Can I knit it? Yes you can! : Meet Studio Aitch

I don't know about you but at reetsweet HQ (also known as a chilly flat in Leeds) we are itching to put the heating on, but trying oh-so-hard to wait until the last moment. So knits is what we need, and Harriet from Studio Aitch will be back on Dec 7th at reetsweet with her utterly gorgeous pieces including her handhuggers which will keep us toasty, and her prints and brooches - which will warm your hearts instead. Hurrah! 

She's a local gal, hailing from Sheffield and works from her home studio there. Here's just a taste of what you can expect from this awesome maker:

 

Reetsweet this saturday: The final roundup!...Sallyann Jewellery

Keep on popping back in the next 24 hours whilst we quickly run through the last of our bookingws for the fair this weekend.

If you love jewellery, you're in for a treat, as we welcome a unique silver jeweller Sarah...

'In 2010, I began an Interdisciplinary Art & Design University course that in turn gave me to access to the fine metal/jewellery workshop – I dropped the paintbrush and easel and found a Hammer and a bench. I have not looked back since. I can’t get enough of the process of turning silver sheet and wire into creations born from my mind into the portable art that is jewellery. 

I work predominately in sterling silver – my pieces are classic and simple in design, although on occasion with quite complicated and technical elements. Taking inspiration and starting themes from a number of sources such as; Fairy stories and nature to fine art. My final year project is based on the stories; Princess and the Pea, Rapunzel and Rumplestilskin.

The ‘Eclipse’ range takes its inspiration from the sun and moons interaction during this time, the simple circle and the negative spaces that occur within it.  Removing a section and replacing elsewhere. Texture is then applied using various materials.

All my pieces are individually made with the intention and aim to never recreate the same piece twice. 

On occasion I repurpose Sheffield sterling silver cutlery items into jewellery – a spoon into a ring – a butter knife into a brooch. I always use Sheffield silver items, as that’s my local assay stamp region. Some people may frown on this, but I see it as giving the items a new lease of life, bringing them from the backs of drawers and into the light -  how often do people really show their spoons off?

I love to work on commissioned pieces. Usually a piece of jewellery is made, then through the purchasing and owning of it, memories and emotions are then attached. By commissioning jewellery, emotions and memories are used in its very design. It is born from those attachments. It is always more then, than simply a piece of jewellery – it is a physical, tangible item that will always invoke the memories and emotions that will be a powerful symbolic object for the owner and subsequent generations that follow.

I create not only jewellery, but portable art. I often, create a specific case or display for the piece, to allow it to be viewed and on show, when not worn.'

See you on saturday - from 10am to 5pm at Leeds Corn Exchange!

New maker preview: Becci Maryanne at the april event

I am so excited about the next event, I mean, I get excited about them all, but in april there's always a little more spring in everyone's step, the weather's getting nicer, the days longer and the heating needs to be put on less, I just love it. I am also in love with a new artist that will be with us on april 6th, her wonderfully weird and pretty work will definitely be something I'll be hanging on my walls this year;

'I’m Becci Maryanne – an illustrator/artist based in Leeds. I am somewhat obsessed with science magazines and evolution and things like that. I guess that as a result of that fascination, I’ve grown sort of obsessed with nature! 

I think that a lot of popular art now tries to make a statement. Which is fine - but mine doesn’t. I get asked all the time what my things mean. They mean nothing beyond the fact that I think that animals are stunning and ridiculously awesome. I like to imagine the lives that they have. It's shit to think that a bird just sits around all day waiting to die. I prefer the idea that when he's singing in the morning, he's actually yelling at his Mrs because she didn't come home last night and he heard from Tony that she was at Paul's. That's why I make the things I do. I like the idea that my art is just fun - it makes people smile and it’s weird/intriguing to look at. 

People can make up their own minds about what it means or what’s actually even happening in it! I much prefer that level of interactivity. I use mainly ink and watercolour to make my paintings, but sometimes I'll very lightly collage - generally I use science magazines, just to sort of fit in with everything else. I like the fact that my paintings of animals are sort of wrapped in people writing about the science behind animals.'

Want to win with reetsweet on june 2nd?

We love craft, we love wood, we love animals, fresh air and summertime - and to celebrate our June summer fair we are offering a woodland themed goody bag to one of you lucky people, containing some amazing jewellery, stationery and other super pieces by reetsweet makers...

 

(necklace by ladybirdlikes)

All you have to do to enter is come down on June 2nd to The Leeds Corn Exchange - and every item you buy at the reetsweet fair, you will be given a ticket for the goody bag prize draw - and the more you buy, the more chances you have of winning! Ta da!!!


....But hold on tight as we have another chance to win coming up this week - so stay tuned!
 

one sleep til reetsweet!

Hello!

Thanks for supporting reetsweet! We have many new followers on the blog and on facebook, I can't wait to meet you all on sunday!

We will be in the Corn Exchange, as usual from 11am to 4.30pm sunday, exhibiting the freshest crafts around - big shout out to all the new people from the crafting scene that are showing, including Fox Bunting, Maneggi and Amy Panda.

I think the sun should be shining, and it's Mothering Sunday of course - so you've got an excuse to swing by for a last minute pressie for her and yourself! Support handmade!


See you tomorrow! x

Confirmed crafty folks...

Hi all!

A quick update on some more confirmed stallholders for our event in November - reetsweet proudly introduces Kev from 'Digtheearth' and Holly from 'HollyDazes' to our team of exhibitors at The Corn Exchange on nov 7th 2010...

We will be posting some of their work so keep checking back!

reetsweet comes alive @leeds corn exchange!

On sunday november 7th at Leeds Corn Exchange we will be holding the 1st of Leeds' reetsweet craft shows.

From 11-4pm on the main balcony we will be showcasing the best of Leeds' art and design talent including photography, printmaking, accessories and all manner of wonderment!

Only the very best of local work will be on show, entry is free, so come along! If there are any artists and crafters out there who would like to take part then please email me at: marriedtothecloth@gmail.com.

I will keep you updated as we confirm further details!
See you there!