Festival Special - 5 days to go!

In just 5 days time, Victoria Hall will be packed to its very high rafters with 45 talented artists and makers as part of the Saltaire Arts Trail Festival Special on 10th September. So to get you in the mood, here's a sneak preview of what's in store:

Doors open at 10am
Top tip: arrive early for the top picks - we're only here for one day this time around and as everything on sale is unique and handmade, when it's gone... it's gone!

Demonstrations
A number of our makers will be demonstrating throughout the day, including bookbinding, printing, weaving and painting. Feel free to stop for a chat to discover more about how they go from inspiration to finished product.

Children's Activities
The lovely people at Kirkgate Studios will be running a free childrens workshop, where junior crafters can get stuck in to making paper lanterns and learning origami. Just turn up and join in!


ARTISTS AND MAKERS:
There are no Open Houses in the Festival Special, but you'll see plenty of familiar names in the list of artists and makers taking part in the Makers Fair below. We're also welcoming lots of new faces too, so take a look for a full who's who...


Agnis Smallwood
Luxury handwoven and felted textiles

Alice Fox
Mixed media textiles and handmad cards

Anna McDade Jewellery NEW
Etched, recycled silver and copper jewellery

Barbara Cassell
Contemporary copper jewellery with a difference

Blueberry Park NEW
Screenprinted organic and vintage fabric

Button Boudoir
Vintage inspired jewellery and textiles

Catherine Green
Vibrant, tactile artwork and accessories

Catherine Woodall
Silver and semi-precious stone jewellery

Ce-Leather Goods
Bold, contemporary bags, satchels and leather goods

Clare Caulfield
Paintings, prints and handmade cards

Cross Barn Crafts
Fine silver jewellery - pendants and earrings

David Starley
Saltaire based artist working in oils

Dear Emma Designs
Quirky accessories and homeware

Debbie Greenaway Illustration
Illustrator and printmaker who draws everyday

Diane Taylor
Unique, co-ordinating handmade textile products

Ditsy Bird NEW
Freehand embroidered and beaded textile designs

Elaine Douthwaite
Silver jewellery with gemstones and more

Flossie Limejuice
Folk art dolls, bears and beasties

Gemma Scully Jewellery
Bespoke precious jewellery handmade in Manchester

Hugh Leishman
High quality, handmade wood-turning

Hunt and Gather Design NEW
Range of gorgeous handcrafted gifts

Inky Linky NEW
Etched copper and silver jewellery

James Green Printworks
Original linocut prints from Sheffield artist

Jaygo Touchy Feely Textiles
Quirky textile gifts and homewares

Karen Belarouci
Mixed media jewellery with vintage elements

Kate Bowles
Hand-bound recycled books and paper goods

Kate Thornton Design
Contemporary collage and design

Kitschen Sink
Colourful, kitschy, funky and fun jewellery

Leigh Shepherd Designs
Quirky, colourful, affordable, upcycled resin jewellery

Lindsay Thomas Ceramics
Handbuilt raku ceramic sculpture

Martin Priestley Photography
Landscape photography by Martin Priestley

McDonough & Davies NEW
A collaboration between graphics and textiles

Mercury Arts NEW
Contemporary ceramics and ceramic jewellery

Oldfield Press NEW
Original, affordable, traditional

Print for Love of Wood NEW
Eco-friendly letterpress printed goods and stationery

Rachel Lucie Designs
Unique handmade silver jewellery

Rachel Webb Printed Textiles
Printed textiles inspired by Saltaire village

Rogers Ink NEW
Strikingly different prints and greetings cards

Ruby Spirit Designs
Handmade jewellery utilising recycled vintage components

Steamstress
Eclectic mix of trendy recycled jewellery

Stitch Art
Textile and mixed media whimsy creations

Swirly Arts
Fun and quirky recycled products

The Old Brewery Pottery
Raku fired and wood fired ceramics

Treefall Designs
Textile based home accessories and clothing

Wychbury
Mixed media jewellery and accessories

Yeun Jewellery
Unique and contemporary precious jewellery

Zincwhite
Where discarded objects become desirable again

Interview with Rachel Lucie-Johns

Rachel Lucie Johns is the jewellery designer behind Rachel Lucie Designs.  Her enchanting work has been seen in some very exciting places and she will be exhibiting in the Main Room of Victoria Hall throughout the Arts Trail. Rachel will be happy to talk to you about herself and her work in person this weekend but here's a sneaky preview into her inspiration and life.

Tell us about the work you do and the types of materials you use.

I make vintage-inspired silver jewellery using semi-precious stone beads, freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystal using wirework.I have also started to use gold-filled components in my designs.

Where do you produce your work? Does your working environment form part of the inspiration for your art?

I work from home, from a VERY tiny home office. My view is amazing across the valley in Hebden Bridge. This constantly inspires me and distracts me in equal measure! I do relish having my own, all be it small, space to work from, as I have 2 small children, and it's bliss being able to leave out unfinished work and tools etc without having to clear everything away every time I need to do something else. I do think when the kids are older, working in a creative environment like a studio space with other artists might be a good move, but currently this suites me as I can work around looking after the children and school pick-ups etc. I am the main carer, and we decided that if I could make my job work around them, that would be ideal.

 Is your art your main job? How did you get started?

Yes, designing and making jewellery is my main job, although involved in making this business    run is photography, photo editing, some basic web design work and marketing, which I do all of as well.

I got started when my youngest was about a year old and I had been a stay at home mum for about 4 years. I think lots of things converged to give me the drive to find something creative to do at that time. Being at home with 2 under 4's can certainly drive you to needing to do something for yourself! I got some birthday money in the spring of 2008 and decided to buy some handmade jewellery, but although there was some gorgeous pieces I found, I couldn't find something that was really me. As I looked around, my childhood love of beaded jewellery, silver and geology kind of entwined itself as I just got the urge to buy some beads and dive right in! I started getting ideas for jewellery for myself, but within a month I had decided I would do all I could to make it my career to design and make beaded jewellery! It sounds funny, but I had so many ideas, and lots of them were for jewellery that wasn't for me – my creativity was unleashed.

What work will you be exhibiting at the Saltaire Arts Trail?

I will be exhibiting some of all my current Summer jewellery collections, which are Songs of the Sea, Botanica, Forever Pearl, Vintage Wedding and Inspired.

Do you work in any other mediums besides the work you will be exhibiting at the Arts Trail?

I am only working in silver and gold-filled at the moment. I am enjoying photography as much as the jewellery making, but it's not something I have yet persued professionally as yet.

Where else can we see and buy your work?

Heart Gallery, Hebden Bridge,

Pyramid Gallery, York,

Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford,

soon to be at the Solo Gallery, Sheffield and Royal Exchange, Manchester

Online on my website www.rachellucie.co.uk and Etsy http://rachellucie.etsy.com also Notonthehighstreet too.

Tell us about your most exciting or memorable commission?

I was asked to make a Chanel-inspired necklace based on the one worn by Keira Knightly in the Coco Mademoiselle advert photograph. It's a real statement necklace with large pearls, opulent belcher chain and Swarovski crystal stars. I loved making it, and my client was really happy with it, she's worn it out a lot!

It's always a real honour to be asked to make something unique for a bride on her wedding day A lot of my pearl collection lends itself to weddings, but to make something the bride herself is wonderful. I have had some commissions for bespoke statement earrings, bracelets and necklaces so far.

What was it about the Saltaire Arts Trail that made you want to apply to exhibit?

It's a very prestigious event. I visited the Makers Fair a couple of years ago and really only dreamed I would be accepted. I went last year to visit and was asked by several people there why I hadn't applied, which was very flattering!

Have you participated or visited the Saltaire Arts Trail before? What is unique about it and how does it differ from other events?

The shear size of the event and the diversity of arts on display make it a real must for anyone to visit who loves to support handmade craft, and likes unique products. My only worry this year is that I won't be able to see everything at Victoria Hall properly!

Unfortunately I have never been able to go on the trail itself as I have always had the children with me, but I know it's a wonderful chance to see beautiful crafts in such gorgeous domestic settings. Saltaire is a world heritage site, and the houses are works of art themselves.

Could you leave us with one more interesting fact about yourself or your work?

I was lucky enough to be asked to take part in a Vogue editorial piece last April on pearl jewellery, which was an amazing honour. I also have some of my collection being used in a book trilogy coming out later this year, including I believe a picture of my necklace on the front cover.

Rachel Johns

mail@rachellucie.co.uk

www.rachellucie.co.uk

http://rachellucie.etsy.com

http://twitter.com/rachellucie

http://rachelluciejewellerydesigns.blogspot.com

Interview with Leigh Shepherd

Leigh Shepherd is a contemporary jewellery designer. She is an extremely busy lady running her booming business and home but managed to find time to talk to us about her participation in the Makers' Fair.

Tell us about the work you do and the types of materials you use.

I have a passion for upcycling and collecting unusual papers so I have brought this together, along with some lovely resin to create my jewellery range. It's probably worth explaining here the difference between recycling and upcycling. Both terms refer to a way of reusing an item recycling is the process of reusing an item without changing its original form eg. melting down glass bottles to make bottles. Upcycling is another processes of reusing, but in this instance changing the purpose or use of the initial material and as a result adding value. I make pendants from wooden Scrabble pieces and mah jong tiles, brooches from draughts and domino pieces and earrings from sixpence pieces.

Where do you produce your work? Does your working environment form part of the inspiration for your art?

I'm based in Haworth, West Yorkshire, so not so far from Saltaire. Both my husband and I work from home which fits in really well with our lifestyle. Years back I aspired to a rented studio somewhere but working from home works so well! Our children are young so my working hours don't fit the usual 9 to 5. As my business has grown I've gone from working from a folding table in the lounge to converting a room into my workshop.

Is your art your main job? How did you get started?

I began selling my work in local galleries about three years ago. It’s in the last six months that it has become full time.

Where else can we see and buy your work?

I stock around 25 outlets nationally from the British Museum to the Isle of Lewis. One of the first galleries I approached to sell my work is right across the street from Victoria Hall. Art Parade has been selling my work for a good while now. Beverley, the owner, has been a huge support and has given me lots of advice and encouragement.

Have you participated or visited the Saltaire Arts Trail before? What is unique about it and how does it differ from other events?

This year will be the fourth time I have taken part in the Makers' Fair. It’s a fantastic event, Victoria Hall is a gorgeous venue! The thing that really makes this event stand out is the visitors, the Arts Trail has a great reputation so people come ready to find something new, they are interested in what we do and know they will find something special. Besides exhibiting we have often visited the Arts Trail as a family, the kids have a great time, in the past we have visited the Garden of Easels and fished in the knitted river - which to the uninitiated may sound strange but was great fun!

Thanks so much to Leigh, you can learn more about her work on her website Leigh Shepherd Designs. and meet her in person at the Makers' Fair in Victoria Hall on 28th, 29th and 30th May.