From an ancient valley in Mid-Wales..

We have an interview with Sophie Jauncey, creator of Sophie Jauncey Jewellery on our featured maker page on our website- http://www.makersbristol.co.uk/guest-makers.php

She works from a Welsh village, forging beautiful pieces with an anthropological eye to their origins and intrinsic tales. This jewellery is living poetry for the body! She explores the marrying of ancient and contemporary pieces, weaving new stories in physical form.


Read who inspired her journey and how she starts her day, making these delicate works.

We have a range of her one-off pieces in our shop & gallery, in a beautifully re-purposed wine casket. We look forward to seeing you there..

Lino Cutting Taster Workshop at MAKERS

In addition to selling beautiful things we like to help create beautiful things, and experiences. This is why we run workshops above MAKERS shop & gallery for those of you who want to learn new skills or simply spend an enjoyable few hours absorbed in making.

Melanie Wickham came in and taught a Lino Cutting Taster Session which was a laughter filled afternoon with some dynamic lino cutting produced in a short space of time. I was working in the shop and could hear all the squeals of discovery and whoops of delight as new techniques were passed on and ideas shared. It's great to allow yourself the luxury of play and experimentation with some excellent materials and knowledgeable guidance.

Here are some snaps of the afternoon..

warming up with the usual tea and biscuits!

Miraculously, initial ideas and sketches were tweaked into shape and committed to the lino. Working with the tools took a little practise but with Melanie's gentle guidance the techniques were soon mastered and taking on a life of their own.

A completed lino ready to be inked up..

The tools of the trade!

The working area was well organised to keep the process smooth running and so that all the lino was inked up evenly, ready for the next step: printing.

Each part of the process has it's own magic!

The moment of truth!

The wonderful thing about lino cutting and printing is it's versatility once you have carved your image or design. You can go on to reproduce it many times and on different papers for all sorts of applications.

Whether you are making it as a greetings card, artwork in itself or the beginning of an unprescribed creative journey, lino has a tactile immediacy that transforms simple mark making into the realm of the extraordinary. 

Thanks to our eager participants for coming along and to Melanie for sharing her skills and making it so  much fun!

If you are interested in having a go, keep an eye on our website on this page where you can book on our courses and workshops http://www.makersbristol.co.uk/makers-events.php .

MAKERS shop & gallery shots!

Here are some new photographic images showing fresh handmade work and just how beautifully we display it here at MAKERS.

Painted and leaded glass by Stuart Low, glass coasters by Dora McCormack.

Porcelain pebbles by Clare Mahoney.

Printed silk scarf by Penny Seume, bag by Sarah Salaman, Eightfivepress card &  Quincy lampshade.

Corgi chair by Sue Bradley, Owl cushions by Lucie Sheridan, hairband by Red Bird Makes.

Come and see for yourself!

Vintage Lorry Pincushions..

A bit of lighthearted fun was had today making Vintage Lorry pincushions on the Mezz at MAKERS.

 And the gift boxes covered in road maps were a perfect compliment to the lorries.

Even the ribbon suggested a road!

As all our participnts comment, it's just so nice to give yourself time out to make something, as it's a gently satisfying thing to do.

There are more chances to make these coming up soon, keep checking our website for details (it's on the events page). They make great personalised presents. Here is the link http://www.makersbristol.co.uk/makers-events.php

Our very first workshop on the mezz...

Here are some images of our first making workshop at MAKERS with sallydove and Mog from eightfivepress. The workshops are held on our lovely mezzanine, above and in the shop.

We had cups of tea and an abundance of materials to choose from. Our participants really enjoyed carving out a bit of space and time for themselves to make these delightful mini printed journals.

 

All hands on deck!

 

Keep checking our events page on our website for upcoming workshops.

http://www.makersbristol.co.uk/makers-events.php

New featured maker on our website!

The very talented Anna Harley is now revealing her working process and motivations and inspirations on our guest maker page at http://www.makersbristol.co.uk 

Screen printing at Spike Island Studios, she celebrates the beauty of nature with her own personal sparkle, embracing her 'inner kitsch' as she puts it!

We have some new mini-prints here at the shop at a very affordable thirty five pounds, which is another wonderful aspect of her ethos, that strives is to make art available to all.

Thank you Anna!

One year young!

Makers is now one year young and continuing to be a harmonious and inspiring place to visit and buy quality handmade goods. Feedback from our customers tells us that we will continue to grow, as we introduce new makers to our vibrant quarter in Bristol.
If you haven't seen it already, check out our website www.makersbristol.co.uk and our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/makersbristol

Here is some fine new work by up and coming Rocket68. We have expanded our card range so if you come into the shop & gallery here on Colston street you will see an even bigger range that we have selected for design quality and innovation.

Sunny days are the best for escapism..

The sun is shining and we are open for striking contemporary works of arts and crafts. As seen here in our window display we have work by Christina de la Mare, Ruth Broadway, Penny Seume, Stephanie Wooster, Chez Williams, Fern Dunn, Annie Bell and Eight-five to name but a few.

One visitor recently described our shop as a "a wonderful bit of escapism". That explains it really.

HAPPY 2013!

Happy new year to all our treasured shoppers, friends, makers  (romans, countrymen..!) and everyone who supports MAKERS..
We continue to be here by your appreciation and as local artists and makers we look forward to bringing you an exciting 2013 with more crafts and arts that are selected for quality and contemporary innovation.
We felt that this detail of work by our featured maker Stuart Low (see www.makersbristol.co.uk) expresses our hopeful and expansive wishes for a 2013 that soars to new creative and peaceful heights.