It's very British of us to bang on about the weather, But REALLY, what a lovely day!
Written: 20 April 2018
It's very British of us to bang on about the weather, But REALLY, what a lovely day!
Feeling some warmth from the sun, is such a welcome change and we couldn't be happier. As we ease into the weekend, don't forget to enter our Ultimate Prize Draw which closes at midnight April 27th (details below).
AND we're also delighted to welcome the Devon Guild's new Chief Executive to our 5 Favourites Series. Tessa Stone joined the Guild in February and here are her choices. You can meet them and over 200 more in Bovey Tracey in June
As a clog-lover – I have more pairs than is strictly necessary or sensible – these fabulous designs are just irresistible. Colourful, unusual, beautifully made and guaranteed to garner envious comments, they will be at the top of my festival shopping list!
I’ve long been an admirer of Kate Toms’ hugely characterful mixed-media animals and am indeed the proud owner of ‘Barnaby’ the dog. Her wonderfully irreverent nudes of ‘people of a certain age’ had me laughing out loud at last year’s festival, and I can’t wait to see the new characters she brings along this year.
As a huge lover of ceramics picking one maker has been fiendishly difficult but in the end it was Alison Graham’s ceramic lampshades that intrigued me the most. Her work is informed by her academic research into colour interactions and ceramic materials and I’m looking forward to seeing the effects she achieves, and hearing first-hand about her inspiration and techniques.
Since moving to the Devon Guild and immersing myself in the world of craft it is the versatility, flexibility and occasional mind-bending trickery of textiles that has surprised me more than anything else. I can safely predict that I will have several ‘is that textile? Really??’ moments on top of my usual ‘how do they do that’ moments of awe when admiring Michelle Griffiths’ shibori work.
Another joyous discovery for me as a non-maker has been the sheer range and serendipity of craft mediums, and Lisa Wisdom’s landscapes in rust and copper using found metal encapsulate that for me. They are intensely evocative of both the passage of time and the slow metamorphosis of place.
www.devonguild.org.uk
BOOK YOURS WORKSHOPS
Our very popular workshop programme is selling out fast. To avoid disappointment, please book your workshop places NOW!
You can choose from a wide variety of workshops from jewellery making, willow weaving, spoon carving, stonecarving, printmaking, book binding, embroidery and mosaic making and more.... They last 2 hours and are just £18 each.
CLICK HERE to BOOK!
ENTER OUR ULTIMATE LUXURY PRIZE DRAW
The winner, and their guest will be invited to join us at the VIP preview evening of The Contemporary Craft Festival enjoying a Gin & Tonic and private view of the Festival on Thursday 7th June.
Weekend tickets to The Contemporary Craft Festival will also be included, giving three fun-packed days to enjoy craft workshops, demonstrations, exhibitions and a packed schedule of festival highlights.
And finally, the winner and their guest can choose when to stay at 5* Bovey Castle for a relaxing one night B&B, including dinner for 2 in Smith's Brasserie. Bovey Castle is one of the UK's most luxurious hotels, set in 275 acres of epic Dartmoor countryside.
It's a truly amazing weekend of delights so make sure you enter to be in with a chance of winning. CLICK HERE TO ENTER. Competition closes at Midnight on Friday April 27th.
The Contemporary Craft Festival, Mill Marsh Park, Bovey Tracey
June 8-10, 2018