Inspiration, sampling and more sampling

My first task yesterday was to meet up with the owner of the second Sedbergh business that I am working with. Christopher Hollett runs a wonderful antiquarian bookshop in Sedbergh, open by appointment only, called R F G Hollett & Son. As expected, inside it was quite magical, full of old books and lots of polished wood. It didn't take me very long to home in on a really interesting feature, the curved brass 'runners' that allow access to the shop window behind a set of bookshelves. Inlaid into the honey-coloured parquet floor they had a wonderful patina to them. They've been there for over 40 years and were made by the local iron monger.

These lovely curved shapes mirror the motifs that I picked up during my visit to The Chair Workshop on Monday. Here Sandra showed me the wooden worktop where she and Alison carry out repairs and I was delighted to see some marvelous scored shiny circular marks in the varnish which I think will provide me with an excellent starting point. As I was leaving I also caught sight of more curved marks, this time rubbed onto the door frame by a set of Masai cow bells.

Back at the mill I got on with working up samples based on the drawings I made last week of the floorboards in the mill. For my MA work I became particularly interested in the hidden dirt found among floorboards and here at the mill the gaps between the floorboards are full of wood splinters and wool fibres, testament to the long history of the building.

The sampling has continued today and I am please with the final piece made from hooked woollen blanket and black crepe paper treated with heat applied plastic sheet, acrylic paint, wax and silver embroidery thread. I am going to work up a final piece tonight using an old grey army blanket as the base rather than the cream one which I think may look less stark and more worn.

I have now organised two days for drop-in workshops in the Bainside residency studio. They are Sunday 22 & Tuesday 24 May 11am-12.30pm & 2pm-4pm. Come along and learn simple rag rug making techniques, just £2.  No need to book.

Karen Griffiths