For Arts Sake is part of the Orkney Creative Hub, a community enterprise that provides support for artists and creators in Orkney. They offer studio space for artists, run workshops and classes, and have an open gallery space where artists can exhibit their work.

Project Description
There is now a fantastic opportunity for a 12-month graduate placement to help re-introduce weaving on Orkney, by developing a range of workshops and promoting weaving throughout the community.

Role Description
The successful candidate will aim to revive weaving skills, ensuring the craft is retained as part of Orkney’s heritage.
Specific tasks of the placement will include:
• Weave sample cloth.
• Set up a series of regular workshops.
• Design and develop a digital marketing strategy to promote the workshops.
• Hold several events throughout Orkney to showcase weaving.
• Set up external tutor led workshops.
• Establish links with local businesses and college.
• Run tours of the facilities, linking in with the cruise ship market.
• Establish the facility as a destination for tourists.
• Review of marketing activities.
• Identify future opportunities to build on.
• Create handover document.

The graduate will be based at the Orkney Creative Hub, based in Kirkwall.
This position is part funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the European Regional Development Fund.
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Oscha Slings Ltd – Loanhead EH20

Oscha Slings is a small, growing business based in Loanhead, near Edinburgh. They produce  baby slings with a focus on comfort and elegance. They are an ethical company, using natural and organic yarns, existing to promote the benefits of baby carrying and child development. They are looking for a weave designer / product developer to join the friendly, fast-paced and adaptable team.

Oscha Slings are seeking a creative person with strong technical knowledge and experience. The applicant must have a detailed working knowledge of jacquard and dobby loom weave as well as yarn counts and compositions. You will work with their Mill to develop new, exciting products and be part of the Design, Sales & Marketing team, working together to develop innovative seasonal products in-line with customer needs. Continue reading →

Dashing Tweeds – Cloth Manager

Dashing Tweeds work with the best British textile and clothing manufacturers to create products with integrity and longevity. Through their cloth collections and design studio they collaborate with the most exciting brands in the fashion industry and beyond.

With the launch of their first store on Sackville Street, and now the recent relocation to a much bigger store in Marylebone, they have opened up a contemporary arena for classic quality fabrics and have created a range of innovative tweeds, accessories and clothing for the 21st century man.

The Cloth Sales Manager will work closely with the Directors to organise and look after the tailors who currently stock the Dashing Tweeds bunches, and the aim of the role is to increase sales within this area of the business and develop this further.
Duties will include:
• Managing the tailoring database and supporting the tailors with any
queries, and tracking what types of things they are looking for
• Organising visits to the local London tailors to update their Dashing
Tweeds bunches with updated stock by Guy
• Creating and updating bunches for customers
• Organising monthly newsletters to the tailors updating them with our
current stock levels
• Seasonally organising the cloth updates for the international tailors
bunches
• With the possibility to join the team on trade trips to Milan for Milano
Unica and assist with all the swatch orders and Italian brand queries
• Liaising with the Agents in terms of updates, requests and business
strategies

Full training will be provided for all areas of the job. Continue reading →

Whitchurch Silk Mill is looking for a Trainee Weaver who is keen to learn about making silk on their Victorian machinery. As a working museum they need someone with a practical hands on approach with a genuine interest in heritage and weaving silk on tappet and dobby looms. During this one year training post the trainee will learn how to wind, warp and weave and work in this  working museum in the heart of the Hampshire countryside.

The Trainee Weaver will receive

• a full time, paid placement £18,000 pa
• training in the operation of a Grade Two* listed Silk Mill, including winding, warping, weaving and the operation of a visitor attraction
• time to study
• work alongside the Senior Weaver, Mill Engineer and the Mill team
• learn about all aspects of silk production on our historic machinery
• develop skills, such as guiding and working in a visitor attraction

To apply, please complete the application form  and send with a covering letter to sue.tapliss@whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk by Monday 27th August 2018.

Please do not send portfolios / photographs
Closing Date: 5.00pm Monday 27th August 2018

Gainsborough Fine Weavers & Dye House are looking for a technically minded, creative weave designer who is eager to learn. As a historical weaving mill they need someone who has a genuine interest in the history of their company and in the extensive archive they have at Gainsborough.

The candidate should be intuitive and professional with an understanding of Jacquard weaving.

The Company
Founded in 1903, Gainsborough Fine Weavers & Dye House embodies over a century of British craftsmanship. The entire production process – from design, to hand-dyeing yarns, to weaving the finished fabrics – takes place on the site they have occupied since 1924. They received the Royal Warrant from HM The Queen in 1981.

Alongside their own collections, Gainsborough has long been the textile house for any interior designer seeking beautiful bespoke fabrics, from contemporary, geometric styles to the richest of damasks and pearl-embroidered silks, and their willingness to support creative craftspeople in their endeavours, remains a cornerstone of their offering.

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