Creative Thursday - Nicola Greene

This week we interview Nicola Greene. The designer behind the Maeko Jewellery design company.

SSH: So What is it you do?
Nicola: I design and make my own Jewellery, primarily from Wood, Silver, Resin and I also use a bit of Bone and Semi-precious Stones. My studio is over on Albert Drive, in a converted residential Victorian Villa. The light in the studio is amazing because of the huge windows and it feels very spacious, so it’s a real pleasure to work from there. I enjoy experimenting with different materials which aren’t necessarily associated with jewellery making. For me, jewellery shouldn’t be too precious. The pieces I create are more fashion accessories than precious jewels.

SSH: Tell us a bit about your background?
Nicola: I studied Printed Textile Design at the Glasgow School of Art and then took myself off to London where I stayed for 10 years, working for various Fashion Houses, Burberry, Matthew Williamson, Hardy Amies and Nicole Farhi in Accessories Design, mainly Luxury Leather Goods. However, it was during my last stint as the Accessories Designer for Nicole Farhi that I became really interested in Jewellery. When I decided to relocate back to Glasgow a year and a half ago, I was really stumped as to what I would do here and then I came up with the idea of setting up my own label and studio to design and make my own jewellery. It’s been really nice not only to design the pieces but to physically make them with my own hands is really satisfying.

SSH: Do you have a favourite piece of work?
Nicola: I wouldn’t say I have an absolute favourite piece of work, but I really enjoy working with resin. It gives me an instant colour fix and I really like the feel and texture of it. I’ve recently switched from using polyester resins to Bio resin, which is much better for the environment as it’s bio-degradable (so that eases my conscience slightly) and it’s also better for me to work with (no more inhaling toxic fumes!!)

SSH: So what's next?
Nicola: I’m currently working on my new Autumn/Winter Collection as well as putting together a collection of pieces for Whistles. Trying to juggle the fun creative stuff with all the boring admin and website writing can be challenging at times when you’re working on your own, but you just have to be good at managing your time and also other people expectations!

SSH: What is your favourite source of inspiration?

Nicola: There are so many sources of inspiration just from my surroundings, but online I really like http://convoy.tumblr.com/page1 and http://chignonue.tumblr.com/archive and http://www.thesartorialist.blogspot.com/

SSH: What key piece of advice do you wish you'd known? 

Nicola: There are no short cuts, you have to put in the hard work to get results. It’s really important that you enjoy what you do, otherwise what’s the point – do something else!

SSH: Do you have a fourite favourite place in the Southside?

Nicola: I really like going for a wander through Queens Park, the view from the top is great. I also really like Cookie, the food is good and reasonably priced and it’s also a nice place to go for a coffee and read the papers.

SSH: Name another Southside creative whose work you admire?

Nicola: Too many to mention, but the lovely and talented Textile maker Laura Spring (also in Albert Drive Studios) whose creative juices are overflowing at the minute following her recent residency at Cove Park  and of course the multi-talented Sans Facon: Charles Blanc and Tristan Surtees who have been busy touring with their limelight installation,

SSH: If money was no option what would you change about the Southside?
Nicola: Not sure that money could fix this, but it would be really nice if it was a lot more sunny and closer to the sea!
SSH: Where do you sell your work?

Nicola: You can buy the collection online from my website http://www.maeko.co.uk/ as well as through Whistles in St Johns Wood, London and Brompton Road.

SSH: Tell us one other interesting fact about you?

Nicola: I’m the proud owner of a Blue Peter badge which I won when I was 8 years old for designing an outfit for Karen Keating.

The Southside Six

The Southside Six Running event covers six parks, and over sixteen miles, of the Southside of Glasgow. The event takes place on October 30th at 11am, so is an ideal end of season run for experienced runners, or a great target for recreational joggers to spend their summer building up to.

The Southside Six will start near the flagpole in Queen’s Park. From there the route heads down through Battlefield towards King’s Park and then on to Linn Park. Leaving Linn Park the route passes through Clarkston Toll and onwards to Rouken Glen Park. Next stop is Pollok Country Park before the penultimate Bellahouston Park and finally back to Queen’s Park for the finish line at the flagpole. The total route is approximately 26km and

For more information or to book your place click here

This Weekend

It's looking like another wet weekend but that's not an excuse not to get out and about.

So on Saturday the Govanhill Baths are holding a Big Lunch with sparkle and fun for everyone! There will be food, music, song, dance and laughter in and around the building, marking the 10th anniversary of the campaign to re-open the Baths as a Wellbeing Centre.Go along, eat and be merry with your friends, family and neighbours and check out... performances from amazing groups like SubSine. They are a 3 piece production collective based in Glasgow that offer a showcase of live dance music spanning from ‘Dubstep’ through to ‘Drum n Bass’, from’ Acoustic’ to ‘ Tech house’. They play a dynamic set incorporating a live DJ, live vocalist and live guitarist. You can expect the chilled eclectic styles of ‘Massive Attack’ and ‘Morcheeba’ through to the upbeat style and tempo of ‘Kosheen’ and ‘Pendulum’ or tap your feet and sing-a-long to Underbone who will be belting out your favourite classics! (11am - 4pm)

Magpie's eye gallery in Govan are having a vintage sale. From clothing and jewellery to tea sets and handmade goods, all for under £20. Go along from 11am and grab yourself a bargain. If you're in Govan how about a quick ferry ride over to the new Riverside Museum. Ferry runs every twenty minutes and it's £3 return.

On Saturday night The Soothside Dub Launch party is happening at the The Function Suite, 106 Torrisdale St.  Alternatively the Southern Fried's Summer Soulstice is taking place at the Pollok Ex Service Men's Club on Titwood Road. doors open at 8.30pm

On Sunday The Hidden Gardens are celebrating Refugee Week this Sunday with international cooking demos  international music hosted by the Glad Café and plenty activities to keep the kids occupied, including storytelling and facepainting! Also, you can bring along your favourite dish and join in with our community picnic on the lawn  Event Free

Also the British Art Show is still on at the Tramway, worth a visit.

* First Person to identify the Southside Shop in the image above wins a SSH badge. Leave a comment below

Hidden Gardens - Refugee week celebrations

The Hidden Gardens are celebrating Refugee Week this Sunday with international cooking demos  international music hosted by the Glad Café and plenty activities to keep the kids occupied, including storytelling and facepainting! Also, you can bring along your favourite dish and join in with our community picnic on the lawn  Event Free.

Southern Fried's Summer Soulstice

Southern Fried's Summer Soulstice will take place this Saturday night at the Pollok ex Social club on Titwood Road. Get yourselves along to get your fix of rare Northern Soul, Motown, 60s funk and 70s grooves played by a bunch of people with records.

Cheap bar, great dance floor, friendly people and brilliant music – all you need for a soulful night out.

Doors open 8.30pm

Sing for the sunrise

So today is the longest day of the year and come tomorrow morning the days will begin to draw in, nights will get darker and summer will slowly slide into autumn. What better way to celebrate this than with the National Theatre of Scotland greeting the new day with a sing song in Queens Park at 04:30am tomorrow morning!!

Here is what they had to say for themselves.

"Dear all,

On the 22nd of June (the morning following the summer solstice), you are invited to be part of a makeshift, DIY choir, who will sing as the sun arrives over the hill. Originally commissioned as part of Fuel's 'Everyday Moments' Series (http://www.fueltheatre.com/projects/everyday-moments), this newly composed dawnsong will also form part of National Theatre Scotland's fifth birthday celebrations; 24 hours of live, five ...minute, back-to-back performances, all broadcast on the web (http://fiveminutetheatre.com/). If you would like to be part of this tuneful ritual to mark one the years longest days, just come along to the two choir practices.

The first is at the RSAMD, in the city center, on June 19th between 1 and 4 pm. The second will be on Monday June 20th in Queens Park, from 6pm. All are welcome!

The performance will take place on Wednesday 22nd, 4.30am, at Queens Park Viewpoint and will be filmed for live web broadcast.


Any questions, please email contact@nicgreen.org.uk.
Thanks for reading, hope to see some of you there-in the meantime please feel free to forward this invite!


Best wishes,


nic green"

I really like the idea of hearing all these nice songs but 04:30am is rather early. Hmmm I think I'll sleep on it.

Creative Thursday - Susan Castillo

Meet Susan Castillo,  a very talented freelance photographer from Battlefield.

SSH: So tell us a bit about your background?

Susan: Well I did a degree in Craft and Design at Gray's School of Art (a treasured experience) after which I worked as a Arts Tutor for a bit . Like most graduates I had ( I still have) the travel bug so made the decision to travelling for a year. It was the best thing I ever did it gave me the clarity to see what I really wanted to do professionally. Despite knowing I'd be labelled a 'mature' student I moved to Glasgow to re-train as a photographer at the Glasgow Met College.

SSH: Describe your creative practice?

Susan: I take pictures. I have a clean modern approach which is driven by creativity, I really love experimenting with techniques and alternative processes I'm very enthusiastic about trying out new things. This always concerned me when I was at college as I felt I didn't have a style however, I've come to realise that, that is my style. Photography is a wonderful medium the ability to capture something that ordinarily would be missed, continually amazes me.

SSH: Do you have a favourite type of work ie Portraits or fashion

Susan: Actually I really enjoy portraiture and fashion, as well as still life, I think these subjects really allow me to explore all sorts of possibilities.

SSH: Who have you most enjoyed collaborating with?

Susan: Thats tough! I think I would have to say I like working with Indicate Magazine and The Coveted Magazine because they in turn allow me to collaborate with lots of talented people and have fun doing it.

SSH: So what are you working on currently?
Susan:I'm working on a personal still life project that I hope to exhibit next year. Also I'm working on an installation for The Forgotten Island which is happening on the Clyde this summer ( I use the word summer loosely).

What is your favourite creative blog/ website or other source of inspiration?

The Creative Review website, the Fashiontography Blog, Trendland and I can't forget Google its my best friend I get such obscure inspiration from it.
SSH: What key piece of advice do you wish you'd known?

Susan: To appreciate now, not worry about the future or the past.

SSH: Tell us your favourite place/ space in the Southside?
Susan: Queen's Park I pass it practically every day, its very pretty.

SSH:Name another Southside creative whose work you admire?
Susan: Well this is awkward , my better half who's a designer recently did Creative Thursday and he said I was who he admired. I don't feel obliged to return the gesture, the fact is he is very much who I admire, he's talented, he has an amazing work ethic and strongly believes in what he does which naturally inspires me. We're a great support for one another, being in a creative industry is difficult its not like any other, so having someone who understands those difficulties is so important to me. Yeah so Darren Wilson of Kabloom

SSH:If money was no option what would you change about the Southside
Susan: The Southside has huge potential to be amazing, I'd love to see it with more boutiques, quirky shops and cafes, especially ones that offer coffee and dessert till midnight European style.

SSH:Tell us one other interesting fact about you?

Susan: I could tell you loads of dull things like I love baking and one day would be in a musical ( I can't sing do you think that's an issue?) but interesting is a struggle...I have monkey like feet, I can pick up things with my toes!

Where can people purchase your work?

Susan: Contact me through the site www.susancastillo.co.uk or on hello@susancastillo.co.uk  or even through my Facebook page 

Bungo in the Back Lanes - 18th June 2011

It's almost time for one of our favourite southside events of the year...Bungo in the Back Lanes. Bungo is the summer festival organised by the residents of Strathbungo. One Saturday every year they open up their gardens and clear out their garages. Stalls are set up in the back lanes, bouncy castles in the gardens, live music, wonderful food and most of all a great atmosphere.

It's a unique festival in a great area of the city, it's the community spirit and independent nature of the event that makes it stand out. This years event will be held on Saturday the 18th June and starts at 1pm.

Click here to read our post about last years event

Five Minute Theatre at Samuel Dows

Ahead of the National Theatre of Scotland's Five Minute Theatre extravaganza on June 21st, Samuel Dows in Strathbungo will be staging and recording short plays from 7:30pm on Sunday 12th June. Among the acts, there will be performances from the wonderful Gary McNair

“Think Einstein. Think Blue Peter. McNair’s talent for turning hilarious gambits into instances of genuinely moving and profound insight into his - and our - humanity is a joy to watch. He is a welcome force on the performance scene.”  The Herald

and also Suzie Ferguson

"The understated brilliance of clown Suzie Ferguson...Ferguson finds meaning in the slightest nuance of gesture. Never over-playing the physical comedy, even her imagined death and annunciation are hilarious."

More information on Five Minute Theatre can be found at http://www.fiveminutetheatre.com/

Tickets are Free

Ready Steady Grow Festival

This Sunday sees the return of Polloksheilds annual Ready Steady Grow Festival, a celebration of greenspace in and around Polloksheilds.

There are a whole host of events and activities being organised throughout the day including facepainting, garden box planting, storytelling, arts and crafts, learn circus skills with Theatre Modo, Heritage Tours of Polloksheilds,  Events will be taking place in the Hidden Gardens, New Victoria Gardens, Maxwell Park and the Burgh Halls, Maxwell Park Station, The Deck access flats, East Polloksheilds Flats, The Lesley Street Green Spaces and The Nan Mackay Hall.

The day starts at 1.30am and ends at 4.30pm.

To download the map click here

To download the whats on leaflet Here