The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair 2011 Review Pt 3 . Clare Lane , Julia Jowett , Sarah Cant , Lara Aldridge Glass , Claire Armitage , Piret Kandler , Linda Miller .

Welcome to part 3, the final instalment of the GNCCF review for 2011.

Let’s start with some rich textural work from Clare Lane.

Clare says ‘ I record the physical environment through drawing, painting and photography and then

transfer selected images to a computer where they are layered and digitally manipulated.

Blocks of colour are “painted” into the piece, detail is emphasised and sometimes perspective is drawn

out or elements repeated, playing with depth and pattern. The completed montage is printed onto a

textile surface, which is itself a pliant material. The final process of stitching texture and line back

into a piece brings out a three dimensional quality, an echo of the source.

Next up is Julia Jowett, the last of the wire work artists I’m featuring in this review.

Echoes of Jane Austin and lovely free line drawings of birds are combined to create layered and

creative framed images.

Julia describes her work as mixed media illustrative pieces inspired by folk tales, legends

and surreal imaginings. There’s a real passion and connection to the work when you meet her in person.

Sarah Cant is an American milliner and textile artist based in England.

She has exhibited her work at Origin, The Chelsea Craft Fair, London Fashion Week,

The Designer Wedding Show, Lustre, Hereford Contemporary Craft, and The Contemporary Craft Fair

at Bovey Tracey. Her pieces feature in the international fashion press as well as in craft galleries

throughout the U.K. Sarah is also the Course Leader for the HNC in Millinery at Kensington and

Chelsea College and teaches regular short courses at West Dean College.

Lara Aldridge Glass , is a design partnership specialising in large scale architectural kiln formed

art glass installations. Established in 1994 , it is the premiere kiln forming company in the uk.

Beautiful creative pieces for the home or business. A quick mention for  Claire Armitage who’s print

and coloured scarves were floaty, delicate and with beautiful prints, sadly I didn’t get a chance to talk to

Claire personally as her stand was full of customers, a good sign !

One of the more unusual stands appeared in the form of  ceramics from Piret Kandler from Estonia.

Unusual, in so far as the variation of products on the stand. All beautifully created and so much that

made me smile, but for me perhaps too many shapes and textures which gave the stand a ‘pick and mix’

confused feel. Piret has a great deal of skill and obviously a great many ideas that she wants to make.

Finally I must give another mention to one of my favourite embroidery designers Linda Miller.

I covered Linda’s work last year at this event, but it never fails to make me smile and has such a fresh,

vibrant and wholesome feel to her creations that it seemed a logical conclusion. I asked Linda where her

inspiration comes from and she said, ” I observe people and make embroideries from my findings whilst

also creating images that I’d like to be a part of. ” Well it looks a fab place to escape to lol.

Superb work as ever Linda. Thanks to everyone for their time and patience in making this week’s

postings possible, and if you’re craving more high end craft then think about Made By Hand.

I know Tone Von Krogh will be exhibiting. It’s on at Tredegar House in Newport, South Wales

from the 2nd til the 4th December. Click on the link here for more information and an exhibitor list.