Member of the Week

Chelache

Textiles

Layla Chelache learnt the basics of knitting when she was just six years old from her Irish grandmother. She set up her company ‘Chelache’ after several years and various roles in the fashion industry. Dedicating all her time to her passion.

Her work reflects her love of colours, textures and sculptural forms. While her work is visually appealing there is also an ethos behind her knitwear, which adds a whole new dimension. Her disapproval of throwaway consumer culture and mass produced items is reflected in the high quality of her knitwear.

From her small knit laboratory in Hackney, Chelache uses a vintage hand operation knitting machines to create her unique textile pieces. This gives her the potential to play with the construction of the fabric and exploit its structural qualities.

To keep up with Chelache and her work check out her directory page

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Handmade in Britain Goes International!

Hannah Grace Ryan Jewellery

Great news! Handmade in Britain is going international! We're thrilled to announce that we will be taking thirteen eminent British designers to the south of France for the Vivre Côté Sud Fair in an exciting new collaboration between Handmade in Britain and the luxury French Interiors store Penates. The Vivre Côté Sud Fair showcases luxury design while capturing the spirit of the Mediterranean and takes place from the 5th to the 8th June in the charming Aix-en-Provence.

Emily-Kriste Wilcox

London Craft Week might be around the corner however our talented British designer-makers come from all corners of the UK and from a range of backgrounds. Such as Hannah Ryan who designs her bold jewellery pieces in her Glasgow workshop, Jane Crisp who makes bespoke furniture in Cambridgeshire or Emily-Kriste Wilcox, who creates ceramic vessels that exude calm and balance from her studio in Birmingham.  

Jane Crisp

Handmade in Britain prides itself in championing British craft & design. We chose our designer-makers because their work embodies luxury craft, It's accomplished, contemporary and innovative. This is an amazing opportunity not just for Handmade in Britain's talented makers but also for British design which will be reaching new international markets this Summer. For more information about the Vivre Côté Sud Fair or Handmade in Britain's other projects visit out website www.handmadeinbritain.co.uk.

Top picks at London Craft Week

London Craft Week, a brand new annual event that showcases exceptional craft, opens today and carries on until the 10th May. With important partners and organisations such as Arts Council England, Craft Council and the Mayor of London, London Craft Week is a major event on the craft calender. With dozens of events, workshops and demonstrations spread over London, we've chosen our top ones to watch out for. 

1. Cockpit Arts, an award winning social enterprise will be holding Spring Open Studios. Get a glimpse behind the scenes and meet 170 independent designers-makers in their element. You can even buy directly from them if you wish and entry is free! It starts on Friday 8th May 6 pm - 9 pm and carries on through Saturday & Sunday 11 am - 6 pm at Cockpit Yard, Holborn. The second series of Open Studios take place on the 15th - 17th May and takes place in Deptford.

2. Presented by Crafts Council, COLLECT brings some of the finest collectible craft from galleries across the world to London. Anyone who has a passion for international craft should check this one out! This is a great way to keep up to date with the latest trends and developments in the craft world. Advance tickets are £12 and can be bought online, tickets on the door are £17 for adults and £12 for concessions. COLLECT takes place in the Saatchi Gallery.

Begins Friday 8th May 12 - 6 pm / Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th 11 am - 6 pm / Monday 11th 11 am - 4 pm

3. The next open studio at London Craft Week is Made in Clerkenwell, meet the designer-makers in their work-spaces and buy directly from them too. The admission is £3 however under 16's go free! To celebrate the first annual London Craft Week, Made in Clerkenwell will also be holding demonstrations throughout the four days. These demonstrations will showcase specialist craft skills and are interactive, creative and free! 

Thursday 7th May 5-8 pm / Friday 8th May 12-8 pm / Saturday 9th & Sunday 10 May 12 - 5 pm     

4. What is Luxury? It's a Good question and the title of the new V&A and Crafts Council Exhibition that delves into how 'Luxury' is made and understood in a physical, conceptual and cultural level. While it is a part of London Craft Week, the exhibition started on the 25th April and will carry on until the 27th September at the V&A Museum. Admission is free and opening hours are 10 am - 5:30 pm apart from Fridays when the V&A is open late and closes at 9:30 pm.