Shed friendly artist Elena Thomas asks
I am an artist currently working on a shed project which involves me covering sheds with fabric. I have done a few garden sheds, but would now dearly love to extend this to perhaps a few sheds on an allotment plot. I’m also looking for a small crumbly old shed that could be dismantled, decorated and reassembled within a gallery space. I can supply a photo, or more details if anyone is interested in turning their lovely shed into a piece of art. then let me know..
Some examples of what Elena does, you can leave your interests in the comment box below
of course we have seen crafts and sheds come together before with the wonderful knitted shed. but Elena wossnam is great, but no idea what would happen when it rains!.
That is creative art the way the fabric is covered, very unique.
I'd just like to say thanks to everyone who has responded to my plea! I have started acting on them, and have done my first lot of measuring today (Thanks to Jude and Alastair)
I will be in touch with those who have followed up with emails and photos, and will keep Uncle Wilco posted on progress so you can all follow the project.
The kindness of strangers has restored my faith in human nature!
Thanks!
Elena
Hi Elena,
I think your work looks fantastic! What an original idea!
If you can you could start collecting fabric to help… cotton, or linen, given a good hot wash to pre-shrink, anything people have got lying around in the loft etc… old curtains, tablecloths, clothes, bed linen. I've got a fairly good stash of stuff, but this will start to dwindle fairly rapidly once I get going.
Fantastic! I quite like the "Stitch and Bitch" input… I've just set up a new quilters group too and it's great fun. I'll keep in touch and let you know what's going to happen. I might use your group as a test for kit/instructions before sending to the American folks, that way I can troubleshoot from a few junctions up the M5!
My brain hurts!
Hi Elena
I'm part of a new Community Smallholding in Bristol, with two sheds and a chicken barn to tart up! This could be just the thing, and would certainly brighten up our 'brown corner' of plain sheds 🙂
You're welcome to come up, or we could join in the 'proxy artists' experiment & document it for you?!
If you're up for it, send instructions & a materials list & we'll see if we can't get organised – there's a local Stitch & Bitch group I set up a while ago who might be up for this too. Great idea!
I'll email you pics but you can also see some of them on the FB page here:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bristol/BS3-Communi…
Emma x
Thank you!
Hi Elena. I don't have a shed, but I just wanted to wish you good luck with the project. It's a lovely idea!
T
I've got 2 sheds and friends on the ajoining plots who I'm sure would be up for it. Will email pics of said sheds tomorrow.
Wilco, you'll have to let me know how you want me to record and report this process!
All of you lovely folks can send your shed photos to [email protected]
I look forward to seeing them all!
where do I send pics to? there doesn't seem to be a facility to post a pic on this?
C
OOh yes, please send photos – maybe I could have a London weekend and do one in Leyton, one in Croydon…. I'm sure I could do something with a plain old shed, but i'm not sure I make these buildings look more, or LESS shed like!
Now that's not TOO far away! Are the other allotment holders willing, or do all the sheds belong to you? Please send photos! I need to start making plans I think! if only I didn't have to go to work as well!
Hi Elena
I have a shed on Leyton Allotments, East London, made from reclaimed stuff from a building site, but it is smooth, and a complete blank canvas for any artist to work on, accessible on all four sides. At the moment it looks very plain indeed, and I would love it to look more like a shed! Can you do anything with it? I can send a photo – it is lovely inside, wallpapered with a sofa and cooker, but just looks like a modern block from the outside – help!
Great idea. Got a plethora of sheds on my allotments. Newcastle under Lyme, Staffs.
Could really do with a bit of zane!
Oh, I'll need photos of course before sending instructions!
Hi Katey, I'm seriously thinking that the "artist-by-proxy" thing might be a goer. Shoshana and Chris too. Let me know if you're interested in participating in this way, start collecting fabric and I'll email instructions!
Very interested, too bad you're across the pond! I am (also) in Massachusetts, but the eastern part. My shed is a rusty prefab metal thing with sliding doors and no windows. Not quite as charming as the ones in the UK, but, all the more help it needs from some fabric.
Hi again
Well, if you're worried about size, we also have a triangular shed at the house we've just moved out of but haven't sold yet – it fits in a corner, only showing the one face to the world, and is half the size of a normal shed. You're welcome to that completely. If you email me your address to
twolegsgood[at]theblogwithtwolegs.co.uk
I'll send you pics and sizes. Don't worry, I'm assuming nothing, just trying to offer some possibilities.
Cheers!
T
Great idea! i'm very excited about all this… thanks for your help!
Elena Some great responses… maybe we can do a shedblog special on the sheds you managed to work with….
Guys I'm overwhelmed! This requires some thought… will get back to you all!
Croydon might be possible – America is something else! I'd love you to send me photos though, this process is becoming a bit of a work in itself!
The Croydon shed might be a bit big by the sound of it for the August show, as it's a group exhibition, but I can see this getting bigger, so I'll make some enquiries.
Hi Elena – and nice work!
We have one-and-a-half sheds here (OK, the "half-shed" was originally a wooden Wendy House), live in Addiscombe (near Croydon), and would love to invite you here to continue your project – but I'd keep it as a surprise for my wife, who's also an artist! I'm happy to help with work, and I'm happy to send photos, measurements, etc in advance, and provide abundant tea and chocolate hob-nobs.
Cheers,
T
PS: We're also willing to let you dismantle it and use it in your gallery show.
I am in western Massachusetts, U.S. Our shed is also a chicken coop, and we would LOVE to have it covered by you! You could even stay here while working . . .
very best,
Hi Elena – and nice work!
We have one-and-a-half sheds here (OK, the "half-shed" was originally a wooden Wendy House), live in Addiscombe (near Croydon), and would love to invite you here to continue your project – but I'd keep it as a surprise for my wife, who's also an artist! I'm happy to help with work, and I'm happy to send photos, measurements, etc in advance, and provide abundant tea and chocolate hob-nobs.
Cheers,
T
Kate "Four Sheds" Jackson.
Oh fantastic! International sheddery! I suppose I could give you instructions and you could be my artist by proxy! You could document it with photos and/or video and I could show that at the exhibition in August too!
I love the internet! I've been asking everyone I meet for the last 6 months about their sheds, and I've had more interest in the last 48hrs just because of this blog – thanks Uncle Wilco and co!
I would love to participate, but I live in Orlando FL. Can you give me some ideas on how to make this happen?
Where abouts in Hampshire? – not necessarily too far away, but would have to be very organised so I could do the whole process in one day… and probably over half term. Could you email me some photos perhaps?
Hi Elena
I am the proud owner of 4 sheds and still collecting, my newest is on my allotment. Yes I want my shed covered in fabric but I am in Hampshire so may be too far away for you.
Kate.
Hi sheddies… My own garden shed – top photo – was done in November and it's gone through rain, snow, hail, frost, and sunshine! Apart from a few early casualties with man-made fabric, it has remained intact. The combination of pre-washed cotton, pva and water seems to do the trick, and I can also brush wax over the edges for people who have dogs who like to do what dogs do!