A Handmade Wedding 14th May 2016

Sorry for being really quiet lately but I have a good reason... I got married a couple of weeks ago and wanted to share some of my pictures with you all. Thank you to the lovely Elli Dean for the gorgeous photography http://rutlandphotographer.co.uk

The wedding transport which we decorated ourselves with flowers, ribbons and bunting meet 'Betsy'...

I was luckily enough to commission beautiful jewellery from the talented Judith Brown jewellery who specialises in handmade bridal collections with an elegant vintage feel. http://www.judithbrownjewellery.co.uk

In the lead up to the wedding me and my girls made lot's of bunting on my Crafty Hen to decorate the  hall, paper cones for confetti and Suffolk puffs to accessorise their shoes...

Myself and my dear friends Soph and Szilvi did all the flowers which seemed a huge task at first but with plenty of practice, planning and advice from Szilvi's expert flower arranger Mum I think we did a pretty good job!

The church windows looked beautiful simply with Gypsophilia and pillar candles which we lit during the service.

Naturally I wanted to make ceramic decorations, favours, tea lights and a cake topper which took a lot of time but was so worth it. With all my vintage props and my yellow colour theme it all started to  fit together nicely (after a year of planning and lots of Pinterest inspiration boards)

And lastly my beautiful cake created by my good friend Stephen..a beautiful job on the icing and sugar craft flowers!

We both had a beautiful day and enjoyed every minute of the day and I would love to do it all again! I absolutely loved the planning and I was in my element making all of the ceramic pieces. It's all very inspiring so watch this space for some new ranges www.katiealmond.co.uk

The British craft trade fair (BCTF) April 2015

I have been so busy for the last few weeks since the BCTF catching up on making and contacting all the lovely people I met. It was also nice to see familiar faces and catching up with lovely maker friends is always a bonus!
I was pleased with my stand and my new sign fitted in a treat...

My hanging boards came back out this year as you can't screw into the space at this show. I added a pop of colour on the centre board this year which really stands out and my new photos looked fab on this.

I took along my new bird house range which went down well...

As well as some old favourites!

I also took the new collaboration work myself and Samantha Robinson (SARK) have been working on. A range of textured jewellery and vessels inspired by zips and my floral leaf pattern taking inspiration from each others techniques and ways of working with materials. We would also exchange pieces half way through making so it's a real mix of both of our styles...

As well as making orders, I will be getting ready for my next show in June, The contemporary craft festival, Bovey Tracey, Devon, 5th-7th June, http://craftsatboveytracey.co.uk. It is always such a good show to do, great location, wide variety of makers and lot's going on throughout the day with demos and workshops so it's definitely worth a trip!

Reflecting on 2014

I have completed quite a few commissions in 2014 from a special tea set to a cake stand for a vintage loving bride. But my favourite has to be this one which I can now share with you!

I was approached by a customer who wanted me to illustrate a very personal cup and saucer for a tea lover....

I illustrated a landmark or a significant part of the year from when they met in 2010 up until 2014 when he wanted to propose! I was thrilled to be part of such a special moment!!

Once we decided on the pattern and colour scheme I set to work on the design and illustrations. I really love working on something different...

This was the finished result I really love bringing a design to life!

Happy new year!

Happy new year! Here's to 2015 and it's already shaping up nicely on the workshop front.

These are my NEW workshop dates. Enjoy a relaxed creative morning or afternoon with me to create a beautiful hand-made piece to treasure in an inspiring setting…

January 17th Porcelain button and brooch workshop, Itch gallery, Oakham, Rutland 

“Be inspired by Katie’s design boards and create 3 brooches and a set of buttons. Impress objects into clay and apply coloured glazes. The work will be taken away to fire and can be collected from the gallery 2 weeks later.”

To book http://itchgallery.co.uk/product/porcelain-brooch-button-workshop/

Saturday 14th March, at Debbie Bryan studio and shop, Nottingham, 10.30am – 12pm: Trio of Hand Painted Brooches, £22.

“Take a day out and learn specialist ceramic techniques in this duo of porcelain classes. Create a trio of stunning porcelain brooches, using specialist ceramic techniques in this morning porcelain class. Let creativity flow as you build and hand-paint your pieces using a multitude of stamps, cutters and imprinting tools.”

1pm – 5pm: Hand Painted Two Tier Cake Stand, £48

In this ceramic afternoon encore, by inspired by design secrets and take your time as your build and craft your two tier cake stand using a variety of ceramic tools. Once you’ve perfected your design, hand paint and watch as the colours transform your piece.

All materials are provided and once you’ve crafted your pieces, they’ll be taken away to be fired and set in their glory and returned to the shop a short time later for collection or upon scheduled delivery.

To book contact shop@debbiebryan.co.uk

Sunday March 15th 10 - 1  £30 Ceramic textured tiles or hanging plaques, at Wistow Gallery, Leicestershire. 

“Be inspired by Katie's design boards and create a trio of textured tiles or hanging plaques. You will learn how to impress objects into clay and apply glazes. The work will be taken away to fire and will be ready for collection from the gallery 2 weeks later.” 

To book please e-mail katie-almond@tiscali.co.uk

Saturday April 18th  10 - 1  £30 Hanging porcelain decorations, at Wistow gallery, Leicestershire.     

"Be inspired by Katie's design boards and create a trio of hanging decorations from hearts to birds. You will learn how to impress objects into clay and apply glazes. The work will be taken away to fire and will be ready for collection from the gallery 2 weeks later."

To book please e-mail katie-almond@tiscali.co.uk

December 2014

Firstly apologies for not blogging as much I should (and intend too!) I think this will be a new years resolution. There has been so much going on in the last few months with workshops, shows and special commissions that leaves little time for blogging but here goes...

I am part of a group of Leicestershire designer makers and we are doing really exciting things at the moment and we now have secured Crafts Council funding to realise some of our MANY ideas!...www.ornamentum.org.uk

This is who we are..

"Ornamentum is a group of eight designer makers from Leicestershire, working together to support our professional development and create new opportunities.

We have been working together for two years and had a successful exhibition at Makers' Yard in 2013 called Regeneration. Each maker created new work inspired by the regeneration of Leicester's cultural quarter and the history of Makers' Yard as a hosiery factory. Many pieces were site-specific or took their inspiration from the fabric of the building itself.

Our project for 2014-15 is funded by Arts Council England and supports two exhibitions of completely new work in Leicestershire venues. The funding also allows 12 months of mentoring with industry experts to support makers in developing their creative businesses. We also aim to tour this exhibition in 2015-16."

This will be our next exhibition in Leicester opening the 6th Jan at the LCB depot www.lcbdepot.co.uk

On Repeat

This exhibition is the culmination of a 12-month collaboration project between eight members of Ornamentum, following a theme of pattern and repeat. Eight makers have been working in pairs to create completely new work for this show. Makers are also exhibiting solo work alongside their collaborations.

Pairings were drawn at random in December 2013 and the pairs have been working together throughout 2014. Each pair has taken a different approach to collaboration, some sharing techniques, some swapping work, some sharing ideas and inspirations.

Working in collaboration allows supportive creative development, helps makers learn new techniques, try new ideas and experiment in a supportive environment.  

A taster of mine and Sam's collaboration work inspired by zips and my leaf patterns. I can't wait to show you pictures of the exhibition as I feel we are really getting into the flow now! Inspiring each other and swapping pieces half way in the making process is making the results even more exciting.

I am also busy getting ready for my trade show in January with members of Design Factory at CRAFT, London, Olympia, 11-13th Jan 2015. www.craft-london.com.We are having a group stand so I'm now busy planning my display and we each have wall and plinth space so it's a case of making the best of the space whilst being in keeping with the rest of the group. This was the DF stand last year to give you an idea of layout...

I am also in the process of confirming some exciting workshops next year so watch this space in the new year when I announce them!

In the meantime have a lovely Christmas and see you all in 2015 :)

Busy times!

I'm gearing up for a busy few months ahead. I will be in Wales this October with my Christmas collections and some new pieces I have been working on...

Made by Hand, at City Hall, Cardiff 31st October-2nd November 2014. Lots of lovely designer makers across all the disciplines. For more details madebyhand-wales.co.uk/makers/

I will also be up in Yorkshire this November...

The Art Market

Holmfirth Indoor Market, West Yorkshire

www.artmarkets.co.uk

Weekend One:

Saturday 22^nd November – buying evening & art auction – 8pm -10pm

Sunday 23^rd November – main show - 10am – 4pm

Different artists each weekend.

£2 entry on the door – free entry for children under 14 accompanied by an adult.

And down in London in the New year for a trade show called 'CRAFT' at Olympia, London 11th-13th January 2015, www.craft-london.com/ I will be exhibiting as part of the Design Factory group stand at this high quality craft trade fair. 

 

I have been busy on the workshop front with some lovely results and these are my next dates...

at Wistow gallery, Leicestershire, wistowgallery.weebly.com/nov-2014-workshops.html 

Saturday November 8th 10.30 - 1.30 Ceramic brooches and buttons £25 “Be inspired by Katie's design boards and create 3 brooches and a set of buttons. Impress objects into clay and apply glazes. The work will be taken away to fire and can be collected from the gallery, 2 weeks later.” 

And Saturday December 6th 10.30 - 1.30 Porcelain Christmas tree decorations £25 “Be inspired by Katie's design boards and create a stunning trio of hanging Christmas decorations. Impress objects into clay and apply glazes. The work will be taken away to fire and will be ready for collection within 2 weeks.”