Upcoming Shows of 2018

Back in November last year when I launched Edie Rosie Ashley, I stood at the Christmas Fair held by Ribbons Tea Room in Kirkby which was such an exciting experience. I think my business was only a week old at this point and I was so nervous to receive public feedback on the work I had spent months creating. I'm naturally a very introverted person, so the thought of meeting and talking to lots of new people was very daunting. Having spent months at home recovering from my anxiety and depression, this was one of my first attempts back in to the public domain.

​However, the positive response I received from this day was overwhelming, and I knew I needed to dedicate some of 2018 to showcasing my work to more people. Art is such a visual concept, but there is a huge difference between seeing something on a screen to seeing it in real life. You can connect with the art on a more personal and emotional level than when you see something online.  As much as social media has helped massively to launch my business, and I sell all my work through my website, or instagram, it can be quite difficult as a customer or client to really visualise how that particular piece is going to look in your home. 

So, with that in mind, I searched the internet for shows that I really wanted to be involved in. I applied to 4 different festivals, not really expecting to hear back as I am such a new business, and I got responses from 3 out of the 4 I applied for! I was so incredibly pleased, and it gave me the boost of confidence I had been looking for! I know I have shared these events on my instagram page, (due to too much excitement) but I wanted to take the opportunity to give you a little more detail on all three of the shows in one space.

The first show I applied for was Patching's Festival of Art, Craft and Design at Patching's Art Centre. I am truly thrilled to exhibit here as it has been a place I have loved since I was little. They often do summer schools here and I have done watercolour painting classes, pottery classes, and silk screen painting classes. As a creative child who loved to draw on the walls and generally make a big colourful mess, this was such a privilege to participate in, so to be able to stand here is a surreal dream. The festival is 4 days long, running from Thursday 12th July - Sunday 15th July 2018. They have so many talented people exhibiting here, as well as live classes, and guest artists, so it's well worth a visit. For more information just click here.  I hope to see you there!

The second show I applied for was Nottingham Riverside Festival. My sister and I went here a couple of years ago to see all the stalls, eat the amazing food, and get henna tattoos of course! We had such a lovely time, and seeing as it's held over the first weekend in August it's always beautifully sunny! It was actually thinking over the application for this festival that sparked my idea to do body paint. I loved getting the henna done. It was so amazing watching the intricate patterns come to life on your body. The work is so quick, but so beautiful and I wanted to be able to create something similar, but with an Edie Rose Ashley twist. So I had a little practice on myself and I loved it!! Therefore, during this free three day festival of amazing-ness, I will be showcasing my artwork and stationery, but I will also be doing live body paint of my roses! The festival is held on Friday 3rd August - Sunday 5th August 2018 (and is open until 11pm on the Saturday night!!!!). Click here for more information and to come and see me and get painted up! 

The final show that I've booked for this year is Kirstie Allsopp's The Handmade Fair at Hampton Court Palace in September!! I am so excited to exhibit my work here for so many reasons. Firstly, it means I'm actually able to travel outside of the Nottinghamshire area and get to showcase my work to people who wouldn't normally be able to come and see me. Secondly, what an amazing line up of makers and businesses who will be exhibiting and demonstrating here! Thirdly, this has been a fair I have always wanted to visit, and now not only am I going to be there, but I get to stand alongside all the other fabulous makers and creators. The fair is held from Friday 14th September - Sunday 16th September 2018. I really do hope you can make it! Also, as an exhibitor to The Handmade Fair, I get a select number of tickets, so I will be doing a giveaway closer to the time so you may be in with a chance of attending for free! (More details later this year). If you would like more information on the fair itself, please click here.

​So that's whats keeping me busy at the moment! I am genuinely so excited, (and a little terrified at the amount of painting and making I need to get cracking on with) but mostly I am just so proud of how far I've come in such a short space of time. It's nearly April, the month I was signed off sick last year with anxiety and depression. The month that started this whole journey of recovery to where I am now. What a difference a year makes eh? 

This one is for my progress.

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