Fred Aldous

Matt Booth is a freelance Designer and the 8th artist we would like to introduce you to that has created a limited edition cover for our Sketchpad range. For his cover Matt has experimented with using a minimal amount of information on the page to render a portrait of an animal.

Take a look at the full range of Sketchpads here.

We caught up with Matt to find out a bit more about him.

Tell us a…

On Thursday 11 September the six core members of Makers Dozen will be hosing a In Conversation event about the trials and triumphs of their collaborations for the current exhibition on at the Manchester Craft and Design Centre (MCDC)

MCDC invited the Dozen to takeover their Summer exhibitions and events programme, and they responded to this brief by engaging with new ways of thinking through…

This week Ministry of Craft show us how to make DIY photobooth accessories. Using simple decoupage techniques and felt for extra fun and texture you can choose your weapon of choice from oversized moustaches and 50s style specs to hot lips to jazz up your photobooth shot!

Ingredients:

Decopatch paper – with three patterns A4 (or larger) Cardboard Decopatch glue Decopatch brush Washi tape Craft knifeo…

We’re looking forward to heading to the Anthony Burgess Foundation this Thursday for The Exhibition Centre for the Life and Use of Books second instalment organised by our Lauren Velvick with Robert Carter and Daniel Fogarty.

For August and September 2014 The Exhibition Centre for the Life and Use of Bookshas undergone a temporary rebranding to The Exhibition Centre for the Use and Abuse of…

Bankley Open Call

We are proud to sponsor the Bankley Open Call, which is now open. Submissions are invited from UK based contemporary artists of any age and experience, working in any 2D media, video or sculpture. The first prize winning artist will be awarded £500 and a solo exhibition at Bankley Gallery, with a second prize winner being awarded a £150 voucher to spend here at Fred Aldous.

The selection of work…

We asked 11 artists to design a limited edition cover for our Sketchpad range and Alex Humphreys is the 7th artist we would like to introduce you to. An illustrator based in Manchester, Alex’s work is informed by process, she uses mark making and bold abstract compositions in her work.

See the full range of Fred Aldous Sketchpads here.

We caught up with Alex to find out a bit more about her.

Tell…

This week we are introducing you to Jake Beds, one of the 11 artists who has produced a limited edition cover for our Sketchpad range. A Manchester based freelance graphic designer, illustrator and print maker, Jake makes posters, prints and artwork using mainly Risograph & screen print.

Take a look at the full range of Fred Aldous Sketchpads with limited edition covers from 11 local artists here.

The Fred Aldous Summer Outing

You may have noticed that the shop was shut two Sunday’s ago, this was because we thought that it was high time to resurrect the Fred Aldous tradition of the annual staff summer outing. The last time we shut the shop and all went out for the day was way back in 1953.

So here is what we got up to…

Being mainly subterranean dwellers here at Freds we decided that we needed a little fresh air so we…

The sun’s out and there is nothing better than spending time in the great outdoors, so we have chosen our top products for getting crafty in the garden this summer.

Macrame Macrame is the craft of knotting string or cord into decorative patterns. Perfect for creating hanging baskets to keep those pesky slugs away from your growing greens. Or for the more ambitious out there, you could macrame a…

We asked 11 local artists to design a limited edition cover for our Fred Aldous Sketchpads and Alex T Frazer is the fifth of our Sketchpad artist’s that we would like to introduce you to. Describing himself as an illustrator with an old soul, Alex likes to keep a traditional element to his work which is reflected in his limited edition cover.

Take a look at the full Fred Aldous Sketchpad range he…

As you all know we have a bit of a thing for typography, which is why we love Barbara Kruger. With a major solo exhibition now on at Modern Art Oxford, we have decided to find out a bit more about her and the works that will be on show.

Barbara Kruger came to prominence in the 1980′s, and is known, alongside contemporaries such as Cindy Sherman and Sherrie Levine as one of the key feminist…

Yuck Print House will be opening the doors to their permanent gallery space in Chorlton, Manchester this Saturday the 26 July 2014. Promising to provide “contemporary and beautiful eye-food from a friendly and relaxed setting” Yuck have a range of prints from local and international artists, including our Fred Aldous Sketchpad artists Steve Hockett, Aliyah Hussain, John Powell-Jones and Textbook…

If you didn’t already know, Pinterest is a brilliant place to gather together future projects, free tutorials, party plans and all kinds of inspiration. Here’s five of our all-time fave pinners to get your crafty taste buds tingling:

1. Etsy. One of my best friends wore a handmade wedding dress from Etsy at her wedding this weekend. It was PERFECT. And Etsy is the perfect place to buy handmade,…

Aliyah Hussain is one of the 11 artists we asked to design a limited edition cover for our new Sketchpad range. Based in Manchester, Aliyah is a visual artist and one third of the Volkov Commanders. Her work ranges from printmaking and photography to performance and explores utopian, ritualistic and futuristic themes.

Take a look at the Fred Aldous limited edition Sketchpad range here.

We spoke…

We love our range of Tom Frost cards which is why we were so excited to hear that he has an exhibition of his work currently on at Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

Tom studied illustration at Falmouth College of Art, graduating in 2001. His work is inspired by his passion for old matchboxes, vintage tin toys, folk art and children’s books. Taking inspiration from the landscape and wildlife of Yorkshire…

The Whitworth Art Gallery has been undergoing a major redevelopment which will extend the public spaces within the gallery; including a state of the art learning centre, a collections access zone and brand new exhibition spaces.

The gallery reopens with a major exhibition from Cornelia Parkeron the 25 October and a celebration of the Whitworth’s eclectic collection. But if you can’t wait till…