17
her business in France in 2010, where she has been (to date) happily and quietly working on commissions for private clients.
So from being a 2 year old with her first blunt needle, how did Ciara end up running her business from a 16 century chateau in the S W of France? The base from where she now makes pieces to her own specification, working for luxury interior designers and private clients and with her work being shipped worldwide? After those initial years the young Ciara went on to be a producer of first-class soft furnishings; then her sister suggested that she should go on and train as an upholsterer and this was just the beginning of a whole new world of creativity.
Ciara has since been commissioned by the interior designers ‘1508 London’ for whom she made a selection of pieces for a luxury apartment in Knightsbridge, London; here her furniture shares the same space as a stunning Paul Mathieu chaise-longue (for which Ciara also made the cushion).
For this
commission Ciara worked very closely with highly skilled craftsmen to create high-quality furniture frames, and then upholstered the pieces using traditional methods - webbing, springs, hair etc. Two of the pieces were then finished in beautiful leather and the other in a stunning satin wrap.
Here in France Ciara works closely with local regional clients, whether for the upholstery of single individual piece of furniture or entire rooms for chateaux and other larger homes.
However, it has become increasingly important for
Ciara to share her passion, for those personal touches within the home, with the many people wanting to learn the skills for themselves. So a series of workshops are to be arranged covering the skills that will help people achieve some real input into their own homes. It will be possible to learn some classic upholstery skills as well as (eventually) some of the more advanced techniques.
Many people may be interested in the ‘Creating the French Look’ courses, where people can come and learn the art of painting and distressing furniture (creating that illusive shabby-chic look). As a stockist of Annie Sloan chalk and wall paints, Ciara is currently achieving this look for her private clients, but so many people have expressed an interest in learning to do this for themselves that running these courses seems like a natural progression.
For 2012 the dates for the "Creating the French look" courses are currently set as.
Feb 6, 7, 27 and 28; March 12, 13, 26 and 27; April 23 and 24; May 7, 21 and 22ⁿ.
If you are interested in this course – do check with Ciara to see if there have been any changes or additional dates added on. For groups, different dates can be arranged to suit you. During these one-day courses you will learn how to create and revive an old piece of furniture by breathing a new lease of life into it. The skills of Gilding, decoupage and crackle glaze will be covered and in the afternoon you will get a chance to work on a project of your own (with Ciara’s help), a light-lunch and drinks will be provided
By Ciara vouchers are
available and can be used against any product, service or course. Ciara’s workshop is open for people to call in, have a browse, purchase paints, have a chat or perhaps discuss an upcoming course.
www.byciara.com info@byciara.com The next edition will be available in June. Contact us -
info@quercylocal.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64