Michelle Clayton

Knitting Noras 2009 - Ongoing

I help to run a knitting group, where we support and teach knitters of all ages the skills they need to progress to the next level. We are a group of about 30 people who meet each week to share our skills and experience. The group is growing all the time, recently we were interviewed by Radio Solent and we featured in a regional magazine. We have applied for a plot in the Greencrafts Field at Glastonbury 2010 to spread the word of knitting and recycling. This will be supported by an interactive educational program I have written as part of my final major Degree project.

Rigger, Squeeze 18; Southampton, 2008 – Present 

My tasks involve organising and coordinating the creation of events for clients.  From scheduling the staging materials and installation crew, to managing a team of up to ten crew and ensuring health and safety codes of conduct are met. Also interviewing and training crew members where necessary.

Ensuring high standards of work so that the venue delivers the creative vision and experience required  by the client.  Some events I have directly produced in 2009 include:

•  Glastonbury  – The Dance Village (an arena tent) 
• Isle of Wight Music Fesitival  – Carling tent, and Look Pamper Parlour
• Wembley Arena – The Firemans Ball 
• Gore Hotel, London – Launch of Liam Gallagher’s clothing range Pretty Green 

Freelance Artists Assistant, working for Dot to Dot, Carnival Factory and Splodge Designs 2008 - Present

Delivering fun and interactive art programs to a diverse range of community groups, Sharing my skills and experience to support different artists in workshop situations.Working within the local community translating their ideas for carnival costumes into working designs and helping them gain the skills needed to complete them. 

Volunteer, Get hooked on fishing; Southampton 2007

 Working with young people delivering a fun and interactive training program around the sport of angling. 

Bar Supervisor, The Hobbit & The Platform Tavern; Southampton 2004-2009 

Overseeing the day-to-day running of the premises, organising events and promotional activities. Personal license holder for the premises.  Using my artistic skills to create themes to support the events staged.  Weekend takings at The Hobbit ranged between £2-4k per day, pub capacity about 1500 people, staff 35.

Executive Researcher, Carswel Gould; Southampton  2005 

Range of activities including, booking staff to participate in research activities, researching geographic areas for projects, writing research material, analysing results and compiling manuscripts for clients.  Some of the clients I worked with included The Nuffield Theatre, Chichester Festival Theatre, Southampton City Council and Southampton Institute.

Executive Housekeeper, Awaroa Lodge, New Zealand 2003-2004

Responsible for the day-to-day supervision and motivation of the housekeeping team, ensuring that all standards were met.  General administration to ensure the ordering of supplies along with a working knowledge of the Fidelio reservation system.

Sales Assistant, Starboard Cruise Services, Miami 2001 – 2003

Sales Assistant in the fine jewelry and luxury goods store on board cruise ships.  Maintaining and organising the shop, stock taking on a weekly and monthly basis. Working with people from different parts of the world as part of a small team. Ensuring  the safety of all crew and passengers in the event of an emergency through regular evacuation training.