Swallow Studios's Weblog

…as featured in Ireland’s Own….

swallowstudios — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:53:00 +0000

I am very delighted to see that Ireland’s Own magazine has included a feature on my handweaving,

an age old craft in the modern era. Read on below…..

…… a very sincere thank you to Ireland’s Own magazine for publishing this article.

Ballybay Art & Craft Group Exhibit at Swallow Studios

swallowstudios — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 16:34:37 +0000

As a Year of Craft Celebration, Louise Loughman ran a series of craft workshops at Swallow Studios, with the ladies from Ballybay Art & Craft Group.

The focus of the workshops was on textile crafting techniques, to tie in with the atmosphere here, all things textiley and colourful.

The group, many of whom are painters, experimented with silk painting, tapestry weaving and felting.

Following a weeklong showing of the colourful work in Monaghan Town for the Internnational Forge-In, the exhibition has moved to Swallow Studios

where it features alongside handweaving by Liz & batik art by Louise.

Swallow Studios is open to the public so do call and see the exhibition

Tagged: Castleblayney, County Monaghan, Craft, Felting, handweaving, Silk Painting, Tapestry weaving

‘Valley of the Creuse’ – Wild Lupin

swallowstudios — Wed, 04 May 2011 17:55:57 +0000

'Valley of the Creuse' - Wild Lupin

Hand-Woven by Liz Christy at Swallow Studios in County Monaghan

Tagged: Art & Craft Gallery, Craft, handweaving, irish gifts, irish textile artist, things to do, weaving

Annayalla National School Visit to Swallow Studios

swallowstudios — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 11:17:58 +0000

A few days ago we welcomed a group of 3rd and 4th class children from Annayalla National School to Swallow Studios. There were 27 children under the guidance of Mrs Madden & Barbara, the classroom assistant. It brought back fond memories of my own schooldays as I saw the line of little heads, as the walked up the road with the spring sun shining on them.

There was great excitement as they filed into our wee craftshop where I welcomed them all. Mrs Madden had taught the about Claude Monet so that they would have some knowledge of the artist whose paintings inspire my handweavings. They quickly put up their hands to answer my questions, they were full of enthusiam and it was a joy to see.

We proceeded onto the studio floor and it was great to hear all the oohs and aahs when they saw the looms and the colours in the place. I showed them how my designs are worked up and they could see the relationship to Monet’s paintings on the walls (alas not the originals but calendar pictures) and in my art books. They saw how I design and prepare the warp, transfer it to the loom, and of course, how the weaving is done on the flying shuttle loom. They were impressed with the working of the flying shuttle and again there were plenty of oohs and aahs! They had a multitude of questions for me which I was delighted to answer. It is such a great opportunity to be able to let young children see the value of protecting and using skills. I had a small table loom set up for them and they all got to ‘have a go’. So they had a little piece of weaving that they got to bring back to their class.

They seemed to really enjoy their visit to Swallow Studios and I hope it is the first of many

Tagged: Art & Craft Gallery, County Monaghan, Craft, handweaving, irish textile artist, Monet, school trips, weaving

New Skinny Merino Scarf

swallowstudios — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 16:27:00 +0000

New colours in Skinny Merino Scarf

Tagged: Craft, handweaving, irish gifts, merino, Monet, scarves, skinny scarf

Craftspeople Visit The Áras

swallowstudios — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 10:49:55 +0000

The Craftpeople from The Creative Island in Showcase

were invited to visit Áras to meet President Mary McAleese who is patron of The Year of Craft, 2011.

Craftspeople from Counties Monaghan & Louth meeting with President Mary Mc Aleese.

Tagged: Co Monaghan, craftmark, Craftspeople, irish textile artist, Showcase Ireland

swallowstudios — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 12:29:14 +0000

We are busy here at Swallow Studios preparing for the upcoming

Showcase 2011 Trade Show.

Showcase runs from Jan 23rd to Jan 26th, in the RDS Dublin.

Liz Christy Scarves & Wraps are Hand-Woven in Ireland

To become a stockist of Liz Christy Scarves or LizzyC Sheep

Visit us On Stand C15, Creative Island

Pre-Register for Showcase

Designer Crafts at The Market House

swallowstudios — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 18:27:18 +0000

Designer Crafts are back at The Market House

in Monaghan Town in the run up to Christmas.

For quite a few years now Designer Crafts have been a feature in The Market House in the weeks before Christmas. On a not for profit basis, we endeavour to bring together some of the best in Local & Irish craftsmanship under one roof. Members of the public who appreciate authentic hand-crafted goods have the opportunity to purchase here Christmas gifts of meaning and quality.

We are open Monday to Saturday 11am to 6pm & Christmas Eve 11am to 3pm.

We Wish A Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year

To All Our Customers & Supporters.

Re-Launch of Website

swallowstudios — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 16:43:58 +0000

Great news…… lizchristy.com is back……we are up and running again and looking great, thanks to Aura Internet. A colourful selection of scarves & LizzyC Sheep are available just in time for Christmas. happy browsing…..

Tagged: irish gifts, keyrings, scarf, scarves, sheep

I’ve been at the dye pot again!

swallowstudios — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 16:58:45 +0000

Some grest new colours of hand-dyed wool hanging up to dry after a weekend at the dye pot….such a joy!

just want to dive in and immerse myself in these colours!

…….and wait ’till you see the colourful sheep that will appear on www.lizzycsheep.wordpress.com

…….not to mention the scarves evolving in my mind………

.....some great colours drying on the 'yarnsline' in time for christmas