Firecatcher Creative

Make and Mend out today!

2012-01-27T11:13:00.003Z

Hurrah! Our book is out today! Packed full of techniques, patterns and projects to help you turn your old clothes and fabrics in to beautiful gifts and items! You can buy your copy here and visit the Make and Mend blog here!

New Enhancements

2012-01-24T10:24:00.006Z

Yesterday we were back in the Children's Emergency Department in the Royal Derby Hospital painting. We created some enhancements around the new reception area, some of which made us a little peckish...

Make and Mend Progress

2011-12-20T08:39:00.008Z

We've been rather busy the past few months working on a lot of things we can't reveal quite yet. We can however show you some process work from our book Make and Mend, a guide to recycling clothes and fabric, which is out in the New Year!

Pre-order your copy here!

Christmas is coming!

2011-12-01T12:14:00.001Z

The December wallpaper is free to download here!

Alan Turing Centenary Conference Poster

2011-11-16T11:52:00.001Z

We are extremely proud to announce the launch of the Alan Turing Centenary Conference 2012 Poster, designed by Firecatcher. We got involved with the project after attending a fascinating lecture on the life of Alan Turing at the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society in Spring, and were delighted to work on this project to celebrate the life of this amazing man.

You can see more about the conference by visiting the website www.cie2012.eu

Nursery Enhancements

2011-11-15T13:17:00.012Z

We recently designed a scheme of enhancements for baby Toby's nursery. We created a woodland theme with lots of birds and animals in rich warm tones to keep him company in his new room.

November Wallpaper

2011-11-02T17:25:00.003Z

As the nights draw in download our free November wallpaper here and let the Firecatcher cat keep you company!

Autumn Days

2011-10-07T17:41:00.004+01:00

After a few truly beautiful warm sunny days it certainly feels like Autumn creeping in. To celebrate this lovely season (not counting the rain/soggy leaves/cold dark nights) download the October wallpaper here!

Derby Festé

2011-09-25T12:11:00.012+01:00

Derby Festé is a two day festival bringing together live performance, music, film, dance and lots more! This year Firecatcher designed and illustrated the map for the fire gardens; a spectacular outdoor event where you can walk amongst fire based installations, including the burning bulrushes and through a beautiful lantern forest while watching fiery performances.

It was a fantastic spectacle and the pics below don't really do it justice, you can find out more about the Festé here and see more pictures here.

BBC Networking Event

2011-09-25T11:12:00.005+01:00

We were invited to a Future Media networking event at BBC North in Salford a couple of weeks ago. Apart form being extremely interesting and meeting some lovely people, the space itself is fantastic and I wanted to post some pics for you to see! The interior was beautiful and I can imagine it would be a very inspiring place from which to work.

Royal Bolton Hospital Children's enhancements

2011-08-24T15:25:00.004+01:00

We have just finished installing a series of enhancements in the newly refurbished Children's and Young People's Unit at the Royal Bolton Hospital. We asked the patients what they would like to see in the enhancements and used these focus groups to determine the content of the illustrations. It was a lovely project to work on and we hope the unit has a really successful opening.

Above photo courtesy of Medical Illustration, Bolton NHS Foundation Trust

Firecatcher's Sunny Thinking about Ombudsman Services

2011-08-23T16:07:00.006+01:00

Everything has been going a bit super round here, especially since we teamed up with the fantastic Sunny Thinking to liven up the Ombudsman Services Annual Reports with some heroes. Energy Girl, Communications Man and Property Man will help you fight all those service providers who rip you off, give poor customer service or bill you too much. We were lucky enough to be invited to the report launch in Westminster, though our arrival was somewhat overshadowed by a certain Mr Murdoch and Ms Black...

Our illustrations covered three areas, property, communications and energy providers, and looked rather lovely in print, if we do say so ourselves. Hats off to Sunny Thinking for a great creative solution and for being such jolly good chaps! Now, to the bat cave..!

Trees Are Best App now available!

2011-08-11T11:51:00.001+01:00

We're extremely proud to announce our brand new Children's Book app for iPad is available now... Click here for more information on why Trees Are Best. FACT!

August Wallpaper and some rather exciting news!

2011-08-09T10:12:00.004+01:00

This months wallpaper celebrates some exciting news for Firecatcher! We've been working recently in collaboration with Hedgehog Lab on an interactive children's book app for the ipad. The book we have developed is Trees are Best. Fact. Join 8 year old Oliver T. Baker, as he shows you exactly why Trees are Best (and diggers are not), in this fully interactive picture book exploring the beauty and wonder of trees.

The app will be available in the next couple of weeks and you can keep up to date with all the latest news on our very first app right here and download your free desktop here.

Illustration - Mrs Peacock Makes It!

2011-08-08T15:20:00.006+01:00

Just finished a lovely job - illustrations for a cookery blog! We've been very excited about the mouthwatering recipes on mrspeacockmakesit.blogspot.com and tried to make it look as delicious as the food sounds!

Fruity freebie!

2011-07-01T14:44:00.001+01:00

Happy July! You can download this months summery desktop wallpaper here.

Line drawings

2011-07-01T13:54:00.003+01:00

A few examples of the many line drawings we've done for publications such as 'Grow Your Own Groceries' and 'Preserving Your Harvest'. The fineliner has, and always will be, our friend!

Derbyshire Communty Foundation Website

2011-07-01T12:01:00.006+01:00

We were recently asked by design company Outline Creative to create an illustration art pack for a website they were creating for the charity Derbyshire Community Foundation. We created hand drawn type, small icons and doodles to compliment the design.

(Detail)

Summer Cover Designs

2011-06-30T13:15:00.007+01:00

Here are a couple of book covers we've completed recently.

Above: The Pocket Wedding Planner. Using line drawings of flowers commonly seen in bouquets and fresh colours, the Pocket Wedding Planner will soon be published by How To Books.

Above: Eat Well, Spend Less. This book contains over 200 family recipes for busy cooks who want to save time and money, but also deliver wholesome food for their families. It is soon to be published by Spring Hill and will be in a shop near you!

(Detail)

New outlets!

2011-06-21T10:15:00.009+01:00

You can now buy Firecatcher goodies on Society 6. Prints, canvases, laptop and iphoone covers, t shirts and hoodies all available!

*(Find out more about the Perfect Gent print here)

New outlets!

2011-06-21T10:10:00.002+01:00

We've started selling some of our wares on the lovely Baffie site. Run by the equally lovely Julia, Baffie is an online gift boutique, that sells unique, handcrafted, affordable home accessories and home comforts created by independent designers.

Handmade Book

2011-06-20T17:21:00.008+01:00

This book was commissioned by the lovely Suzanne from SkyBlueSea for her daughter's 18th. It contains lots of dancing memorabilia, tickets, programs and photos with room for notes and pockets for secrets.

Inspired by the gorgeous cover paper (from Paperchase, where else!), the interior pages were decorated with an array of patterned circles both printed and as pockets.

Quad Cafe Bar Menu

2011-06-01T19:19:00.014+01:00

We recently redesigned the Cafe Bar menu for Quad in Derby. Quad is an amazing building with a cinema, gallery and cafe bar encouraging creativity through workshops, events and film screenings.

We came up with the idea of using famous and iconic film characters and placing them within Quad, meeting in the cafe bar, in a workshop and interacting with each other.

The characters throughout the menu are recognisable and become humorous when taken out of their perceived ‘natural habitat’. Using a mix of classic characters and contemporary children’s favourites, the illustrations appeal to a wide range of people and make a good talking point.

Below: Characters relax in the Cafe Bar sampling the various beverages and treats...

Hedwig flies in with an order... Although while working on this project it made us extremely hungry (!), it was great fun and a pleasure to work on.
Sharing dishes...

The Quad hold creative workshops and events, including BooksQuad and KnitsQuad (pictured below!)

Although while working on this project it did make us extremely hungry (!), it was great fun and a pleasure to work on.

Quad Cafe Bar

2011-06-01T19:15:00.006+01:00

After redesigning the menu for the Cafe Bar in Quad, we were asked to take some of the elements and illustrate around the menu on the blackboards using chalk pens.

My Science Journal

2011-06-01T18:58:00.006+01:00

We recently visited a local science museum and were really inspired by how interactive and fun all the exhibitions were. Inspired so much in fact that we created a science journal as part of a pitch. The journal is aimed at children as a souvenir of the museum to take away with them acting as a prompt for recalling experiments and facts from the trip even after they've left the museum. There are facts, doodles, photographs and illustrations to encourage creative learning and fun elements such as a cut out paper plane.

The book is designed in a sketchbook style to encourage children to draw, scribble and jot down scientific discoveries and favourite experiments. The journal includes a cog design badge, stickers and three postcards designed as a direct mail device; allowing the children to send a postcard to a friend telling them about their visit.

My Science Journal Illustrations

2011-06-01T17:53:00.008+01:00

The illustrations and design of this journal were based around the idea of a creative sketchbook. The pages have doodles and a range of different style illustrations, including scientific information and facts prompting children to remember what they have seen and learnt at the science museum and encouraging them to create their own science experiments. The pages allow the children to scribble down their ideas in the book and not be too precious but to express themselves creatively.

Alan Turing Year Celebrations

2011-05-18T10:30:00.002+01:00

We are delighted to be a member of the subcommittee for the Alan Turing Year, which is happening in 2012. Turing was an amazing mathematician, cryptanalyst and pioneer of computer science who helped with the British War effort at Bletchley Park, developed the earliest computers and yet was wholly shunned and misused by society for his homosexuality. This inspirational figure in being celebrated through a number of events and conferences throughout 2012 and we are really excited about getting involved in the project.
For more information on Alan Turing, please visit http://www.turing.org.uk/turing/

You've got mail

2011-05-03T11:26:00.004+01:00

We've just sent the above book off to New York as part of the Fiction Project run by the Brooklyn Art Library. Bex and I had been writing a book together for the past few months, a story told through letters that we passed back and forth to each other. When the chance to be part of this project came up we thought this would fit it perfectly. Using the pages as pockets/envelopes we hand wrote each letter, distinguishing the different characters through a variety of designed papers. There will eventually be an online version of the story to read so watch this space!

Poems Book

2011-05-03T10:20:00.006+01:00

This month we were commission to bind a collection of poems. The hard back book contained 19 poems with illustrations and smaller embellishments throughout, finished off with a dust jacket matching the decorative endpapers.

2011-04-21T14:49:00.001+01:00

Springtime in the studio

2011-04-18T11:49:00.004+01:00

We've had a spring clean in the studio and refreshed our work in progress wall so it's lovely and bright in here now. How long it will stay tidy for is another matter...

In the press...

2011-04-15T09:27:00.002+01:00

We were front cover of the Bolton Journal recently regarding the work we're doing with Royal Bolton Hospital. We're producing some enhancements for their new Paediatric Ward and have been working with the children and patients to establish what kind of theme they would like to see. More updates on our progress in the coming months!

April Wallpaper

2011-04-04T10:03:00.002+01:00

You are cordially invited to download April's free desktop wallpaper, click here to find the right size for your screen.

An Invitation

2011-03-31T15:08:00.007+01:00

This month we created some wedding invitations for a lovely couple who wanted their church illustrated for the design. The invite contained three postcard size designs, the invite, a map/directions and an RSVP tied together with a teal coloured band of paper to reflect the wedding colours. As well as the church, the RSVP features the wedding car and the Directions elements from the venue.

PAU Opening

2011-03-31T12:20:00.015+01:00

We went to the opening of the Paediatrics Ward at Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham last week, it was lovely to see it all finished and a working ward. (Thanks to Hannah Causer for the photographs). You can see pictures of the enhancements here. The opening and enhancements were also featured on the Midlands tonight local news, stills below!

New York Window

2011-03-28T09:58:00.008+01:00

I've finally got round to posting the New York window pics! The prints are available in the shop and you can see more photos here.

Good Life Living Magazine

2011-03-15T14:38:00.008Z

Firecatcher were thrilled to be asked to design a full magazine for City Cottage, a company who promote self sufficiency and green issues through courses and literature. The magazine is to be launched at the Edible Garden show, Stoneleigh Park, 18th - 20th March. We hope it will be a great success! You can subscribe by clicking here.

In the press...

2011-03-02T11:17:00.001Z

BL (Business and Leisure) magazine did an article on us this month!

Puffin Ward Enhancements

2011-02-21T12:49:00.005Z

Friday we installed the vinyl enhancements at the Royal Derby Hospital. As it was puffin ward to be decorated we used puffin characters across a range of themed rooms including an art room, baking, reading and dressing up to entertain the children and make their stay in hospital less frightening and more fun! There are more pictures here.

Telegram Invitations {STOP}

2011-02-15T09:32:00.006Z

We recently designed some wedding invitations for a client who wanted an old telegram style. Each invite contained a day/evening invite and an RSVP postcard that could be popped in the post.

Altered Book Workshop

2011-02-07T11:13:00.010Z

This weekend we took an altered book workshop at Hot Bed Press. We took old books and up-cycled them into pieces of art relating to the books theme or title. We had a great day and there were some really creative and impressive outcomes.

To see the rest of the pictures and for more information on the books click here.

February's Free Wallpaper

2011-02-01T09:48:00.002Z

Happy February! To celebrate the completion of Sam's tree book, (which you can now buy here), we have one of the spreads from the book as our desktop wallpaper this month. Click here to find the right size for your computer. Any problems just drop us an email with your size and we'll send it directly to you.

Skybluesea blog goes live!

2011-01-25T14:44:00.008Z

We recently updated our friend Suzanne's blog, she does such beautiful work anyway it didn't take much to make her blog look lovely too. We used found mementos and ephemera as buttons to reflect the vintage country feel that runs through her textile work and used the blues from her existing logo. Check out the blog here.

Button detail

If you're interested in updating your blog or to discuss an idea please contact us enquiries@firecatcher.co.uk

Sketchbook Workshop

2011-01-19T17:42:00.007Z

Today we led a sketchbook workshop to encourage the pupils to explore different materials, media and styles and to generally look at things differently and more creatively. We produced worksheets for them to fill in, you can download a copy here. They chose an object or used their initials and drew, painted and scribbled them in as many different ways possible. We ended up with some really good results!

Etsy Shop Now open!

2011-01-17T10:42:00.002Z

Woo hoo! We finally have some products for sale in our shop, click here to see more!

New York New York!

2011-01-12T16:57:00.011Z

This is our latest frame wall, based around you've guessed it - New York! We've produced a number of prints inspired by the big apple and it's buildings. Prints available instore.

(tiny box frame of buildings!)

Happy New Year!

2011-01-05T12:15:00.004Z

This months wallpaper, click here for to choose your desktop size.

Free December Wallpaper!

2010-12-01T12:35:00.002Z

Starring the Woodland Alliance this freebie will bring a festive feel to any screen! Click here for a full list of sizes for you to download.

It's begnning to look a lot like christmas!

2010-11-19T10:07:00.014Z

We've had a move round in the shop and have created a frame wall in which to advertise the prints we sell. This month's theme is of course Christmas! Above are some of the designs.

Manchester Artist Book Fair

2010-11-17T09:42:00.008Z

A couple of weeks ago Firecatcher had a table at the Artist Book Fair in Manchester, it was a great day, above are some pics of the event and some of the prints and books we've made. All available soon on our etsy shop.

Just finishing up the last of our handmade books for tomorrow... on Twitpic

2010-11-05T11:21:00.000Z

Just finishing up the last of our handmade books for tomorrow... on Twitpic

Almost ready for the book fair!

2010-11-04T17:17:00.007Z

Tea Party Kits!

British Etiquette Badges

'Trees are Best. Fact' Book

'Trees Are Best' Badges

We've been busy printing, binding gluing and sticking in the studio ready for the Manchester Artist Book Fair this Saturday. Almost done now (thank goodness!). Find out more info here.

Prints

2010-10-21T13:58:00.001+01:00

Prints for the long overdue etsy shop which is coming very soon!

Lights, Camera, Action!

2010-10-13T13:13:00.006+01:00

We've been working on a lovely new project, more information coming soon!

Our lovely award!

2010-10-04T17:10:00.003+01:00

Our CIN award for Illustration and Design made by ceramic artist Elaine Lim Newton, and us with Wayne Hemingway.

Heartlands Hospital

2010-09-27T09:31:00.008+01:00

Here are a few pics of the enhancements we've just done for Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham, you can see the rest of the photos here...

Wow!

2010-09-20T11:16:00.003+01:00

We've been shortlisted for a cin award for the work we did in the Royal Derby Children's A&E. How exciting!

Work in Progress...

2010-09-16T13:51:00.006+01:00

Pictures of pictures for a sea themed frame wall!

Current enhancement work...

2010-09-10T17:58:00.003+01:00

Vinyl enhancements detail.

Aye aye Captian

2010-09-08T14:44:00.001+01:00

Vinyl samples have arrived for our latest project! Woo!

Free September Wallpaper

2010-09-01T10:24:00.002+01:00

Pop over to Firecatcher's Flickr page to download your free desktop wallpaper, just choose the right size for your screen!

Exciting new project!

2010-08-26T15:52:00.004+01:00

We're working on a new hospital scheme at the moment, this is our giant moodboard/inspiration wall! More soon!

Brief: A fold out photo book that can be hung up...

2010-08-09T15:14:00.007+01:00

Da dah!

Sunflower Enhancements

2010-08-04T16:52:00.002+01:00

Latest work for Sunflower ward to be reproduced in die cut vinyls.

Firecatcher Website Launched!

2010-07-23T13:23:00.008+01:00

Hurrah! Our brand spanking new website has just gone live! Head over to www.firecatcher.co.uk to check it out!

Free iPhone Wallpaper!

2010-07-20T09:10:00.002+01:00

Every Monday on our Facebook site we'll be giving away an illustration that's set up to use as wallpaper for your iPhone.

Farewell to China

2010-07-09T15:46:00.016+01:00

As our work for the China - Manchester Forum comes to an end, we thought we'd post some of the Souvenir Brochure pages as well as a few photos from the two days we were asked to photograph. Thanks to Cheetham Community School for asking Firecatcher to be a part of such an interesting project, we met some really lovely people and made some great new friends from all around the world.

Branded Merchandise

2010-07-09T15:30:00.011+01:00

The China - Manchester Forum that we branded was held a couple of weeks ago and we thought we'd post the other bits and pieces we did for the event. This included a handmade 'Manchester' notebook to pop in the gift bags along with an illustrated map of Manchester (see below).

We were also asked to create a handmade book for the delegates to sign. This was created using different papers (including tracing paper see below) printed with the patterns and imagery seen throughout the forum.

St. Benedict's 6th Form

2010-06-24T16:39:00.003+01:00

This is a 6th form foyer that we completed this week, the brief was hand rendered type with 'welcome' words in different languages.

2010-06-11T16:44:00.004+01:00

British flag design for the China - Manchester forum, sort of relevant for the start of the World Cup too! Good luck to England!

Manchester Map

2010-06-04T15:23:00.008+01:00

Snippet of an illustrated map of Manchester to be printed at A3 and folded ready to pop in the gift bags for the Manchester/China Forum.

Stickers and Badges!

2010-05-21T14:58:00.000+01:00

Invitations winging their way to China

2010-05-14T16:29:00.007+01:00

Invites for the China - Manchester Forum designed and folded as a paper aeroplane representing the forthcoming trip and also the art of Chinese origami.

China Project Tote Bags!

2010-05-11T12:03:00.002+01:00

The Association of British Cooking

2010-05-07T16:32:00.003+01:00

Logo design for the Association of British Cooking, using fresh, modern colours and type.

Moodboards

2010-04-29T10:18:00.005+01:00

Above are some moodboards from our latest exciting project working with a Manchester school who along with a school in China are hosting a forum for the promotion of Chinese. We're branding the event and have been looking into colours, patterns and all things decorative!

Mural Pitch for Manchester City Centre

2010-04-23T15:18:00.015+01:00

detail

Mural designs proposal/pitch for a project in Manchester City Centre. The abstract shapes represent beams of inspiration, exploding forth and bouncing off other beams and the surroundings. The different patterns within the shapes represent different art and craft disciplines and elements of architecture in and around Manchester.

City Cottage Designs

2010-04-16T16:38:00.013+01:00

Identity design and promotional materials for City Cottage, a company specialising in self sufficiency courses.

Portfolio Workshop

2010-03-29T09:53:00.009+01:00

We did a portfolio making workshop at Hotbed Press this Saturday, everyone made an array of beautiful cardboard portfolios to display their work. Click here to see there rest of the photos from the day.

The British Way - An Annual of Etiquette and Tradition

2010-03-12T12:09:00.011Z

An artist book for a commission based on British tradition and etiquette using rather dapper looking animals.

The Little Crumpton Cake Show

2010-02-15T12:11:00.012Z

Here are some spreads from 'Little Crumpton', featuring Herbert the Giraffe, Jef the Pig and ALOT of cake.

Christmas Joy!

2009-11-27T13:43:00.015Z

This week we've spent doing the Christmas window and arranging the Christmas presents (or stock), as well as updating the studio space with new prints and pictures.

This year's window theme is winter birds and we've kept it simple with black and white line drawings and a lovely Christmas red.

Bex's Winter Birds

Christmas Prints

Skyscape Prints and box frame illustrations with acetate overlays.

Work in Progress wall with all our recent scribblings!

Sunflowers, Ladybirds and all things Puffin

2009-10-14T16:54:00.020+01:00

Here's the latest work from Derby Royal Hospital, this time we painted a corridor linking the previous murals we'd done in the Emergency Department with the Children's Wards. This time there were no seagulls but a puffin ward, ladybird, sunflower and dolphin and kite themes to include. We decided on a sunflower growing competition as the story, with puffins and ladybirds entering various sunflowers, some cheating! The dolphin aspect was added in the form of the dolphin cup presented by Peter Porpoise, the mayor of Herring Beach.

Two ladybirds cross as their cooking pot's being used to grow a rather nice sunflower!

A puffin hastily paints on a sunflower just before the judge arrives, two outraged ladybirds stand astonished.
The cheek of it!

The very official looking Mayor... Peter.

A very ladylike ladybird waters her teacup flower with her spotted teapot.

The prestigious Dolphin Cup with various photographs of past winners. To the right of the image are the parachuting ladybirds from the flying kite.

To the right side of the picture... More cheaters! This time ladybirds seek to fool the judges with their sunflower compiled of 'green things' including a sunflower spread lid.

One end of the corridor was decorated with wildflower illustrations using flat colours and subtle tones to create a more graphic but calming effect whilst still including the sunflowers.

Return of the Seagull

2009-08-25T10:42:00.005+01:00

Last week saw us back in Derby, this time painting the outside of the Children's Emergency Department. It was a little different for us, using the different paints, painting on a very bobbly wall and the use of a rather high scaffold, but still good fun!
Warren, Shrimpy, Puffball and Crabby help direct people in in their own unique way!

As well as the outside, we also did a little more work inside on a corridor that connects to the rest of the hospital. The brief for this was more seagulls, but to incorporate the other various wards we had to include puffins, ladybirds and sunflowers!

Indiana LadyJones runs away from a boulder of wool!

Skyscapes by Firecatcher

2009-07-14T13:04:00.007+01:00

A new range of illustrations we've been working on based on buildings and architecture around London. The images have a dreamy quality, taking elements of the architecture and juxtaposing them with abstract shapes and transparencies to create places that could be anywhere.

Bookbinding Workshop at Hot Bed Press

2009-06-16T16:07:00.014+01:00

This weekend saw Bex and myself head off to Hot Bed Press in Salford to teach a contemporary bookbinding workshop. We had a great time, met some lovely new people who came up with some really impressive books using the techniques we'd taught (see below!).

Busy binding!

Caroline with her concertina Beach Hut book created to house sketches and photographs of some beach huts discovered on a recent trip to Westward Ho. The finished book will have a screen printed cover depicting the front of a beach hut.

Sarah's book has windows so her etchings can be viewed from both sides in this beautiful concertina book. This is a great idea as a showcase for prints or any art works. The book has hardback covers with a pocket on the inside of the back page to keep the original etching plate.

Julie's book employed most of the techniques learnt over the weekend including the section sewn book, japanese stab bind and the envelope book.

A & E opens tomorrow...

2009-05-19T13:56:00.002+01:00

The Children's Emergency Department is having its grand opening (well, sort of) at 2am tomorrow, and our work is featured on the front page of the Derbyshire Telegraph ... http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/news/cut-wait-times-new-e/article-1003229-detail/article.html

We're very excited about the prospect of the public seeing our work for the first time and would like to wish all staff and patients a very successful and stress-free move. I wonder who will be the first to find the Dr. Who Seagull in the X ray..?

Seagulls invade the Children's Emergency Department!

2009-05-11T12:00:00.009+01:00

Here's a few photos from the Derby Children's Emergency Department, more to follow!...

Derby...done.

2009-05-01T16:35:00.006+01:00

It's been a great month for us at Firecatcher as we finally managed to get into the hospital to start work on the Children's Emergency Department. We arrived on 30th March with a toolbox full of paint, more masking tape than was humanly necessary and a folder full of designs. We were unsure of what to expect, but everyone was lovely and very friendly. We'll post more pictures as we upload them very soon...

Wishing for Summer...

2009-03-26T10:34:00.004Z

What with the lovely sunshine we had last week and painting these beach huts in summery colours we are well and truly wishing for summer. While we've been waiting to get in the hospital and paint, we've been busy painting the designs for the vinyl stickers to go around the hospital from the comfort of the studio. Each beach hut will have a blank area where the hospital staff can write the names of people who've made donations, we can't wait to see them up on the wall!

Still waiting...

2009-03-17T14:19:00.003Z

There's a hold up in the work so we're not there yet. Got to wait a little more for the big paint-off but hopefully Monday 23rd will be the date for the diary when painting can commence. We're having to shuffle along with other things until we can get cracking and having regular tea and biscuit breaks. It's a tough job...

Bound for Derby soon...

2009-03-14T12:52:00.003Z

February and March has seen us busy working on a commission by Derby City General Hospital, who are rebuilding the Children's Emergency Department. We're painting a series of murals throughout the building, with a seaside theme, featuring Warren the Seagull as well as a host of characters. This one is for a treatment room and measures 1.5m x 1.5m. We'll be decending on Derby this coming Monday (16th) so won't be in the studio for roughly 3 weeks. Our friend Suzanne Harulow of www.skybluesea.co.uk will be using the studio for a while, working on her wonderful textile creations. We hope she'll have as much fun in there as we do!

We'll be posting photos and updates regularly, so keep an eye out for our progress and exploits in the land of Darcy!

Firecatcher is changing!

2009-03-14T12:48:00.003Z

It's been a while since we posted last, but the past few months have been somewhat hectic! First, the dreaded flu was rife and we had to close the shop for almost three weeks. After plenty of rest, Poirot and vitamin c, we got back and realised we had to change. Our space just wasn't working any more, it was far too messy and the kettle was getting bits in due to being too low down. We got the hammer out and dismantled the till point, took out the books and transformed Firecatcher Books into Firecatcher Studio! We've got lots of space, lots of inspirational stuff around us and, most importantly, lots of tea!

2008-12-12T12:46:00.004Z

Merry Christmas from Firecatcher! We're definately feeling Christmassy this week after dressing the Christmas window (pictures to follow shortly!) and making various presents and cards. Bex has made a fab concertina book to send out as our Firecatcher card, click here to see it.

2008-12-05T15:26:00.003Z

It's been a snowy week here in Bolton. So much so that Tuesday saw us snowed in which meant no shop but much sledging! As well as snowball fighting we've been busy developing some contemporary craft workshops. We've had customers interested in classes since we opened in 2006 so we thought it high time we sorted some out! We should have a website up and running within the next week or so with dates, times etc but to start off we'll be running evening workshops in creative bookbinding, recovering books, creating your own Christmas wrap, lovely lavender birds and make your own soap to name but a few! Check back soon for more details!

Pop-Up Exhibition

2008-11-29T16:42:00.008Z

Wednesday saw us catching a tram through freezing Manchester to see a 'round the world' pop-up exhibition at the Lowry. Being massive Robert Sabuda fans we were really looking forward to seeing works of his in the flesh (or paper!) as well as other pop-up creators. We weren't disappointed, it was beautifully laid out with lovely vibrant colours dividing the different countries. As well as the books on display there was a chance to create your own pop-ups, well worth a look if you're in the area!

One of our favourites that we sell in the shop, Alice in Wonderland.
The Wizard of Oz, the Emerald City complete with spectacles!

Manchester Artist Book Fair

2008-11-29T15:27:00.005Z

This years book fair took place on the Saturday 8th November and saw a great turn out of artists and book lovers alike. This year we thought we'd better have a table and try and sell some books as opposed to previous years where we've gone round drooling over the beautiful books and buying lots!
Needless to say there were some truly gorgeous and inspiring things that we couldn't resist but at least we managed to recoup some money from the stall! We shared a table with Bec Garland (thank you Bec!) and had a really great day meeting lots of lovely arty book people.

2008-10-24T16:49:00.015+01:00

Every month we select a few items of interest from the shop.
This month we have...

'Fancy a brew' by Alice Melvin

A beautiful screen printed book that 'endeavours to teach the secret of a good brew in 8 easy steps', and comes complete with free tea bag! Alice's website is well worth a look to as there's lots more gorgeous illustration, books and design.

Cavallini Press Stationery
A brand new range for Firecatcher from the US, including beautiful journals, postcards, stickers and erasers.

'The Great Paper Caper' by Oliver Jeffers
One of my favourite illustrator/authors, Oliver Jeffers' new book is just as great as his previous ones. His unique style combines quirky illustration with a wry sense of humour and a great story.

October Window

2008-10-24T12:27:00.000+01:00

Window design at Firecatcher has become a bit of a tradition which started with our Harry Potter window (see archive!) and has continued with us trying to out do the previous! We use the space as more of an art installation than a promotional area and as well as our own designs have had other artist's using the window as an exhibition space.

For this Autumn's window we decided to go gothic to tie in with Halloween and one of our favourite books 'Twilight' by Stephenie Meyer. We've been pretty much hooked (and slightly obsessed!) with the Twilight saga and when planning the window this time around thought it would be a good way to spread the word and create something dark and striking at the same time.

The nature of the window means the photo's are quite dark but the main essence of the design uses a black, red and white theme with eight beautiful roses hung equal distance apart to create a quite graphic look. 'Wickedly Wonderful' is written in black vinyl lettering across the top, with 'Go Gothic this Autumn' below. The idea with the roses was that they would gradually wilt and die giving that dark feel.

Bec Garland Window

2008-03-10T17:30:00.000Z

Firecatcher Books are proud to announce the launch of their first 'Exhibition Window' by local artist Bec Garland titled A Gallery of Animals.

Bec Garland is an artist and illustrator from Manchester, working as resident artist for Manchester Metropolitan University. Her exhibition 'A Gallery of Animals', consists of intricate black and white line drawings of creatures with splashes of colour suspended between exotic images of trees.
The exhibition opens in Firecatcher's window in The Last Drop Village on Monday 10th March and will be open for six weeks. After that, the work will be turned into a book by the Artist. For more information on Bec Garland click on the image below.