Create a hoop of blossom, using mixed media textile techniques to create a background, then embellish with some basic embroidery stitches.
As blossom season is in full swing, why not celebrated these beautiful blooms.  Spend a day at Debs Studio in the Stables in The Gibside*. After a walk through the beautiful grounds of the Gibside you will hopefully feel inspired to be creative**. The workshop will cover some of the methods Deb uses to create a background for stitch. Then will explore stitching to enhance your “Blossom Hoop”.
All materials will be provided, and the workshop is suitable for all abilities. Numbers are very limited- so this is ideal if you feel you need more assistance with any of the skills involved. Because of the limited places (groups of 3-4 only) the workshop will be repeated over several dates. Dates currently available for booking Thursday 5th May and Saturday 7th May.  Please contact me directly if you want to book a special group session. Booking is essential via Eventbrite search “debcoopertextileart” or “Blossom Celebration with Fabric and Stitch”.                             
​                               Tea and Coffee will be provided.

• * Debs studio is upstairs and there is at resent no lift / disabled access facilities.
• **Please note that the Stables is around a 30 min walk from the Gibside Reception and there is no vehicle access beyond the reception car park. We encourage you to enjoy this time being inspired by the surroundings before arriving at the workshop.

Exciting News…..
I am delighted to be able to let everyone know that I am now into my new studio at Gibside (National Trust).  I am upstairs in The Stables, Studio 4- The Old Hayloft. My Studio will be open to visitors every Tuesday and I will be there lots of other days too. If you are a planning a visit on a day other than Tuesday feel free to drop me an email, text or phone call if you want to check if I will be working in the studio that day this is dependent on other work commitments like fairs, workshops, talks etc.).  It’s a fabulously inspiring location and there are plans a foot to develop this area into a thriving creative hub.
I will be running workshops at the Gibside shortly, but in the meantime, I do still have places available for all the workshops at Whalton Manor.
 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/deb-cooper-textile-art-28982085347
As well as set up my new Studio space I have been busy making for my first fair of the year. I will be a The Biscuit Factory (Newcastle NE2 1AN) this weekend 9th & 10th April. There will be a fantastic line-up of 60 makers, artists and small businesses form the northeast.
Link?
I will also be returning to Etal Village Hall for a Tin Shed art fair on Easter Sunday and will be back there for the whole May bank holiday weekend.   
Link?
Hopefully we will be enjoying some Spring sunshine soon, I know I always feel better when the nights get lighter, and the daffs start to pop up. And for those who celebrate Easter what’s not to love about chocolate eggs and hot cross buns.
Sending you cheerful “Springy” wishes, Deb x 

How’s 2022 treating you so far? My lateness at sending new year greeting is maybe an indication of how busy my January has been – it was in fact a little unexpected as traditionally January tends to be a bit of a flat month.
I can’t share some of my new projects just yet, but all I can say is that this year is shaping up to being an exciting one. So, watch this space!
One thing I can share is that I will be returning to Whalton Manor this year to run some workshops there is a mixture of creative days and all can now be booked at
​ https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/deb-cooper-textile-art-28982085347

The first workshop here this year is  Wednesday 9th March 2022 -a creative day colouring and folding papers to make at least "3 little books". Suitable for everyone and materials will be provided.

If you are interested in the way I use Rust and Tea in my work, then you might like to take a look at the workshop I am doing with Designer Marker Markets and The Garden Rooms at Tennants in Leburn (link below!)
https://www.facebook.com/events/1069093383881319/?ref=newsfeed
 
The image at the top of the post is a detail of a piece have been working on since the new year. It combines some of my favourite things rust and tea dyeing, old textiles, and fabric manipulation with a fair amount of hand stitching.
I hope that your new year has started well and that like me forward to the lighter days and the spring blubs appearing.
Most of all I hope you are enjoying being creative in what ever way brings you joy.
Best wishes Deb x 

Well, there is an Autumn feel in the air around here and I am afraid the heating is being switched on much more regularly. That being said it’s great that we can now get out and about a bit more and I do love it when the leaves change colour. 
I will be running another workshop at the beautiful Whalton Manor at the beginning of November. I am sure it will have changed a lot since my last visit in the summer when we were “pounding flowers”.  This time we will be using some fabric manipulation and basic embroidery stitches to decorate little boxes (is it too early to mention the “C” word?). Full details and bookings can be made via eventbright.co.uk  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/manipulated-knotted-tickets-179233902427 

If you live in or near Newcastle, you might be interested in a Open Day for Newcastle Embroidery &Textile Art (newly formed group previously Newcastle Embroiderers Guild). Saturday 16th October 1pm – 4pm at St. Bartholomew’s Church, Church Hall. 3 Station Road, Benton, NE12 9NQ https://www.newcastleembroideryandtextileart.com/

Other places you can see me in the next couple of months....
October
17th                         Bamburgh Autumn Arts Fair
https://www.thetinshed.co.uk/bamburgh-autumn-arts-fair-october-17
 
24th                         Winter Arts Fair Whalton Village
                https://www.thetinshed.co.uk/whalton-village-arts-fair-oct24
 
29th & 30th           Designer Markers Market – Tennants , Leyburn
                https://www.facebook.com/designermakersmarkets/   
 
November
2nd                          Whalton Manor – Manipulated and Knotted Workshop
                https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/manipulated-knotted-tickets-179233902427
 
13th -until 8th Jan 2022  Exhibition with Fusion Textile Artists at Gateshead Central Library.
                http://fusiontextileartists.com/
 
14th                        Made Up North Winter Market
                https://www.facebook.com/events/boiler-shop/madeupnorth-winter-market/370284198030298/
 
20th & 21ST           Craft in the Pen – Skipton
                https://www.craftsinthepen.org.uk/
 
26th -28th               Brancepeth Castle – Christmas Craft Fair
                https://www.brancepethcastle.org.uk/craft-fairs.html
 
                And as it is getting closer to Christmas …..(arhhhh! – there I said it),  if you can’t make it to on of the above events and would like to buy a special hand-crafted gift or yourself or a loved one I do have a selection of things available on my Etsy Shop or contact me directly if you have a special requests.

                Best wishes and here’s to those cosy autumn evenings – Deb x
 

​Well – that was a year (plus a bit) wasn’t it!  Hopefully, we are turning a corner now.  Sorry, it has been over a year since I last sent any news- it just didn’t feel right with so much uncertainty and everyone dealing with things in their own way.  I am starting to feel more confident about planning ahead, plus, its sunnier – always helps.  I should have updates about some workshops going ahead, in the next month or so… watch this space!
​
One thing I can confirm is that I will be running a couple of Workshops at Whalton Manor Gardens near Morpeth – the day will involve creating a little mixed media book inspired by the gardens and architecture. (see below...
  or https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/152872556933 and  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/152877573939 )

One of the projects that I did complete during the covid restrictions was my 36…. 6x6.  I start a self-imposed challenge toward the end of 2020 of to work on 36- 6x6 inch pieces of mixed media textile pieces. I had hoped that I might be able to exhibit them as a group. As time went on, I felt less confident of the exhibition going ahead as we moved into another lock down. I decided to put the works together in a little book! -well I am always keen to learn new skills.  It took me a little longer than I thought but it is here … my first publication, who would have thought. If you are interested in buying a copy, have listed the books in my Esty Shop or you can direct contact me if you prefer (£15 inc. UK p&p)
I will also be selling the original works as part of the “#artistsupportpledge” have a look at the 36 – 6x6 and would like to reserve one just give me a shout and I will hold it for you.
Fingers crossed it won’t be long before I can see some of you in person. I really hope this year hasn’t been too tough for you and we can move forward to some sort of normality …. Ok off to the pub (garden!) cos we can now!
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or queries,
Take care - Deb x
 
Create a little Mixed Media Sketch Book inspired by Whalton Manor Gardens
with Mixed Media Textile Artist Deb Cooper
 
Deb will be running two workshops at Whalton Manor this Summer.
Wednesday June 30th                 10:30- 3:30
Wednesday August 4th               10:30- 3:30
​
Both days will draw inspiration from the Gardens and Architecture at Whalton Manor.  Create a visual diary of the day, exploring mark making and finding your creative voice. Each day will be slightly different so can be attended as standalone or follow-on workshops. Suitable for everyone.
Booking is required ….. limited numbers.
£35 per person including all materials.
Tea and coffee will be available. You will need to bring your own pack lunch.
Bookings can be made via Eventsbrite.co.uk – look for Deb Cooper Textile Art
 
via website www.debcoopertextileart.com
Contact Deb directly if you have any further questions or would like to pay by BACs, PayPal or Cheque.
Email - deborah@debcoopertextileart.com             or   mob. 07727939511
 
Whalton Manor is located 5 miles from Morpeth, 17 Miles from Newcastle upon Tyne.     Whalton, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 3UT          www.whaltonmanor.co.uk

Tuesday 25th February 2020, 10am – 3pm
Creative Textiles Workshop with Deb Cooper
at Rectory Hall, Whickham
Booking is required the day workshop cost £28 (booking fee applied on Eventsbrite.co.uk)
 Rust & Tea
Experimental textile workshop - using rust and tea to dye fabrics and paper.  Looking at creating interesting backgrounds & mark making methods using Rust, Tea, and Walnut Oil.  You will end up with some samples for stitching and ideas to take away.
 

 
Bookings can be made via Eventsbrite.co.uk – look for Deb Cooper Textile Art
or via website - www.debcoopertextileart
Or contact Deb directly if you have any further questions or would like to pay by BACs or Cheque.
Email deborah@debcoopertextileart.com                                                   mobile 07727939511
 

First of all, thank you to everyone who bought a piece of my work last year, everyone who admired or  showed interest in my work. And anyone who took part in one of my workshops - it really means a lot.  
I would like to wish everyone Happy New Year - I am hoping its a creative one filled with stitch and happiness. 
​
 My first batch of workshop dates for 2020.

I will be running these workshops from Rectory Hall in Whickham. Tea and coffee will be provided. You will need to bring a packed lunch (there are also plenty of shops and restaurants locally). There will be a £5 materials cost payable on the day. You might like to bring along your own sewing kit and any specific materials you would like to use. 

There are 5 day workshops, on the fourth Tuesday of the month, January to May. 10am till 3pm

28th January          Manipulated & Knotted
25th February         Rust & Tea
24th March             Print & Stitch 
28th April               Twisted & Hidden 
26th May                Lines & Edges 

Mixed Media Textile Ideas - I will also be running a  6 week short course of creative textile ideas that will build into a mixed media textile book that you can use to explore lots of ideas.  Every Friday, 10am - 12noon , 28th Feb till 3rd April (inc)

Bookings can be made via Eventsbrite link below. (book now button)
Or contact me directly if you have any further questions, deborah@debcoopertextileart.com

Its that middle bit - between Christmas and New Year when you catch your breath and swear you could live on salad for the rest of the year!  Hope you all had a good Christmas.
2019 was a great year. Workshops, lots of new fairs, my first time in a London Gallery, and some lovely requests for commissions.  
So to the New Year, it is traditionally a time of review and planning for the future. I am feeling very excited about 2020. Maybe this feels particularly important at the start of a new decade.  My first job of the year will be to release some new workshop dates - so if you subscribe to my newsletter look out for a email arriving soon. 
 I am so grateful to everyone who has taken an interest in my work, thank you, it really does mean a lot. I have met some lovely people this year. 
So I would like to say a Happy New Year to you all, here's to a fabulous 2020.

Well the nights are drawing in, the trees are glowing in their autumn glory and before we know it it will be Christmas.  I will be at the Shipley Art Gallery again this Wednesday. This workshop has sold out (which is great news), however if you are quick there are still some places on the "Twisted and Hidden- Creative Paper craft day" work shop on Wednesday 20th, https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/twmuseums/t-zdpopn , just £10 !!!! I hope to be able to give you an update on some more of my workshops at the beginning of November.  For anyone who is in the area Newcastle upon Tyne Embroiderers Guild have an open day on Saturday, see their website for details   https://newcastleupontyneembroiderersguild.wordpress.com/  .  Okay on to the "c" word - not long till Christmas (there i said it !!!) I have quite a few fairs booked for November, again I will keep you update. For anyone wanting to get in early I will be at the Rival arts fair at Reghed in Penrith 26th & 27th October, and blatant plug I will be restocking my Etsy shop over the next week. I would encourage people to buy local and from small/independent businesses this Christmas, there are some wonderful talented makers out there!!!

St Gabriel's Art and Craft Festival in Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne runs from Friday 27th till Sunday 29th September. I have displayed my work here since it first began and there is always a lovely atmosphere. Local Artists, Demonstrations, Local Musicians and Refreshments. I will be selling all sorts of lovely stitched and eco dyed things. Fingers crossed for an improvement in the weather, but I am sure there will be a warm welcome either way.