Rachel Nettles qualified in Fine Art Sculpture BA (Hons) at Wolverhampton Polytechnic (1987-90), having previously studied Art Foundation at Manchester Polytechnic (1986-1987). Here her work consisted of women made from tights, attached to life sized three dimensional textiles instillation's (Bicycles, Lawnmowers). From there she worked in various places, working in props and sculpting for television with company Minister Models (1990-1997). She then began work with Habitat before creating her own company Cabbages and Nettles (2013-Present).
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| Copyright: Rachel Nettles |
Cabbages & Nettles was created in 2013, and is a small business based in Altrincham, Manchester.
The work produced here comes in the textile form of vegetables and floral arrangements, everything is created using only free machine stitch and water soluble material.
Using organic forms as inspiration, Rachel decomposes vegetables to create templates to stitch before constructing.
Gathering various types and colours of thread is just the start to the long process of creating the three dimensional textiles pieces. Rachel draws around the template onto water soluble material, and then changing the top and bobbin tensions, uses the different threads in the machine to layer (almost like colouring in with a sewing machine), when the whole of the template is covered in tonal colours of thread, the soluble material is washed away and left at the end is a material made from thread that can be shaped into decomposing forms whilst drying (ie, crinkled leaf). These pieces are then all constructed and stitched together by hand to make the final product.
The organic theme to Rachel's work is truly inspiring, the creative inspirations and influences that her work is derived from, truly does express her interest in the arts, which further develops her own influence into the art world.
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| Copyright: Rachel Nettles |
Working over summer with Rachel, for her company Cabbages & Nettles was
a real eye-opener into running and starting a business, and the
importance of networking and building rapport with customers.
Over summer I was given the job of stitching leaves and bodies for various vegtables that would be part of the installation at the Dig The City event in Albert Square, Manchester. This was challenging as although I myself am influenced by nature, I had to adapt to a different way of working, in comparison to my own work, the work at Cabbages & Nettles is very lifelike, rustic, loose and free.
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| Cabbages & Nettles Studio (Event Preperation) |
I have come to understand what it takes to run a business, the hours that Rachel works and the never-ending networking and craft events that are attended. The projects and events that Cabbages & Nettles feature at all coincide, which allows little room for mainpulation with deadlines, adding un desired pressure. And Rachel does this all on her own! (with help sometimes from students, like me!)
The work of Cabbages and Nettles has featured in the Craft & Design Magazine September/October 2015.
The work of Cabbages and Nettles has featured in the Craft & Design Magazine September/October 2015.
All in all I found the work that Cabbages & Nettles produces to be something to be proud to be part of.
I found that Rachel is a true inspiration and her work has influenced me to push boundaries and to keep following your creative dreams, because hard work really does pay off!
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| Copyright: Rachel Nettles |
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