Category: Meet the Maker

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About Made By Fee…

The Back Story…

Fee Higgs Made By Fee Silver

I have always loved creative arts and their therapeutic and mindful benefits e.g., drawing, painting, linocut, photography and crochet but when I discovered silversmithing a few years ago, I was completely hooked right from the start…  

I’m absorbed by all aspects of the process from the initial design stage to working with the metal including the filing, soldering, forming and texturing but my absolute favourite technique is ‘piercing’ out the shapes needed with my favourite tool, a very fine jewellers saw.   Genuinely, when I’m away from my bench I truly miss it, it is my sanctuary!

I am, in fact, an experienced primary years teacher with an additional teacher of the deaf specialism, but I have now left the classroom to get back to my creative self.   So, I’m fortunate that I am able to devote time and energy into developing this passion (obsession maybe?) into a small business and thoroughly enjoying the challenges it brings.   

One of the biggest challenges I’ve found is in developing a particular style that runs through my work.  Maybe that’s the Gemini in me?  In any case, I have made a conscious decision not to restrict myself at all, but to make all that I enjoy, that comes to mind and learn lots on the way and therefore I have created and continue to create an eclectic mix of artisan silver jewellery that I hope you enjoy wearing as much as I’ve enjoyed making.

Fee

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All About myself and HRJ!

Welcome!  Let me start by telling you a little bit about myself!


I’m Fallon, a thirty-something year old, living in Hertfordshire with my husband and daughter.  I’m an avid crafter, have been all my life, trying my hand at many different activities for fun and making numerous things for my daughter and as gifts.   I also love home baking and drinking copious cups of tea!  I have a degree in photography and shoot freelance baby and children photography (when global pandemics don’t get in the way!)

 

I’ve been using polymer clay since I was a child, initially making teeny tiny food for my dolls house.  My husband bought me a food themed polymer clay book many years ago, and after experimenting with cakes and sweets, decided to start selling the increasing number of makes I produced, mainly to clear some space!!  The rest is history, HRJ was born in May 2011!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I chose to continue the foodie theme as I love all things quirky and retro – I’m an eighties child, so the retro food you find at old school birthday parties is an absolute favourite at mine – plates of iced ring biscuits, fondant fancies, etc – whenever we have a birthday at home, we always have that kind of tea party to celebrate!  I think the theme brings a sense of nostalgia to childhood/good memories from the past (my allsorts sweetie bracelet was one of my very first makes, and is still so popular today, with the young and old!). I’ve now also started to branch out into homeware and decorations…but more on that in my next blog post!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inspiration strikes me at any time – I generally get distracted by anything cute and quirky, especially colourful eye catching things.  I love kawaii styles, and have incorporated it into some of my pieces.  Current trends inspire me, as well as actual foods; being a keen baker, I follow lots of baking accounts on social media, and sometimes try to recreate something edible into clay form!  I also have had many commissions and special requests over the years, and some I have felt would be really popular, so have then made these into pieces for my shop too.

I joined TBCH in early 2020 and love the unique community of makers here, they are all so helpful and friendly, with each and every one making beautiful high quality handcrafted items.

Oh and if you’re wondering…my favourite biscuit to dunk in my cup of tea is….a chocolate bourbon or Lotus Biscoff!

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Meet Beverley

We love Beverley’s work.

She has combined her love of wood and its tactile qualities with that of colour and resin and copper clay to hand make unique pendants and rings!

We caught up with her to find out a bit more about her!

I am Beverley, of ‘Bevart designs’ I live in the beautiful Ribble Valley in Lancashire.

I will always be that artist that fell into making jewellery making and designing, many people have
said that my artwork would make lovely jewellery pieces, this got me thinking and I started
to create and work on this possibility. I made a few pieces and put them on display in my
studio… to my delight I sold a few, 12 months on I was accepted for a great art and craft
show called ‘Art in the Pen’. I took with me my framed artwork and my jewellery, I made
more sales than I thought possible.

Being encouraged by this I applied to sell on ‘The British
Craft House’ and was thrilled to be accepted. You can find my shop here! 

I have always taught art classes to adults sometimes with a crossover into craft making like
flower arranging, printmaking, card making etc.
I am inspired to create any art work including my jewellery by nature, the Japanese way of
Wabisabi, travel, and other artists, I love the work of Greyson Perry, Yayoi Kusama, there
are lots more!

I graduated from university in 2008 with a degree in fine art, with a friend and colleague we
wanted to still try and work together in a studio environment, we wanted to find a place
where we could provide affordable studio space for other artists. I am currently the proud
owner of ‘Atelier Arts’ an art studio collective with gallery and teaching space in Clitheroe
from here I sell my paintings, I teach art classes to adults including general art and life
drawing , I also teach art in Spain with partners ‘Caves of Dreams’ we provide a full all-
inclusive art holiday experience in Baza, the region of Andalucia.

What is the dream? The dream was always to own an art studio, the other is to be selling
my work more regularly, whether that’s jewellery or my paintings to build a following and to
become successful.

I am currently working from home and we have a workshop in the garage, so I can keep on
creating and making.

To relax and have fun I love to tap dance, I regularly take part in yoga, pilates and
meditation. I also love photography and to travel sketch and paint.

You can shop the collection here! https://staging.thebritishcrafthouse.co.uk/shop/bevartdesigns/

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Meet the Sellers x 3!

 

Team TBCH South East Cornwall Meetup – meet Halyey, Buffy & Chris

 

Written by Buffy…who is The Twisted Felter

So earlier today I met up for brunch with the lovely Hayley aka The Northern Smuggler and Chris The Chris Artist. Chris paints beautiful artwork from the surrounding areas and Hayley creates fabulous Resin artwork and jewellery inspired by the local Cornish Coast. Luckily Chris had chosen the best café (award winning @olivecocafe thankyou…delish!) and so I turned up to meet 2 complete strangers thinking I should have worn a rose in my lapel?! Sadly I was lapel-less so I took a chance and sidled up to a random man sitting on his own who fortunately turned out to be Chris and Hayley joined us soon after.

My brain is a busy one so I had brought along a list of things I wanted to ask (I feel like a bit of a duffer with the whole online selling and social media stuff as I’m new to the game) and was pleasantly surprised that they too had the same questions and doubts. As Hayley put it ‘Fake it ’til you Make it’. Although Hayley was not giving herself credit as she had lots of  great media tips and advice and has her own professional branding which looks fab. Chris is already self employed so gave me good advice around tax returns, a boring but necessary part of it all. It was sound advice…pay an accountant!!

We chatted about The British Craft House website and how we were finding navigating our way around. We wondered when Dottie (our Illustrious Leader, advice giver, encouragement officer and all round good egg) EVER SLEEPS?!? She seems to be sending encouraging posts in the middle of the night!

We talked about how isolating working alone and from home can be sometimes and how fab it was to meet up with the real people behind our sellers names. We shared contacts for work in the local area, craft initiatives,the best Apps, training days, ideas for display and presentation, photography and we laughed at ourselves a fair bit. We talked about the insecurities of seeing the imperfections in our work and whether they are good enough to sell, the vulnerability of putting your work out there in front of people, the difficulty of feeling comfortable promoting (non-stop!) yourself online. And we arranged to meet again of course.

So this is my first blog. I’ve no idea whether it’s good. Or not. But I’m venturing right out of my comfort zone writing it AND putting a photo of myself online. That’s how rock and roll I am today. I’m a blogger. Boom!

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Meet Carolyn

Getting to know Carolyn Ford of Silverbird Designs

 

Carolyn’s work is gorgeous!  All of it! We were able to catch up with her and find some more information about both the business and her as a person!

 

When did you start crafting & what do you make? 

I’ve had a passion for arts and crafts for as long as I can remember and from an early age could always be found drawing, painting or model making.

My interest in art and design continued throughout my school years and into college life where I completed a degree in Illustration and Graphic Design. I worked as a Graphic Designer for 10 years and loved my work, but decided to find a career that would better fit our young family’s life, yet still give me a creative outlet.  

What inspires you?

I find inspiration everywhere but most often from nature and its glorious array of flora and fauna – the wonderful colours, shapes and textures – they’re hard to ignore. I also enjoy finding new and interesting ways to reveal the beauty in things that are often overlooked or taken for granted – a piece of antique lace, a dried leaf or flower – the possibilities are endless … so many ideas and so little time!

 

Is this your full time occupation or do you have a “day” job too!

I’m so happy to be able to say it’s my full time occupation.

 

Have you diversified since you started out?

 As a jewellery maker I’m constantly learning new skills and experimenting with new designs and mediums  – I feel it’s so important to ‘refresh and grow’ (as I like to put it) so I can continue to enjoy and feel passionate about what I do and can offer exciting new designs to my lovely customers. My sketchbook is always bursting with ideas! When I first started selling my jewellery I predominantly used sterling silver – now I particularly enjoy mixing the silver with copper or accents of gold. There are lots of new designs coming soon and I can’t wait to share them with you on TBCH’s website!

Whats your favourite kind of cake?

 It has to be Carrot Cake!

What inspired the name of your business?

 The name ’Silverbird Designs’ was inspired by an early jewellery piece named ’Silverbird’, a pendant I first created back in 2009. It seemed fitting that it became my business logo, given my love for nature and passion for silversmithing.

 

Thank you! It’s been great getting to know you a little better!

Check out Carolyn’s shop for much gorgeousness!

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Meet Jon

We thought you might like to meet some of our sellers! A bit like stopping for a chat if you come across them selling their designs at a craft fair!
This week we are going to introduce you to Jon at Surrey Woodsmiths
We asked Jon a few questions!

Is this your full-time occupation or do you have a “day” job too!

This is a very pertinent question for me as I have just recently gone full time with SurreyWoodsmiths!  It has taken about 4 years to build the side business whilst working full time as a senior mechanical design engineer and at times it has been very stressful. It’s tricky squeezing in time when you are burning the candle at both ends, especially during the Christmas rush, but it’s been an excellent journey and on the whole, I have enjoyed it immensely.

What has been your proudest crafting moment to date?

My proudest moments to date are the first-ever sale and the first time a gallery contacted me wanting to stock my work.

What inspires you?

Nature is my biggest inspiration.  Pretty much every conceivable shape and texture exists in the natural world, from the fractal patterns of a nautilus shell to the hexagonal honeycomb of a bees nest.

What is the dream for your artisan business?

So far the dream has been to turn my passion into a business and to create a better work-life balance so I can enjoy my other hobbies whenever the weather permits.    I get a huge amount of satisfaction from sending items I have created to customers both in the UK and across the world but the real long term dream is to use the success of my business to fund reforestation projects both in the UK and abroad.

What do you do to relax or as a hobby?

I enjoy a large range of very weather dependent hobbies such as paragliding, climbing, racing motorcycles, snowboarding and pretty much anything that puts a solid smile on my face.  This was one of the driving factors that pushed me towards creating my own business so I could spend far more time enjoying life and far less time looking longingly out of the office window.

Thanks Jon!  It has been great to get to know you a little better!