Highlights from Hereford Contemporary Craft Fair

I have returned inspired from a great show at Hereford Contemporary Craft Fair 15th-17th November http://www.h-craftfair.co.uk/#/home I just thought i would share a few images of my best pieces that went off to new homes!

My Christmas decorations and cards went down a treat! as did my small espresso cups and saucers.

I have returned with lots of ideas that I want to try out in January but for the meantime it's full steam ahead for preparations for the next show THIS weekend the Harley Gallery Christmas market opens on Friday the 22nd  at 2pm http://www.harleygallery.co.uk/event.php?pg_id=56

NYC trip October 2013

A well overdue blog post but I have been so busy preparing for the Christmas shows and a trip with Design factory and Creative twining...


"Thirteen talented UK designer makers are preparing to take part in a major project that will see their work on display and for sale in New York this Autumn. The British Craft Showcase will be hosted at The Textile Art Center in central Manhattan, opening on 10th October. Exhibits will include exquisite ceramics, glass, textiles, paperworks and jewellery created by members of Design Factory, the leading UK creative development agency that supports and promotes designer makers from the East Midlands and beyond." www.designfactory.org.uk 

The Textile Arts center

Debbie setting up her scarves www.debbiebryan.co.uk

http://www.annacollettehunt.com

Gizella Warburton http://www.gizellakwarburton.co.uk/

We have lots more images on Facebook of the PV and work https://www.facebook.com/katie.almond.77/media_set?set=a.10151627695316831.656753165&type=3

I also had a bit of free time to explore some famous places....

my favorite bridge that I spotted!

a lovely sunny walk through central park to the Met museum http://www.metmuseum.org/ to soak up some art and lovely collections of old ceramics...

We also met some lovely makers along the way this lady recycles paper into yarn to make hats and table cloths..

I can't wait to make some new pieces after the busy Christmas season inspired by my trip. Watch this space!

August news

I have just realised I haven't blogged for a while so I thought I should share my news with you! Well it's been a busy summer so far making orders and preparing for the busy Christmas shows and exhibitions ahead

I have done another collection for Porthminster gallery, St. Ives which I really love...

You can see these showcased in "St.Ives summer sensation" paintings and ceramics for a celebration of summer in St. Ives, Cornwall, 5th July- 31st August 2013, Porthminster gallery, St. Ives.

Also you can see my collection for "A Cup of Tea and a Good Book" exhibition at Cambridge Contemporary crafts, September 7th – 29th 2013.

I have been lucky enough to do some lovely commissions for birthdays and gifts over the past few months. I have some others in the pipeline so watch this space for more images.but here is a few....

I am returning to the lovely Debbie Bryan's studio and shop in Nottingham for some more workshops..

Saturday 24th August

Ceramist and illustrator Katie Almond works in pattern and decoration, Katie brings her own inspiration boards and interesting bits & pieces to help you create your own beautiful ceramic pieces. 2 weeks to fire.

3 Ceramic Brooch Workshop 10am – 12, £20

Ceramic Tile/Plate Workshop 1-4pm, £28

Then I will be kicking the Christmas season off with hanging porcelain Christmas decorations...

Saturday 19th October

Ceramist and Illustrator Kate Almond launches our Christmas Season with...

3 Ceramic Brooches 11am -1pm, £20 add a Christmas twist for the big day...HO! HO! HO!

3 Christmas Decorations 2 – 5pm, £30 welcome back Christmas Puds, Robins, Holly & Mistletoe!

Save the dates! I am already booked up with quite a few Christmas fairs.....

'Inspire 2013' Christmas exhibition at Walford Mill crafts, Wimborne, Dorset, 2nd November -31st December 2013. www.walfordmillcrafts.co.uk.

Hereford contemporary craft fair, 15th-17th November 2013, at the Courtyard, Edgar Street, Hereford. craftfair.herefordshire.gov.uk.

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

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