Maker of the Week - Amy Keeper

Amy Keeper is a contemporary jewellery designer / maker. Amy is inspired by sentimental jewellery of the Victorian and Georgian era and the photographed characters from vintage postcards, circa 1920’s-30’s. She makes contemporary jewellery with a nostalgic narrative, sometimes setting the images behind stones and glass to include them as precious elements, and sometimes using photo-etching to create the suggestion of a modern cameo.

One favourite living craft maker.

Zoe Arnold, I love the narrative of her work, both the jewellery and objects that she makes, she has a wonderful way of storytelling through her pieces.

What one product/item do you really covet?

I really covet Su Blackwell's book sculptures, they're beautiful and I would love to own one.

At age 18 who influenced your style? Was there any individual who very much helped you on your way?

At age 18 I was very much influenced by the indie music scene, I wanted to be Louise Wener from Sleeper! Sadly I wasn't making jewellery back then.

What’s currently on your i-pod, cd player, tape recorder?

She & Him Volume 2, the actress Zooey Deschanel sings, she has the most fantastic voice and they have a great style.

Where and what is your studio?

I have a lovely workshop at Craft Central in Clerkenwell, London. It's one of many studios in a large Victorian (I think) building and they provide a fantastic community there.

What is your favourite (art) website ?

http://www.klimt02.net/, it's a jewellery community website and they always have some amazing pieces on there.

Surprising activity/hobby?

My hobby is quite a lazy one, I go to the cinema as often as possible, at least once or twice a week.

Do you have a good work/life balance? Are you able to switch off from art work?

That's tricky because I think even when you're not working it creeps into your mind and you suddenly find yourself writing to do lists, or you'll see something that inspires you with a new design.

What one word would describe your feeling of doing your work?

Hope!

Do you think art and craft has any real importance?

Absolutely I do! I think art and craft provides a window to social history, as long as there have been people there have been forms of art. I also think it's important to conserve the traditional skills involved in art and crafts as well as embracing new technology.

What do think are crimes against good taste & decency in art/craft/design?

Ooh I couldn't say! To give a diplomatic answer, it's each to their own, that's the lovely thing about art/craft/design, there's something out there for everyone!

Click Here to Read More..

Artists & Makers Winter Market Lewes

Artists & Makers winter market takes place this weekend in Lewes.

This year Artists and Makers are occupying the brilliant open space of the Foundry Gallery, North St, Lewes on December 4th from 10am to 4.30pm and aim to fill it with the spirit of Christmas. The Artists & Makers fair offers a chance to purchase contemporary design, craft and art from highly original local makers and designers across all media. With jewellery, furniture, ceramics, textiles, and clothing the fair offers beautiful handcrafted objects to suit everyone's taste and budget.

Angels with Attitude, a Lewes-based acapella choir, famed for their fine harmonies will be there singing songs with a Christmassy theme – angels and stars – as well as possibly a small amount of Abba!

Click Here to Read More..

New Craft Event for Wales

A brand new craft and design event for Christmas is being launched at Tredegar House in Newport, Wales. Made by Hand takes place from 3 - 5 December and will showcase over 140 UK designer / makers with workshops, live music, family entertainment, locally sourced food and more!

Click Here to Read More..

Maker of the Week - Tracy Evans

Tracy Evans is a textile artist based in the South of England. Using traditional hand weaving techniques she creates hand crafted products for fashion and interiors using a rich mix of natural fibres such as lambs wool, silk and cotton.

One favourite living craft maker.

Margo Selby for her ingenious use of structure on the loom and incredible colour sense

What was the last art/craft/design thing you purchased?

A silver ring by Sharon Justice, loved for it's simplicity.

At age 18 who influenced your style? Was there any individual who very much helped you on your way?
That was about 100 years ago but it was probably Vivienne Westwood's buffalo girls collection, complete with backcombed hair!

What’s currently on your i-pod, cd player, tape recorder?
Jamiroquai, Michael Buble, Damien Rice

Where and what is your studio?
A home office, (or posh shed) in my garden in Gosport, Hants, which just isn't big enough.

What is your favourite (art) website?

http://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/ because I love looking through the Craft Directory and having a nose at everyone's work.

Surprising activity/hobby?
Spinning class although you would never know it from the size of my bottom!

Do you have a good work/life balance? Are you able to switch off from art work?
Rarely, perks of having a studio at home I guess. Although some days it's hard to get motivated when working alone, I always know when it's going to be one because the vacuuming takes priority!

What one word would describe your feeling of doing your work?
Control

Do you think art and craft has any real importance?
Absolutely, it is a celebration of imagination and skill.

What do think are crimes against good taste & decency in art/craft/design?
Copying someones ideas and passing them off as your own.

Click Here to Read More..

Sarah Young at MADE10

MADE10 closes today 5.00 and so far it's been the busiest and most successful show ever. Visitors love the quality and variety of the work on show and sales seem brisk.


Sarah Young is launching 3 new designs for Fabric kits/Tea-towels - Felix (fox) Marmaduke (cat) and Bertha (woman). They're screenprinted in 4 colours on white cotton and at MADE10 cost £10 each or £25 for all 3. They can be cut out and sewn up to make toys, door stops, or left as a tea towel or a picture.

Click Here to Read More..

Maker of the Day - Jean Wilkinson

Jean Wilkinson is a jeweller and silversmith who is fascinating by changing metal into beautiful shapes and capturing the essence of a form. She is currently exhibiting at MADE10.

One favourite living craft maker.
Phil Barnes. Phil is an amazing talented enameller with such a depth of knowledge and experience.

What was the last art/craft/design thing you purchased? or What one product/item do you really covet?
I coveted a chased silver dish made by Irish Silversmith Brian Clarke, it was exquisite. The last art piece I bought was a piece of lalique opalescent glass, quite amazing!


At age 18 who influenced your style? Was there any individual who very much helped you on your way?
Brian Clarke Silversmith and Phil Barnes Enameller were essential to where I am now.

What’s currently on your i-pod, cd player, tape recorder?
Dire Straits and Santana

Where and what is your studio?
My workshop is outside the village of Headcorn in Kent. It is an old coach house with plenty of space and light.

What is your favourite (art) website?
My Favourite art is Plique a jour enamelling period 1890 - 1920 and I spend a lot of time surfing the whole Art Nouveau, Jungenstil period references to find information and pieces made then.

Surprising activity/hobby?
Latin and Ballroom dancing

Do you have a good work/life balance? Are you able to switch off from art work?
Not really, it seems to occupy my mind constantly!

What one word would describe your feeling of doing your work?
At One (Sorry that's two words!)

Do you think art and craft has any real importance?
I think its vital to us. The makers live it and the customers make it part of their lives.

What do think are crimes against good taste & decency in art/craft/design?
Cheap, bought in, mass produced pieces being sold as hand made items.

Click Here to Read More..

BRIGHTON COLLECTS AWARD

Brighton and Hove Museums and MADE10 each year sponsor a purchase award to buy contemporary craft work to be housed in the museum's specialist craft and design collection which is one of the best collections in the country.


This year the award was split between Choreographer and Jeweller, Sarah Warsop for a piece of jewellery which represents in solid form a series of choreographed dance movements, and Kate Jenkins of Cardigan for a crocheted picture of Battered Cod and Chips. Kate has previously crocheted cigarettes and packets, a whole banquet, a garden and has worked with cartoonists 'Modern Toss'

Click Here to Read More..

MADE10 - Brighton's Design and Craft Fair

MADE started last night with a capacity crowd for the private view despite torrential rain just before the start. It's all looking good though with many exhibitors going to town with the designs of their stands.


Kealwork's felted animal hats/sculptures and greenwood furniture, are attracting a lot of attention.

The fair was officially opened by Clare Gogerty editor of Coast Magazine who support MADE.

MADE10 is open today (Friday) till 7.30, Saturday 10-6 and Sunday 10-5pm

Click Here to Read More..

MADE10 - Boat Arrives

Ryan Kearley's beautifully rennovated 1950's clinker dingy arrived looking small on the trailer but much larger in the building. This will be our centerpiece for the MADE10 lobby.

Click Here to Read More..

MADE10 Setup

I'm sitting at the Corn Exchange making sure the preparations go to plan for MADE 10 which sets up tomorrow. So far so good, the banners posters and flyers seems to be out, and our teams from Wales and Cornwall are well ahead with building and lighting the stands. Some nice press this year too.
Demand for tickets and take up of special offers has been high so we're expecting a good turn out.

Guerilla knitters have decorated the statue of Max Miller giving him warm ankles - perhaps in honour of MADE10?

Click Here to Read More..

Maker of the Day - Harriet Chapman

Harriet Chapman is a contemporary handbag designer based in South Wales. Outdoor living and a more nomadic lifestyle is the inspiration for her collection of digitally printed fabrics.

One favourite living craft maker.
One of my favorate craft makers/ artist....Rachel Howard

What was the last art/craft/design thing you purchased?
My last little purchase was one of Anna Lewis's birds (of which I now have five) from her Cathexis exhibition at the Mission Gallery 2007.




At age 18 who influenced your style? Was there any individual who very much helped you on your way?
I think i was very inspired at the age of 18 by Art nouveau. It was my farther that helped me on my way.

What’s currently on your i-pod, cd player, tape recorder?
Paulo natini, Imogen Heap, Kings of Leon, 0z

Where and what is your studio?
My studio is a 60s purpose built complex which is very cold in the winter , and has a lovely court yard where artists can gather at lunch times in the summer.

What is your favourite (art) website?
Amy Butler is one of my favourite websites.

Surprising activity/hobby?
Camping

Do you have a good work/life balance?
I do have a good worklife it is hard to switch off sometimes though , but I absoloutly love what I do.

What one word would describe your feeling of doing your work?
Happy

Do you think art and craft has any real importance?
I think Art and Craft is crucial and very important.

What do think are crimes against good taste & decency in art/craft/design?
There's no crime you only buy what you like!

Click Here to Read More..

Maker of the Day - Sarah Walton

Sarah Walton is a Sussex based potter. She has run a pottery there since 1975 using a large oil-fired saltglaze kiln. Sarah studied Fine Art at Chelsea from 1960-64 and Studio Pottery at Harrow from 1971-73. In 2008, Sarah began exhibiting her ceramic garden birdbaths at the Chelsea Flower Show, organised by the RHS.

One favourite living craft maker.
Jim Partridge who works in wood because it demonstates a great degree of lateral thinking in design and sensitivity to his material.

What was the last art/craft/design thing you purchased?
Some months back I spent a lot of money by my standards on 2 books of the B&W photos of James Ravilious. They've been propped open ever since,on the chest-of-drawers at the foot of my bed, at a series of images.

At age 18 who influenced your style? Was there any individual who very much helped you on your way?
At 18 I was studying painting and looking at the work of such painters as Giotto, Masaccio, Rembrandt, Constable and Velasques. As far as 3 dimensional work was concerned I wasn't looking at sculpture at all but i was in love with the Lake District, its icy Spring torrents and minute wild daffodils, its stone walls and barns. At school I had as an art master a Pole. We liked each other the moment we set eyes on one another. He'd had a hell of a 2nd. world war, like so many central Europeans. He said to me, 'Go and look at great Art,' which gave me permission to prowl the London museums from my early teens.He died before I became a potter.

What’s currently on your i-pod, cd player, tape recorder?
Currently on my cd player - French for beginners.


Where and what is your studio?
My studio is in the garden of my home. I built it 35years ago, including its large salt kiln. It is a rural setting.

What is your favourite (art) website?
I've not got that far digitally.

Surprising activity/hobby?
Dancing

Do you have a good work/life balance? Are you able to switch off from art work?
It wasn't till I'd been a potter for 10 years that I acknowledged that I had to make some big changes if I was to have a better work/life balance. I've been working at it with zeal in the 25years since then.So much so that it's one of my proudest achievements. I never entirely switch off from work.

What one word would describe your feeling of doing your work?
Involvement.

Do you think art and craft has any real importance?
No

What do think are crimes against good taste & decency in art/craft/design?
The temptation to side-line quality for 'a fast buck'. Then anything goes.

Click Here to Read More..

Maker of the Day - Martha Mitchell

Martha Mitchell produces ceramic jewellery, functional objects and intricate fine line drawings. Her inspiration comes from everyday objects, from food packaging to new and old bottles. She has recently set up a studio in Hove where she is continuing to design and make her own work.


One favourite living craft maker.
The ceramicist Andrea Walsh - she makes bone china and glass vessels, I love the mix of white with bright turquoises and blues.

What was the last art/craft/design thing you purchased or what one product/item do you really covet?
I’d love one of Kate Malone's pieces - her work is amazing I have never seen another ceramicist produce such amazing colours and forms.

At age 18 who influenced your style? Was there any individual who very much helped you on your way?
The designer Andrew Tanner definitely had an influence on my style – he was a visiting lecturer both on my foundation course and on my degree – and it was he who helped me decide on what degree to choose and which direction my work would go in.

What’s currently on your i-pod, cd player, tape recorder?
I don’t have an i-pod at the moment so I make do with the radio!

Where and what is your studio?
I am about to move in to a studio with two friends in Third Avenue – Rebecca Cluett, a pattern cutter, and Elizabeth Lock, a milliner. We are all very excited to move in as it is a lovely big space and it will be an inspiring working environment.

What is your favourite (art) website?
Design spotter– it is a database for modern and contemporary design and the content is always changing, I used it a lot for research at university!

Do you have a good work/life balance?
I find it really hard to switch off from work as I can’t sit still without doing something! I am also a worrier which means I am constantly making lists of what to do next!

What one word would describe your feeling of doing your work?
Satisfaction!

Do you think art and craft has any real importance?
Definitely – it is really important for things to not only be designed well but also to give pleasure to people to look at

What do think are crimes against good taste & decency in art/craft/design?
Mass produced badly made giftware

Click Here to Read More..

Maker of the Day - Fiona Howard

In 2007 Fiona Howard was inspired to create “FiFi”, her own collection of contemporary classic home furnishings and stylish complimentary homewares. The ‘FiFi’ collection is based on hand-cut linos created by Fiona in her Brighton studio, which exude a fresh outdoor-living style that is both contemporary and classic, with an eye to making life more beautiful.

One favourite living craft maker.

Christo and his wife Jean-Claude for the extraordinary way they create beautiful statements out of things we have seen a hundred times and never really looked at.

What was the last art/craft/design thing you purchased?

A Johnathan Adler dove salt and pepper set, given to me by my boyfriend. I love the beautiful shapes they make however they are positioned together.

At age 18 who influenced your style? Was there any individual who very much helped you on your way?

My father pushed me to be as good as I possibly could be. By not really understanding what I was doing I kept striving to be better to help him understand.

What’s currently on your i-pod, cd player, tape recorder?

Whenever I travel there's always piped music everywhere, in airports, hotel lobbies, shops etc, so recently I try to turn everything off and I've been enjoying the silence.

Where and what is your studio?

At home in my beautiful flat overlooking the sea.

What is your favourite (art) website?

www.starck.com for his simplicity

Surprising activity/hobby?

Collecting heart shaped stones.

Do you have a good work/life balance? Are you able to switch off from art work? No....I never stop !

What one word would describe your feeling of doing your work?

All encompassing

Do you think art and craft has any real importance?

Yes....It is the most important thing, it helps us to relax and enjoy the world around us, to laugh at life and see the extraordinary in ordinary things.

What do think are crimes against good taste & decency in art/craft/design?

There's frequently too much overdesign.

Click Here to Read More..

Maker of the Day - Marieke Hordyk

Contemporary jewellery designer Marieke Hordyk is based in Cambridge and trades as Allielola.

One favourite living craft maker.

It changes all the time, there are so many great artists, but right now, I love Sophie Honeybourne's jewellery, particularly her enamel work. I would love a Rosie Neckpiece - she uses fabulously vibrant blues.

What was the last art/craft/design thing you purchased?
A painting by local Cambidge based artist, Peter Sutton.

At age 18 who influenced your style?
My father grew up in Indonesia and travelled much to faraway places when I was growing up. We lived amongst an eclectic mix of art and furniture from all over the world and I grew up on Indonesian food. I think I will always be intregued by the Far East. At 18 I left home to study French and Spanish in London and was set on travelling the world after that. I loved all things Asian and everything French or Latino. I was really into vintage jewellery and would go to all the London Markets to look for vintage and second hand costume jewellery. I spent many a Saturday at Portobello Road Market!

Was there any individual who very much helped you on your way?
Not really, however, I have two sisters and my parents instilled a believe in ourselves that we could do anything, so long as we completely gave it our best. I think it gave me confidence to change direction many times and just give things a go. I started making jewellery after I had my childeren. My husband has been amazingly supportive and provides lots of ecouragement and inspiration!

What’s currently on your i-pod, cd player, tape recorder?
Jameroquai's Rock Dust Light Star!

Where and what is your studio?
I work from home, surrounded by kids, kids' stuff and our dog. Time spent on jewellery making is precious and has to be productive - lucky I work best under pressure!

What is your favourite (art) website?

Dazzle - for its huge amount of different jewellery designers. I always feel very inspired after looking at Dazzle's site. I'm really looking forward to going to their exhibition at the National Theatre in London, later this month.

Surprising activity/hobby?
Flamenco dancing!

Do you have a good work/life balance? Are you able to switch off from art work?
It's taken me years, but I feel that things are quite balanced now. Because of my childeren and the dog I only have a short 'working day', which is mostly quite annoying, but I suppose it does mean that my day is very varied and keeps stress at bay.

What one word would describe your feeling of doing your work?
Inspired

Do you think art and craft has any real importance?
Of course! If only for the artist's desire to create! The world would be a very uninspiring place without art and craft.

What do you think are crimes against good taste & decency in art/craft/design?
Comparing handmade individually designed pieces to cheap shop-bought mass produced items.

Click Here to Read More..

Maker of the Day - Kate Fisher

<

Kate Fisher is a ceramicist based in Norfolk and produces both functional and sculptural pieces. Kate will be exhibiting her work at MADE10.

One favourite living craft maker.
That's a tricky one for me, so many people are influential in my craft life at the mo. The person I most look up to since speaking to him at college is David Hendley of Farmhouse Pottery in Maydelle, Texas, USA. I admire him as he tries to be as self sufficient as possible within his life using and reusing his own resources, he is the ultimate potter I've found that lives by the 'Reduce, Reuse, Recycle' saying. I would love to be able to do that one day, its always been my dream to live off the fat of the land self sufficiently and to do that within pottery too would be amazing!

What was the last art/craft/design thing you purchased? What one product/item do you really covet?
I recently bought a small ceramic piece from a potter called Gill Hedge, it was one of those items that I wouldn't usually go for, but something about it sang to me, I think it was the angle of the curve in it along with its unusual shaped rim.

To have a piece of Hans Copers would be fantastic! I love his work, the contemporary forms (I'm all about form) along with the natural surfaces, they look like they could've been from an era long lost and from today all at the same time. Magical.


At age 18 who influenced your style? Was there any individual who very much helped you on your way?
At age 18 I thought I was going to study fashion at Salisbury University, I was largely interested in the work of Issey Miyake. Thinking about it now, his work was very about form and that's where my influences are now. For one reason or another I didn't go and decided to do the BA (hons) in Design Crafts at Lowestoft College, and I'm so grateful I did as I wouldn't have found my true passion; throwing on a potters wheel.

What’s currently on your i-pod, cd player, tape recorder?
I love reggae! My favourite at the moment is Alborosie, he's on repeat along side Nina Simone and the Kooks. Some may say I have a varied taste in music.

Where and what is your studio?
I've recently moved studios. I'm in a little shop just off the high street in a gorgeous little market town in Norfolk called Harleston. I work in the shop so people can watch me work, I like to know how things are made and I think its important for people to see the time and love we crafts people put into our work.

What is your favourite (art) website?
I've recently been directed to the Ceramic Arts Daily website. Its brilliant, you can sign up for newsletters and its so helpful with tricks and tips for all kinds of pottery techniques.

Surprising activity/hobby?
Mmm... What makes an activity or hobby surprising? I do tai chi, pilates, yoga, walking and meditation. I attempt playing the guitar. Oh, this one might be surprising, I've just started learning to play the didgeridoo. Its so relaxing.

Do you have a good work/life balance? Are you able to switch off from art work?
I struggle to switch off from craft mode once I get started, so I work longer days than the 'average' person. Especially at the moment as MADE10 is my first large event, I would like to make a good impression with my work to all the visitors. It does get tiring at times as most crafts are so physical, so I have to leave the house/workshop and go elsewhere so I don't start working and then tire myself out.



What one word would describe your feeling of doing your work?
Destiny. Its what I'm meant to do.

Do you think art and craft has any real importance?
I honestly believe it is important. For the maker, without it what would be done with all that creativity? For me I couldn't imagine doing anything else and before I found my craft I felt lost. For the viewer, what an amazing way to see the beauty from within another person. It can open your eyes to the beauty all around us, I've experienced some deep emotions from looking at art and craft. For those that enjoy it but do not have the desire to produce it, would miss out on that too. To me it is all about perspective, art and craft helps you to realise that no one see's the world in the same way, everyone has a different opinion and this should be cherished. It also helps us hold on to our roots, mankind has come such an amazingly long way in producing things, I don't believe we should allow hand making techniques to become extinct. Mankind has so much to offer and I think there is a place for everything in it. So that's my opinion.

What do you think are crimes against good taste & decency in art/craft/design?
Personally, I'm not keen on Damian Hirst's work with the animals in formaldehyde, I think that shouldn't be classed as art, but then I like the thought provoking work he does with pills in cabinets. I don't like painted pre manufactured pots as its just not to my taste, I enjoy form and simplicity whereas the painted work is usually very busy and I find it slightly gaudy most of the time. Again, I go back to opinion, and art and craft are very much reliant on that and this is just my humble opinion.

Click Here to Read More..