Behind The Scenes, VACMA - Natural PrintingMhairi Allan6 March 2024Paper Houses DesignNatural dyes, Natural printing, Ceres Studio, Brixton, Brixton Market, London, Workshops, Creative Workshops, Eco Printing, VACMA, Visual Arts and Craft Makers Award, Creative Scotland, Funding, Arts Funding, Textile Hub, Textile Studio, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Aberdeenshire council, Creative Aberdeen, Whats on Aberdeen, Lara Mantell, Florence Hawkins, Flo Hawkins, Print Designers, Print Studio, screen printing, Scottish Design, Scottish designer, surface pattern design, Pattern designer, contemporary Scottish Design, contemporary textile design, sustainable design, Eco design, Future of textiles, Dyers and colouristsComment

Why Made to Order?

I'm excited to share that I am transitioning to a "Made to Order" model for Paper Houses Design! You might wonder, why the change? Well, this shift allows me to minimise waste by producing items based on demand, rather than creating excess inventory. This means I'll be focusing on creating pieces that are popular and truly resonate with you, my amazing customers.

Tay Design - Where did it come from?

Mhairi Allan14 September 2023

Zandra Rhodes Inspired DIY Printing

The Making HourMhairi Allan15 March 2022creative, making together, making matters Comments

Stay See Share /// The Video

As part of the Stay See Share we sum up our project with a video by Glasgow based photographer + videographer Kris Kesiak.

Stay See ShareMhairi Allan19 December 2021Stay See Share, Textile Hub, Textiles, Textile Studio, Creative VideoComment

Stay See Share /// Clay Coven

For the last interview with Stay See Share series I chat with Kirsty, Lillian + Aimie from Clay Coven based in Leith, Edinburgh. When lockdown hit and they couldn’t get access to the open access workshop they had been using. So the coven jumped into action creating a makeshift workshop with one wheel in a family members shed! I love a shedio (shed/studio),

Stay See Share /// Gaada

As part of the brilliant Stay See Share project I had a great talk with Amy Gear from Gaada. A visual arts workshop and collaborative projects in Shetland. Gaada is a multi-purpose space working with artists of all abilities and interests over a range of art forms including printing. The space itself is located on the Burra Isle, Shetland and was started in 2018 by Amy Gear and Daniel Clark.

Stay See ShareMhairi Allan30 November 2021Stay See Share, Printing, accessible, art studio, creative facilities, Gaada, Creative ScotlandComment

Stay See Share /// Print Clan

I had a great chat with Arianna from Print Clan in Glasgow as part of our Stay See Share project. Print Clan is an inclusive printing studio in the heart of Glasgow helping grow creativity in people from any ability.

Stay See ShareMhairi Allan1 November 2021Stay See Share, Creative Scotland, Textile Hub, Textiles, Printing, screen printingComment

Stay See Share /// What is Stay See Share + What Are We Doing?

In the run up to autumn I have been working on a really exciting project via Creative Scotland’s Stay See Share looking at if opening an open textiles studio in Aberdeenshire would work. What is Stay See Share: It’s a fund that offers applications the opportunity to work on a body of research for a creative idea that they have then share the learning back.

The Making Hour .18

On Wednesday was our little drawing club + it was ace! I popped on Live over on Instagram to do some continuous line drawings whilst chatting through what I was doing. It definitely was a well needed time out from the busy day.

Paper Houses Connects with Fernweh

Laura Sherriffs is an amazing designer whose business Fernweh creates beautifully crafted bags. The textural lunch bags make me want to pack up some sandwiches and a flask then head out for adventures! Laura gives us a glimpse into her creative life.

The Making Hour .17

To help relax after a busy few weeks I’ve been doing a spot of collage with left over materials + papers.

Paper Houses Likes - Getting Creative

For this months Paper Houses Likes we’re focusing on getting creative. It’s helped many folks, us included, get through the last year. When working from home or working in a pandemic or even getting through the day to day was getting to us we’d turn to our sketchbook, our stitching, our printing and workshops!

Paper Houses LikesMhairi Allan16 April 2021Comment

Paper Houses Connects with Blessed Unrest

Lorna is a brilliant textile designer and tutor who is just about to open a new community print space called INK on MESH.

The Making Hour. 16

This week for The Making Hour I’ve been paper folding, this week and last to be exact. Last Sunday I joined in on Kate Colin’s workshop, beforehand a kit was posted out with all the amazing papers and tools needed.

Paper Houses Connects with Aubin Jewellery

Aubin’s work uses simplified shapes and materials such as perspex, leather and pearls to create the most brilliant combination of shape and colour.

The Making Hour. 15

That’s the one good thing about the last year I’ve been able to go to some events I wouldn’t have been able to before. Including workshops!

Paper Houses Connects with Hackley

Rachel creates tactile practical and beautiful bags, cases, and purses. I’ve got one of her lovely crossover orange bags and I feel super stylish wearing it, plus my hands are free to chase the wee boss!

Paper Houses ConnectsMhairi Allan26 February 2021meet maker, making matters, creatives, bags, made in Scotland, Maker MatesComment

Paper Houses Likes - Places We Love

We hope that sharing some of our snaps from places we’ve visited in Scotland over the years will spark memories of places you love.

The Making Hour .14

Last month I bought some air-drying clay to make some little tags for presents. There were lots left so this week we decided to make wonderful wonky things.

The Making HourMhairi Allan31 January 2021making together, making matters, mark making, creative, Creative Wellbeing, Creative MattersComment