The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair 2012 Review Pt 3 Latimeria, Sarah Heaton, Kaper, Suet Yi, Treefall Designs, Sarah Malone.

Welcome back to the final part of this year’s review for the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair 2012. If you’ve missed the previous two blogs then scroll back and see the other amazing designers I was privileged to meet. Let’s begin with some stunning Jewellery and fine stainless steel tableware from Finish designers Latimeria.  Katriina on the stand looked like a glamorous Bond girl, who would guess she doubles as a metal worker in her other working life ! : )

I was quickly drawn to the vintage feel of the Little Walton Bank’s ceramic range cleverly designed by Sarah Heaton. I think their shape, colours and decoration are all in perfect harmony, and with that retro twist, they would make stylish contemporary pieces when placed in any home.

Manchester based company Kaper  presented a quirky, yet refined, collection of birds and beasts.  All cleverly sculpted by paper artist Kate Kelly.

I admire her 3-D design skills and technical knowledge in working out how to mould and shape paper so beautifully. More images on her Blogpage.

Suet Yi‘s ceramics are like captured snapshots from time which have been savoured and then turned into pottery. I love how her illustrations appear both free and floaty and her colours move around the pieces like dashes of watercolour on a painted page.

On her site she explains ‘During the final year of my degree, I gave all my heart to create my own body of work. I played with clay every day and night. Sometimes it did not listen to me. Sometimes I misunderstood it. The path to understand ceramics took a lot of patience. Even if we annoyed each other, my love towards my work is more powerful than an alarm clock. It wakes me up every morning’  What a lovely way to express your approach to work.

I didn’t get a chance to speak to the lovely Manda on the Treefall designs stand but got her ok to show you the wonderful array of bright and fun products she creates in her studio.  Another Laura Ashley in the making I feel !

Which brings us to some new work by CNCCF regular Sarah Malone. Her japanese inspired pieces always ‘zing’ with their red and orange finishing ties and ceramic beads.

Other show regulars included Tone Von Krogh, Linda Miller, Fiona at Tessuti, David Ashby and Katie Almond and it was lovely to catch up with them all again. I hope everyone had a great show. Thanks to Ann Marie and Angela for inviting me, putting me on their guest list and for such a well organised event.

I hope you enjoyed the virtual tour as much as I enjoyed the real thing. Roll on next year !