we've been busy!

very, very busy!!

One of the test prints we printed over the weekend. This design is from the tribal range – doesn't have a name yet....

Busy is an understatement. In between listening to the bushfire alerts on the local radio, checking the CFA incident website, and actually evacuating twice over the weekend, we managed to squeeze in a spot of screenprinting. About time too – the Stitches and Craft Show is just over three weeks away!

I'm still in design mode – and like a real designer I'm leaving things to the last minute. The designs are still not fully formed, but I have a good feel for the direction I want to go in. 

This one may look familiar to some of you, I showed you an early sketch in this blog post. And I haven't come up with a name – the names are the hardest part!

This inspiration for this range is Out of Africa mets big game hunter on safari. The range is quite strong and graphic, the designs have a primitive, earthy feel. They will be printed in rich brown and black on sand and brown linen. Yep, 100% linen. 

Both designs need some refinement, they feel a bit too big and not quite in proportion at the moment. We are madly tweaking behind the scenes in Illustrator. The original designs were done by hand, but this won't cut it when it comes to doing the screens.

All we've got to do now is refine the designs, order the yummy linen fabric, get the screens exposed, do the printing, sort out the packaging and then we'll be all ready to SELL OUT at the Show. (Finger's crossed!)

So what do you reckon? You like? What about 100% linen – yummy right? And, what about those names?

Give me some feedback, suggest a name, promise to buy them – leave me a comment with all or any of these and go into the draw to win one of each design in the colour of your choice!

PS – lots more pictures of the before, during and after of the screenprinting adventures of the flickr site.

PPS – just in case you are wondering – "we" means mr greenolive and I. We've decided the move into textile design means that he can be more hands-on with greenolive. It's much easier to get him to screenprint that it is to knit, sew or crochet. His official title is production manager. Mine is crazy uptight designer.

Comments

[Michelle]

wow - your work is amazing... am going to enjoy exploring your 'world' and getting to know you!
M x

[Tinniegirl]

I love that gorgeous print. Can't wait to see your stuff at the show.

[Anna]

They look great!

What about thinking about the English word that describes the design [to you], then looking up that word in Swahili? I think with anything ethnic the best marketing strategy is to go with something authentic both to the designer and the original inspiration.

[lusummers]

haha! please not weave or totem, martine! :)
what about african place names? kenya and the like? or safari? i'll keep thinking...

[greenolive]

Trust me its coming! I'll save some for you.

[justine]

im waiting for the typography fabric!!!

[kirsten]

totem
taboo

[starting with "t" and keeping with the "tribal" theme and concept]

really like the linear/checkerboard one. great job.

[Di]

I think that they are great! Names - not something I am very good at I like the ones above - they have that sort of natural/tribal feel to them. Good luck!

[joyflea]

#1 "Bundles" (Spots & Lines)
#2 "Weave" (Brick pattern)

They're looking good. If I get to TS&CS I will make sure I say hello.