Katie Almond Ceramics: 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...