Sat 29th August 2009

Minister Visit Supports Local Developments (ii)

During his visit to West Kilbride Scottish Government Minister Michael Russell was particularly keen to meet some of the local people who have benefited from living and working in West Kilbride. 

Lorna Reid, “Chookiebirdie”, opened her Studio and Gallery in the Main Street of West Kilbride in late 2007.  Lorna designs and hand produces her collection of contemporary home accessories and gifts.

“I have been a self employed textile designer since I graduated from the Scottish College of Textiles in Galashiels with a degree in Printed Textile Design in 1992. For 15 years I worked in printed surface design - and had a successful career specialising in swimwear and childrenswear. My bold Hawaiian style floral prints were especially popular in USA and Japan and I sold to a range of clients including Pringle - Scotland, Jones - New York and Louis Vuitton – Paris.”

The Minister and his wife were very interested to hear how Lorna and her husband had come to live in West Kilbride, attracted by the vibrant and positive community spirit in the village.

“My husband and I moved to West Kilbride in the summer of 2003. We were attracted by the vibrant and positive community spirit in the village as an ideal place to bring up our young family and particularly given  my career the focus on craft and design.

The Craft Town Initiative has since given me the opportunity to develop my career providing me with the space, support and resources to establish myself as a designer/maker – which was a long held career ambition.

My work is varied but always carefully crafted with clean lines, neat stitching and vibrant colours. I try to recycle as much as possible and find that charity shops hold a wealth of treasures and inspiration - particularly the one across the road from the studio where the lovely ladies are always on the lookout for nice bits and pieces for me!

One of the most positive things about working within West Kilbride is the interest and support shown by the local community.  As well as a significant number of regular local customers I have also been invited to speak about my work by a range of local groups and organisations.”

Lorna is looking forward to the development of the Barony Centre, with its dynamic new classroom and learning space, which will allow her to provide more  tutorials and workshops to local people and fellow enthusiasts than she currently offers.

“Having a studio has also given me the opportunity to work alongside and collaborate with other crafters and designers.  I am now able to offer small tutorials and workshops and I really enjoy the interaction that this brings with fellow enthusiasts and crafters.  I am looking forward to the development of the Barony as this promises to bring an even greater opportunity for this type of enterprise.”

Image by Stuart Nimmo, Professional Photographer

Left to Right:

Maggie Broadley, Catherine Russell, Michael Russell and Lorna Reid, Chookiebirdie, WK Studio 117.

Website Link: http://www.chookiebirdie.com/

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