Exhibitor and Demonstrator Gallery 2019
Browse and buy unique pieces from these makers, designers and exhibitors during the Arts and Craft Festival.
Lara Sparks- Embroidery - Exhibitor
Lara Sparks designs and produces original, embroidered cushions, lampshades, chairs, greeting cards and also run workshops. Sketching and drawing, with the needle. She takes inspiration from her surroundings - this can be grasses and wild flowers of our South Downs, to our buildings and seaside piers. Lara's passion for free-hand embroidery started thirty years ago and she constantly looks at new ways to push her skills, to produce quality, unique products.
Mike Savage - Demonstrator
Mike Savage studied silversmithing at Camberwell School of Art and developed his sculptural work at the RCA. His work explores the complex shapes and structures of organic segmentation in plants and seeds. The intrigue of the natural form is developed by an interest in industrial and engineered objects. The work exploits the malleable qualities of copper and aluminium; hammering and welding create a patina of colour and texture to the metal, which is enhanced by chemical patination.
Nant Designs - Demonstrator
Carole King is a binder of books and journals for artists, writers and paperholics. The hardcovers are bound in hand drawn and silkscreen printed papers and fabrics in colourful designs or carefully chosen vintage and contemporary fabrics. Quality papers are combined with hand stitched spines and finished with smart endpapers. For those with more unconventional tastes, Carole creates interesting and unusual books from vintage ephemera and household objects.
Nicky Lawrence Jewellery - Exhibitor
Nicky Lawrence's nudibranch (sea slug) jewellery is made from glass and metal. The simplicity of the metal is juxtaposed with delicate, brightly-coloured glass. Nicky textures the metal with hammer strokes and drill holes, before doming the metal, then fuses glass into the metal, allowing the glass to drop through the holes. As a final touch, she blackens the metal, contrasting it to the vibrant colours in the glass.
Oliver The Blacksmith - Exhibitor
Oliver is a 5th generation blacksmith from Devon. Although he was born in to the trade, Oliver studied at Hereford College to perfect his craft. He has competed nationally, placing first and second multiple times, and also winning Dorset Show Champion in 2018. Oliver brings a unique and contemporary edge to an ancient craft, specialising in organic designs taking inspiration from nature. The business began in 1899, this year we celebrate our 120th anniversary.
