Jill Ford Ceramics

I have known Jill several years and have a couple of her beautiful porcelain candlesticks. Based in Yorkshire she started her business as a potter in 2002 and has become very successful in the crafts arena as a ceramic artist.

Her contemporary porcelain, which encompasses innovative textural wall pieces, vases and bowls thrown on the wheel and a range of candlesticks, is now sold in an impressive host of galleries and shops both in the UK and overseas, including New York. She has been a featured artist at the Hepworth in Wakefield.

Jill’s work mirrors the seasons, both in the processes she uses as well as the changing nature of her landscape. Her latest work tends towards a more abstract nature and draws heavily on the themes of ice and rock, particularly informing her wall pieces and Strata range of vessels. Her love of nature shows in the subtle, natural colours of blue, green, grey and taupe (copper oxide is used) and simple patterns of her work.

I love the fact that not only is Jill’s work unique, as well as been lovely, that she keeps the prices affordable, this makes her work accessible to a wide range of people and I am sure is one of the many factors of her growing success. I love the simple clean lines of the work and her ceramic wall pieces are delicate but strong and have a graceful style.

Jill is also an enthusiastic champion of craft lending her support to nationwide initiatives to raise its profile in the UK and is a member of Northern Potters Ass and East Riding Artists. Children’s and adults workshops are held regularly at Jill studio pottery near to Ellerton, if you want to have a go at learning to throw pottery yourself.

To buy Jill ford’s work or find out more information about her range of products or workshops visit http://jillford.co.uk

Bye for now

Sara x

Interesting Extra Bits

Jenny McCabe

The mission behind Coo & Co designs is to use natural and where possible recycled and up cycled materials. All pieces are made one at a time and by hand using water based inks which are environmentally friendly. Jenny is inspired by nature and all her work is based on her original sketches. I love her beautiful drawings and the practically as well as the design qualities of her work and its uniqueness.

Self-taught screen printer Lancaster-based fine artist, designer and maker Jenny McCabe of "Coo & Co Designs" in her own words…..

I have always been an artist; deal ways crafted and had a multitude of creative projects on the go. My formal training started with a foundation art course straight from school, then I went on to do a BTEC in Art as I didn’t want to leave the fantastically creative environment of Art school. After having my daughter and working as a community artist I finally managed to get to University to do a BA in Fine Art, but I hated it, it was far too conceptual and very anti-craft and making. I finished the degree and got good marks, but I wrestled for year with this idea that craft was bad. I tried out video-making and installations amongst loads of other things to finally come back to what I love, making something beautiful from nothing with you own hands.

Her book came out in 2013 called Hand Print and Make Your Own Bags which has 35 projects for you to have try at home or visit www.cooandco.co.uk to view Jenny’s lovely work.

Sara x

Global Crafts

 

In this post I wanted to look at global craftsmen rather than focusing on UK artisans. The traditional crafts inspire many current day craftspeople and in the developing countries many wonderful companies and individuals are aiding the continuation of these skills.

Stephanie Odegard seeks to preserve rare artistic traditions from around the world and has devoted her career to assisting artisans in developing countries promote and preserve their traditional crafts. Recognized as an international leader in contemporary design she has expanded from selling carpets to include finely crafted objects from regions outside Nepal and Tibet, and has focused on preserving the ancient traditions which flourished during the Mogul period.

Before starting her own business Stephanie consulted in craft sectors in different nations around the world for 15 years. She designs and develops textiles, furniture, accessories, carpets and architectural fixtures.

 Stephanie gets the most excitement and inspiration with working through new concepts using ancient traditional skills with designers in realizing their visions for interiors.

Artisans are commissioned in Nepal, India, Tibet and Italy to create modern pieces of furniture, lighting, textiles, and decorative accessories. Stephanie Odegard works to assure the survival of their traditional crafts and honour the communities in which they are made. Each unique piece is infused with a clear sense that the artist's hand has been at work. This is of such importance, particularly in raising the awareness of crafts and traditional skills.

www.stephanieodegard.com for more information further images see below.

http://pinterest.com/sarabrowndesign/primative http://pinterest.com/sarabrowndesign/kilim-tapestry-and-crewel/

Sara xx