Schmuck, BCTF, Crafts council, fourMAKERS@no.5 and making.

Right! i have a confession to make... I'm rubbish at blogging! 

I was hoping that 2015 was going to my blogging year, but i honestly just haven't had the time! 

which is kinda a good thing right? 

so I'll fill you in with what I've been up to. 

First of all was my amazing chance to exhibit during the largest international event in jewellery, SCHMUCK!

check out my Klimt02 Page 

http://klimt02.net/jewellers/libby-ward

SENSEability 2015, studio Gabi Green, Munich. 

 Once i got back from Germany i then had to start getting ready to exhibit for the BCTF. I was chosen by stoke-on-trent's factory programme to exhibit with a number of other small creative businesses all from stoke-on-trent. This was a great opportunity for me, although it wasn't a fair i would have thought to apply to, it still proved useful in the respects that i made some great contacts and most importantly had a wonderful time. 

BCTF 2015, Harrogate 

and i finally got my stand to look how i wanted it to! 

Crafts Council HOTHOUSE5 

Ok, so another great opportunity i applied for was this years hothouse program run by the crafts council.

Already knowing about the program, it was something i never though id get chosen for but, i saw the advert in the crafts council magazine and with my positive hat on, 

i just thought "what have i got to lose" 

After a few weeks i received an email and after attending an interview (which was a total blur) I GOT IN!!!

check out my page on the new crafts council directory 

https://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/directory/maker/libby-ward-contemporary-jewellery/

The north cohort at stockport!

These guys are just so great to be around and its amazing to just share our creativity with each other. 

I'm loving every minute of hot house and its really made a massive difference to my practice already. 

Ive also got an amazing buddy Lucy Harvey. her practice has inspired my work since university, so i feel so lucky to have her as my buddy, which means i can probe her for loads of information and ask stupid (but relevant) questions. 

http://lucyelsieharvey.com

fourMAKERS@NO.5

So, as i mentioned in my previous posts i'm now based in the wonderful Middleport pottery in stoke-on-trent. Which is now home to our new collective fourMAKERS@No.5. 

We are an open studio where buyers have the chance to meet and see our makers in there working environment, we also have a new contemporary craft shop in the unit, where you can buy direct from us!

 

 Heres Brydee Gillbard (ceramic designs) 

and Katy Dutton (hand turned lighting) Working Hard in the studio!

Katy Dutton contemporary design

Brydee Gillbard Ceramic designs 

Amy Helena Clarke ceramics and surface pattern 

 Just a little sneak peek at our shop at Middleport pottery. 

@fourMAKERSatno5

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fourmakersatno5

fourmakersatno5@gmail.com

01782444407 

Wedding rings 

My handmade weddings rings are becoming quite popular at the moment, although they are a far stretch from my contemporary work, i really enjoy making them, i like to work closely with my customers as i feel honoured to be apart of their commitment to each other. 

925 silver wedding rings 

9ct white gold wedding rings. 

If you are interested or know a couple who are looking for one off handmade wedding rings, please come visit or call me to arrange a consultation and id be happy to provide more information. 

Further work

You'll be happy to know that my love for extermination hasn't stopped! Heres just a few pic's to fill you in. 

Making! 

Stay updated with my practice and upcoming events

 twitter @libbywardDM 

Facebook- Libby Ward Designer/Maker

libby@libbyward.co.uk

wwww.libbyward.co.uk 

Wrapping it up for 2014!

So its been awhile since i last blogged, so get ready for a back log of information... firstly i can't wait to share the news of my new studio at middleport pottery, its official! I'm now all set up.

Hopefully once my fellow studio members have moved in, we will be having a bit of a move in event in 2015 with some bubbly and a ribbon.

 Secondly, i went to visit my work in The New School House Gallery in York, which was something that came from exhibiting at the GNCCF. 

The gallery itself is set in a stunning Narnia like garden. 

Thanks to The makers dozen for putting my name forward. 

Even though these last few weeks have been packed full of fairs, I've still found the time to experiment with a new collection of rings-Made from 925 silver, copper, patination, brass and vintage mink. 

These rings have been developing since my second year at Staffordshire university, in fact they started off as stick pin bases, but after weeks of experimenting with combining materials, it was clear that the mink needed to be on the hand, as this would be where the piece would get its most interaction. 

Ive also started to stock some of my work in a beautiful shop in leek called TOAST, which stands for totally original artisans Staffordshire. Its wonderful to be along side all local makers who share a passion of crafts in Staffs.

My quest for textures is still on going! In the new year i plan to etch some of the above textures onto metal surfaces, so keep an eye out for your favourite texture and follow its journey on my blog, but for now i want to thank you for visiting my blog and i hope you have a wonderful christmas and a cracking new year! 

oh, Django says happy christmas too!

Me on Benchpeg

http://benchpeg.com/news/thought-provoking-jeweller-recognised-by-industry/

Latest experiments!

 So just a quick update of my latest experiments really, at GNCCF i had a lot of people interested in a sample ring which i took with me (above on the left)of a etched brass and vintage mink fur ring. Since then i have made a copper version which has explored different ring bands. Ive got a few more changes to make, but i will keep you updated!

As part of my ever on going experiments, i have been trying to combine materials in different way.

So, What do you think of this texture? 

Middleport pottery....The adventure starts

At my degree show i was picked up by the stoke-on-trent council, who wanted to help young makers set up their businesses in stoke! 

Me and Katy Dutton (a wood and plastic turner) were chosen from staffs university and were joined by two other ceramists.

Brydee Gillbard- http://www.brydeegillbarddesigns.co.uk

Amy Helena Clarke- http://www.ahclarke.com/AHClarke/Welcome.html

After attending a craft fair at staffs uni, i was approached by a woman called Emily who put me in contact with the north staffs guild of craftsmen, who were putting on a fair at middleport pottery. 

Kindly they let me join them and i had much success there....little did i know, i was actually going to be moving in to middleport pottery!

As soon as we went into the space, i feel in love! The factory itself has been renovated by the princes trust, to maintain its heritage and help  provide spaces for creative businesses in stoke. 

Im hoping to be in the unit in the next few weeks, so ill keep you updated about events at middleport and also about our launch party!

Fiskink GNCCF blog Featuring me!

http://fishinkblog.wordpress.com/2014/10/13/great-northern-contemporary-craft-fair-2014-part-1/

Thanks Chris for the lovely write up!

http://www.staffs.ac.uk/news/thought-provoking-jeweller-recognised-by-industry-tcm4280523.jsp