From vintage lace and elaborate wall hangings to original paintings and beautifully reimagined fabrics, North Shields artist Nicola Hall is preparing to bring years of creativity to a space of her own at Common Ground.

There are some artists whose work simply refuses to fit neatly into a category. North Shields creative Nicola Hall, the imagination behind Angelic Vision007, is one of them.

Part textile artist, part painter, part collector of beautiful things, Nicola has spent years creating an extraordinary collection of pieces inspired by fashion, history, nature and the sheer pleasure of making something with your hands.

Now she’s bringing that world to Common Ground, the new independent indoor market taking shape inside the former Wilko at the Beacon Centre in North Shields.

For Nicola, it’s an opportunity that has been a long time coming.

A CARNIVAL OF CREATION, A BRAINSTORM OF BEAUTY

That’s how Nicola describes Angelic Vision007, and it’s difficult to imagine a more fitting introduction.

Her creations are wonderfully eclectic. Think decadent textiles, embellished mirrors, lampshades, quilts, intricate beaded wall hangings, original sketches, prints and expressive paintings.

There’s an unmistakable sense of theatre running through her work, with influences ranging from the lavish interiors of Versailles and the elaborate costumes of centuries past to the natural world and the cosmos.

Nicola describes her textile creations as “Fabergé in fabric”, combining historical extravagance with an appreciation for beautiful materials, without the extravagant price tag.

A self-taught artist who grew up in the 1970s, she traces her creativity back to childhood, when books, fashion, costume and imagination opened up entire worlds.

That curiosity has never left her.

Some of her pieces have taken years to finish. Others have evolved over an entire decade, gathering new details, materials and meaning along the way.

For Nicola, creating isn’t simply about producing something to sell. It’s an instinct, a way of expressing thoughts and emotions that don’t always have words.

PRESERVING THE OLD, CREATING SOMETHING NEW

At the heart of Angelic Vision007 is a deep respect for craftsmanship and the materials that previous generations worked so hard to produce.

Vintage lace, forgotten fabrics, deadstock textiles, unusual trimmings and salvaged finds all have a place in Nicola’s creative world.

Rather than allowing beautiful materials to be discarded, she finds ways to transform them into something that can be treasured again.

Her work celebrates not just the finished object, but the people and skills behind it: the lace makers, weavers, seamstresses, factory workers and craftspeople whose knowledge was passed down through generations.

It’s an approach that feels particularly relevant today, when conversations around sustainability, repairing rather than replacing, and buying fewer but better things are becoming increasingly important.

Visitors to Angelic Vision007 at Common Ground will also discover Nicola’s collection of vintage lace and trimmings.

Whether you’re restoring a favourite item of clothing, reupholstering a chair, embellishing a jacket or simply looking for inspiration, these materials offer endless possibilities.

Nicola also hopes to encourage others to experiment, sharing her knowledge and helping people find the confidence to create something themselves.

WHY COMMON GROUND MATTERS

Perhaps the most interesting part of Nicola’s story is why she chose Common Ground.

Like many independent artists, she has spent years developing her work without necessarily having an accessible physical space in which to show it.

Selling art online presents its own challenges. Photographs rarely capture the richness of fabrics, the depth of a painting or the intricate details of something that has taken hundreds of hours to create.

Traditional gallery arrangements can also be difficult for independent makers, particularly when commissions of 30–50% affect either what an artist earns or what a customer must pay.

And opening a standalone shop brings a whole different level of financial commitment and responsibility.

For Nicola, Common Ground offers another possibility.

In her own words:

“To open my own shop would be overwhelming for me, but this space offers support and community for my business to blossom.”

It’s a simple statement, but one that captures much of what Common Ground is hoping to achieve.

A place where someone with years of skill, imagination and dedication can take the next step without having to do everything alone.

Where customers can meet the person who made something, hear its story and appreciate the craftsmanship up close.

And where independent businesses can learn from one another, collaborate and grow together.

MORE THAN JUST A PLACE TO SELL

As Common Ground takes shape, the diversity of the businesses joining the project is becoming one of its most exciting qualities.

Vintage collectors, independent retailers, makers, artists, designers and specialist businesses are coming together beneath one roof, each bringing something different to North Shields town centre.

Nicola’s arrival adds another creative dimension to that mix.

Her work bridges art, interiors, fashion, heritage and sustainability. It invites visitors not only to browse and buy, but to look more closely, ask questions and perhaps see the potential in something they might otherwise have thrown away.

And there’s something particularly lovely about an artist who has spent years creating in her own way now having the opportunity to share that work in the heart of her hometown.

It’s exactly the kind of independent creativity that deserves to be discovered.

WELCOME TO COMMON GROUND, NICOLA!

We’re delighted to introduce Nicola Hall and Angelic Vision007 as part of the growing Common Ground community.

We can’t wait to see her colourful, imaginative world come to life inside the Beacon Centre.

Discover Angelic Vision007

Instagram: @AngelicVision007

Visit Common Ground

Former Wilko, Beacon Centre, North Shields.

Common Ground is bringing together independent traders, makers, artists and businesses to create a new shopping and community destination in the heart of North Shields.

Interested in joining Common Ground?

Standard 3m × 3m stalls are £100 per week + VAT, with larger lock-up spaces available from £200 per week + VAT.

For trader enquiries and viewing opportunities, contact simmie@ilovenorthshields.com.

Trader recruitment and curation are coordinated by Simone (Simmie) Harper, founder of I Love North Shields, on behalf of the Beacon Centre.