Queen of Big Knits, Lauren Aston chooses her 5 Faves from Made by Hand and The Pottery Throwdown Returns!
Written: 30 September 2018
Queen of Big Knits, Lauren Aston tells us her 5 faves and Enter our Pottery Throwndown
It's FRIDAY! And that means only one thing at Made by Hand HQ and that's it's time for 5 Favourites. This week, we asked the amazing Queen of Big Knits, Lauren Aston. She has cast (...groan...sorry Lauren!) her eye over the makers from Made by Hand, Cardiff and here are her lovely choices. Meet all these makers at Cardiff in November
I’m so excited to have just discovered Ella’s work. Her Korsa collection of lamps are so wonderful, I love the clean lines, fun colours and bold prints she uses. And her Lada Collection stools are just stunning, combining different colours and materials yet still keeping their striking simplicity. Her contemporary style is so much fun while also showing off the brilliant quality.
Not only does she have the most magnificent name I’ve ever heard (and a dog named after Harry Potter … just like mine) her ceramics are just dreamy! Scrolling through her website is an absolute treat so I’m really excited to see what she brings to Cardiff. I adore the subtle colours she uses, inspired by the sea, the way she mixes them together and emphasises them with carefully selected glazes. Beautiful shapes and hints of gold really make her work special.
Fiona’s fun and quirky style caught my eye straight away, her wonderful prints really draw the eye and her wooden test tube vases are something else. The finer details in her work are so captivating. I love how she takes relatively simple shapes and layers them up to create something really detailed on closer inspection. I’m looking forward to seeing her selection at the show and viewing it up close.
I’ve seen Manda’s work a number of times now at The Craft Festival and the two things that always stand out about her work are her fabulously playful style and the exceptional quality of making. I have one of her star cushions in my living room and adore it, if I had little people to buy for she would be my first stop.
I’ve been a fan of Grace and Favour’s work for years now but their last few collections have blown my mind, they’re so gloriously colourful and delicious! The blue and orange Cadiz collection, in particular, is a feast for the eyes. The colours and patterns work so well together and I happen to know that they’ll be bringing the equally colourful new range to Cardiff! Run by the nicest couple I know, Rachael designs all the fabrics herself and their vast product offering is always expending into new and exciting things!
THE POTTERY THROWDOWN IS BACK IN CARDIFF!
We are thrilled to announce that, by popular demand, The Pottery Throwdown will return to Cardiff in December. Stars from the hit BBC series, The Great Pottery Throwdown will be going head-to-head with members of the public in rounds of fun clay-based challenges.
Stars of Season 1 & 2 will be joining us at City Hall. 'Major Tom', Clover Lee, Richard Parker and Jim Ransom will take on our challengers (that could be YOU!) throughout the weekend. It's lots of playful fun and you'll have as much help as you'd like. The Pottery Throwdown is proudly presented by Potclays.
It's FREE to take part and included in your ticket price to Made by Hand. Sign up NOW!
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR POTTERY THROWDOWN
BOOK YOUR WORKSHOPS before it's too late...
Don't delay in booking your workshops as they are selling out fast. We have a lovely selection of workshops presented by Make it in Wales and Adult Learning Cardiff for you to enjoy. You can learn how to make stained glass, mosaic, pottery, leatherwork, willow weaving, embroidery and much more. To book your workshops CLICK HERE
YOUR CRAFT FESTIVAL NEEDS YOU!
LOVE CRAFT? We need to build a team of volunteers to help power Made by Hand in Cardiff. You can assist the children's workshops, help the Pottery Throwdown run smoothly, sell tickets, give out information and help set up. If you'd like to join us and receive free tickets in return, PLEASE CLICK HERE to volunteer.
Meet the Makers at Made by Hand, City Hall, Cardiff
November 2-4th
#ChristmasShoppingSorted