Alex Fendryk
Alison Pilkington
Friday, 23 October 2009
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
Meet the Maker - MiaBelle Jewellery
Tell us a little about you
Hi I'm Belinda, I live in Staffordshire with my husband and son. I'm originally from Australia and have been living in the UK for 7 years. I run Mia Belle Jewellery and sell on a number of different UK & global sites. I also sell brass jewellery findings & stampings on Etsy, my store is The Brass Charm Co. Lastly I run Shop Handmade UK, a directory of UK based designer / makers now with over 1100 designers listed.
Have you always been crafty, or is it something that you've picked up more recently?
Yes, crafting and making started when I was about 10yrs old. I would make fabric lavender sachets and sell them on consignment at a local craft & gift shop. My mother has always been a crafty person so it just rubbed off on me and crafting was something we always did. It was later in my teens when my mother moved into making bridal headwear using Swarovski crystal that I started making jewellery.
Have you been particularly influenced by any other artists or events?
I wouldn't say I'm influenced by just one artist, I think seeing the vast amount of talent we have in the UK is inspiration itself. Seeing the different materials & techniques designers use is interesting and it does make you think outside the box. Recently my mother visited from Australia and she has been working with silver art clay so I started to test a few designs out and I hope to bring some of these to Handm@de Oxford.
What is your favourite piece?
I really like my Flora Gold Earrings. I love gold and the handmade hoops compliment the gorgeous Czech glass flowers. They are a stunning green with gold flecks on them.
What other artists are you excited about seeing at Handm@de Oxford?
I'm really keen to see Pennydog Jewellery & Quercus Silver, both who work with resin but in such very different ways. I'm also keen to see all of Hatastics' designs as I've seen Chloe's hair clips and they are gorgeous.
Hi I'm Belinda, I live in Staffordshire with my husband and son. I'm originally from Australia and have been living in the UK for 7 years. I run Mia Belle Jewellery and sell on a number of different UK & global sites. I also sell brass jewellery findings & stampings on Etsy, my store is The Brass Charm Co. Lastly I run Shop Handmade UK, a directory of UK based designer / makers now with over 1100 designers listed.
Have you always been crafty, or is it something that you've picked up more recently?
Yes, crafting and making started when I was about 10yrs old. I would make fabric lavender sachets and sell them on consignment at a local craft & gift shop. My mother has always been a crafty person so it just rubbed off on me and crafting was something we always did. It was later in my teens when my mother moved into making bridal headwear using Swarovski crystal that I started making jewellery.
Have you been particularly influenced by any other artists or events?
I wouldn't say I'm influenced by just one artist, I think seeing the vast amount of talent we have in the UK is inspiration itself. Seeing the different materials & techniques designers use is interesting and it does make you think outside the box. Recently my mother visited from Australia and she has been working with silver art clay so I started to test a few designs out and I hope to bring some of these to Handm@de Oxford.
What is your favourite piece?
I really like my Flora Gold Earrings. I love gold and the handmade hoops compliment the gorgeous Czech glass flowers. They are a stunning green with gold flecks on them.
What other artists are you excited about seeing at Handm@de Oxford?
I'm really keen to see Pennydog Jewellery & Quercus Silver, both who work with resin but in such very different ways. I'm also keen to see all of Hatastics' designs as I've seen Chloe's hair clips and they are gorgeous.
Monday, 19 October 2009
Gift Ideas - Food!
Christmas isn't Christmas without plenty of delicious food!
At the moment we have 2 food sellers on our list - both were with us last year too, and both were mentioned several times in the days after the 2008 fair, by visitors and exhibitors alike.
Above: Sand Art Cookie Jars by Caroline of 'In A Pickle'
Below: Chocolate Selection by Mervi of 'Belflair Chocolates'
At the moment we have 2 food sellers on our list - both were with us last year too, and both were mentioned several times in the days after the 2008 fair, by visitors and exhibitors alike.
Above: Sand Art Cookie Jars by Caroline of 'In A Pickle'Below: Chocolate Selection by Mervi of 'Belflair Chocolates'
Saturday, 17 October 2009
Joe Hurry Creations
Joe Hurry Creations is a new addition to our list of sellers - as I was adding the link to the list to the right of the blog I carried on and checked out his shop... only to find this card which made me giggle;
Thursday, 15 October 2009
Meet the Maker - PennyDog Accessories
This week we're chatting to Kerry of PennyDog Accessories. Kerry is returning to Oxford this year with her gorgeous resin jewellery and accessories.
1) Where does the name PennyDog come from? Its quite unusual!
PennyDog came about when I adopted a greyhound- Penny- and I wanted to donate money through my craft to rehoming more ex-racers by donating to the Retired Greyhound Trust.
2) How long have you been making resin jewellery? It looks like it takes a lot of time and effort to create.
It actually doesn’t take that long at all as it’s made in batches and there’s a lot of waiting around for it to cure. I’ve been making jewellery for over 10 years since I sold it to my teachers at school during lessons! I’ve tried various mediums including Precious Metal Clay, polymer clay, beadweaving, etc. Resin has been something I’ve worked with for coming up to 18 months now so it looks like I’m sticking with it this time!
3) Are you exhibiting anywhere else in the next few months?
I am setting up a workshop/gallery space due to launch on 1st November so a lot of my time before then is being devoted to the set up of that and filling orders from my stockists for Christmas. However there are a few big fairs, about 5 weekend days in a row over November, my details are over here!
4) If you had to choose one thing to buy at Handm@de Oxford, what would it be?
I already have a beautiful crochet necklace from Blue Fish Handmade, so I think it will have to be a vintage fabric doggy from Fabric Nation, I’ve had my eye on one for ages!
1) Where does the name PennyDog come from? Its quite unusual!
PennyDog came about when I adopted a greyhound- Penny- and I wanted to donate money through my craft to rehoming more ex-racers by donating to the Retired Greyhound Trust.
2) How long have you been making resin jewellery? It looks like it takes a lot of time and effort to create.
It actually doesn’t take that long at all as it’s made in batches and there’s a lot of waiting around for it to cure. I’ve been making jewellery for over 10 years since I sold it to my teachers at school during lessons! I’ve tried various mediums including Precious Metal Clay, polymer clay, beadweaving, etc. Resin has been something I’ve worked with for coming up to 18 months now so it looks like I’m sticking with it this time!
3) Are you exhibiting anywhere else in the next few months?
I am setting up a workshop/gallery space due to launch on 1st November so a lot of my time before then is being devoted to the set up of that and filling orders from my stockists for Christmas. However there are a few big fairs, about 5 weekend days in a row over November, my details are over here!
4) If you had to choose one thing to buy at Handm@de Oxford, what would it be?
I already have a beautiful crochet necklace from Blue Fish Handmade, so I think it will have to be a vintage fabric doggy from Fabric Nation, I’ve had my eye on one for ages!
Sunday, 20 September 2009
Gift Ideas - Home Furnishings
In the first of the 2009 series of Gift Ideas we're looking at some of the amazing home furnishings that our exhibitors have to offer.
First up is this magazine rack by Kate and Anna. These ladies produce some stunning furniture - simple, a little bit retro and seriously lovely.
Next we have a couple of pieces of wall art, very different to one another. Louise Mitchel creates digital images with a real sense of movement, and Steph (of Handmade Heaven) creates artwork from fused glass.
Robert is the woodturning half of Turned and Twisted, creating varies wooden items including gorgeous pot pourri containers from all sorts of different woods.
And last, but by no means least, is Hodge Podge Arts. Karen creates decorative ceramic pieces, from spoons to buttons to bowls and wallhangings. This little bowl really caught my eye.
First up is this magazine rack by Kate and Anna. These ladies produce some stunning furniture - simple, a little bit retro and seriously lovely.
Next we have a couple of pieces of wall art, very different to one another. Louise Mitchel creates digital images with a real sense of movement, and Steph (of Handmade Heaven) creates artwork from fused glass.
Robert is the woodturning half of Turned and Twisted, creating varies wooden items including gorgeous pot pourri containers from all sorts of different woods.
And last, but by no means least, is Hodge Podge Arts. Karen creates decorative ceramic pieces, from spoons to buttons to bowls and wallhangings. This little bowl really caught my eye.
Saturday, 5 September 2009
Meet the Maker - Emerald Frames
Welcome to the latest in the series of Meet the Maker posts. This week, we've spoken to Cath Friend of Emerald Frames. Cath also joined us in July at Handm@de Winchester where her frames really went down a storm!
Tell us a little about you.
Hi there. I'm Cath Friend, a picture framer from Buckinghamshire and I am really looking forward to the handm@de fair in Oxford!! I attended the handm@de fair in Winchester and had a wonderful day, met loads of lovely fellow crafters and sold lots of my little reclaimed frames. I am really happy to supply an ECO product for the fair, as ethical and handmade is a good product for the heart and the planet.
Have you always been crafty, or is it something that you've picked up more recently?
I have always been a bit crafty (no pun intended!) but have framed professionally for the last five years. This is my first year out on my own as a full time picture framer and I'm loving it!
Have you been particularly influenced by any other artists or events? I love the huge amount of diversity and talent out there currently. I could spend all day just surfing through blogs, online craft sites and visiting fairs. The quality and workmanship of others is amazing...
What is your favourite piece? My favourite piece changes on a daily basis, however as all my frames are unique and individual, the are often quite different too. By using reclaimed and recycled products, I have to design around what materials I have available, which drives my designs and each completed frame.
What other artists are you excited about seeing at Handm@de Oxford? I love Monda-Loves and although I was nearby her in Winchester I left without buying any goodies. I had my eye on a pink stripey cat that I'm hoping to bring home from Oxford! Also I love Raspberrys bags and Tickly Spiders Perpetual Calendars - aren't they great and good value for money too? I am of course also very interested to see the photography from Drew Burnett, as pictures and art is my world, so I'll be checking them out too!
Tell us a little about you.
Hi there. I'm Cath Friend, a picture framer from Buckinghamshire and I am really looking forward to the handm@de fair in Oxford!! I attended the handm@de fair in Winchester and had a wonderful day, met loads of lovely fellow crafters and sold lots of my little reclaimed frames. I am really happy to supply an ECO product for the fair, as ethical and handmade is a good product for the heart and the planet.
Have you always been crafty, or is it something that you've picked up more recently?
I have always been a bit crafty (no pun intended!) but have framed professionally for the last five years. This is my first year out on my own as a full time picture framer and I'm loving it!
Have you been particularly influenced by any other artists or events? I love the huge amount of diversity and talent out there currently. I could spend all day just surfing through blogs, online craft sites and visiting fairs. The quality and workmanship of others is amazing...
What is your favourite piece? My favourite piece changes on a daily basis, however as all my frames are unique and individual, the are often quite different too. By using reclaimed and recycled products, I have to design around what materials I have available, which drives my designs and each completed frame.
What other artists are you excited about seeing at Handm@de Oxford? I love Monda-Loves and although I was nearby her in Winchester I left without buying any goodies. I had my eye on a pink stripey cat that I'm hoping to bring home from Oxford! Also I love Raspberrys bags and Tickly Spiders Perpetual Calendars - aren't they great and good value for money too? I am of course also very interested to see the photography from Drew Burnett, as pictures and art is my world, so I'll be checking them out too!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
