Author: Rose Prince

10- 14/03/2025

Monday 10th

Today was the first day at Margo Selby Studios. A nice lady called Abi greeted me. I was given a tour of the place and met all of the other members of the team. When I met Margo it seemed like she had no idea who I was and didn’t seem very interested. While I understand she probably wasn’t interested she could have acted a little more warm. Ann had warned me she is sometimes quite cold but reasurred me she was lovely. I also got the impression she knew nothing about me.

I started working with order and dispatch. Good to know. A lovely girl called Liv was showing me all the important things. She is an intern who has been there since September. She explained that she only gets £10 a day, so her university told Margo she couldn’t work 5 days a week. She needed one day to work to get money to pay for rent etc. Highlighted the issues around large companies taking advantage of students.

I watched the team cut off the fabric they had been working on for the last 3 months. That was exciting, as it was a really large length of fabric.

One of the pieces had many faults, there seemed to be an issue when weaving. Someone hadn’t noticed. I was surprised that they weren’t upset, but seemed not to phased. Just said Abigail would darn it back together.

The edges of the fabric wasn’t very neat and when cutting the yarns some wern’t woven in. It was suprising how little they cared… the places I have been working the attention to detail is much more precise. I suppose when it’s such a large piece you wouldn’t notice. Would bug me though! They also said that because they do 3 hourly shifts on the fabric the way its beaten down can change depending on the person, sometimes making it uneven.

I often felt as though I was just annoying, no one had any tasks for me. I just kept asking if there was anything to do. Very different to my current two placements. Also I have realised a lot of weavers are very quiet and to themselves. If I was in their position and someone was new I would be asking many questions. Thye just avoid eye contact and look away. It makes me less motivated to be enthusiastic when a few are very awkward. As a new person I will feel very awkward so it’s nice to be chatty etc. Just made me think if I had my own company I wouldn’t act like that. The ex-interns are mostly all lovely. I am assuming because they know how it feels. One seems very confident, making sure it’s known she is very popular etc.

Tuesday 11th

Today was a really boring day. I feel dissapointed I am not gaining very much at this placement. I was told to pack a couple of orders and then had to keep asking if there was anything for me to do. I felt as though I was in the way. Despite this I chatted to some people working there. That was interesting and good to keep networking. I decided to slow down with my tasks as once I was done I would wait around for ages for another task to be given to me. I was downstairs a lot on my own while I could hear eveyone else upstairs laughing and chatting. Was a bit sad I couldn’t be with everyone and make a good impression. These last few days have almost felt like I am not trusted to do anything with actual skills. Vey eye opening considering my other placements give me a lot of responsibilities.

Wednesday 12th

Today I felt really fed up. I started the day downstairs asking if there was anything that needed to be done. There wasn’t much, so I helped in dispatching again. As the day progressed I became more frustrated that I was downstairs for the third day. The other interns were inundated with tasks to complete. It felt as though I wasn’t trusted to complete these tasks. I have spoken to Margo once this week very briefly. She has then been working at home for the rest of the week. Just feel disapointed as I had spent so much money to book accomodation here etc, for me to have not learnt anything. The staff now don’t seem to ask if I have tasks as they don’t want to find me things to do.

After the last order in the afternoon (had done these tasks slowly as there wasn’t anything else to do) I asked if there was anything that needed to be done. I was directed to speak to another staff member about pinterest. When I asked them about this they asked if I could help with workshop prep. However, the other interns had completed this the last few days when I was packing orders. It just felt like no one wanted to deal with me. I was just copying and pasting text into pinterest. Then 20 minutes before 5pm I was asked to complete some ‘pearling’? tassels on the end of an art piece taken off the loom on Monday. I was excited they had given me a slightly bigger job. It was the most exciting task of the week which says a lot. Today I have felt really fed up and annoyed. I wanted to speak to Margo about Ann however, I doubt I will get the opportunity now.

Thursday remained the same…

They invited me out for drinks and chips in the evening for a leaving do. It was very sweet of them. I had a really good time. It was so nice to just be able to chat to people without feeling as though they had 101 things to get done. I had hoped Margo would have joined however, she didn’t make an appearance. Despite this I had a lovely evening. I could really see myself loving working with this team and living in Whitstable. It’s my kind of place.

Friday was good! I have been given the task to display some cushions. Margo originally wanted all of the large and mini cushions on the shelf. This looked very cluttered. She decided less but kept changing her mind. I kept saying it was all good… in my head I was thinking ‘DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG ITS TAKEN ME TO PUT ALL OF THESE CUSHION COVERS ON… FOR YOU TO ONLY WANT 8 OUT OF 30!!’ Oh well!! Gave me something to do. At the end of the day they kindly gave me a cushion. I wasn’t expecting it! It was so kind.

Mel and I emailed over the next few days, she said I was a pleasure and was welcome back anytime. Despite not completing much, I have to remember I was only there for one week. I would have been given bigger responsibilities if I had been there longer. I think this experience was invaluable. Its definitely a company I would love to work for in the future. I seemed to get on really well with the staff and loved the location. Nice to find a company outside of London and not up north!

I keep thinking back to this time with fond memories. I think I really grew as a person and I am so grateful I did it.

Dobby & Rose

February

4th Feb

Today I tied on the peddles to the loom. Rebecca had given my the wrong set up so I had to untie all of them to redo it. It was a little frustrating, but I was glad it wasn’t my mistake otherwise, I would have felt really bad. After all the pedals were re-tied, I finished the last bits of the setup. The pattern worked perfectly.

6th Feb

Weaving away! No mistakes so far!

11th Feb

More weaving…

13th Feb

More weaving…

18th Feb

Weaving… I am now getting impatient and want the fabric off the loom!

20th Feb

Last day weaving. I managed to get it off the loom! I was so pleased with how it turned out. There were no mistakes. This was the first time ever that I have set up a loom, all the threads were the perfect number, I threaded everything correctly, and it wove beautifully. Showed me how nice it can be when things go well! I am so happy with the colours and design also.

25th Feb

Time to finish off the fabric! Washed it today and let it sit in the sun. It’s a lot harder when you have a large piece of fabric compared to small samples. Also, because it’s British wool, the fabric needs to be washed and rinsed a few times before the water is clear; it’s often quite dirty.

27th Feb

I continued setting up weaving kits and winding yarn. I appreciated this task as it was a nice change from the weaving I had completed for the last few weeks. It was so nice seeing the fabric all finished and brushed. I feel very proud of the piece I have made. If I could afford it I would buy it!

General Reflection Personal Projects

AW Hainsworth

Sent 12/12/2024

I didn’t hear anything over Christmas, so emailed a month later on the 13/01/2025. Explaining I understood there was probably a backlog of emails over the Christmas period, I just wanted to ensure my email had been received.

They soon replied saying my email had been passed onto the MD and a couple of senior leaders. She said she couldn’t guarantee anything as she was unsure they were open to specific requests. But then the end of this week…..

I am thrilled! The fact Amanda McLaren has spent the time reading my email and like my ‘approach’ means the world!

I was feeling quite deflated this week with the amount of pressure I am putting on myself. It’s clearly paying off to some extent. Even if they decide they don’t want to work with me I am really proud that I have even gotten myself into a position where I can speak to the Operations Director, Rob Taylor.

Let’s not jinx anything, but was convinced I wasn’t going to be able do a placement at AW Hainsworth, or a mother mill because of how late I emailed.

11/03/2025

I had the interview today. It went very well. I HATE interviews, especially when they ask for you to talk a little bit about yourself. When I did, I tried to remain focused, using examples to back up my points and not ramble. However, I worry I rambled too much. They asked if I knew what area of the company I was interested in, I hadn’t thought too much about that, as I wanted to be flexible and open to things I hadn’t even thought about. However, after discussing my interests it seemed obvious I was interested in the manufacturing side of things. They said they would be more than happy to have me join them which was lovely. It won’t be counted as my time of my placement as they preferred the summer, and I was keen to continue with my current placements. Currently in the process of working out what dates work best. I felt very proud of myself. I am nervous but excited for this opportunity. I do believe this will be invaluable experience.

13/05/2025

All confirmed, the hotel is booked! I am going to AW Hainsworth!

Uncategorised

DPS Notes Spring Term

17/01/2025

Decolonising Writing

Action or process of a state withdrawing from a former colony leaving it independent.

In essay/reflection use 1st/3rd person.

Using ‘I’ is useful, helps explain your position.

24/01/2025

The Report and Presentation

Evidence:

Completion of 100 days/ 20 weeks of professional place,ent learning.
Online blog maintained throughout placements, recording thoughts, comments and activities
Individually written report of 5000 words describing and evaluating placments (+/- 10%)
20 minute audio/ visual presentation where you present analysis of your own personal development and learning during the placement

Assessed holistically (100% of the unit) No breakdown of grades for the different assessment evidence listed. Evidence is considered together. Tutors use their academic judgment to choose a grade for the unit as a whole.
All components need to be submitted to pass the unit.

Marked by 2-4 people

When writing don’t assume your tutor knows everything.

REPORT

Reflection of placement year, providing industry context, describing and evaluating the placement experience within the context of the wider creative industries and speculative future.
– AUTOERHNOGRAPHIC, will have specific examples of things you did demonstrating the development of your skills.
– uses the researchers personal experiences to understand cultural, social, political phenomena. Qualitative research involving self reflection and analysis. You are the expert of your experience.
– CRSJs principles
Story based.
Still academic, support with others academic essay. CRITICAL evaluation of the placement year, not a diary.
– Record of Challenges and Successes. Not a Rant or unsupported reflection.

What is the report?
– Reflections on your experience

An evaluation/ comparison of placements
An evaluation of your growth
Overview of your role(s) and how it aligns to your own goals and future ambitions
Overview of the industry
An insight into what you want to do next year
Speculative future (Final BA year and beyond)

Reference to your positionality
Reference to the creative attribute framework

Reference Intellectual Property
Reference to key arguments in your industry and its future. Eg. Paid enough, yarn, people understand the process behind cloth.
Opinions and theories from academics or people in industry eg… quite Ann Sutton and use the books on offer to me.
Specific Examples:
Stories of specific tasks that highlight skills you have gained or developed.
Evidence of times your learnt something new. Eg, hard or soft skills
Achievements.
Comparisons of practice.
Images that support your written analysis.

Structure: Cohesive flow

Chronological order
Skills you have gains/ developed
Industry areas
Something else
Following a series of questions provided that prompt reflection (formative assessment Qs)

10 March- Skeleton map and discuss at your spring formative

21 March- 14th April- Easter Break

6 May- Submit a draft of report

May 2025- Presentation Workshop

2 June- Essay Submission 10am

9 June- presentation week

Chapters:

Title
Title page
Contents page
Introduction
Chapters and Headings
Conclusion
Bibliography HARVARD REFERENCING

PDF download of teams in file section

Presentation:

20 min audio and visual presentation where you present an analysis of your own personal development and learning during the placements.

Reflective of your personal experience
Own thoughts on the industry
Recorded and shown live at your assement
Live questions from the panel
Reflection of SIP

Recorded: On teams and press play, panel watches it live and still expected to answer questions.

Reflective responses to your placement experience and industry
What might you change about the industry
Ambitions and future plans
SIP
Putting your knowledge in action

NOT A READING OF YOUR REPORT

What you have discovered about the industry
Evaluation of your role/ ambitions ( in relation to UALs CRSJs)
Analysis of your professional development
Reference to key arguments happening in your industry (eg sustainability eg, wool too cheap. Not supporting local British) people expecting things to be a lot cheaper.

20 mins PowerPoint or PDF

Learning objectives:

Visit my CAF Teams on Files

Skeleton map of DPS experience so far. What do you want to talk about?

PEEL

My challenges: How have you grown from an experience? Deep reflections! How maturely and professionally do you deal with those situations. Can you understand why those challenges appeared.

Mill placements

Wallace Sewell

03/01/2025

Reflective Evaluations

DPS, Self initiated practice developing ideas

6 of my values task:

hard working
ambitions
empathetic
organised
personable
humour

How my family describes my values:

Hard working
Personable
Determined x3
Thoughtful x2
Enthusiastic
Proactive x2
Attentive
Responsible
Considerate
Respectful
Courageous
Fair
Creative
Loyal
Kind
Punctual
Organised
Creative
Intelligent
Inventive
Driven
Persistent
Prompt
Effective
Tenacious
Vigilant

I was really nice reading what people wrote about me. I think my values are very similar to what people view as my values which is nice and shows that not only am I seeing it, others are too. It made me feel quite emotional seeing all of the nice comments.

14/02/2025

Reflective evaluations

Looking back to get ahead. How do I differentiate myself then and now? Have I progressed personally, professionally, creatively? How do I understand that change? How will others perceive that change?

Understanding the difference…. Reflective practice asks ‘what’ and reflexive practice asks ‘why’

Gibbs reflective cycle

Discolls Model of reflection

Schons Reflective Model

DIEP Model of Reflective writing

Personal Projects

Setting up the loom Testing

Post author By Rose Prince
Post date 20th January 2025
No Comments on Setting up the loom Testing

06/01/2025

Over Christmas I have been preparing for the sessions starting in January at Westergate House. Using the Loom Lucy gave me I have be putting a warp on.

I have also been experimenting with the frame looms I purchased. Seeing what yarn works best etc.

Ann Sutton OBE

January

January with Ann Sutton OBE

13/01/2025

Ann hasn’t been too well over Christmas, and didn’t feel well enough to go into the studio today. I still went with Rebecca, completing material research. I visited Hobby Craft also to potential source some materials for upcoming projects.

20/01/2025

Oh it’s so nice to be back at Ann’s studio. Today I learnt how to weave in a metal frame. I have nearly perfected everything, apart from the corners. I am going to continue practicing in my own time.

Rebecca also suggested making Ann an instagram. I have thought about this in the past, however, assumed Ann had dismissed this idea. It’s really exciting that Rebecca and I will be able to work together to create a space where people can keep more up to date with Ann.

On the way back, Ann said that she was forever grateful that she had Rebecca and me. It was so sweet of her. We discussed how we still couldn’t believe how we met and that we were so thankful that we had. I really really enjoy my time with Ann and Rebecca. We all get on so well and all bring something different to the table. Ann, obviously with her amazing ideas. Rebecca, being lovely and organised. They say I am very sensible and have a good head on me!

We will be working together on Wednesday mornings as well as Mondays from now on. We have decided there is so much to do that one morning isn’t enough.

22/01/2025

Today I continued working from home, with experiments for potential projects. I feel proud of myself that Ann trusts me to work on things away from her. I have a good understanding on what Ann wants to achieve so can now work independently.

27/01/2025

More discussion on instagram. Developing weaving using metal frame. I could tell Ann wasn’t feeling 100% today, Rebecca and I ensured Ann didn’t complete too much and took a step back. She appreciated that we had picked up she wasn’t her full self. I have always been a very empathetic person, however, feel as though working at the care home the past four years has enables me to pick up if someone isn’t quite right even quicker than before. I am going to continue working on projects this afternoon.

29/01/2025

Sorted her room at the care home, Ann was feeling overwhelmed with her desk. We sorted through everything, she felt so much better after and was excited to work again. She always says how grateful she is to have me, I suppose we are both very lucky to have met each other. I have not only learnt so much about the weaving world, but have also made a very close friend. I will be forever grateful to have met Ann.

Dobby & Rose

January

14/01/2025

I was so excited to get back to Rebecca’s studio, it had felt like ages since I had been there. Rebecca did not disappoint, straight away we were working out the calculations for an independent project using the new wool yarn!

This was the first time I was really quick and did everything correctly. I felt so so proud of myself. When I think back to when I first started with Rebecca, I barely knew a thing and had no confidence. Rebecca has believed in me and allowed me to mess up, ask silly questions and explained things slowly. I couldn’t be more grateful that I am completing a placement with such a lovely person.

I also met a new intern at Dobby and Rose. It’s nice to be working alongside another student. I do feel as though she is constantly trying to do things quicker than me so Rebecca is impressed. Hopefully she calms down once she settles. I really don’t want everything to become ‘who can do it faster’ etc.

16/01/2025

21/01/2025

Let’s get weaving! 2 metres long…

I felt so proud once I started weaving… nothing had gone wrong, I wasn’t worrying so much and I loved the pattern I had designed. Using 100% British wool feels so lovely, I am excited to continue using it over the next few months.

23/01/2025

Continued weaving away!

28/01/2025

Off the loom, I was super scared there were going to be mistakes, but there weren’t. For the first 10 minutes I sat analysing every section to ensure it was perfect. The relief after I knew it was all good was amazing. I can’t wait to wash and brush it. So grateful for Rebecca, she has given me so much confidence when weaving. She’s so food at explaining things so that it’s easy to understand. Now onto the next warp!

30/01/2025

New set up, I have done this practically on my own, only asking a few questions to clarify. So far everything is going correctly… We are threading 2 yarns through one heddle. This will create a really chunky feel to the fabric. I am excited to see how this turns out. I also love this warp, it took a long time to wind with all of the colour changes, but definitely worth it!

Lucy Rowan Weaving Studio

December

December at Lucy Rowan Weaving Studio

06/12/2024

Today we were preparing pieces for the Conolade House Christmas Pop up shop. I just finished off a load of baubles and eye masks. Then I started planning various workshops Lucy could prepare for before she has her baby. Then she wouldn’t need to worry so much when she’s busy with the baby. Having projects people can pay for would ensure she would get cash flow without having to do 101 things.

13/12/2024

This morning I completed more research. I fear Lucy wants to get a lot done before her baby, however, having worked with her she’s not the most time efficient. I wonder if she will be able to achieve all of this. It’s also quite difficult finding a gap in the market for online teaching. Saying this it makes a lot of sense to be able to make money when not working.

After a couple of hours, we joined some other creatives for a Christmas lunch. Lucy really kindly paid for my lunch. I was nervous for the lunch as it was a load of couples, however, tried to remind myself it’s a good opportunity to chat to more people and get to know local creatives. I was really proud of myself for going.

20/12/2024

The last day working with Lucy. Gosh time has flown. If I am honest I was quite glad I was ending my time with her. I felt out of all my placements I had learnt the least. I often felt as if it was a pain I was there. The tasks I was given were chosen on the day and didn’t benefit Lucy in any way. I often felt as though I had no purpose or that I wasn’t good enough. I am a massive over thinker, people have told me not to worry. But, I want to feel as though I have helped her and that me being there has been beneficial. I will really miss the view of the sea from the studio.

I finished sewing in the ends to a few pieces I had woven and watched Lucy set up her new Mirrix Loom.

Ann Sutton OBE

December

December with Ann Sutton OBE

02/12/2024

Today was a lot of experimenting. I was testing differing materials over and over again. One day one of the experiments will click, then it shall be worth all of the time spent. I finished transferring the plastic scanes. We had a lot of fun today.

09/12/2024

Continued experimenting. I am enjoying the freedom of this. I worry if I was to do this within my own work I wouldn’t make enough money to cover the hours spent experimenting. However, in Ann’s case that is exactly what people like about her work. It’s always something new and never done before. So it’s worth spending the time now, as she will reek the rewards once pierces go up for sale.

16/12/2024

Today we had a lot of fun trying to work out how to use a battery caulking gun. At first it didn’t work very well. We soon realised it was because we used an open filler tube, the contents had become very hard. Using other unopened and in date fillers it started working. It is difficult to ensure you keep a steady line, but something we will get used to. It was a lot of fun trying to problem solve.

Dobby & Rose

December

December with Rebecca Harvey-Browne

03/12/2024

I continued preparation for the up coming events. My time at Rebecca’s is definitely slowing down as it’s getting closer to Christmas. She’s been very kind suggesting I have next week off to complete some of my own personal projects. So have lots to crack on with!

05/12/2024

Today was the last day at Rebecca’s until 14th January. I put together some weaving kits, and also worked on the website. This was the first time I had added products onto Shopify. I found it very user friendly. It was a lot of fun, but again very monotonous. Very useful to learn if I ever wanted to use it. I helped Rebecca design the website. I suggested she changed the layout as it was easy for customers to find products. So that was good to get done.