Research and stories are fundamental to my work. Everything I make has some kind of message or meaning which I want to express through making artwork. I talk about research a lot, both in the podcast and in my Maker Membership but I know that it isn't always clear what I mean by research and narrative textiles. The podcast episode focuses on what I understand by research, what I do and what it means to me. Building more research (of whatever kind) into your making is one of the cornerstones of my Maker Membership and it's something I love to explore with other creative people. Find out more at ruthsinger.com/podcast

Research and stories are fundamental to my work. Everything I make has some kind of message or meaning which I want to express through making artwork. I talk about research a lot, both in the podcast and in my Maker Membership but I know that it isn't always clear what I mean by research and narrative textiles. The podcast episode focuses on what I understand by research, what I do and what it means to me. Building more research (of whatever kind) into your making is one of the cornerstones of my Maker Membership and it's something I love to explore with other creative people. Find out more at <a href="http://ruthsinger.com/podcast" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer ugc" target="_blank">ruthsinger.com/podcast</a>

#20: Making Meaning with Ruth Singer on Research

Alice's practice is deeply embedded in land and place. She makes with found and natural materials using textile processes and others drawn from basketry and bookmaking. Alice and I met some years ago through exhibiting in the same places and having a shared understanding of making a living as an artist and in particular, writing books about our work. Alice is well-known in textiles for her book Natural Processes in Textile Art and her new book Wild Textiles comes out this September. In this podcast we talk about her journey to the materials and engagement with the land which guides her work and the many complexities of being a working professional artist who wears many hats. We share having textiles as a second career too and talk about the many positive aspects of this in the work we do now. This is a great conversation full of stories and details about Alice's life and work. Find out more at ruthsinger.com/podcast

Alice's practice is deeply embedded in land and place. She makes with found and natural materials using textile processes and others drawn from basketry and bookmaking. Alice and I met some years ago through exhibiting in the same places and having a shared understanding of making a living as an artist and in particular, writing books about our work. Alice is well-known in textiles for her book Natural Processes in Textile Art and her new book Wild Textiles comes out this September. In this podcast we talk about her journey to the materials and engagement with the land which guides her work and the many complexities of being a working professional artist who wears many hats. We share having textiles as a second career too and talk about the many positive aspects of this in the work we do now. This is a great conversation full of stories and details about Alice's life and work. Find out more at <a href="http://ruthsinger.com/podcast" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer ugc" target="_blank">ruthsinger.com/podcast</a>

#19: Making Meaning with Alice Fox

Textiles in Lockdown was a wonderful project I worked on in 2020. Gawthorpe Textiles Collection commissioned me to research textile making practice during the 2020 lockdowns and to create a digital resource for their museum collection. I chose to make a podcast and ebook for them, sharing your stories of stitching and sewing during the first few months of the pandemic. It was such a wonderful project for me and I know it meant a lot to so many to have their work and story captured in this podcast and ebook. In this episode I introduce the podcast and afterwards talk to Gawthorpe Textiles Collection Director Charlotte Steels about the project and its impact. Find out more at ruthsinger.com/podcast

Textiles in Lockdown was a wonderful project I worked on in 2020. Gawthorpe Textiles Collection commissioned me to research textile making practice during the 2020 lockdowns and to create a digital resource for their museum collection. I chose to make a podcast and ebook for them, sharing your stories of stitching and sewing during the first few months of the pandemic. It was such a wonderful project for me and I know it meant a lot to so many to have their work and story captured in this podcast and ebook. In this episode I introduce the podcast and afterwards talk to Gawthorpe Textiles Collection Director Charlotte Steels about the project and its impact. Find out more at <a href="http://ruthsinger.com/podcast" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer ugc" target="_blank">ruthsinger.com/podcast</a>

#18: Making Meaning with Textiles in Lockdown

I truly believe that connection and community are vital to creativity. It's hard to be making work on your own without conversations, feedback and inspiration from others. I created Maker Membership, my online community, during the pandemic to bring makers together to share, talk and be inspired. This podcast episode is based around one of our Membership Live group sessions with three long-standing members Alison Foster, Cheryl Hewitt and Lucie Bea Dutton discussing their work, development and the support they receive from Maker Membership. I run Maker Membership through Podia which is an online school platform. If you are thinking of creating an online workshop website or similar online community through podia, please use my affiliate link below to sign up. Thank you! https://www.podia.com/?via=ruth-singer

I truly believe that connection and community are vital to creativity. It's hard to be making work on your own without conversations, feedback and inspiration from others. I created Maker Membership, my online community, during the pandemic to bring makers together to share, talk and be inspired. This podcast episode is based around one of our Membership Live group sessions with three long-standing members Alison Foster, Cheryl Hewitt and Lucie Bea Dutton discussing their work, development and the support they receive from Maker Membership. I run Maker Membership through Podia which is an online school platform. If you are thinking of creating an online workshop website or similar online community through podia, please use my affiliate link below to sign up. Thank you! <a href="https://www.podia.com/?via=ruth-singer" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.podia.com/?via=ruth-singer</a>

#17: Making Meaning with Maker Membership Community

Wellbeing through stitch and communal creative practice runs through Claire's practice, writing and projects. She's just completed a PhD exploring this subject in depth and we both love talking about the importance of community making practice, about textile and local heritage and about the power of textiles to change lives in all kinds of subtle ways. This conversation ranges across all these areas of interest and we talk about how our work in communities is so important yet so often overlooked in the wider art world. I was honoured to be included in Claire's recent book Resilient Stitch and I’m also grateful to her for sharing her thoughts on textiles and community making for Textiles in Lockdown podcast which I made in 2020 with Gawthorpe Textiles Collection. That's coming out on this podcast very soon so you can catch up with it right here. Claire has just relaunched her incredibly popular online teaching sessions. Links to all of these are at  ruthsinger.com/podcast

Wellbeing through stitch and communal creative practice runs through Claire's practice, writing and projects. She's just completed a PhD exploring this subject in depth and we both love talking about the importance of community making practice, about textile and local heritage and about the power of textiles to change lives in all kinds of subtle ways. This conversation ranges across all these areas of interest and we talk about how our work in communities is so important yet so often overlooked in the wider art world. I was honoured to be included in Claire's recent book Resilient Stitch and I’m also grateful to her for sharing her thoughts on textiles and community making for Textiles in Lockdown podcast which I made in 2020 with Gawthorpe Textiles Collection. That's coming out on this podcast very soon so you can catch up with it right here. Claire has just relaunched her incredibly popular online teaching sessions. Links to all of these are at <a> ruthsinger.com/podcast</a>

#16: Making Meaning with Claire Wellesley-Smith

I've been enormously lucky over the last 10 years or so to work with Louise at Llantarnam Grange on both group and solo exhibitions. In this conversation we talk about how she creates and curates exhibitions, finds artists to work with and shares stories through craft. We also talk about the importance of the artist-curator relationship, about my work with her and the gallery, and how important exhibitions are for both artist and visitor. This was recorded in person at the gallery in March 2022.

I've been enormously lucky over the last 10 years or so to work with Louise at Llantarnam Grange on both group and solo exhibitions. In this conversation we talk about how she creates and curates exhibitions, finds artists to work with and shares stories through craft. We also talk about the importance of the artist-curator relationship, about my work with her and the gallery, and how important exhibitions are for both artist and visitor. This was recorded in person at the gallery in March 2022.

#15: Making Meaning with Louise Jones-Williams

Sharon's work really fascinates me. Her objects tell intriguing stories of the landscape she is rooted in and allow for contemplation and imagination of the viewer too. Sharon and I have had such interesting conversations about place, belonging, boundaries and landscape containers, it was a pleasure to talk to her more about her work in this podcast. Sharon also supports artists through 1:1 coaching. www.ruthsinger.com/podcast

Sharon's work really fascinates me. Her objects tell intriguing stories of the landscape she is rooted in and allow for contemplation and imagination of the viewer too. Sharon and I have had such interesting conversations about place, belonging, boundaries and landscape containers, it was a pleasure to talk to her more about her work in this podcast. Sharon also supports artists through 1:1 coaching. <a href="http://www.ruthsinger.com/podcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.ruthsinger.com/podcast</a>

#14: Making Meaning with Sharon Adams

Helen Hallows

It's great to be back with a new series of Making Meaning. In this episode I'm talking to artist Helen Hallows about living a creative life with a deep connection with nature, about the challenges and joys of being a professional artists and about what it means to be embodying her philosophy of nurturing creativity within our lives. Find out more: https://ruthsinger.com/podcast/ 

It's great to be back with a new series of Making Meaning. In this episode I'm talking to artist Helen Hallows about living a creative life with a deep connection with nature, about the challenges and joys of being a professional artists and about what it means to be embodying her philosophy of nurturing creativity within our lives. Find out more: <a href="https://ruthsinger.com/podcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://ruthsinger.com/podcast/</a>

#13: Making Meaning with Helen Hallows

This is just a quickie, a tiny unscripted mini pod to remind you that the Crowdfunder closes this weekend Sunday 12th December and that your contribution will be very much appreciated! There's also a little bonus at the end with some reflection questions for you to ponder in relation to your own making with meaning. Links from the episode: Podcast: ruthsinger.com/podcast Crowdfunder: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/making-meaning-podcast-series-two  Email list: https://ruthsinger.com/studio-stories-email-sign-up/ Gentle Goal Setting: https://ruthsinger.podia.com/gentle-goal-setting-course

This is just a quickie, a tiny unscripted mini pod to remind you that the Crowdfunder closes this weekend Sunday 12th December and that your contribution will be very much appreciated! There's also a little bonus at the end with some reflection questions for you to ponder in relation to your own making with meaning. Links from the episode: Podcast: <a href="http://ruthsinger.com/podcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ruthsinger.com/podcast</a> Crowdfunder: <a href="https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/making-meaning-podcast-series-two" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/making-meaning-podcast-series-two</a> Email list: <a href="https://ruthsinger.com/studio-stories-email-sign-up/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://ruthsinger.com/studio-stories-email-sign-up/</a> Gentle Goal Setting: <a href="https://ruthsinger.podia.com/gentle-goal-setting-course" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://ruthsinger.podia.com/gentle-goal-setting-course</a>

#12: Making Meaning Crowdfunder and mini episode

This end of series episode of Making Meaning is just me. I wanted to reflect on the series, to share my thoughts and feelings about the amazing conversations I've had. I also wanted to add a bit more context about my own work and share more about myself and some of the projects I have worked on in the past, present and future. The themes that come up again and again in this series are about connection and collaboration, about the creative impulse and the value of our ideas, about research, about materials and making and about change, movement and belonging. I also introduce some ideas for the new series of Making Meaning, including a live event and longer, even more in-depth conversations. To make this possible, I am still crowdfunding so please contribute if you can here. Find out more at ruthsinger.com/podcast

This end of series episode of Making Meaning is just me. I wanted to reflect on the series, to share my thoughts and feelings about the amazing conversations I've had. I also wanted to add a bit more context about my own work and share more about myself and some of the projects I have worked on in the past, present and future. The themes that come up again and again in this series are about connection and collaboration, about the creative impulse and the value of our ideas, about research, about materials and making and about change, movement and belonging. I also introduce some ideas for the new series of Making Meaning, including a live event and longer, even more in-depth conversations. To make this possible, I am still crowdfunding so please contribute if you can here. Find out more at <a href="http://ruthsinger.com/podcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ruthsinger.com/podcast</a>

#11: Making Meaning Reflections

Making Meaning is a podcast exploring the meaning behind what we make. Artist Ruth Singer talks to creative people about why they make and create. Ruth loves finding out how artists, writers, coaches, researchers and others use challenging and complex stories within their work. She is interested in what matters to them and why they choose to create what they do. Ruth Singer has been making textile art professionally for 16 years and before that worked in the museum sector and has wide ranging interests in all kinds of creative practice. Words are really important to her; she writes books, shares a lot of her work online and loves talking about creative practice to other people who get it. Ruth also works as a mentor to artists and creative businesses and is always learning about what drives creative people to make interesting and complex things.

Emma King

In this final conversation of the series, Ruth is talking to museum consultant Emma King. Ruth &amp; Emma were at University studying for a Masters Degree in Museum Studies. In this episode they talk about making meaning in museums, about what museums are for, about ideas and their value and about how to spark and nuture them. Find out more at ruthsinger.com/podcast We are raising money for the next series of Making Meaning. Please contribute if you can here

In this final conversation of the series, Ruth is talking to museum consultant Emma King. Ruth &amp; Emma were at University studying for a Masters Degree in Museum Studies. In this episode they talk about making meaning in museums, about what museums are for, about ideas and their value and about how to spark and nuture them. Find out more at <a href="http://ruthsinger.com/podcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ruthsinger.com/podcast</a> We are raising money for the next series of Making Meaning. Please contribute if you can <a href="https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/making-meaning-podcast-series-two" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>

#10: Making Meaning with Emma King

This week Ruth is talking to Paula Briggs, a ceramic artist focussing on narrative in craft. This conversation grew from a previous interview for Paula's Masters Degree in ceramics where she asked Ruth about research-based work, making a living from non-commercial making and communicating the stories behind the work. In this podcast they talk about all of this and more including the importance of making skills in industry and the absorbing and powerful nature of research in making. Podcast Series Two Crowdfunder is now open, please contribute if you can: ruthsinger.com/podcast

This week Ruth is talking to Paula Briggs, a ceramic artist focussing on narrative in craft. This conversation grew from a previous interview for Paula's Masters Degree in ceramics where she asked Ruth about research-based work, making a living from non-commercial making and communicating the stories behind the work. In this podcast they talk about all of this and more including the importance of making skills in industry and the absorbing and powerful nature of research in making. Podcast Series Two <a href="https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/making-meaning-podcast-series-two" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Crowdfunde</a>r is now open, please contribute if you can: <a href="http://ruthsinger.com/podcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ruthsinger.com/podcast</a>

#9: Making Meaning with Paula Briggs

 In this episode Ruth talks to textile artist  Ekta Kaul  about her soulful stitch work, about belonging and place making about about the richness of textile making to improve our lives. Ekta is a London-based artist who grew up in India. In this conversation she shares how her map-making stitch practice has helped grounding her in a new country. They share their stories of finding their place in the textile world over the last dozen or more years and talk about how powerful it is to stitch and create alongside communities, be they our own membership groups or with diverse community groups and workshops. Find out more at ruthsinger.com/podcast Ekta's website Ruth's Maker Membership Support the podcast using Paypal

In this episode Ruth talks to textile artist <a> Ekta Kaul</a> about her soulful stitch work, about belonging and place making about about the richness of textile making to improve our lives. Ekta is a London-based artist who grew up in India. In this conversation she shares how her map-making stitch practice has helped grounding her in a new country. They share their stories of finding their place in the textile world over the last dozen or more years and talk about how powerful it is to stitch and create alongside communities, be they our own membership groups or with diverse community groups and workshops. Find out more at <a href="http://ruthsinger.com/podcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ruthsinger.com/podcast</a> <a href="https://www.ektakaul.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ekta's website</a> <a href="http://ruthsinger.com/membership" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ruth's Maker Membership</a> <a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=LD9R6GP5LSSF4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Support the podcast using Paypal</a>

#8: Making Meaning with Ekta Kaul

Melody Vaughan, coach and mentor to makers started her working life in the museum sector, just like Ruth did. In this conversation, they discuss how museum training has impacted their work with and as makers. They talk about the importance of understanding how things are made, how makers have so much knowledge that museums could be tapping into better and how objects have long lives that we often don't think about. Both Ruth and Melody support other makers through mentoring and courses and they talk about what they want to uncover from their clients is the stories behind the making, the why. There are links to Melody's work and some of the things they talked about at ruthsinger.com/podcast

Melody Vaughan, coach and mentor to makers started her working life in the museum sector, just like Ruth did. In this conversation, they discuss how museum training has impacted their work with and as makers. They talk about the importance of understanding how things are made, how makers have so much knowledge that museums could be tapping into better and how objects have long lives that we often don't think about. Both Ruth and Melody support other makers through mentoring and courses and they talk about what they want to uncover from their clients is the stories behind the making, the why. There are links to Melody's work and some of the things they talked about at <a href="http://ruthsinger.com/podcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ruthsinger.com/podcast</a>

#7: Making Meaning with Melody Vaughan

Cas Holmes

This conversation between textile artists Ruth Singer &amp; Cas Holmes is full of fascinating insights into the thoughtful making processes they share. Cas and Ruth talk about migration and cultural heritage, about responding to old but meaningful cloth and other objects and about the loss of talking to other people, sparking ideas and sharing textile making in communal spaces through the pandemic. Cas talks movingly about the impact of little conversations, asides and responses and how all that feeds into her work which she creates with delicacy and thoughtfulness. She talks about the losses we have all felt through the pandemic and how it has created more understanding of those who have been displaced and constrained by incredibly difficult circumstances. Find out more at ruthsinger.com/podcast

This conversation between textile artists Ruth Singer &amp; Cas Holmes is full of fascinating insights into the thoughtful making processes they share. Cas and Ruth talk about migration and cultural heritage, about responding to old but meaningful cloth and other objects and about the loss of talking to other people, sparking ideas and sharing textile making in communal spaces through the pandemic. Cas talks movingly about the impact of little conversations, asides and responses and how all that feeds into her work which she creates with delicacy and thoughtfulness. She talks about the losses we have all felt through the pandemic and how it has created more understanding of those who have been displaced and constrained by incredibly difficult circumstances. Find out more at <a href="http://ruthsinger.com/podcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ruthsinger.com/podcast</a>

#6: Making Meaning with Cas Holmes

Kathryn is an artist maker specialising in miniature works celebrating nature. Kathryn's approach is research-based and multi-faceted - from a Herbarium of Stories made from leaves and sunlight, to wildflower shoes sculpted in sugar, she creates intricate artworks that weave together tales of nature, place and people. She is currently Artist in Residence at Langdyke Countryside Trust in Cambridgeshire, England. In this conversation we talk about following your inspiration, exploring and sharing stories, working with museums and enjoying the infinite pleasures of both creativity and the natural world. Find out more at ruthsinger.com/podcast

Kathryn is an artist maker specialising in miniature works celebrating nature. Kathryn's approach is research-based and multi-faceted - from a Herbarium of Stories made from leaves and sunlight, to wildflower shoes sculpted in sugar, she creates intricate artworks that weave together tales of nature, place and people. She is currently Artist in Residence at Langdyke Countryside Trust in Cambridgeshire, England. In this conversation we talk about following your inspiration, exploring and sharing stories, working with museums and enjoying the infinite pleasures of both creativity and the natural world. Find out more at <a href="http://ruthsinger.com/podcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ruthsinger.com/podcast</a>

#5: Making Meaning with Kathryn Parsons

Richard McVetis

In this episode Ruth talks to artist Richard McVetis about his meticulous embroidery work and the complexities and joys of being an artist. Richard makes work for exhibitions and commissions and shares his unique style of stitch and the meditative process behind it through workshops. In the 10 years or so since I first came across Richard’s work, he’s exhibited widely including the Crafts Council’s Collect Open in 2017, and he’s got a solo exhibition coming up in 2022. In this conversation we talk about research and our methods for gathering ideas, what inspires us and how place and family heritage are so important. Richard talks about never not being an artist which rings so true for me, and about being curious and always exploring ideas. Find out more at ruthsinger.com/podcast

In this episode Ruth talks to artist Richard McVetis about his meticulous embroidery work and the complexities and joys of being an artist. Richard makes work for exhibitions and commissions and shares his unique style of stitch and the meditative process behind it through workshops. In the 10 years or so since I first came across Richard’s work, he’s exhibited widely including the Crafts Council’s Collect Open in 2017, and he’s got a solo exhibition coming up in 2022. In this conversation we talk about research and our methods for gathering ideas, what inspires us and how place and family heritage are so important. Richard talks about never not being an artist which rings so true for me, and about being curious and always exploring ideas. Find out more at <a href="http://ruthsinger.com/podcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ruthsinger.com/podcast</a>

#4: Making Meaning with Richard McVetis

Artists Ruth Singer and Caren Garfen in conversation about the meanings behind their work. Both Ruth and Caren work in textiles and have a strong association with working with objects and they talk about using textiles to tell personal and challenging stories. Caren has created work about eating disorders previously and she talks at length in this episode about her work sharing historic and contemporary stories of anti-Semitism. They also share their experiences of slow creative processes, taking time to develop and share their ideas and how connecting with and engaging with other artists is so important to understanding their own work. Find out more at ruthsinger.com/podcast

Artists Ruth Singer and Caren Garfen in conversation about the meanings behind their work. Both Ruth and Caren work in textiles and have a strong association with working with objects and they talk about using textiles to tell personal and challenging stories. Caren has created work about eating disorders previously and she talks at length in this episode about her work sharing historic and contemporary stories of anti-Semitism. They also share their experiences of slow creative processes, taking time to develop and share their ideas and how connecting with and engaging with other artists is so important to understanding their own work. Find out more at <a href="http://ruthsinger.com/podcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ruthsinger.com/podcast</a>

#3: Making Meaning with Caren Garfen

Ruth talks to fine artist Gillian McFarland. Ruth &amp; Gillian have collaborated for a number of years on art-science and other conceptual projects. In this episode, Gillian talks about the meanings and thought processes behind her work and why she chooses to collaborate with other artists. For more information visit: ruthsinger.com

Ruth talks to fine artist Gillian McFarland. Ruth &amp; Gillian have collaborated for a number of years on art-science and other conceptual projects. In this episode, Gillian talks about the meanings and thought processes behind her work and why she chooses to collaborate with other artists. For more information visit: <a href="http://ruthsinger.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ruthsinger.com</a>

#2: Collaboration and Connection

Artist Ruth Singer introduces her new podcast Making Meaning. She explains how she loves talking to other artists and creative people about what they do and why and how important it is to her to connect and converse during these isolated times. Ruth also shares some information about who she is going to talk to through this series and about how this podcast is conversations not formal interviews. She then introduces the first guest for the next episode. Ruth also talks about the mentoring programmes she offers and other ways to keep in touch. For more information visit: ruthsinger.com

Artist Ruth Singer introduces her new podcast Making Meaning. She explains how she loves talking to other artists and creative people about what they do and why and how important it is to her to connect and converse during these isolated times. Ruth also shares some information about who she is going to talk to through this series and about how this podcast is conversations not formal interviews. She then introduces the first guest for the next episode. Ruth also talks about the mentoring programmes she offers and other ways to keep in touch. For more information visit: <a href="http://ruthsinger.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ruthsinger.com</a>

#1: Welcome to Making Meaning

Making Meaning is a podcast exploring the meaning behind what we make. Artist Ruth Singer talks to creative people about why they make and create. Ruth loves finding out how artists, writers, coaches, researchers and others use challenging and complex stories within their work. She is interested in what matters to them and why they choose to create what they do. Ruth Singer has been making textile art professionally for 16 years and before that worked in the museum sector and has wide ranging interests in all kinds of creative practice. Words are really important to her; she writes books, shares a lot of her work online and loves talking about creative practice to other people who get it. Ruth also works as a mentor to artists and creative businesses and is always learning about what drives creative people to make interesting and complex things.

Making Meaning

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