Abigail Brown

Abigail brought her birds down from London today and installed them in the gallery at Castor + Pollux.

They decorate the 'Christmas tree' and look very festive

Her intricate little beasties are machine and handstitched using new and recycled materials. Each have an amazing amount of character. Tiny birds occupy vintage matchboxes, some form pictures on canvas whilst others eye you, perched from above.

Prices start at £22.

www.abigail-brown.co.uk
www.castorandpollux.co.uk

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Xmas Presents 1

You've all taken the pledge (no doubt) to only buy handmade this Christmas as a gesture of support for designers and makers struggling against the hegemony of the chainstores! (or you just want something unique)
We'll be posting ideas for inexpensive christmas presents over the next few weeks. Here are a few ideas from Brighton Craft Fair makers


CATHERINE AITKEN
Large Gent's Toilet Bag Hunting Macleod £35.
Good strong grab bag with waterproof lining, fabulous for travel, in Harris Tweed Hunting Macleod. Strong zip closure and velvet pull tabs at either end for ease of opening and closing. 30cms long, 16cms wide and 5 cms high.
Buy on line from www.catherineaitken.com


LUCIE PRITCHARD

'to nellie from daisie' - purse £20 and can be bought at www.notonthehighstreet.com/luciepritchard


ALEXIS DOVE

Wild Rose stud earrings oxidised silver(also available in polished silver) £35 - to order contact Alexis Dove


SASKIA SHUTT

Solid silver cube earrings on hoops £30.
Order through www.saskiashutt.com
or email jewellery@saskiashutt.com


SYLPH BAIER


Hand-thrown - Blue Spiral Mug from Sylphs 'Lift range'. Dishwasher proof
£17 + 6.50 p& p

To Order ring - 01273 540552
or email - ceramics@sylphbaier.co.uk

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Sign The Pledge

This is an American ecological, pro-small maker campaign trying to encourage individuals to buy handmade this Christmas 8000 have signed up so far - you can find out more and take the pledge below! For the nosey it also have everyones website or blog who's signed the pledge so far.



http://buyhandmade.org/why-buy-handmade

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The Make Lounge

Last Monday was my first workshop teaching knitting at The Make Lounge.

The Hub in North London near Angel station has been housing various workshops lead by makers and crafters for the past couple of months.
The idea is, that those with busy lives who have little time for creative pursuits can take a short break and learn a new skill or two, in a friendly, relaxed atmoshpere they can share with friends.

Workshops have touched on a variety of skills including hotwater bottle covers made from recycling jumpers, felted bags, mosaic mirrors and beaded jewellery, knitted gloves and stockings.

Maxine Sutton, a previous maker of the week here, has been hosting applique classes.

You can find all the details here http://www.themakelounge.com and thank you to Jennifer

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Sarah Youngs new work

Sarah Young unveiled her latest string to the artistic bow at this years Brighton Craft Fair;
Fabric kits which can be made up to make figures, doorstops or framed as pictures.

The usual hectic schedule meant that printing was finished two days before the BCF private view and hemming is still going on (through the night) to finish individual kits to meet the demand.

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MAKER OF THE WEEK - JONATHAN GARRATT

Jonathan Garratt FRSA

Jonathan Garratt concentrates on wood firing a locally dug clay (terracotta) for work ranging from unusual garden planters to slipware, decorative pots and garden art installations. Many of the influences derive from prehistoric pottery and other artefacts and from tribal arts.


Money spent on play is never wasted

Favourite living craft maker
Catherine Vanier (France) very highly skilled technically courageous imaginative (terre vernissee0

Favourite Artist
Alexander Calder - sharp, fluid, distinctive.

When and where did you first want to do what you do?
Age 16 at Eton College

What place in the world has inspired you?
European alps, wildlife, memories of embryonic ski industry. Holidays 1960, space, visual drama, botany photographs.

Do you work best on your own or in collaboration?
By myself

What one craft item do you really covet?
Amber Jade Chinese "Ear Cup" - Han Dynasty. Just too beautiful


At aged 15 who influenced your style?
Hans Coper

Was there any individual who helped you on your way?
Gordon Baldwin

Best read?
The night watch - Sarah Waters

How much do you bend your 'vision' to suit the marketplace?
Not much, different price levels.

Who buys your work?
Gardeners, outside eaters, people who think for themselves.

How do you set about starting a new project?
Stetches on the back of envelopes

What do you have on your pinboard?
African textiles


Where is your studio?
Its an ex milking parlour with north light . I work by myself. A wall of African CD's keeps me going

Surprising activity
Growing wild plants from seeds collected on holiday

What one word would descibe your feeling of doing your work
discovery

Do you think art and craft has any real importance?
Obviously, the whole new organic food industry is craft of a kind. If you want a civilised culture you need makers

Are there other (unusual) fields that you'd like to apply some facet of your work into?
New interest in Garden Design

Guilty secret
Drink too much


Can anything be art?
NO. Most current 'art' or 'craft' is too knowing vis a vis the marketplace not enough dreaming.

What do think are crimes against good taste and decency in art/craft/design?
Going for pretension and worthless aclaim/cash.


Most overated artist
D Hirst - trite

If you could exhibit in any gallery which would it be?
Haven't found it yet. Maureen Michaelson is an outstanding curator/host she takes the work seriously bothers to visit the artist andis effective on the sales front. Doesn't run a full time gallery as such but does shows.

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BCF Banners

It is always thrilling to see Sarah's design and illustration go up for the Art or Craft Fair, it was even better when we could afford the sides of buses, but it is still great the first time we see the posters and banners done large for the events.


Brighton as always is photogenic and the posters and banners look great (if not subtle) against a calm wintry seafront or the Pavilion.

Brighton Craft Fair starts on Friday and we still have a very few 241 tickets to give away. If you would like one email us on pv@brightoncraftfair.co.uk.

The show looks like it will be a fantastic mix of different makers and (though I'm reluctant to remind anyone) a good place to do Christmas shopping for unique and handmade gifts (or yourself)

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