London
Craft Week is a new annual event which
showcases exceptional craftsmanship through a journey-of-discovery program - featuring
hidden workshops and celebrated makers. Founded on the ethos of making, London
Craft Week aims to introduce the talent, people and techniques behind the
products. Here at Craft Central, during Made in Clerkenwell: Open Studios, there will be a chance to meet the makers, see
demonstrations of their skills and learn about the processes involved in the
making of these beautiful objects. All of these demonstrations will be taking
place from 7-10 May at the Craft Central building at 33-35 St John’s Square EC1.
Thursday 7 May 6pm
Millinery demonstration from Bridget Tomlin
Beautiful
to look at and an inspiration to wear, Bridget Bailey’s work has a 30-year
pedigree, with collections designed for labels such as Mulberry, Saks Fifth
Avenue and the V&A. Her work is inspired by the diversity of the natural
world and the ways in which textiles and millinery can be used to describe and
explore the texture and structures of its flora and fauna. The materials are
fabric scraps and off-cuts, vintage silk threads, and found feathers. In
order to uncover the jewel-like qualities inherent in what can be considered
non-precious materials, the pieces are created with thought and attention-to-detail.
Bailey is known for her sculptural and dramatic use of fabric combinations and
piece construction. Her demonstration will showcase a unique approach to
colour, textile and millinery techniques.
More about Bridget Bailey here: www.baileytomlin.com
Fri 8
May 1pm & Sun 10 May 3pm
Millinery demonstration from Katherine
Elizabeth
Katherine Elizabeth is an award
winning milliner whose achievements include the Walpole awards, Lff
Profile Awards and Dzina Fashion Awards. In 2012 Katherine won the London
Lifestyle Award for Best Fashion Retailer, being voted the winner out of over a
thousand retailers. All her hats are hand-crafted to the highest standard and are stocked
by some of the most luxury department stores in the city. As well as designing for her eponymous label, Katherine has worked with top designers such as Stephen Jones and Catherine Delaney. She has also created for John Galliana, Dior and Asudari, alongside making bespoke pieces for Lily Allen, Dita Von Teese and Henry Holland. Her pieces are all
handmade by a small London team based here at Craft Central. Her demonstration
will appeal for those who have a penchant for French lace, sumptuous Italian silks and
hand embellished beadwork.
More about Katherine Elizabeth here: www.katherineelizabethhats.com
Fri 8
May, 5pm
Ceramics demonstration from Helen Beard
Helen Beard has a unique method of decorating
her porcelain, a technique she researched and developed during her training at
Edinburgh College of Art. Using stain impregnated sheets of newspaper she
transfers a freehand sketch on to her porcelain and then colours using washes
of underglaze stain. The result is an uninhibited and immediate drawing to
adorn her pot. Her one of a kind ceramics, which are each
individually thrown on the wheel and hand painted, are made for exhibitions and
commissions. Helen’s studio is based at Craft Central and she is regularly
inspired by the local area - from swimmers at Ironmonger Row baths to market
traders at Smithfield market. Watch her as she illustrates her pots, the pieces
come to life one by one, and often a story will unfold.
More about Helen Beard here: www.helenbeard.com
Sat 9
May, 12pm
Jewellery demonstration by Angela Cork
Angela Cork is one of Britain’s most
innovative silversmiths and part of the prestigious elite represented in The
Goldsmiths’ Company’s collection. Her distinctive style employs simple, clean
designs. She has won many awards and is acclaimed for her contemporary and sculptural
objects. As well as designing and making
her own work, she teaches at several learning centres and is a course tutor at
Bishopsland Educational Trust. Angela will be demonstrating her jewellery
benchwork – showcasing her cutting-edge style, extraordinarily precise design and
refined traditional techniques.
More about Angela Cork here: www.angelacork.co.uk
Sat 9
May, 3.30pm
Textile designer Ptolemy Mann talks about
the ikat dyeing technique
Ptolemy
Mann
is a contemporary textile artist and designer known for her unique and
colourful hand-woven artworks and textile designs. Ikat is a dyeing
technique used to pattern textiles prior to
dyeing and weaving. Ptolemy will start her talk by showing her own archive of
traditional and modern ikats that she has collected from various trips. She
will then show how she has adapted the technique for her own practise. Her unique approach
to hand dyeing and weaving in a dynamic modern context brings her craft into
the 21st century. A modern-day Bauhaus philosophy of product and art making
combined with intelligent colour theory underpins all of her work – albeit creative
or commercial.
More about Ptolemy Mann here: www.ptolemymann.com
Sun 10
May, 1pm
Loom weaving demonstration from Margo Selby
Margo Selby runs a woven textile design company
that produces exceptional quality fabrics, rugs and accessories, which blend
effortlessly with both contemporary and classic interiors. In the early 2000s, Margo
began to develop relationships with weaving mills to explore the possibilities
of production. During this process, she united
her innovative hand-woven structures with industrial machinery to create the
first 3-dimensional fabrics that soon became the trademark of the Margo Selby
brand. Today, Margo’s extensive training in woven textiles remains central to
all the design developments. She will be demonstrating hand weaving on her own
loom. By showing how to simultaneously connect with the materials in a hands on
way, Margo allows for a greater understanding of the construction and behaviour
of the final product.
More about Margo Selby here: www.margotselby.com
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