to wearing it and going by the weather I'll be wearing it soon.

Here is another Nuno scarf I made for myself but got Christina to model it for me. I dyed the silk chiffon in cold water dye and then added the various green colours of wool fibre to create the design. I'm pleased with the end result. I hope to make some for presents for friends for Christmas!

Miniature Railway, Arbroath

2009-08-23T18:01:00.006+01:00

This is an image I have developed for Kerr's Miniature Railway, Arbroath. I have used Jill's son's drawing and printed it onto prepared linen then added machine and hand embroidery. (Jill my friend is the owner of the Miniature Railway). Hopefully it will be printed for use as a postcard at the Railway.

Making a Fascinator

2009-08-14T22:07:00.011+01:00

This is the fascinator I made at a workshop I attended with Janette Sendler in her shop in Perth. I really enjoyed making it.
I have incorporated a vintage brooch into the design.
Christina looks super modelling it.
I also made a corsage to co-ordinate with the fascinator.
Just need a wedding to go to now!

Textiles for Interiors

2009-07-30T18:43:00.011+01:00

Cl ose ups of sections of the finished wall piece.
My inspiration came from a visit to Newhaven photographing lobster pots and
fishing nets and fishwives clothing. The devleopment of the project included researching Japanese fishermens' jackets, using a"rusting" technique and various ways of distressing the fabric.

The finished piece.

Airmail Collection

2009-07-30T18:11:00.008+01:00

The Airmail Collection is my range of farbric samples for Kitchenware.
(These were all a part of a graded unit for the HNC)
These are the design for a pocket on an apron with the apron ties holding the folded apron together for display.

The design below is suitable for a teacosy or oven glove.

This design is for a tea towel or an apron.

(click on the images to see them enlarged)

Fine Art Textiles

2009-06-27T13:10:00.010+01:00

These are a samples for a wall hanging that I have made. the finished piece is so big I'm not sure how to take a photo of it yet so this gives wee idea of the look of the piece.

Accessories That Transform

2009-06-14T17:01:00.016+01:00

This waistcoat was inspired from the work of Architect Zaha Hadid.

It transforms into a beach bag with a zip and a hook!

This is it on the Catwalk in Dundee College Fashion Show.

Then the transformation on the Catwalk.
I was so pleased it worked out on the night and looked great!

Palimpsest

2009-06-09T19:58:00.001+01:00

Layers of text from birth and marriage certificates printed onto various materials and papers with a photo of a baby peeking through the trees

Layers of text interwoven into textured knit of wire, wool, ribbon and machine wrapped cord.

Hidden words within the layers of surface.

These images are elements of a hanging for a project called "Palimpsest".

This is the central panel for the hanging.

This is an element of one of the side panels- stylised leaves with photos printed onto organza layered with birth certificates and marriage certificates onto acetates stitched with silver metallic thread.

2009-06-07T17:10:00.000+01:00

These are samples of my work I have done for my HNC in Textile Art. I have used various tools to distress the fabric and a rusting technique to embellish the fabric with beautiful patterns. The samples are finished with machine and hand stitching and also using an embellisher.