Introducing Handmade Edinburgh

Following the success of our Handmade at Kew and well-known Chelsea exhibitions, Handmade in Britain will be heading to Scotland to showcase some of the UK’s most exquisite makers within the countries capital city for the first time. Supported by Craft Scotland, this highly anticipated event will feature some of the finest jewellery, ceramics, textiles, metalwork and furniture produced by makers from across the country. Launching this October, the first edition of Handmade Edinburgh will take place within one of Edinburgh’s iconic historical locations, The Hub, ideal for our signature shows. The event will take place across three days, and individuals will have the chance to accumulate authentic handmade pieces crafted by our personally selected makers. Here at Handmade we are incredibly excited to be heading to Scotland to host a new selection of extremely talented makers in our first of many Handmade Edinburgh exhibitions.

Jewellery at Handmade Edinburgh

Rogue LobsterJewellery: For the unique 

For those looking for something unique and slightly quirky then Rogue Lobster’s range of nature inspired jewellery is a perfect choice for you. This revolutionary Captain Claud bracelet featuring a detailed silver lobster transforms the classic bangle making it an innovative and exciting jewellery essential for those who wish to stand out in a crowd. 

Emma Wile Jewellery- For the low key

For those who prefer a simple yet elegant style Emma Wile’s jewellery would best suit you. This hollow ring features no jewels or colour, yet its modest design oozes elegance and style without being too overpowering. Made from sterling silver this handcrafted hollow ring would be the perfect everyday accessory as its simple clean cut design would complement and adapt to any occasion.

Fiona Luing - For the magpie

For those who are drawn to and admire colour within their jewellery collection Fiona Luing’s pieces would be applicable to you, Fiona combines vibrant jewels and a mixture of colours in order to make eye-catching pieces suitable for most occasions. This Opal garnet pendant featuring a captivating multi coloured core exudes sophistication whilst its colours compliment one and other in accord. This enchanting piece would team nicely with an elegant evening attire. 

Banu Oyman- For making a statement

 For those wanting to make a statement with a bold accessory Banu Oyman’s beadwork would be best appealing to you. Banu’s handcrafted pieces made from textured multi coloured beads are perfect for those wanting unique statement jewellery. This multi tone beaded necklace featuring an intricate pattern detail is the perfect solution to a bland outfit needing a little something to boost its appeal.

Essemege -For the modern

For those who appreciate a more contemporary style of jewellery Essemge’s modern assortment of graphic jewellery is inevitable the choice for you. Essemge’s fresh stylish designs are perfect for those who wish to move away from traditional classic styles, these handcrafted bracelets are simple yet stylish for a modern approach to accessorising.  

Christmas Cheer in Chelsea~A Crafter’s Delight

Visitors enjoyed extraordinary British craftsmanship at the 9^th edition of The Contemporary Crafts & Design Fair

For 9 years, the Handmade in Britain shows have been an annual celebration of the very best of contemporary fine crafts. Handmade in Britain hosts The Contemporary Crafts & Design Fair each winter, beginning the Christmas season with exceptional design and crafts in a luxury shopping experience, set to the glamourous backdrop of the Chelsea Old Town Hall. The 10th anniversary edition of the show takes place in November 2016.

The fairs have showcased some of the sector’s biggest talents and continue to provide a launch pad for new graduates and emerging designers. The result is a truly unique and festive event. With innovative design alongside truly exceptional craftsmanship, visitors this year were once again treated to a dazzling variety of form, function and style from over 120 highly skilled designer-makers.

Our Visitors

Footfall this year was encouraging with over 3300 attendees across the weekend. The show was well attended by a broad range of customers including affluent retail consumers alongside trade buyers from major retail stores, galleries, independent boutiques and online platforms.  Buyers and galleries from the UK and abroad attended, with representatives from well-known UK based stores.

New Graduates

Alongside established and well-known makers, Handmade in Britain invited ARTS THREAD Selects to showcase the work of ten top graduate talents. The showcase was an overwhelming success for these new designer-makers who presented creative, vibrant and inspiring work across a range of disciplines – from jewellery to ceramics, and textiles to enamelware.

Success for Designer-Makers

This year, Handmade in Britain 15 welcomed an exceptional calibre of work from over 120 exhibitors, each handpicked by our panel of industry experts which included Marianne Lumholdt, Mar Mar Co; Kate Bentley, Bils & Rye Gallery; Dan Goode, Home of Artisans; Ian Rudge, Clarion Events and Judith Harris, The Conran Shop. The exhibitors demonstrated extraordinary talent across fashion and interiors, offering an exciting variety of absolute craftsmanship from all four corners of the UK. Disciplines showcased included glass, ceramics, jewellery, furniture, fashion accessories and home textiles.

Handmade in Britain 15 once again drew a fantastic response, with both visitors and makers praising the exceptional standard, variety and innovation of the work on show, alongside appreciation for a lovely, friendly and buzzing atmosphere. 

Exhibitors reflect on #Chelsea15

Jill Ford

“I thought the show looked fab - with the usual high standard of work.”

Jill Ford

Alison Stockmarr

“Thank you so much for such a fantastically well organised event. Everything from set up to finish was great. Set up and finish are usually a bun fight but with such careful planning and so many charmingly helpful porters, it was a dream.....On a personal front, I’ve never achieved such success....Many thanks for all your help and advice...what a team!" 

Alison Stockmarr

Emily Thatcher

“Thanks for putting on such a great show, it not only looked fantastic, but it was also really well curated, which really showed in the attendance and sales!...I will definitely be applying for 2016.”

Emily Thatcher

Alice Robson

“I would very much like to do it again...and thought the whole show was fantastically organised.” 

Alice Robson  

         

Leonardo Pieroni

“We picked up two new and wonderful clients. One has already visited our studio....”

Leonardo Pieroni

Sabine Konig

                                     

“The Private View was lovely, really busy and buzzing.”    

Sabine Konig

Annie Ruthven-Taggart

“Really looking forward to the 10th Year celebrations next year.” 

Annie Ruthven-Taggart

Support for contemporary craftsmanship

The Fair was well supported by media partners Crafts Magazine, Ceramic Review, Selvedge Magazine, Craft & Design Magazine, Arts Thread and Resident Magazine and headline sponsor Home of Artisans who took centre stage quite literally with their online marketplace which transformed the main stage. Their stand offered a variety of beautiful handcrafted objects for the home from Scandi inspired ceramics to contemporary tapestry art.

New Year: The 10th Anniversary

Handmade in Britain 16: The Contemporary Crafts & Design Fair

11 – 13  November 2016

Chelsea Old Town Hall, London

Handmade in Britain exists to support, promote and celebrate designer-makers who create their work in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.  We increase accessibility and visibility, create market opportunities and maintain high standards in the craft sector whilst providing a comprehensive support programme towards a bright future for British craft and design. Our work provides a platform for design and craft talent through both our own events and collaborations with other organisations, alongside a mentoring programme and membership scheme. 

Visit us: www.handmadeinbritain.co.uk

Follow us: twitter.com/handmadebritain

Find us: www.facebook.com/handmadeinbritain

See us: www.instagram.com/handmadebritain

Read about us: http://www.handmadeinbritainblog.blogspot.co.uk/

Contact

For further press information and visuals please contact:

Sarah Ward: sarah@handmadeinbritain.co.uk / 02072865110

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

To keep up with all of our Handmade in Britain members and exhibiting and visiting news from us please sign up for our newsletter

Highlights from The Contemporary Crafts & Design Fair

The 8th year of The Contemporary Crafts & Design Fair celebrated exceptional craftsmanship with a vibrant mix of disciplines...

This year the Christmas season kicked off with a celebration of the very best of contemporary fine crafts in all disciplines across Fashion and Interiors in the biggest Handmade in Britain show to date. With innovative design alongside exceptional craftsmanship, visitors enjoyed an impressive variety of form, function and style from over 120 highly skilled designer-makers.

Success for Designer-Makers

This year Handmade in Britain 14 welcomed more makers than ever before, with over 120 exhibitors in Interiors and Fashion offering an exciting variety of work of absolute craftsmanship from Belfast to Edinburgh. Disciplines showcased included glass, ceramics, jewellery, furniture, fashion
accessories and home textiles.

Alongside established and well-known makers, we also invited visitors to meet designers at the very start of their career in the New Graduate Showcase, supported by Heart Home Magazine. The Showcase was an overwhelming success for these new designer-makers who presented creative, vibrant and inspiring work across a range of disciplines.

“Some wonderful creative talent”

If you visited Handmade in Britain 14, why not share your thoughts, images and highlights with us via Twitter or Facebook? #Chelsea14

@handmadebritain

www.facebook.com/handmadeinbritain

HMIB Christmas Gift Guide - For Him

Continuing our series of HMIB Christmas gift guides, we present our ‘For Him’ edition! Last week we offered up a few unique suggestions for those extra special festive presents in our ‘For Her’ selection (missed it? Check it out HERE) and now it’s time to pick something for the boys!

Men are notoriously tricky to buy for – there’s only so many times a pair of slippers and some aftershave will actually be appreciated… But the array or crafts and creations at Handmade in Britain are sure to provide the perfect present, something totally different from what he’s been given before. So step into a world of individually crafted luxury: an ideal Christmas treat for the discerning gentleman.

Woodwork

Bruce Aitken, Clockmaker   /   The Marquetry Shack   /   Mark Newson

The elemental construction of wood is something that truly has a timeless appeal. Infinite incarnations and truly unique patterning make wooden creations a thoughtful and individual gift. From bespoke furnishings to artisan clockmakers and exquisite marquetry – woodwork at HMIB is sure to offer something a little special.

Metal

CreatStudio   /   Stuart Jenkins

Make a statement with your Christmas gift giving, with fluid and bold creations showcasing the finest metalwork. Evoking a true sense of modernity – sculptures, fixtures and other metals hold a luxurious appeal and put a little bit of a twist on the sparkling Christmas tradition. One of the wise men gave the gift of gold after all – although we doubt it was crafted like this!

Glass

FuseModern   /   Lynn Foster   /   Laura Smith Glass

Unexpected elegance and unquestionable beauty overflows the glass creations on show at HMIB. Many of our designer/makers use traditional techniques – centuries old to craft their creations. Meaning that the gift of glass is something truly individual – contemporary in its appearance and traditional in its creation. Beat that Santa.

Something a bit Different…

Mallon Foundry   /   Daniel Latorre Cruz

For those people who are simply impossible to buy for, the only real solution is opting for something a little off the wall. Whereas on the high-street this may mean a pair of unloved novelty socks  - at HMIB this means an incredible creation from the finest craftsmen in the country – bound to be treasured for years to come.

To see all these incredible creations and more visit Handmade in Britain at Chelsea Old Town Hall from 14^th – 16^th November.

For more information on visiting – click HERE

To see a full list of our exhibitors – click HERE

So there we have it, our little guide to the perfect Christmas gifts. If you’re still stuck for ideas check out our Warwick Avenue based Christmas Pop-up shop! Christmas Shopping = easy as (mince) pie (sorry…). The only problem is, how on earth will you top these gifts next year?!

Until next time…

The HMIB Team

xxx

In with the New - the HMIB New Graduate Showcase

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of the new. Be it visiting a new city for the first time, the inaugural wearing of a new pair of shoes or finding a new artist that inspires you in ways long forgotten – ‘new’ is exciting, exhilarating and a little bit special.

What could be better then, than combining this exciting sense of novelty with the fabulous world of designer-makers? That’s exactly what we are doing with the New Graduate Showcase at Handmade in Britain.

The New Graduate Showcase at HMIB offers a unique opportunity for the brightest new stars in the world of craft and design to display their works alongside major, established exhibitors. For many this will be their first professional show and represent the first steps into their careers.

Sophie Southgate

The graduates, individually selected by the editors at Heart Home magazine, range from lingerie designers to furniture makers, but what they all have in common is a sense of passion and excitement.

Yufei Liang  

Yufei Liang explores repetition in her geometric lamps, Charlotte Brocklehurst lovingly mixes traditional techniques to create contemporary objects that are both beautiful and functional and Taz Pollard introduces colour to our homes with her quirky, vibrant ceramics. 

Alexandra Goodrick

StephieAnn Design exhibit their collection of delicately luxurious lingerie and nightwear and Alexandra Goodrick presents her precious, vintage inspired jewellery collection. Hanny Newton displays her hand embellished bow ties; a modern twist on a classic design, Preanka Patel showcases the bold shapes of her striking jewellery collection and Izzi Rainey presents a collection of bold and textural prints for homewares & interiors.

Katharina Gross

Using wax in a unique approach, Katharina Gross creates intriguing objects and furniture for the home, Sophie Southgate presents her abstract, colourful ceramics and Jane Crisp combines natural materials to reference tradition in her innovative furniture designs

StephieAnn Design

For more information on these designers, click HERE 

Make sure you see these fantastic new designers in person at HMIB – running from the 14^th-16^th November at Chelsea Old Town Hall for tickets click HERE.

Until next time...

The HMIB Team

xxx