Handmade turns ONE YEAR OLD!

Yesterday we celebrated our first birthday. Fizzy, cakes and a brilliant party. A big thank you to everyone who showed up!

The Midnight Deer

And welcome to another edition, here we go with this time the lovely Midnight Deer collection. Please, pop into the shop at 106 St James Street to get your hands on some of these gems. mmm, my favourite would probably have to be the lovely little mirrored heart rings she makes, or that beautiful perspex deer that's pictured below.

-when did you start making things?

I've been preoccupied with drawing, painting & making things since I was a kid but began really focussing solely on jewellery in 2006.

-how did you find out about Handmade?

I'd met Kirstin, one of the Handmade founders a few years previous whilst working at a pub & she'd told me of the initial Handmade Fairs that were being arranged. I was eager to be part of them & likewise when the Handmade Shop was opened.

-what do you find is the most inspiring thing in your life? (person, place, object, etc)

Probably supply shopping - I visit a lot of antique markets aswell as hunting down treats on line... I'll end up with even more ideas & ending up buying even more goodies to make with :)

-what is the song you just can't get out of your head right now?

I Am You (Star Slinger Remix) by Cool Runnings - it's a good one to work to

-do you prefer to work alone or with others? Why?

Generally alone with music or a film on in the backround, however I tend to take a box of supplies to Craft Fairs & will sit making new things whilst chatting to fellow stall holders - sometimes having company will avoid me over thinking a design and more just let it happen.

-what was the best meal you've eaten in the last week?

I was SO hungry and exhausted after a craft fair I did yesterday - my flatmate & I went to an Italian place in town, I pretty much devoured everything in sight - garlic bread, pasta, ice cream, yum.

-what do you like to do in your spare time?

I love playing Piano, hunting down new music, messing around making things on Imovie, playing Dreamcast, scouring markets for trinkets to make with.

-is there a favourite piece of your work you would like to share?

The perspex Deer pendants took quite a while to design - I kept redrawing it to get it just how I wanted. My favourite of the newer items I have been working on are the Treasure necklaces which are made with a variety of vintage chains, semi precious & vintage beads. I enjoy making them, especially because each one is different- the colours & mix of chains are so fun to arrange.

http://www.themidnightdeer.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Midnight-Deer/111266658895262?ref=ts

http://twitter.com/themidnightdeer

Coming soon!!!

Landing on our shelves this saturday will be Ellie Bond's Beastie bunnies

Happy Birthday to us!!!!

We've been gracing St.james Street for nearly one whole year! To celebrate this occasion we'll be having a little birthday party at the shop on Sunday 17th April from 4pm - 7pm. Come along if your in the area and join in the fun x Here's our facebook event http://www.facebook.com/login/setashome.php?ref=login#!/event.php?eid=192148070821201

New artist to join us

We have a loverlie new artist in the shop who set up last week, her name is Helen and this is her blog http://helensarahvaughan.blogspot.com/ and a couple of pictures of her work in the shop.

Saffron Reichenbacker

Not only does Saffron make lovely things but she is also lovely herself. She helps out and volunteers her time at the shop. I just HAD to get her on the blog :)

Click here to visit her website and see some of her work below.

-when did you start making things?

Gosh, for as long as I can remember. My dad was an artist and my mum is incredibly creative, (although she would dispute it). It was always encouraged to make presents/cards for people rather than buy them. It became second nature to make things to keep myself occupied. As I reached my teens, I started to make intense little collage books and developed an interest in photography. I later went on to do a degree in Fine Art at Brighton University, becoming self employed as an artist/illustrator a few years after graduating. I sold prints for a couple of years but was hungry for more avenues. In 2007, my ‘Sailor Boy’ image was used by Nook Art for one of their tote bags. This spurred me on to invest in a professional badge maker. By far, the best purchase I’ve ever made! It opened up a world of making....badges, mirrors, magnets, even bottle openers!

-how did you find out about Handmade?

I did a few of the Handmade fairs at the Komedia, They were always filled with gorgeous things and great fun. When it became a shop I jumped at the chance to be involved. You can find me working in there most weeks.

-what do you find is the most inspiring thing in your life? (person, place, object, etc)

Wow there are just too many things! I’m obsessed with Weimar Berlin, Religious Iconography and early cinema but my all time inspiration is my grandmother. She’s an amazing woman who tells the most wonderful stories. She has always encouraged me to pursue my art and her house is absolutely filled with my creations.

-what is the song you just can't get out of your head right now?

Song in Blue by Les Paul & Mary Ford

-do you prefer to work alone or with others? Why?

I’ve always had pretty strong ideas of what I wanted to do creatively, so I prefer to work alone. That said, I’d be open to collaborations in the future!

-what was the best meal you've eaten in the last week?

Marmite Rice. Boyfriend speciality.

-what do you like to do in your spare time?

I spend pretty much all my time drawing, watching bizarre films, fussing cats and reading books on mad old silent film stars.

-is there a favourite piece of your work you would like to share?

‘Her Warm Embrace’ It’s piece about loss. Each little part of the picture has a personal meaning for me.

Joanna Corney

Hi everyone, to kick off the featured artists, I present to you Joanna Corney. She's been selling for the last couple months at Handmade and her stuff is absolutely fabulous! She sells a variety of items from cushions (pictured) to lovely little screen printed notebooks and cards and even screen printed buttons. Not pictured (but available in the shop along with everything else) are her Lamp Post tote bags for only £7! What a bargain! Pop into the shop to check her out! A perfect way to inject that certain Brighton je ne sais quois into your abode.

Website: http://www.joannacorney.co.uk/

-when did you start making things?

I have wanted to be a designer maker for a while now, and after

graduating from textile design in July 2010 and having a well needed

break, I just had to get printing again as I absolutely love it! It

has only been in the last couple of months that I have started to

sell my products though.

-how did you find out about Handmade?

I was looking for a shop to put my products in around Brighton, but I

also wanted the shop to sell other local designers and artists work.

I came across Handmade on the internet and after visiting the shop

and seeing all the lovely products in there, I thought it would be

brilliant if I could be part of it.

-what do you find is the most inspiring thing in your life?

(person, place, object, etc)

Well it’s not really a thing, but I have had the opportunity to

travel around parts of Asia. This experience has inspired some of my

work and I really enjoy capturing the culture and uniqueness within

cities in my designs. It has also made me want to explore other parts

of the world to get inspiration and experience other ways of life.

-what is the song you just can't get out of your head right now?

Well at the moment it’s a tie between Two door cinema club, something

good can work and the cover of Bon Iver’s song skinny love by Birdy.

-do you prefer to work alone or with others? Why?

I have always preferred to work with friends around me as I think it

always helps to have other people’s opinions. I also think that other

people inspire and motivate you. In the future I would really like to

have a studio with other designer makers.

-what was the best meal you've eaten in the last week?

A butternut squash risotto and apple crumble with custard for

dessert! I had it last week at a friend’s house then made it again

last night as it was so good!

-what do you like to do in your spare time?

Well I am only printing and making in my spare time at the moment as

I work as well, but it’s my dream to be able to do it full time. But

another hobby of mine is tap dance, I danced when I was very young

for about 10 years and have only just taken it up again!

-is there a favourite piece of your work you would like to share?

Well my favourite piece of work is one of my wallpaper designs. I

haven’t been able to produce any to sell at the moment, so I only

have one trial roll but I am really pleased with it and can’t wait to

be able to print more to sell.