Fishink at the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair 2015 Pt 1

Hi everyone and welcome to Monday. I’m still reeling from my exciting trip to the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair which was on last Friday to Sunday. Did you go, what did you think ? I went with an old school friend Sarah, who’s a part-time ceramist and we loved every minute. So much so, that we were wondering at one point why we felt hungry, when we suddenly realised we had been looking at the show for over 4 hours and had completely missed lunch ! That’s how absorbing it was lol.

Before I transport you there, I want to say a little about the fabulous weather on Friday and how amazing Manchester looked. There’s been a real change in the architecture, shops, restaurants and feel of the city over the last 10 years and it’s starting to bed itself in with the old and become familiar.

I loved this curious fox in White Stuff’s window, and some enticing new publications in Waterstones, featuring Eric Ravilious, New Chinese Art and Cabin Porn !… and no, it’s not what you might be thinking : )

It’s a book about beautiful spaces in the woods.

Two new restaurants, (new to me anyway) are Artisan and Neighbourhood, both looking very glamourous with their twinkly lights and decoration. The Lawn Club and the Oast House both looked great in the sunshine too.

These beautifully autumnal trees shone out. Sarah informed me that she thought they were Liquid Amber trees, they certainly lived up to their names, the colours were stunning.

Ok enough about the streets of Manchester and on with the show ! It stared with a section devoted to Ornament. Described as ‘ a curated selling exhibition of museum quality collectible craft from eminent UK makers.’ Paul Scott‘s unusual ceramics were first.

Jin Eui Kim‘s clever optical ceramics I had seen before. Rebecca Gouldson‘s richly textured and reflective metallics, caught my attention. I liked their colouration and mappish, illustrative qualities.

Rita Pamiczky had some shimmering and luminous textiles and Beatrix Baker showed some playful wooden structures, made from steam bent Cumbrian wood.

I loved the burst of colour and beautiful yarns on both stands from Angie Parker and Judith Watson.

Angie is inspired by colour and vibrant Scandinavian rug weaving techniques. Whilst Judith took inspiration from peeling paint and ceiling architrave.

Some simple, contemporary hand-made ceramics from Lynne Hutchinson, featuring intricate inlaid and sgraffito surfaces. Beautiful in grey and white.

Libby Ward, already feels like an old friend even though I’ve only met her twice! She’s so friendly and chatty, it’s hard not to get drawn into her ‘experimental methodologies and thought-provoking jewellery’. See how well her rings sit together .. Libby was the hand-model on this occasion. Brittany Delany is also a designer I’d featured last year, her range has grown to incorporate leather straps and unusual materials to mark, score or colour her pots.

Fun ceramics from Jasmine Simpson, her weary, resting Lions and flying Swans made me smile.

Great to see a little refined woodwork from designer maker Laurence Brand. I was very tempted to get another chopping board (even though we already have five) just because they were made with so much love. : )

Finally today some remarkable copper and silver sculptures from Emma-Jane Rule. Her pieces are hammered into their seed like shapes and surfaces take impressions from denim and mesh. I loved the way they shone and caught the light.

That’s all for your starter intro. There were so many great designers there I’m going to be talking about this all week. So see you Wednesday and Friday for more treats to come. What do you think so far ?…