The Contemporary craft festival June 2013

I have just returned from Bovey Tracey, Devon for the contemporary craft fair 7th-9th June. As last year showed me it was a lovely show and this year was no different! I met up with some makers and made some new friends and my new jugs, brooches and hanging heart decorations went down well with customers new and old. We were even blessed with lovely sunny weather over the weekend. I just wanted to share some images with you to sum up the show http://craftsatboveytracey.co.uk/

My stand.....

My jugs were a hit along with my wall plates...

My favourite jugs...

Gift tags...

It was a lovely well organised show with a festival feel...lots of things to do workshops, talks, singers and nice food stands. A really good day out for all! I would definitely recommend a visit next year.

Here is a link to a blog by the photographer Lyndsey Jones to give a different perspective of the show with some more lovely images of makers work http://t.co/8UwiIIFaG9

The British craft trade fair BCTF

I am back and refreshed from the BCTF which was a good show for me and I have some orders to make and some to new stockists which is always nice! I always enjoy the BCTF as its a good chance for us makers to meet and I enjoy meeting new faces each year too.
I tried some new display ideas this year with boards I clamped to the wall to hang my wall plates....

My new ranges of brooches, wall plates and cards went down a treat along with my ranges of jugs and teapots...

You can catch me next at The contemporary craft festival, Bovey Tracey, 7th-9th June 2013 http://craftsatboveytracey.co.uk/

Latest exhibition...'Synchronise'

Synchronise; creating craft collaborations 

Last year Design Factory members were approached to do a collaborative exhibition with another maker to be showcased at the National centre for craft and design www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk. I jumped at the chance as I have admired Milly Moore's stunning jewellery for some time now www.millymoore.co.uk. Some makers have worked together using a mixture of their own unique skills to create a combined piece and others have swapped materials or sources of inspiration resulting in various interpretations of collaboration.

Images; Milly Moore jewellery in collaboration with myself as part of Design Factory’s ‘Synchronise’ exhibition and inspired by the notions of afternoon tea! materials; hand -painted porcelain with lace impressed into the clay, gems, beads and pearls.

The idea stage was a very organic process as we understood each other’s idea right from the start. We had quite a few ideas sketched so we narrowed it down by choosing our favourite. Then we discussed layout options using samples and colour schemes to suit the theme.  It was interesting to see that we both approached it in a similar way and bounced ideas from each other to create exciting and vibrant jewellery. The pieces we have created compliment both of our styles and it was a great opportunity to combine skills to create one off, unique, show pieces that are delicate yet striking.

I think it is good to step out of your comfort zone as a maker and take on a new brief while learning new skills from each other. We both absolutely loved the process and the end result so watch this space!

For more information or commissions please contact us. We would love to hear from you! The exhibition is a fantastic show and runs from the 9th March until the 2nd June and is a must see! www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk  

February news

Lovely feature in march edition of Homes and Antiques about my work!

I have also been very busy with new work and a collaboration with a lovely Jeweller Milly Moore

http://www.millymoore.co.uk/index.html Here is a sneaky peek...

The final piece will form part of a design factory 'Syncronise' exhibition at the National centre for art and design, Sleaford. For more information http://www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk/future-exhibitions.

I am also busily preparing for my trade show 7th-9th April, The British craft trade fair (BCTF) in Harrogate where I will be showcasing some new designs...so watch this space! http://www.bctf.co.uk

New for 2013

Happy new year! I thought it has been a while so I thought I was due a blog post to share my news...

My Lace inspired collection is still on display in Debbie Bryan’s studio and shop and Nottingham castle as part of Debbie Bryan Heritage.

“Lace:here:now”  September 2012 – February 2013

“Fuelled by a continued resurgence of lace in contemporary culture and art and design practice, Lace:here:now is a season of events that will take place in the city that was once at the heart of the lace manufacturing industry - Nottingham. In recognition of the value of lace and its importance to the identity of Nottingham and beyond, Lace:here:now will celebrate the heritage of Nottingham lace and demonstrate that lace still inspires, fascinates and excites.”  

At Made by hand show, Wales I won a feature in Homes and Antiques magazine so watch this space for Katie Almond ceramics popping up in the March issue. So exciting!

Also in March I am taking part in the Design Factory collaboration exhibition ‘Synchronise’ and I am collaborating with the lovely Milly Moore. Check out her lovely jewellery here www.millymoore.co.uk and watch this space for images of what we create together!

Dates for the Diary

I will be returning to The British craft trade fair BCTF 7th-9th April 2013 www.bctf.co.uk And I will be exhibiting in June at the lovely Contemporary craft festival Bovey Tracey, Devon, 7th-9th June 2013 www.craftsatboveytracey.co.uk

Workshops

Watch this space for new workshop dates at Debbie Bryan’s studio and shop, Nottingham www.debbiebryan.co.uk and I will be returning for the Speed craft event Saturday 27^th April. 11.30am - 4.30pm  SPEED CRAFT, 6 creative workshops in 1 day ! £68 or sign up to our newsletter for our special price of £58 Print - Glass - Ceramics - Paper - Jewellery - we promise new ideas and inspiration and of-course our usual delicious cakes. Take a peek at our blog post about SPEED CRAFT: November 2012 http://debbiebryan.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/a-look-back-at-speed-craft.html

Just to remind you that you can now buy my work online at www.madebyhandonline.com and I regularly update my page with new pieces.

That’s all for now and thank you for all your support in 2012 and I hope to see you at my future events!

Best wishes,

Katie

www.katiealmond.co.uk

Follow me on twitter @kalmondceramics

Like my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Katie-Almond-ceramics/162186390551992

Made by hand 30th-2nd December 2012

I have just returned from a lovely show Newport, Wales in the lovely setting of Tredegar house. I had lots of lovely comments about my stand and met lots of lovely makers over the weekend...

I opted for a 3m stand this time and I think it made a difference as I had lots more space to display my wares....

My favourite pieces that I sold...

                                             Christmas decorations also went down a treat...

           Now I have Christmas orders to complete and then plan for next years shows so watch this space!
For more information check out my website www.katiealmond.co.uk and follow me on Twitter @kalmondceramics.

Speed Craft 3rd November 2012

Today was the first speed craft event at the Galleries of Justice, in the lovely setting of Nottingham lace market and hosted by the lovely Debbie Bryan. There were 6 makers, including myself, to guide and inspire the guests throughout the day.  They were able to make 6 pieces; a textile piece with Lucy Renshaw, a glass piece with Stevie Davis, a print with Nikki Dennett, a paper Christmas decoration with Phiona Richards, a mosaic heart with Janine Nelson and a porcelain brooch with me! All washed down with lots of tea and gorgeous home made cake by Tea lady Jo...

       Display table all ready for the speed craft to begin!

             My station all set and ready for the off!

Phiona showing off her lovely paper decorations..

                Me and my porcelain brooch samples..

                            
                          And we are off..

                 Gorgeous cake for our tea breaks :)

       Lovely ladies with their finished paper decorations..

             
             The finished brooches all ready for firing.

A lovely crafty day was had by all and they all had a sense of achievements..6 lovely craft items in one day! For more information about workshops and the next speed craft event please visit www.debbiebryan.co.uk/workshops.