It’s with a heavy heart that we’ve decided to cancel Design@HEART this year. It just wasn’t going to be possible to present our usual standard of fair with all the restrictions and rules that the venue have to abide by.
But the good news is that we are going to take it all on line for the whole of November, so do keep an eye on our Social Media posts and sign up to the mailing list.
I wanted to give you a quick update about what measures I’ve put in place to reassure you with regards to the Coronvirus Pandemic. I know we’re all in limbo at the moment, and it’s difficult to make plans and commit resources to future events when we don’t know what’s round the corner. And that means that artists and makers are going to be struggling to make decisions about applying for Christmas fairs.
As an artist myself, I know what it feels like to not have the kind of cashflow or indeed overall income that can stand a loss of even the smallest stall fee. So with that in mind, I’ve decided that all stallholders will, in the event of further lockdowns this Autumn, receive full refunds as soon as possible. This will of course be at the expense of paying myself for work already done on the fair, but as it’s unlikely I’d get any kind of insurance to cover this kind of eventuality, it’s the only way. Those refunds might not come immediately, and speed of refunds will depend on how far ahead we can predict a possible cancellation of the fair(in terms of venue fees being refunded etc). If you are applying for a stall at this year’s fair please do read the Terms and Conditions carefully, and see clause 13 in particular.
It has been a difficult few weeks. As I have been in ‘Sheilding’ measures for a month as we speak and haven’t been beyond my garden gate, my view of the world is very much through a screen and looks likely to be so for some time to come. We don’t know exactly what the world will look like at the end of the lockdown, let alone the end of the pandemic. But I do know that this creative community I am part of will come out of this with new vigour and perhaps with a renewed perspective on life, and I’m looking forward to seeing you all in the flesh, with maybe even some tentative hugs! So please do apply to 2020 Design@HEART, and lets make it the best fair yet.
Stay safe, and love to everyone.
Becky Moore
As we get through our second week in lockdown, it seems like every day we’re hearing of another event being cancelled. Earlier in the week it was the Potternewton Carnival. My heart sank. Of course it was inevitable, and of course it had to happen. To all the organisers and crews this must have been a heartbreaking decision to have to make and it will leave a huge gap in the lives of many this year. And it seems like each day there’s a new “oh no….” moment of disappointment. But, BUT… we must and will remain hopeful. The crisis is likely to last a lot longer than we want, but it will pass. We will be exhausted and battered, and for many of us our lives will be changed irrevokably. But life will go on, and GOOD TIMES ARE ON THE WAY.
So, in an optomistic spirit, plans for Design@HEART 2020 are beginning. Today applications for stalls opened. Contingency plans are being put in place as I write, to ensure that financial risks are minimised. Art work has been done. Publicity materials designed. If we’re out of this pickle by November we WILL bring you Design@HEART!
If you would like a stall please apply here, after reading our Terms and Conditions of course.
10am-4pm at Headingley HEART Centre, Bennett Road, Headingley, Leeds LS6 3HN
Here’s a round up of our artists and craftspeople. We have some old favourites but plenty of new stalls too. We hope to see you there!
I’m a Leeds-based jeweller and printmaker, working primarily in silver and copper which is etched & engraved using techniques commonly found in printmaking. My work is inspired by the landscape, as viewed on a flat plane through the train window and aerial views, and is influenced by English landscape painters, printmakers, & surface-pattern designers, as well as my background in garden design. I love the textures, mark-making and unpredictability of the printmaking techniques I use, which I also translate into my jewellery and metal pictures to make pieces which will never be identical.
Where appropriate, I like to add colour using traditional materials – patination recipes, vitreous enamels, and sepia ink. Exploring the chemistry of these processes in itself provides inspiration which means life is never dull!
I am a Horsforth-based artist specialising in pencil-drawn bespoke maps and landscapes of the local area.
I have always loved monochrome art and the striking effects that can be achieved from simple media such as pen and pencil.
Pencil has always been my favourite medium and I have recently diversified from drawing landscapes to creating personalised maps of people’s favourite locations. The maps developed from wanting to create mementos that represent special places, but in a unique way that differs from anything else.
Commissions so far have ranged from counties to countries and have celebrated occasions such as births, engagements and weddings. It’s always exciting to find out what location I’m going to draw next, and my geography is improving with each commission!
I started TMVintageLeeds back in 2016 from a love of old cameras, I am really a huge photography fan and it seems that a lot of old cameras become neglected and unused. I took this thought as an opportunity to turn them into something that I love and that other people can use and love too!
The box brownies have a lovely form and are so aesthetically pleasing to me that I thought they would make beautiful lamps. This initially started out with me making them for friends and relatives, morphed into the small craft business today. I love providing things at a reasonable cost so others can love them as much as I do. This is more therapy for myself rather than a business and I love working with beautiful items….and then I found more things that I love that are neglected, forgotten about or simply just unloved.
I create individual handmade books, blank ones with beautiful covers and creative ones with my poems or quotes in. Books are touchable art, and I enjoy making stand-alone pieces, which are functional as beautiful notebooks, sketchbooks or journals. I embellish covers with machine and hand embroidery.
I use recycled paper and reuse packaging and my aim is to recycle completely once my current materials are used up, making my own ribbon and reusing paper from junk mail for the covers. Each book is hand sewn and finished.
A lifetime’s love of words, books, paper and making is now converted into a business. I also sell cards of my own designs. As an art student I was told I couldn’t draw, so I made instead (sewing, dressmaking, embroidery, jewellery, anything craft-based) and I bring these skills to my books.
I teach mindfulness and creativity workshops and incorporate a loving and attentive approach to everything I create.
Lampshades using beautiful japanese papers
I am a cartoonist who has progressed into ‘cartooning in wool’. My knitted phone cases are flip-top design and are sturdy, being each one knitted by myself. There are also ‘key slugs’ to keep bunches of keys in, and knitted bumblebees that have not use other than embellishment. I have also recently added fabric holdalls to the sturdy bag range. My drawn cartoons also feature, in the form of greeting cards printed at home on elephant dung paper. I love making useful things that are beautiful and often humorous. ‘Keep it Material’ is my motto – I keep to a small phone! My studio is with East Street Arts in Leeds.
I am a potter, printmaker, painter, illustrator and gardener. I originally trained as a fine artist at Leeds University, and since then I have continually worked as a painter and maker. I gain my inspiration from the natural world – plants and birds – and I also love to make images of people at peace and enjoying their gardens. This inspiration is a thread running through all the media in which I work. I learned to make pots at the Swarthmore Centre and now make these at home in my studio, hand-building my pots, so no two are the same. They tend to be decorated with birds and leaves. I have made many pieces to commission, including illustrations for the health service. pots for wedding presents, and paintings as gifts.
I use traditional printing methods to create fine art prints and products. These are often inspired by folklore, mythology and natural history.
After graduating with a degree in Illustration and Animation from Loughborough University I moved back to Yorkshire where I continued to experiment with technique, materials and design.
My process starts with a pencil drawing, which is then transferred onto lino before carving and printing. This hands on process means every piece is unique.
We used to have a naughty dog called Badger and if ever he didn’t come when called, we knew he would be eating the best raspberries from the canes. We started to make jam from those raspberries to gift to friends and family. As time past we grew more fruit and vegetables and that’s how we started.
Badger is no longer with us but we still grow produce in his garden that we use to turn into jams and chutneys. We have a wide selection of flavours to suit most tastes and we love to experiment with new ingredients.
Our spoon full of wonder is from garden to jar.
Carolyn Hird-Rogers, the artist and designer behind Rogers Ink is inspired by the dramatic landscape of the Yorkshire countryside and a love of mid 20th century Scandinavian surface pattern design. The moods of the Dales and Moors are expressed in the mono-print technique used to create hand inked papers. These unique papers are cut and collaged to build large landscape images and smaller greeting cards. The windswept and hill top stands of trees, cow parsley and dandelions are stylised, digitally drawn, printed, hand cut and added to the landscapes. These digital drawings then find there way into strong coloured landscapes on small notecards, beautifully presented in boxed sets of eight.
I am a Leeds based designer maker working in fused, leaded and copper foiled stained glass from my local studio. My background in 3D Design (BA Hons) and Fine Jewellery (City & Guilds) compliments my studies and work in the various glass techniques I use. Much of my work is influenced by a lifelong passion for wildlife and nature, inspiration comes from observing colour, light, form, pattern and texture. As a keen photographer, I often reference my own images of seascapes, landscapes and wildlife, before translating the subject into glass. Powders, frits, stained glass and traditional stained-glass painting are used, each texture and colour carefully chosen to compliment the subject and create a well-balanced finished piece.
I am a self taught paper cutter with a background in Design and Printmaking. When creating a new design I seek inspiration from contemporary surface and pattern design and combines this with a fascination for the detail in old botanical illustrations.
The depth in my 3 dimensional work is created by layering intricately cut sheets of paper, and depict woodland animals and birds in their natural habitat. I then emboss and curl the feathers to give the subject more body.
I am currently experimenting with LEDs to light some of my larger pieces, which adds an element of design to my work.
I set up Silver and Sparkle in 2006. I work from my small studio in West Yorkshire, designing and making my own range of jewellery and other objects primarily, but not exclusively, in silver.
Whilst I am primarily self-taught, I undertook an initial course at the Yorkshire Craft Centre and each year I attend a week-long in-depth Silversmithing Courses at West Dean College in Sussex to refresh and hone my skills.
I particularly specialise in making hand-forged geometric-shaped links for pendants, necklaces, earrings and bracelets.
To compliment the silver I also use semi precious stones, freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystals.
I do find it difficult to pin down where the inspiration for my designs comes from, but the many hours spent walking in the Yorkshire Dales and our local woodlands have a significant influence on my work.
I have exhibited several times at the annual British Craft Trade Fair and a number of exhibitions within Yorkshire. I currently sell my work at various Country Shows and Art, Craft & Design events, as well as through a number of galleries throughout the UK.
I’m a hand-lettering artist who creates cards and wall art from original watercolour paintings. I use hand-drawn fonts to bring quotes, phrases and slogans to life: sometimes with a Yorkshire theme, often with positive, empowering messages, always to make people smile. I’ve also recently started using nature in my work, combining leaf illustrations with hand-lettered words.
I’ve worked with many media but have always returned to watercolours for their bright colours, their ability to blend beautifully and splat chaotically. My wall art is printed on paper chosen specifically for how it makes the colours sing.
I’m a big believer in looking after our world. All my cards are printed on recycled stock with eco-friendly toner and card bags are made from corn starch. My wooden bauble Christmas cards were developed from my desire to make something that could be reused instead of thrown away – and they’ve become a real best-seller!
I am a jewellery designer and maker working from my home studio in North Leeds.
I work primarily in sterling silver, using traditional silversmithing techniques, but I also love the visual contrast when using different metals together. I incorporate copper, brass and gold into some designs to add this contrast.
Many of my designs are inspired by the celestial, incorporating moons, stars, planets and ethereal gemstones, such as moonstone.
Others are inspired by the beauty in nature, and many include the blues and greens of sea and sky.
I love texturing the metals I use, with hammers, stamps and sanding tools. It’s interesting to play with the way the light reflects on the surface according to the different finishes.
I have recently added some enamel pieces to my collection, indulging my love of colour. These pieces are fun, fashionable and affordable. I like to experiment with Pantone colour trends, and this year has been all about “living coral” and “bachelor button” (blue). Expect a more rich bold colour palette for autumn/winter enamels, including cranberry, coffee, and deep galaxy blue.
Above all my jewellery is designed to make you feel good, whether wearing it, admiring it or giving it to someone as a gift. If this aim is achieved most of the time, I’m happy!
I am a self-taught artist, living in Rawdon, and surrounded by the beautiful Yorkshire Countryside, which is where I get most of my inspiration.
I predominantly work in watercolour, most commonly wildlife, hares, bees and flowers. I love to paint them in different colours to their natural state. I also have an addiction for Abstract Acrylic Pour Paintings. They are just fabulous to create, if a bit messy. Due to the process and the many ways or “pouring” each one is completely unique. My studio (kitchen and dining room) are full of them, either drying, waiting to be varnished or the finished item and I often post videos of the process on my Instagram site.
I decided to have some of my images printed by local companies to make notebooks and cards, since then I have branched out into phone cases, chopping boards, cushions and coasters.
Charlotte Luisa was set up by, Charlotte, a lifelong fabric addict. Charlotte’s bags have a focus on colour and texture. New designs are thoroughly tested to make sure they not only look and feel beautiful but are useful too.
Each piece is designed and handmade in her studio at the historic A.W.Hainsworth Mill. Charlotte Luisa bags are made from carefully sourced materials and where possible, unloved and end of line fabrics which means they are sustainable, ethical and sweatshop free. Materials include vegan leather, leather rescued from the interiors industry, cottons and wools all in a gorgeous colours and patterns.
The range includes clutches, purses, laptop bags, cross body bags totes and new for this year, phone pouches. Many of the designs are limited edition and bespoke pieces.
I’m a textile artist based in Bingley and I make jewellery, accessories and artwork inspired by my love of sewing.
I use hand stitched embroidery, patchwork and visible mending techniqes to make tactile, wearable pieces designed to be useful as well as attractive. I love to work in miniature and often incorporate tiny pincushions into my brooches and rings.
I practice an almost compulsive adherance to the old adage “Waste not, want not” and use up even the tiniest scraps of cloth and never throw anything away.
I work mainly with recycled and gifted fabrics and I try to continue the stories of well loved textiles with my own stitches. I am a proud member of Airedale Branch of the Embroiderers’ Guild and receive knowledge and stories in abundance from my fellow stitchers. I try to pass on a little of our shared belief that “Sewing Mends the Soul” though my pieces.
I use sterling silver sheet and wire, texture by hand and forge one off unique pieces of jewellery. I also use gold accents and gemstones to complete my pieces. A real mix of contemporary and artistan styles.
Often inspired by nature you find a lot of leaf motives in my work and some using textures that I find from nature. You’ll also find a real mixture of statement pieces with more subtle pieces – something for everyone.
I source my gemstones from reputable dealers and love free form faceted stones which catch the light and have unique colourings. This often means I’ll never repeat a piece of jewellery with the same gemstones twice. I love the colour the gemstones bring to my pieces.
Jenny O’Neil will be bringing her lovely silver jewellery to Design@HEART for the first time on Saturday, and I’m sure she’ll be a popular choice for Christmas gift buyers:
I use sterling silver sheet and wire, texture by hand and forge one off unique pieces of jewellery. I also use gold accents and gemstones to complete my pieces. A real mix of contemporary and artistan styles.
Often inspired by nature you find a lot of leaf motives in my work and some using textures that I find from nature. You’ll also find a real mixture of statement pieces with more subtle pieces – something for everyone.
I source my gemstones from reputable dealers and love free form faceted stones which catch the light and have unique colourings. This often means I’ll never repeat a piece of jewellery with the same gemstones twice. I love the colour the gemstones bring to my pieces.
We’re pleased to announce that Paula Perrins of Wychbury Designs will be at Design@HEART again next week. Here she is talking a little bit about what makes her tick:
I’m a textile artist based in Bingley and I make jewellery, accessories and artwork inspired by my love of sewing.
I use hand stitched embroidery, patchwork and visible mending techniqes to make tactile, wearable pieces designed to be useful as well as attractive. I love to work in miniature and often incorporate tiny pincushions into my brooches and rings.
I practice an almost compulsive adherance to the old adage “Waste not, want not” and use up even the tiniest scraps of cloth and never throw anything away.
I work mainly with recycled and gifted fabrics and I try to continue the stories of well loved textiles with my own stitches. I am a proud member of Airedale Branch of the Embroiderers’ Guild and receive knowledge and stories in abundance from my fellow stitchers. I try to pass on a little of our shared belief that “Sewing Mends the Soul” though my pieces.
Charlotte Luisa was set up by, Charlotte, a lifelong fabric addict. Charlotte’s bags have a focus on colour and texture. New designs are thoroughly tested to make sure they not only look and feel beautiful but are useful too.
Each piece is designed and handmade in her studio at the historic A.W.Hainsworth Mill. Charlotte Luisa bags are made from carefully sourced materials and where possible, unloved and end of line fabrics which means they are sustainable, ethical and sweatshop free. Materials include vegan leather, leather rescued from the interiors industry, cottons and wools all in a gorgeous colours and patterns.
The range includes clutches, purses, laptop bags, cross body bags totes and new for this year, phone pouches. Many of the designs are limited edition and bespoke pieces.
Charlotte Luisa will be at Design@HEART a week on Saturday 9th November.
Like all our artists and designers, Lucy Tomlinson is locally based, and takes her inspiration from our beautiful countryside.
I am a self-taught artist, living in Rawdon, and surrounded by the beautiful Yorkshire Countryside, which is where I get most of my inspiration.
I predominantly work in watercolour, most commonly wildlife, hares, bees and flowers. I love to paint them in different colours to their natural state. I also have an addiction for Abstract Acrylic Pour Paintings. They are just fabulous to create, if a bit messy. Due to the process and the many ways or “pouring” each one is completely unique. My studio (kitchen and dining room) are full of them, either drying, waiting to be varnished or the finished item and I often post videos of the process on my Instagram site.
I decided to have some of my images printed by local companies to make notebooks and cards, since then I have branched out into phone cases, chopping boards, cushions and coasters.
Alice Albentosa has definitely got her feet under the table at Design@HEART now and we are so glad to have her her next month. Design@HEART this year is on Saturday 9th November, Headingley HEART, Bennet Road, Headingley, 10am-4pm.
I am a jewellery designer and maker working from my home studio in North Leeds.
I work primarily in sterling silver, using traditional silversmithing techniques, but I also love the visual contrast when using different metals together. I incorporate copper, brass and gold into some designs to add this contrast.
Many of my designs are inspired by the celestial, incorporating moons, stars, planets and ethereal gemstones, such as moonstone.
Others are inspired by the beauty in nature, and many include the blues and greens of sea and sky.I love texturing the metals I use, with hammers, stamps and sanding tools. It’s interesting to play with the way the light reflects on the surface according to the different finishes.
I have recently added some enamel pieces to my collection, indulging my love of colour. These pieces are fun, fashionable and affordable. I like to experiment with Pantone colour trends, and this year has been all about “living coral” and “bachelor button” (blue). Expect a more rich bold colour palette for autumn/winter enamels, including cranberry, coffee, and deep galaxy blue.
Above all my jewellery is designed to make you feel good, whether wearing it, admiring it or giving it to someone as a gift. If this aim is achieved most of the time, I’m happy!
Jules Birkby brings her original stationery and prints to Design@HEART for the first time next month. We’re sure you’ll like her style!
I’m a hand-lettering artist who creates cards and wall art from original watercolour paintings. I use hand-drawn fonts to bring quotes, phrases and slogans to life: sometimes with a Yorkshire theme, often with positive, empowering messages, always to make people smile. I’ve also recently started using nature in my work, combining leaf illustrations with hand-lettered words.
I’ve worked with many media but have always returned to watercolours for their bright colours, their ability to blend beautifully and splat chaotically. My wall art is printed on paper chosen specifically for how it makes the colours sing.
I’m a big believer in looking after our world. All my cards are printed on recycled stock with eco-friendly toner and card bags are made from corn starch. My wooden bauble Christmas cards were developed from my desire to make something that could be reused instead of thrown away – and they’ve become a real best-seller!
