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.” 

July News

I thought it was a good time to share what I have been up to since my last post. Last week I took some wares to be professionally photographed by Joanne Withers Photography and these were the results...really pleased with them!

I have been a busy bee and updated my online shop with these new beauties http://www.madebyhandonline.
com/by/katie_almond/

Do you fancy a creative workshop with me?

My next workshop date is Saturday 16th August 10-1pm at the lovely Wistow Gallery @WistowGallery Leicestershire Saturday 16th August. Be inspired by my design boards and textured objects to impress into clay to create your own set of porcelain buttons and beads like the ones pictured. For more info and to book Katie-almond@tiscali.co.uk. We will be making beauties like this...

I have also been busy on the commission front so thought I'd share some with you! These were for birthdays but I have some special wedding ones in the pipeline so watch this space.

You can also follow me on Facebook katie almond ceramics and Twitter @kalmondceramics for more news 

Latest news and shows! Summer 2014

I haven't blogged in a while so I thought it was about time I shared my news and what I have been up to! Time is flying and I am busily preparing for the Contemporary craft festival next week 6-8th June 2014 Mill Marsh Park, Bovey Tracey, Devon www.craftsatboveytracey.co.uk. I'm on Stand C14 if you are popping along to the show. It's a really lovely show with a mix of makers and a great atmosphere with demos and workshops outside to take part in. I will take some pictures and blog the highlights on my return. 

I will also be exhibiting my 'St.Ives seaside inspired pieces again this summer in the ‘Summer show’ group exhibition of ceramics and paintings at the Porthminster gallery, St. Ives Cornwall 5th July-23rd August 2014 www.porthminstergallery.co.uk

I have also been a busy bee on the commission side from christening pieces to wedding anniversary plates. These are my favourite ones which I designed with personalised photos and text. I always really enjoy making these special pieces...

I have some exciting workshops lined up with more dates to be added so watch this space! 

Saturday 5th July 2014 11-1pm porcelain brooch making. “Be inspired by my work and create your own trio of glazed porcelain brooches.” NEW shop opening in Leicester ‘Marmalademudpie and me’ 36 Francis Street, Stoneygate Leicester. Link for more details https://www.facebook.com/marmalademudpie

I will be returning to the lovely Unit 12 in September for a day of porcelain! Porcelain brooches and tiles 27th September 2014 10-4pm. “Be inspired by Katie Almond’s design boards and interesting objects to impress into clay to make a trio of brooches and a statement tile. You will learn about working with porcelain, adding texture and how to apply coloured glazes to create stunning individual pieces.” For more details and to book http://www.unittwelve.co.uk/workshops.htm

March news

I am busy gearing up for my next shows and exhibitions....

Spring looks like it if finally arriving and I am gearing up for some busy months ahead! I will be returning to the British craft trade fair (BCTF) this April 6th-8th with some new collections I have been working on (such as this lovely candle holder below) www.bctf.co.uk for more information.

June will see me returning to Devon for one of my favourite retail shows The Contemporary craft festival 6-8th June 2014 Mill Marsh Park, Bovey Tracey, Devon www.craftsatboveytracey.co.uk it has a great atmosphere and lots of inspiring makers work.

The stunning 'Madebyhandonlline presents' is open now at Jennifer Collier's gallery Unit 12, Staffordshire, 6th March- 31st may 2014,

'madebyhandonline presents...' will showcase a selection of iconic handmade craft from their makers. madebyhandonline.com is a curated website championing high quality contemporary craft from some of the UK's finest makers.www.unittwelve.co.uk/exhibitions.htm

I will be at the lovely Unit12 gallery in Stafford next Saturday 22nd March 10-4 for a tile and brooch making workshop and due to popular demand this will run again in September on the 27th. For more details please visit http://www.unittwelve.co.uk/workshops.htm

NEW workshop date at Debbie Bryan studio and shop, Nottingham Saturday 29th March 10am to 12 create a set of 3 Ceramic Brooches £22 and then 1pm – 4.30pm Create a Two Tier Ceramic Cake Stand £45. For more details and to book....http://www.debbiebryan.co.uk/Workshops/?PHPSESSID=s7mia187sn2nnir3tm0ck8sf4

Lovely spring floral pieces on my Madebyhand online shop www.madebyhandonline.com/by/katie_almond

Don't forget you can follow me on Facebook katie almond ceramics and Twitter @kalmondceramics for more updates!

News for 2014

Happy new year! I have been busy updating the website with new events for the year ahead. I have had a lovely break drawing and designing but now I'm raring to get back to the studio! 

I have got a collection on it's way for a Creative twinning showcase at Rufford craft centre http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/enjoying/countryside/countryparks/rufford/

I will be at the British craft trade fair (BCTF)for my 4th year showcasing some new pieces 6-8^th April 2014 www.bctf.co.uk.

'madebyhandonline presents...' at Jennifer Collier’s Unit 12, rural Stafford, 6th March-21st May. This exhibition will showcase a selection of iconic handmade craft from their makers at madebyhandonline.com.

I will be running a ceramic workshop alongside this exhibition at Unit12 Porcelain brooches and tiles 22nd March 2014 “Be inspired by Katie Almond’s design boards and interesting objects to impress into clay to make a trio of brooches and a statement tile. You will learn about working with porcelain, adding texture and how to apply coloured glazes to create stunning individual pieces.”£45pp 10-4 pm To book call 07811 460494 or to book online (which includes a £1.50 online booking fee)

I am delighted to announce that I will be returning to the lovely Contemporary craft festival 6-8^th June 2014 Mill Marsh Park, Bovey Tracey, Devon. I love this show it has lots of lovely makers and a great atmosphere check it out... www.craftsatboveytracey.co.uk

I have been invited back to exhibit my seaside range at ‘Summer show’ group exhibition of ceramics and paintings at the Porthminster gallery, St. Ives Cornwall 5^th July-23^rd August 2014 www.porthminstergallery.co.uk

Also if you could spare a few minutes to vote for my work at the craft and design magazine selected awards. For more information and to vote for your favourite makers please check out http://www.craftmaker.co.uk/katiealmond/

You can now also follow me on Pinterest and see what inspires me! http://www.pinterest.com/Kalmondceramics/

As well as Pinterest you can also follow me on Twitter @kalmondceramics and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Katie-Almond-ceramics/162186390551992?ref=hl. Watch this space for more news and new workshops dates!