It's back! Handmade in Britain return to Kew Gardens

Applications now open...

Welcome to the second edition of Handmade at Kew at the iconic Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew! The craft event will take place from Thursday 6th October to Sunday 9th October 2016.

Handmade at Kew welcomes online applications from contemporary craft makers working in the following disciplines: furniture, metal, ceramics, glass, jewellery, textiles, woodwork, paper and sculpture.

Apply now for Handmade at Kew

Over 7,500 visitors...

The inaugural year of Handmade at Kew in 2015 drew a fantastic response, with both visitors and makers praising the exceptional standard, variety and innovation of the event and the work on show, alongside appreciation for the ideal setting and warm and buzzing atmosphere.

For the first year of the show, footfall was high with over 7,500 visitors attending over the four days of the show and the Private View evening. 

Makers across all disciplines welcome to apply

The leading showcase for Craft...

Handmade at Kew is set to become the leading international showcase for contemporary craft. The event is highly consumer orientated and enables visitors to view, buy or commission their perfect piece and take it home with them.

Please see our Application Pack for more information about the event and how to apply, available on our website or as a download here. Please note that the deadline for applications is 31st March 2016. 

Apply online now: handmadeinbritain.co.uk/kew

Glass Blowing with Elliot Walker

Today we’re going to be looking at the work of Elliot Walker, glass-blower and sculptor. Discovering some of the mysteries of glass-blowing, and getting a sneak-preview of some of the pieces Elliot has been working on ahead of our Spring Edition show!

How did you first get into glass blowing?

‘I started glass blowing about 4 and a half years ago, but in the beginning I wanted to learn glass casting, it appealed more to my temperament as glass blowing is usually quite an extroverted and collaborative activity, whereas I enjoy working by myself.’

‘However, once you start blowing glass it’s very addictive, and I got hooked very quickly!

For those of us who might not know, is there a way you could simply explain how glass blowing works?

‘It’s actually very simple to explain the basics, but there are so many subtleties and directions that you can choose to take during the process that once the basics are dealt with it can begin to seem incredibly complex to beginners.’

‘Essentially, glass becomes a very viscous liquid like honey when it is over 800 degrees C, and it can then be inflated from the inside. As the surface has some tension, it stretches and then solidifies into a bubble. This can then be reheated and inflated more. You can blow glass so thin that it will blow away in a light breeze, much thinner than a soap bubble; this is really great to see!’

What is it about working in the medium of glass that you particularly enjoy?

‘I only really enjoy the finished piece. The process itself is exciting and you get a real buzz from it, but it is also hot and uncomfortable, not to mention risky and expensive. I often think that if I could make my work sitting on a sofa or in a nice bright studio, or like a painter- I would, without a doubt!’

How does working in glass differ from other sculptural forms of expression?

‘It’s so different, from any other medium in that at first it’s quite hard to learn. For example, if I hand you a lump of clay and ask you to sculpt a dog say, you could probably have a stab at it and produce something similar. But If I gave you a gather of glass and ask the same of you, the glass would be a smoking puddle on the floor within 2 minutes. I can’t make dogs even now!’

‘But once your over that, it’s a great medium as it’s almost alive and your emotional mood can affect the outcome as much as your technique. If I'm angry when I start, or calm, the glass seems to pick up on this and reflects that back at me.’

What is the difference between Glass Sculpture and Art Glass?

‘Art Glass is a loose term that I really don't care for. It is basically glass that has been made to promote and emphasise the beauty of the material rather than made for any functional use. This mostly applies to blown glass vessels that have been coloured in various complicated ways. The majority of British studio glass would be classed as Art Glass by some. As to Glass Sculpture, it’s sculpture made from glass, and those making it would consider themselves sculptors first, and glass blowers second I expect.’

You talk of your work as having a conceptual or emotional focus, where do you draw these focuses from, in terms of your own work (as opposed to a commissioned piece) what inspires your creative processes?

‘I think that there is a split in my inspirations that is developing slowly as I produce more work. The first is to do with how subtle deformations of the body and its posture can affect me emotionally, in a similar way to watching contemporary dance. I've never been much interested in detail, more in sweeping gestures.  I'm also interested in how my emotions effect the sculpture I make, this is really not something that I focus on, but I always notice that my favourite pieces have been made when I am feeling a certain way.’

‘The other influence on my work is depictions of 'God' through the human form, this is currently developing in my work at a slow pace, but is always in the back of my mind and prominent in my research and drawings.’

Have you exhibited at Handmade in Britain before?

‘No, I don't exhibit at many shows, as I mainly sell through galleries. But I do enjoy talking to people about my work.’

Have you got any pieces that are being made especially for the event that we can hope to see?

‘Yes, I am making a winged figure for the show that will be a focal piece, as well as showcasing some of my favourite pieces I have made over the past year.’

 ‘Everything I will be exhibiting has been made in the past 8 months, and many are quite unusual pieces in the fact that they are one offs that have their own names.’

Are there any other exhibitors you are particularly looking forward to seeing at Spring Edition?

'I really like the current ceramics scene in Britain and so I'm sure there will be fantastic things for me to look at, if I can get someone to watch my stand for a bit!'

You can find out more about Elliots work at ewalkerglassart.co.ukand www.facebook.com/ewalkerglassart

All the featured designer-makers in our blog posts will be exhibiting at Handmade in Britain's up coming event at the Chelsea Old Town Hall. To find out more about the event, and book tickets head to: handmadeinbritain.co.uk

Tickets now on sale

Handmade in Britain 14:
Spring Edition

The Contemporary Crafts & Design Fair

9th - 11th May 2014
Chelsea Old Town Hall, London

Spring Edition is open:
Friday 9th: 11:00 - 19:00
Saturday 10th: 11:00 - 18:00
Sunday 11th: 11:00 - 18:00

Tickets are available online now at £5
Tickets on the door are £7/£5 conc.

Spring Series: The Natural World Part Three

We takes a closer look at the creative world and inspirations of Cristina Sabaiduc & Jo Holland and Aline Johnson.

Join us this week as we get a closer insight to some of this year’s designer-makers discovering some of their creative influences and processes. Beginning with the stimuli of…

How do the materials you work in communicate and connect to spring and an awareness of the seasons?

Does the natural world influence your work and creative processes and if so how?

Cristina Sabaiduc designs graphic and colourful scarves with photographic artist Jo Holland, to create stylish and unique statement pieces.

‘Drawing inspiration from some most unexpected sources of beauty—moulding beetroots, crystallized feathers, frozen detergent, Transylvanian salt mines or medieval stained glass windows— they are given new life when captured by Jo through her entirely analogue photographic process that utilises light and colour with positive paper in a dark room.’

‘The resulting original artworks are then developed into scarf and fabric prints to be digitally printed on high quality silk twill.’

‘The imagery created is inspired by the coexistence of natural and industrial elements in our environment. The juxtaposition of animate and manufactured elements has developed into an exploration of dualities—a visual commentary on relationship between the wearer of the scarf and the ephemeral nature of the world in which we live.  The rugged beauty of the landscape in Romania, Switzerland, and Canada, the countries where Cristina was raised, continue to influence her.’  

To see more work from Cristina Sabaiduc: www.cristinasabaiduc.com

Aline Johnson makes glass leaf canopy chandeliers, and is part of cockpit Arts in Holborn. Using candy-coloured glass pieces she draws inspiration from the vibrant palette of beach paraphernalia, seaside rock and windbreak patterns which translate with ease into fused glass.

‘I am very much inspired by nature walking my dogs most early mornings on Hampstead Heath in particular this time of year when the first rays of morning sun shimmer through the delicate spring green leaves and create a beautiful ethereal sequence of movement and light and colour. I try to capture that in using glass and lights.’

‘I also spend a lot of time on the Dorset coast, where I beach comb while my dogs swim all year around.’

‘Found objects like driftwood, ammonites and feathers are used extensively in my work, I make imprints of both in plaster and slump glass into this. I have used driftwood to make frames for chandeliers.’

To find out more about Aline's work: www.alinejohnson.co.uk

All the featured designer-makers in our Spring Series: The Natural World blog posts will be exhibiting at Handmade in Britain's up coming event at the Chelsea Old Town Hall. To find out more about the event, and book tickets head to: www.handmadeinbritain.co.uk

Tickets now on sale

Handmade in Britain 14:
Spring Edition

The Contemporary Crafts & Design Fair

9th - 11th May 2014
Chelsea Old Town Hall, London

Spring Edition is open:
Friday 9th: 11:00 - 19:00
Saturday 10th: 11:00 - 18:00
Sunday 11th: 11:00 - 18:00

Tickets are available online now at £5
Tickets on the door are £7/£5 conc.

London: A Celebration

The contemporary craft and design fair; celebrating London through design

gallery@oxo, Southbank

May 10 -13, 11am - 6pm

Open Daily, Admission Free

With London being voted the number one city to visit, beating New York and Rome for the first time in a long time we are keen to celebrate too. 

Handmade in Britain is pleased to present a unique selling exhibition showcasing some of the best British designer-makers, each celebrating London in their own unique way.

On the tree lined Riverside walkway, gallery@oxo is an open and airy space with entrances overlooking both the river and the courtyard. 

The show celebrates the British creativity so abundant in London. Each designer will commemorate the capital city inspired by its heritage, diversity, colour and creativity through a range of disciplines such as ceramics, jewellery, glass, textiles and many more.

You will have the opportunity to purchase and commission pieces made specifically to celebrate London in 2012 by both up & coming and established artists of Britain. The show will allow you to meet with the designers whilst supporting the skill and craftsmanship of Britain.

The show will run from Thurs – Sun 10-13th May 2012

On the tree lined Riverside walkway, gallery@oxo is an open and airy space with entrances overlooking both the river and the courtyard. South Bank is a beautiful riverside stretch in the heart of London in the boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark, following the Thames from Lambeth to Blackfriars bridges. Located opposite the Houses of Parliament and within walking distance of Covent Garden, it's the perfect destination for a relaxing stroll and to stumble across something new.

gallery@oxo, Oxo Tower Wharf, Bargehouse Street, SE1 9PH

The Theme:

Excited by our home becoming a focus for the world, with the national events of coming year, we were inspired to launch a show that celebrates the British creativity so abundant in London. Intimate and central, the show will allow you to get personal with some of Britain’s many talented designers while overlooking the River Thames. You will have the opportunity to purchase the latest handmade designer crafts from both new and established artists ...and best of all, you can visit us for FREE!

Handmade in Britain has created a show where buyers and exhibitors alike are sure to be inspired by quality, originality and Eco conscious ethos behind the works for sale. Featuring around 40 designers from various disciplines such as textiles, glass, jewellery, metalwork, ceramics and sculpture, these objects are not mass-produced, but personally crafted by the designer him or herself. The products they create are a result of their inspirations, influences and experiences. Each piece is handmade and reflects the interplay between designer and material to create a unique product of the highest quality.

In these days of mass produced objects where people have become strangers to the process of making, it is comforting to know that there are still craftspeople working by hand and creating wonderful, unique products.

Getting here:

Transport links:

By Tube: Embankment, Southwark, Waterloo, Blackfriars

By Bus: 1,4,26,59,68,76,168,171,172,176,188, 243, 341, 501, 521, X68 to Waterloo Bridge
45, 63, 100 to Blackfriars Bridge
381 to Stamford Street
RV1 along the riverside
By Train: Blackfriars, Charing Cross, Waterloo or Waterloo East
By Car: Car parks at Doon Street and Cornwall Road

London: A Celebration will be at gallery@oxo, Oxo Tower Wharf, Southbank SE1 9PH from 10-13 May, 11am - 6pm Admission Free - Open Daily.

Follow us @handmadebritain #londonacelebration for updates and live tweets from the show