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

So this was Great Northern Contemporary Craft fair 2014

So where do i start!

After visiting the fair myself as a maker for the last three years, i have come to expect the quality of the exhibitors to be high and it did not fail! 

It was great to be amongst such incredible and innovate makers. 

I certainly think this year for contemporary craft has set the bar. 

So to be excepted to exhibit at this major event came as a shock!

At first i panicked, as any other young maker would! then i got to work organising myself. Although i had my body of work from university, i carried on exploring new pieces that still fitted in with my style. This included my new electroformed ring, stick pins and new smaller brooches...

When it comes to displaying my work, i alway imagine each piece to be a specimen in a draw at the natural history museum. As this creates a environment that evokes preciousness and preservation. By having my background clean and white this contrasts the raw textures of my pieces. 

On press night i was awarded the "best new maker" of 2014!

.........

I was speechless and emotional!

I can't thank Ann-Marie and Angela the co-ordinators of the event enough. 

I think because my work is so personal to me and my journey, i felt an overwhelming sense of appreciation for all of my struggles and passion that i put into my making concepts and processes. 

The show was a great success for me and i couldn't believe how accepting and interested everyone was in my story and work. 

I also met some fantastic makers who i hope to exhibit with again.