One of the things I love about being a maker is getting to take part in Design and Craft markets. Not only is it a chance to meet all you lovely customers in person but it’s also great to chat to other makers and see what they’ve been up to. With events like these all being put on hold or moved online this year, I’ve definitely missed the buzz and excitement that they bring. So rather than be mopey about it, five of us have teamed up to have a mini online event this weekend, where we will share and chat about each other’s work, what we’ve been up to during lockdown and how it’s impacted our work, and some fun things for you to get involved in too!
So with this in mind I thought I would write up a wee blog post and share the work of my four comrades for this event, I’m a big fan of all their work, not least because use of colour is an important part of our designs.
Let’s meet the makers
Collingwood-Norris
Flora is a Knitwear Designer based in the Scottish borders, I’ve been a big fan of her bold colours and cosy knits for a long time. If she’s not in her studio working on her knitting machine she is out on the hills with her dog Leni getting inspired by the colours in the landscape. She set up her business in 2016 after working freelance for big name designers including Christopher Kane. Flora also runs a visible mending side to her business too and often hosts workshops and shares guides on how to mend your well loved knitwear.
Caroline Finlay Jewellery
A fellow Gray’s School of Art graduate, Caroline works with silver and enamel to create her vibrant jewellery. Inspired by the wild Scottish coastline, the textures and colours she finds there. Every piece is completely made by hand making each piece unique.
”Flotsam and jetsam washed up, patterns and marks made by the tide and weathered surfaces all provided unending inspiration that I hope to evoke in my jewellery.”
Fernweh
Laura makes rugged hand crafted accessories that are designed for adventures under her brand Fernweh. The literal meaning of ‘Fernweh’ is farsickness and a yearning for faraway places and craving travel – I think we have all been feeling a bit of that this year! Her business all started when she made a chalk bag for a friend, and it grew from there. Laura is very eco conscious and her products are built to last, while constantly refining her process to create minimal waste, and encouraging us all to have respect for the landscape and environment. Colours are inspired by the Cairngorms and the Scottish wilderness.
Kate Colin Design
Kate Colin is a designer/maker based in Glasgow who works with paper to create handmade lighting, wall art and installations. Inspired by origami and geometric forms, Kate’s bold and sculptural work emphasises the interplay between light and shade.
Each piece is scored, folded and assembled by hand and when illuminated, their appearance is radically transformed: folds, creases and angles become emphasised while an intensity of colour is brilliantly revealed.
I hope you enjoy discovering the work of these makers!
Creative Five will take place on Instagram over the weekend of 26/27 September, more info can be found on our instagram posts with the Creative Five logo. I’m looking forward to it!