Author Archives: ptolemybosch

What Would Dolly Do? by Anne Hellyer Is there anybody that doesn’t love Dolly Parton? On deciding that I wanted to make a piece of art about her, I sent my husband on a charity shop hunt for one of her albums. I was really pleased when he found Both Sides of Dolly Parton asContinue reading “No. 6 Dolly Parton”

Oh Bondage, Up Yours by Sarah Davis A subversive echo from 1977 that still resonates today.  Punk heroine and fashion boundary-breaker, Poly Styrene took her band X-Ray Spex screaming into the charts with this feminist and anti-materialistic clarion call.  Banned by the BBC – once heard, never forgotten. Proceeds of sale to go to Bipolar UK

We Take Luncheon Vouchers by Alison Young The inspiration for my piece is Cynthia Payne.  As a young teen I was tasked with summarising an article from a newspaper for homework.  I did not understand the word ‘brothel’ and asked my mother what it meant; her response was ‘to find another item to write about’!   Continue reading “No. 4 Cynthia Payne”

Hear it Gods – by Sarah Maddison Boudica grew up in a dramatically changing world and embraced it.  As Queen of the Iceni tribe, she took on the Roman invaders who killed her husband King Prasutagus, raped her daughters and flogged her publicly. Her revenge was sweet, and she destroyed their cities at Colchester, LondonContinue reading “No. 3 – Boudica”

Love, Lust, Chaos by Mandy Dunning Frida Kahlo’s life was full of highs and lows. She was in a bus crash that left her with lifelong pain and injuries fuelling her vibrant and interesting pieces of artwork. Her passionate marriage to Diego Rivera led to a chaotic existence resulting in many affairs and political liaisons.Continue reading “No 2 Frida Kahlo”

Over the next few weeks we’ll introduce you to the extraordinary women who have inspired our work. Sign up to the website to get the blog directly to your inbox. Pink Rhodes by Janice Ballard Zandra Rhodes has been a printer and designer for over 50 years. She introduced printed chiffons, beaded edges, pleats, feathers,Continue reading “Meet the “Passionate Women” No 1. Zandra Rhodes”

”Passionate Women”, the latest exhibition from the Alchemist’s Needle opened today at the historical and beautiful Whitchurch Silk Mill. Visitors were impressed by the variety of work on display and commented on the high quality of the pieces. The Jane Austen group project proved particularly popular with several works already sold. The exhibition continues untilContinue reading “Exhibition Opens!!”

At the recent Weftival festival of crafts, visitors to the Whitchurch Silk Mill were treated to a preview of our forthcoming exhibition which begins in September. The mill is currently undertaking a creative collaboration with Jane Austen’s House – weaving ribbons inspired by the colours and collections displayed there. https://whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/JAH-images-with-ribbons-designs-030624.pdf To complement this work, weContinue reading “Sneaky Peak”

Come and meet us! The Whitchurch Silk Mill is hosting a weekend of crafts showcasing textile makers and weavers who will all be available to talk about their practices and the reason they love their particular craft. Items will also be available to purchase. 5th – 6th July 2024.https://whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk/event/weftival/

Excitement is building for our forthcoming exhibition at Whitchurch Silk Mill in September 2024. Entitled Passionate Women, it is a wide-ranging exploration of female strength and empowerment through the medium of stitched artworks. Also on display will be a range of projects undertaken by members of the Alchemist’s Needle since our last exhibition. These includeContinue reading “Upcoming Events”