Amanda Mercer Ceramics

I love items which have a nostalgic feel and the beautiful work of ceramic artist maker, Amanda Mercer is lovingly handcrafted and inspired by memories and nostalgia.

Amanda’s range is a collection of delicate porcelain buttons, jewellery, pretty home wear and decoration all individually handcrafted and created in Carlisle, Cumbria.

Based on a love for vintage memorabilia such as vintage buttons found in her Grandma's button box, scraps of lace, black and white photographs, stamps and letters, Amanda, translates this feeling through her work.  She explores both the surface decoration and form. Many different techniques are used to achieve her pieces. Such as imprinting, screen printing and the use of decal transfers which are produced through drawings and collages of postage markings and letters.

Each piece is individual and bespoke and they make the most beautiful presents for yourself and others.

Since graduating in 2009 with a first class B.A HONS in Contemporary Applied Arts, Amanda started selling her collection of items through shops and galleries throughout the UK and has also taken part in many exhibitions and events.

Please view www.amandamercer.com for the full range and more details.

Sara x

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