Natasha Goodfellow, writer and editor chooses her 5 Favourites from The Contemporary Craft Festival, Bovey Tracey
Written: 12 April 2018
Natasha Goodfellow, writer and editor chooses her 5 Favourites
Colourful, whimsical, and beautifully made, Paul’s decorative ceramics hark back to 18th century Staffordshire figurines, albeit with a contemporary twist. His catalogue of characters – from naïve mermaids and curly-locked lions to cooing doves perching in their dovecot – never fail to make me smile.
I first saw Mizuki’s jewellery at Made by Hand, Cheltenham, earlier this year and fell for it immediately. She’s inspired by folded paper and the light and shade that creates, adding simple marks to create quietly sophisticated pieces. I particularly like her enamelled copper range which looks as though it has been dipped in cream.
There’s something otherworldly about Helen Thompson’s sculptures of hounds, but perhaps that’s not surprising when you learn they were inspired by a picture in National Geographic of an embalmed Egyptian hunting dog. Made of frayed linen and fabrics over a wire frame, they perfectly capture canine poise and expression and, ironically, seem to quiver with life.
Whether you use it as a fishing creel, a backpack or even an occasional baby carrier, a Josey Goodin basket is a thing of beauty. Made using traditional techniques – Josey harvests and processes the ash himself as well as weaving it – his designs have a contemporary aesthetic and are highly covetable.
I have a bit of a thing for trees, so Richard’s beautiful lino-cut prints inspired by the majestic specimens of his native Dartmoor caught my eye immediately. I love the intricacy of the trees’ winter skeletons, and how he manages to create a mood with just the subtlest touch of background colour.
Natasha recently edited Head Gardeners (The Pimpernel Press, £35), an award-winning book by Ambra Edwards about the hugely talented yet often under-appreciated people behind some of the UK’s best gardens.
Follow Natasha on Instagram @natasha_goodfellow
Don't Forget to Enter our Ultimate 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 on Friday April 27th
BOOK YOUR WORKSHOPS NOW
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, stonecarving, embroidery and mosaic making. They last 2 hours and are just £18 each. CLICK HERE to BOOK!