Brighton Art & Design Guide - Brass Monkeys

Brighton Art and Design Map
Brass Monkeys Jewellery Workshops and Gallery


Jenifer Wall and Samantha Maund moved their workshop/gallery to Portland Road Hove in December 2007 after 6 years in a drafty garage in St Johns Road Hove (now Boxbird Studio and Gallery).

Samantha Maund

We are both makers and so just had a workshop before. Because we are makers we know all our suppliers personally, and we understand how the work is made.

Jenifer Wall

Brass Monkeys are trying to offer their customers something special and unique, unusual and original pieces that they won't find on the high street. Everything is displayed in antique cabinets creating the impression of a collection in a museum.

Sarah Packington

We currently stock the work of over 30 designer makers including Jenifer Wall, Samantha Maund, Anne Massey, Annabet Wyndham, Becky Crow, Joanne Tinker, Ruth Wood, Julia Groundsell, Mike Gell, Penny Warren

Jennifer Kidd

Kate Orton

Hannah Bedford

Sam Maund

Jenifer Wall

Ruth Wood
David Poston

Anne Massey



Open Tues - Sat 10-5pm
Closed Sun - Mon

Or by appointment

Brass Monkeys
109 Portland Road
Hove
East Sussex
BN3 5DP
01273 725170

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Lina Peterson Jewellery

Swedish born maker Lina Peterson was at Origin this year and I fell in love with her work.



She sees brooches as having a direct relationship with the body, allowing for a conversation to start between the garment and the work. Seeing her work, this claim makes sense. Lina is fascinated with the endless possibilities and configurations of materials - her work includes crocheted silver and gold, embroidered metal, dip-coated plastics, gold plated textiles, even bread buns! This love for combining unlikely materials drives the work itself, whilst also cleverly playing with people's expectations of jewellery.



As someone who loves brooches, it is hard to find big, bold, unfussy pieces that are gorgeous and wearable.
Now, to find an excuse to buy one!



http://www.linapeterson.com/

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Maker of the Week - Louise Miller

Louise Miller

I create non-precious jewellery from materials such as polypropylene, resin, acrylic and paper, which are combined with elements of gold and silver. I am interested in exploring cutting techniques, such as laser-cutting to produce intricate patterns in flat, sheet material which is then handmade into wearable jewellery. I have also looked at how jewellery might be stored when not being worn and this has resulted in a series of pieces that have a dual function. For example, a bangle that is housed in the surface of a decorative tile. When the two elements come together, they become an artwork that can be wall-mounted.

Colour is another important element to my work and I find inspiration in the 'ready-made' tones found on paint charts and in interiors. Sometimes the inherent colour of a material draws me to work directly with it and I rarely mix my own colours. The paper crafts of Japanese and Mexican cultures continue to have an influence on my style and the challenge of combining low-tech, handmade techniques with modern technologies.

One favourite living craft maker (and why?)
My favourite living craft maker is Dutch jewellery artist, Nel Linssen (www.nellinssen.nl). She has spent many years working intuitively with the same technique of punching out and assembling paper components into rhythmic, sensual jewellery. Her use of colour and form is highly accomplished and I admire the way in which she has taken such a simple technique and created her own complex visual language from it.

What was the last art/craft/design thing you purchased? or What one product/item do you really covet? (and why?)
I spent a few days in New York over the summer and loved discovering all the small independent shops. I found a little gem called ‘Purl Patchwork’ selling all sorts of quirky fabrics, which were beautifully displayed. I got carried away and bought various lengths of material, which are now in my drawer at home awaiting attention- one day I would like to make them into a patchwork quilt. They have a good website and also a sister shop packed full of knitting paraphernalia (www.purlsoho.com).

At age 15 who influenced your style? Was there any individual who very much helped you on your way?
I was highly influenced by the band Blur and their modish ways. I also wanted to look like the girls out of Elastica with their short hair and sparkly tops. I am most definitely a child of Britpop and think the mid- nineties were a pretty good time to be 15 and into music. I used to walk around Bournemouth with a blonde, sixties bob and Fred Perry t-shirt searching for Damon Albarn look-alikes! At that point in my life, art and craft had very little influence on my personal style!

Last best read (book)?
'A Thousand Splendid Suns' by Khaled Hosseini (author of 'The Kite Runner'). I thought this was actually better than 'The Kite Runner' and it bought a tear to my eye. It is a very moving story about an unexpected and enduring friendship between two women during unforgiving times in Afghanistan and I would highly recommend it.

Where and what is your studio? Do you work alone? In silence, radio?
My studio is at home and that is how I prefer it. In an ideal world my home would be bigger so that I had more space but I cannot moan too much as I do have a whole room to operate from. I find being around other people when I want to work is generally distracting and I get more done when left to my own devices. Having said that I don't do this full-time. For some of the week I am in a jewellery shop interacting with other human beings! I do wonder what might happen to my brain if I spent all week at home with just the cats for company...
On the days that I am in my studio I like to listen to the radio, BBC London in particular (www.bbc.co.uk). I start the day with some mild ranting from Vanessa Feltz and the strange people who have enough time to ring into radio stations with a litany of complaints. Then at lunchtime it changes to Robert Elms who is very entertaining. His programme is full of weird and wonderful facts about London and he plays some good tunes. I turn the radio off in the afternoon as Danny Baker comes on and he annoys me.

What is your favourite (art) website (and why)?
It has to be www.klimt02.net. This is a wonderful recourse for jewellers and anybody interested in the subject. It features the work of many international jewellers plus has regular updates on exhibitions, awards and jewellery news. You can sign up for free and they will send you a weekly newsletter.


Surprising activity/hobby?
Swimming with sharks

Do you have a good work/life balance? Are you able to switch off from art work?
It's not perfect but I think that I realised from an early stage that this profession isn't the same as a nine to five. It seems that some days, or some times of the year I work very long hours and don't seem to be getting any down time but then I do eventually find time to relax and do other things. I enjoy that I can be flexible about when I start and finish my day. For example, sometimes I prefer to start around midday but work later into the evening. Generally though, I think that it is important to have a fairly structured routine i.e. fixed times where you start and end work, then space to go and do other activities. You tend to be more productive and I would argue that creative types do benefit from this way of working.

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


Do you think art and craft has any real importance?
Yes, personally it has carried me through some tough periods and given me something to focus on. If I were unable to make, design or create for some time I think that would make me very fundamentally unhappy and frustrated.

Art and craft is also important because it can bring joy to people. Sometimes it might upset them or make them stop and question a situation, or look in a different way. These pursuits are culturally nourishing and certainly have a role to play. We would be a more barren place without them.

What do think are crimes against good taste & decency in art/craft/design?
Too many scarves and felt hats at craft and design shows, no wonder the craft world sometimes gets a bad press!


Loiuse is currently exhibiting at Origin (week 2) till sunday.

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Naive Textile Art

I came across Naive Accessories at a rather somnolent trade fair the other day. Not perhaps a good place to launch a new company to the world but what buyers there were seemed attracted by the originality and designs of Naive Accessories and they were the one stand with a queue.


Naive Accessories is run by daughter and mother - Becks and Susan Jennings - they use traditional techniques and natural materials to produce playful and original designs with a slightly old fashioned feel (in a good way!) The Jewellery cone above is french-knitted in Teeswater wool and crammed with lavender. The idea is that necklaces and other pieces of jewellery hand from the felt hatpins which if moved release the smell of the lavender.
The Cup-cakes again are filled with lavender and rings can be held within the folds of the 'icing' and earings pinned into the knitting.

The Cherryjelly Jewellery Box is handfelted into a vintage jellymould and crammed with lavender and is both a jewellery box (the calico cake stand) and can be used to hang necklaces etc from the bobbles.

Naive Accessories also do boxes of 'chocolates', Icecream Cones, and Beehives.

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Maker of the Week - Alexis Dove

Alexis Dove Jewellery

Feminine contemporary designer jewellery inspired by nature and ancient traditions of adornment. Wild roses, bellflowers, shells and Brighton Ironwork dripping with semi-precious beads and pearls. Rich hammered 22ct and 18ct gold stacking rings twinkling with Indian rose cut and old cut diamonds and diamond beads.


Money spent on Chocolate is never wasted

One favourite maker?
Benvenuto Cellini, the salt cellar commissioned by Francis 1st is considered by some to be the finest piece ever made by human hand!

When and where did you first want to do what you do?
I was travelling around Australia and New Zealand working in Agriculture, but became fascinated by all of the galleries and jewellers who were inspired by their environment and became determined to learn how to make jewellery and to stop being a farmer!


What place in the world has inspired you?
India, Thailand, Tibet, ancient Persia, Rome and Greece and my own garden. There is always something to be inspired by.

Do you work best on your own or in collaboration?
I work best in collaboration as I share my workshop with Justin Small and we discuss and work on the collections we both produce together. Often we can see the strengths and faults in each other's work and so we can constantly improve what we do.


What was the last art/craft/design thing you purchased?
I bought a gorgeous knitted bag from Caroline Jaques - it's beautiful.

Last best read (book)?
Frankenstein by Mary Shelly I had meant to read it for years and never got around to it.


Who would you say buys your work?
All age groups, but often women buying for themselves, my jewellery is very feminine and women are often drawn to it. When I design a piece I want it to look beautiful on the body and compliment the wearer.

How do you set about starting a new project?
I look in my note book which I always carry around so that if I have an idea I can make a note or sketch. Then when I want to create a new collection I look back and start to piece my ideas together.


What do you have on your pinboard?
A picture of Bonnie and Clyde, a picture of my sister on her wedding day and various pages from Vogue and museum exhibitions.

Where and what is your studio?
I have a gorgeous workshop in The Star Brewery in Lewes, it is small with a mezanine which has my office and a hammock for "contemplation" unfortunately Justin has usually got there before me!!! We listen to radio 6 and 4 and Justin listens to his 60's reggae and Blues CDs.

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Tech-tile: Stephen Bottomley

We visited Hove Museum the other day to see Tech-tile, an exhibition of the work of Stephen Bottomley inspired by and in homage to the work of Mario Fortuny, the Venetian artist who at the turn of the Twentieth Century brought together past and present, modern and medieval, designs and technologies.


Stephen Bottomley uses traditional craft skills combined with cutting-edge computer design tools to produce his work inspired by the geometric orientalism of Fortuny.


Bottomley says ‘My work plays on the inherent differences of two arenas - one the product of our time, the other the tradition of our discipline. Where these two worlds interweave is a new territory that stimulates ideas and imaginations.’

Tech-tile: Stephen Bottomley, is at Hove Museum & Art Gallery, 12 July to 12 October 2008.

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Felieke Van Der Leest- Amazing jeweller

I LOVE Felieke Van Der Leest!! I LOVE her work!! I would LOVE to inhabit her world!!! (or, at least own some of it).


I find her creations inspirational, funny and incredible. I will let her amazing jewellery and objects speak for themselves.


To quote her website....

Don't ask me why I do what I do...
Don't ask me how I come up with the things I come up with...
Don't ask me where it's coming from and what it means...
Because I don't know that much...

What I do know is...
That you can't get pregnant from a spermheart...
That even a sheep can get red ears...
And that some cockroaches like to dress up as an aphid or a ladybug...



http://www.feliekevanderleest.com/gallery/sieraden.php?l=e for lots more

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Goodies at Harrogate

I made the long trek up to Harrogate on Monday where the British Craft Trade Fair was taking place.

There were about 450 exhibitors spanning the handmade end of the Craft, Gift and Accessories sector, including a big contingent from Brighton and 'alumni' from Brighton Craft Fair along with 'freshers' for Made08 - Brighton's Design and Craft Fair

In no particular order I rather liked
Becky Crow's contemporary illustrative jewellery in silver with gold and copper details - some lovely work on her website too.



Lara Aldridge's panels, and bowls in kilnformed glass and metal foils.


Helaina Sharpley's tea obsessed wirework pictures, cups, teapots and teatrays. As well as large scale architectural wire sketches of buildings.


Janie - Jane Withers' Knitted Textiles , and tea cosies


Rowena Gilbert's Ceramics



Make (Nicola Caines') blown glass.


Sarah Lindsay's handmade Acrylic Jewellery, she calls them 'dust necklaces' but they look to me like exptically coloured 'geodes' - we're very glad that Sarah will be exhibiting her original and innovative acrylic jewellery at MADE08. for the first time.


Lynn Muir's painted driftwood and recycled wooden painted figures.


Folk Fanny's large scale stitched and appliqued and embroidered pictures.

After all this I still had time for my tea at Betty's tearoom for a pot of Lapsang and a Hazelnut and meringue Engadine Torte before getting the train back to the South Coast!

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