An extra cheeky Nandos...

It's not what you know, it's who you know. And I happen to know Emily Webb. The girl who writes the University of Derby blog. Very well infact. So well, that I'm living with her next year. So well, that she makes me paella (her fav that she's not always the best at sharing!). And so well that when she got invited to the grand re-opening of Nandos in intu (in Derby obvs...), she asked me to tag along!

It was the grand re-opening event, for loyal customers and invited guests only. And we we're invited (well, Em was- I was a plus one!).  And this Nandos was extra cheeky- it was a freebee!!

I have to say, I'm a massive fan of Nandos, but I'm even more of a fan of their new interior! The store's a lot brighter now! And the colour pallettes used are fab!

I even learnt something new. Nandos actually support a lot of small designers- which as a textile designer I was dead chuffed with! For example the hand blown glass lamp shades were made by a Czech designer! And the cupcake style shades, a South African community group! They're ace! And whats even better, is that they are each individually hand crafted by independent designers!

So yeah, all in all, an inspirational night! Of which I went home from and curled up in bed due to my food baby!

Bethan Rose x

PS- Sorry about the crappy quality of photos... I managed to break by phone with the good camera!

Back to bussiness...

What am I doing right now? Right now I'm sat in bed, far to tipsy considering I've only had a jug from Spoons, feeling far to full from my mixed grill, having had one of my most stressful days as a 'knit designer' so far... Having been in uni from half 9 this morning, the sample below was one of the only things I managed to produce today... at half 4. Which is kind of frustrating. Well- very frustrating. Which is why the cocktail pitcher was necessary...

But anyway, keeping to my new years resolution of writing a new blog each week (I'm trying my best here!), here I am...

My stressful day makes me realise what's important. Last week I went back to work, having had nearly 2 weeks off because it was the beginning of semester 2. I love my job- I really do- but working away can be a little stressful. Especially when I'm not at home having Mom at home reminding me to take toothpaste (I forget it too often...). But a little stress at work, like getting stressed today always make me think what really matters.

Throw back to Edinburgh in the summer (I took no photos on my travels last week...)

Don't get me wrong, I love a nice handbag or designer watch, but I'm not a materialistic person. Moneys not everything. I want to do well at uni, of course I do, but an average grad in my contextual module? I'm not gonna get to caught u about it... (writing was never my forte) Maybe I've got a different perspective on stuff to everyone else, but I'm a big believer in Living Life Whilst You Can. Having good friends and family. And doing what makes you happy! (Looking at old photos always cheers me up!)

So although knitting may have not gone my way, I'm gonna have that cocktail pitcher and a giggle with my mates. Because on a Tuesday that's felt like a Monday, that's what makes me happy!

Bethan Rose x

Knit knit knit...

I chose knit. To specialize in. Last Monday. With a small portfolio of print work on the side to compliment. A whole 7 days have passed and I'm not still A) over the shock that I (who previously hated knit with a passion) have chosen it to specialize in for the next year and a half, and B) sure it was the right decision... 

Well, I am. I enjoy knit. I've got loads of ideas how I can incorporate my designs into knit designs. I've been researching designers and careers and have even began to look at buying my own machine. The only reason I'm not sure it was the right choice was because, well, the only reason I'm currently sat writing the world's shortest blog, is to get away from the Dubied machine I've been struggling to use all afternoon.

I've been told it takes practice, perseverance and patience... all of which is beginning to run out at quarter to 6 on a Monday! Oh well, tomorrows another day! (Hopefully it might weork for me!)

Bethan Rose x

What a week...

So we're on the 15th of Jan, and here I am keeping a new years resolution, writing another blog post...
MIGHT AS WELL THROW A PARTY, 2 POSTS WITHIN 2 WEEKS- AREN'T YOU LUCKY?! 🎉🎉 Anyway, thought I'd tell yall about me week...

MONDAY
No one's keen on Mondays. I don't mind them. I do mind early mornings. And long days. This Monday was one of them... I started my day at home in Tamworth, then popped to work in Manchester (I work in recruitment when I'm not at uni, so travel about quite a bit). Oh and after that, I ran for a train or 2, and ended up in Glasgow... Busy busy busy!
Bit of an ordinary day really at work really, UNTIL I HAD ROOM SERVICE FOR THE FIRST TIME! WEYYYY

TUESDAY
Should just add, that although Glasgow's one of my fav cities, I was there for work purposes, and don't get time to roam around exploring BOO! Had a good day though, met some lovely people through work. And I did get to fly home, on one of those small planes, through turbulance and a storm #notokay

WEDNESDAY
Wednesday I drove back over to uni, to take my work down from last week, found out it had already been taking down, and was being used for moderation, and I couldn't take it home. Didn't waste my time though, did a bit of photoshop and sketchbook work.

Oh and the entire hand brake system in my car packed in.. YAY

THURSDAY ✏
All I did on Thursday was sketchbook work, been as I didn't have a car to go out like... But luckily my dad's a mechanic, so by tea time it was fixed! And by 9 I was back in good old Debados, lying in bed binge watching shitty TV... BACK TO UNI LIFE

FRIDAY
At several points this week I thought my day couldn't get any worse... (when my hand brake broke, being stuck in traffic thinking I was gonna miss my flight, when my brand new sat nav wouldn't turn on (the battery was dead lol)). But Friday tops it all. I was convinced I was going to specialise in Print. But my lectures reckon I'd be good in Knit. I was given the weekend to decide. It's now Sunday. I still don't know...

Anyway, to help me decide, I went on a night out in Notts- obviously...

SATURDAY
Naturally, Saturday was spent less hungover than originally anticipated, yet still watching all the TV I'm behind on.
Oh, and re-watching Sherlock...

SUNDAY
And today, well we had a little family outing to Matlock. Not been before, but it's so cute! My fav part was my chip butty, where Claudia cried over the thought of going the zoo because she was so excited. I'm so glad I've got such a good bunch of friends at uni #blessed
SO there you go... my week. Back at uni, having no idea what I'm specialising in, and being eternally grateful that I don't have lectures on a Monday morning anymore!

Bethan Rose x

Sh*t just got real!

Yesterday, at 10 am, I handed in a portfolio of the last semesters work. 3 months work of knitting, weaving, printing, drawing and designing. 8 domestic knitting samples, 4 Shima samples, 7 digital prints, 5 hand loom weaves, 7 Jaquard weaves and 8 (ish- I can't remember!) sketchbooks. All for one semesters work.


Here's an example of my fav bits!

But this morning it hit me- I'M HALF WAY THROUGH MY DEGREE!!! I am currently, only 6 days away from confirming my specialism choice... I mean, shit just got real!!

So to go along with the cheesey cliché, "new year new me",as well as knuckling down at uni, I'm going to try an post on here more often! (I'm not making any promises, but I'm gonna try!)

Bethan Rose x

LONDON BOUND

So as part of my course at uni (of which I've been very busy with, hence the lack of posts- SORRY!!), we're expected to market research- which basically means having a nosey around the shops and flicking through the glossy mages every now and again! Nah, its more serious than that, though last week I did get to do the nosey round the shops bit.

And what shops they were...

Our lecturers organised a trip to London, to complete our market research and also have a gander around 'The Vulgar' exhibition at The Barbican. The exhibition was great, it was full of interesting fashion designs which many might consider unconventional or inappropriate (I can imagine my Nan would have a lot to say about certain pieces within the collection (the dress with pencils on it or "oh my gosh, that's barely a top")). I can't say I full understood the idea that the collection was 'vulgar' but nether the less there were some gorgeous work by some influential designers! With it being an exhibition, we weren't allowed to take any photos, so here's a picture of the stunning installation in the entrance to The Barbican!

As for the market research, we headed to Regent's Street! After a cheeky Nandos we headed off for a nosey around!

The first shop we visited was one recommended to us by our lecturer- ZARA Home. I visit Zara all the time (there's a fab one in Derby), but had never seen their home wear department. The smell as you walked in was gorge, and the beautiful Christmas displays, along with the Crimbo lights outside got us in a properly festive mood! The items on offer were beautifully organised, with neutral sections contrasting with bright pops if colour! I have to say, they had the most beautiful woven throw collection I've ever seen! And I had never thought they would be such a demand for hair rugs- checked, dyed, metallic foiled- you name it they'd got it! But my favourite part was the collection of slippers! I mean who wouldn't want a pair of silver metallic loafer-style slippers?

When I was younger I remember watching Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium (it was my fav...) and thinking 'why isn't there a toy shop like that by my house?' Now I'm older, its less about a toy shop, but the second shop we visited is basically the real life interior version. Well, that's how I felt anyway.

ANTHROPLOGY. Can't say I'd ever heard of it before, but what I can say now, is that I'll be visiting again as soon as I can! The Christmas themed window display drew us in, but inside the Christmas decoration was very dignified. I suppose it was the standard and quality of the shop, but there was no tacky tinsel or 'glittery tat' as my Dad would say... In fact their Christmassy displays were totally different to products (not too overbearing!). The organisation of the products within the shop was great! The shop itself is a bit of a trades, with the clothing being at the front, and the interior products split over the many other floors in the store. To be honest, I felt like I was in a bit of an art gallery, and that was just the interior décor of the shop itself! And I have to say... this shop smelt fab as well!

After popping into some of the other shops such as H&M and a random pub for a wee, we visited LIBERTY London.

I don't know what I was expecting from this one, but I can definitely say it wasn't what I saw! I was completely overwhelmed by the interior of the store! What a stunning shop?!

My favourite part of the shop, as a design student, was of course the haberdashery! Liberty stock a beautiful array of fabrics, in the beautiful array of prints! I was in owe, it was literally heaven!

Finally, we took a trip to Selfridges. I've been to the one in Birmingham multiple times, but there's nothing like an original! As this was the last shop we visited, we were all a little tired, and to be honest the only thing I really photographed was the Christmassy stuff!

So overall, a fab day of Market Researching!

Bethan Rose x

(PS- as you can tell, I'm not very good at regularly updating my blog... oops! But I do update my Instagram all the time- bethanperrytextiles  )