Meet the maker - Ruth Spencer-Jolly

Meet the maker - Ruth Spencer-Jolly

Hi! I'm an artist based close to Queen's Park and I am really inspired by the locality which I love walking and running round. In my guise as 'ARTSJ' I currently have two ranges of products, one of which directly responds to nearby boroughs of London, taking the form of illustrated maps that capture the sites of interest and quirky landmarks in a neighbourhood. I also have a 'paisley pet' range: a collection of products for people who love animals, pattern and bright colours. When not making art, I'm often found with my other hat on - as a nanny - but I also love to run, ceilidh and go to the theatre.

My favourite product at present is the paisley dog teatowel. It's bright, cheerful and captures man's best in friend in many of the possible shapes and sizes. 

My favourite place to find inspiration at the moment is the Victoria and Albert Museum. I didn't grow up in London, and so I only discovered this treasure trove when I moved to 'the big smoke' about 18 months ago. It's incredible! As a lover of all things patterned; I'm in seventh heaven there. 

You can see Ruth's work at www.ruthspencerjolly.com/ARTSJ and www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ArtSJillustration. Ruth will be at Homeworks on 1st December

Meet the Maker - Elsker

My name is Sian and I am Elsker Creations. Elsker Creations was created from my desire to transform what was my hobby and love (elsker) of traditional crafts into my full time job. This journey began almost two years ago when I started taking this passion for traditional crafts such as; gilding, calligraphy, letterpress printing and bookbinding and applying a contemporary twist through my handmade products and designs. I now also run gilding workshops for adults and a programme of arts and crafts workshops for babies, toddlers and children.

My favourite products are my glass gilded pressed flower frames. I love the process of glass gilding and these works have evolved the most. I feel like I am capturing a season or a moment in time. These works are one of a kind. I love the way I manage to capture the vibrancy of the flowers.

My allotment is my number one place to find inspiration. I love doing things with my hands, I find it very therapeutic and that extends to gardening. The wildness of my allotment is a great inspiration, I feel I am out of London and can think clearly. I have also developed a wild flower meadow and use many of the flowers in my works. 

Queen's Park based Sian will bring her Elsker creations to Homeworks on 8th December. 

Meet the Maker - Rebecca Denton

Meet the maker - Rebecca Denton

I make original fine art prints. By combining ancient printmaking techniques, such as etching with stories in my head, I try to create work that is contemporary and unique. From the idea to the sketch to the preparing and inking of the plate, I love every step of the process! Works are often narrative with imaginary characters in imagined landscapes; playful or serious, but always hopeful and life-affirming.

Etching editions are limited to 40 prints whilst the atmospheric monotypes, ‘printed paintings’, are one-offs. To find out more about me and the process visit www.rebeccadenton.com, or Instagram: @rebeccadentonart

My most recent drypoint etching ‘Evening Flight’ is my new favourite. I’m very happy with the way it turned out as etching can be unpredictable... You never know exactly how it will look until the first print is pulled! I’ve tried to bring together both the drama and calm that the sea and birds in flight evoke.

My favourite place to find inspiration is my imagination, childhood memories and road trips.

 Rebecca will be at Homeworks on 1st and 8th December.

Meet the Maker - Rebecca Denton

My name is Rebecca Denton and I’m an illustrator, painter and printmaker based in North London. I translate my love of storytelling and comedy into the medium of printmaking.

By combining ancient techniques such as etching with fresh ideas, I try to produce work which is both contemporary and unique:

I create handmade fine art prints (etchings, linocuts, monoprints) in my home studio. I also do watercolours and chalk illustrations sold as limited edition prints and cards. Subjects include eccentric animals in unexpected situations and magical dream-like settings:

I have a background in performing arts and have worked as a photographic stills producer, greeting card designer and conceptual illustrator for Getty.

My work can be viewed permanently at the Southbank Printmakers Gallery which holds six exhibitions a year.

Rebecca will be showing her latest work at Homeworks on Sunday 11 December.

Meet the Maker - soapNskin

We are Rabia Khan & Samar Fazil and we were introduced to each other as babies - our parents were (and still are!) best friends. Like all girls, while growing up, we were captivated by our mothers’ vast collection of exotic beauty products, it was an eclectic mix; store bought makeup to artisan creams and toners inspired by our heritage from, what seemed like then, faraway lands.

We would whisk away into forbidden cupboards, trying on creams, concealers, mascaras or whatever else we could sneak passed their watchful eyes. We made a lot of mess in the process although, admittedly, not nearly as much as we do now!

Fast forward a few years (ok maybe a decade or two) and we began to realise why our darling mothers had always relied on natural remedies to maintain their youthful glow. Numerous skin problems, from eczema and photosensitivity to acne and everything in between left us exasperated. Over the counter, heavily marketed beauty products, as well as potent prescriptions from doctors promised the world, but delivered so little.

Stuck in a bit of a skin rut – and sick of expensive beauty products – we harnessed our creative energies to create natural products for our own personal use.

Submerged in research, botanical extracts, natural bases, butters and essential oils, we learned that nature, when harnessed correctly, offered effective alternatives. Abandoning chemical laden, mass produced toiletries and cosmetics, years were spent making and perfecting recipes. SoapNSkin was born out of this experimentation and we launched in 2014.

Our products are created by hand in micro batches in our very own kitchens. We use nature as our base, and build on that. Blending essential oils and botanical extracts to create fragrantly scented products that showcase Mother Nature in her glory, and which really benefit the skin. Of course some of our products have to contain preservatives to increase longevity, but these are all carefully selected and are derived from natural means.

For us it’s about sharing what we love, and what has made a positive change in our lives with others.
It’s about natural products, crafted and bottled by hand with love and an attention to detail. Products that are available to anyone who wants to make a positive change to what they put on their skin, and banish the use unnecessary harsh chemicals.

SoapNSkin will be at Homeworks on 4 December.

Sunday 13 December - Christmas Bazaar Preview

It’s our second and last Homeworks Christmas Bazaar this Sunday, thank you to everyone who came along to The Salusbury Rooms to support our local makers, artists and designers last Sunday.

We have lots more stallholders with us on Sunday, some returning from last week, some Homeworks regulars from years gone by and some brand new Homeworks sellers, carefully selected to bring you the very best of our local businesses:

New to Homeworks this year is Abalonstar, a London based, basque born artist.

She’ll be bringing a selection of her porcelain candle holders and other hand made vessels this Sunday:

Knitwear designer Annie Neill returns for another year with her gorgeous scarves, berets, beanies, gloves, fingerless mittens and men’s and ladies woollen slipper socks, all made in the UK:

Clare Palmer Ceramics join us for the first time:

Twisted Twee are back for another year with witty homewares and bits and bobs:

Homeworks newcomer Cardabelle Designs will be selling calendars and tea towels based on her distinctive lino prints:

and Hermione Wood is back for another year with felted creations:

Using upcycled materials, Becky George of BG Design creates different fabric jewellery creatures, as well as illustrations printed on to various products:

and graphic designer Samantha Morris is back for another year with witty stationery and accessories:

Gilly B creates hats, gloves and scarves using only the finest natural yarns. She’s back for a second week with her trademark colourful and cosy designs:

Christa Davis returns for a second week with beautiful reconditioned cashmere pieces and lovely hand made accessories for kids:

Queens Park local, ceramicist Jo Heckett will be selling a selection of her porcelain gifts, jewellery and magnets:

and Clara Francis is back for a second week with exquisite handmade beaded jewellery:

As well as organising this year’s Christmas Bazaars, Jennifer from Wearescamp will be selling their trademark colourful and funky baby wear, bedroom accessories and personalised products:

and Helene Turbe returns for a second week with her delicate handmade jewellery:

Home Address are back again with simple modern home accessories:

Lizzy Chambers creates beautiful botanical jewellery with a hint of nostalgia and fairy tales in the mix. She is new to Homeworks  and joins us for the first time this Sunday:

Nooki Design are back for another year with their cool quirky leather clutches, purses and fashion accessories:

and Homeworks regular Sasha Kamen is back again with her delicate hand made jewellery:

Sirplus return with ready made Christmas gift solutions for all the difficult to buy for men in your life:

Queens park local Sonia Shakerley is back again with her unique jewellery which can be customised for you to create a unique and special piece:

Vanessa Cohen, a ceramicist working with the distorting qualities of thin clay will be selling her range of delicate ceramic tableware:

and finally Holistic Silk will be selling their beautiful and therapeutic accessories:

That’s a quick taster of twenty two of the marvellous small businesses to shop with Sunday. There will be lots more including Enelle London, Simone Selaib Salandini, suchandsuch and Pookie and Peach.

See you there, doors open at 10am!

Thank you!

A big thank you to everyone who made it along to our first Homeworks Christmas Bazaar yesterday. We couldn’t do it without you - and our lovely stallholders of course!

We’re back again next Sunday 13 December, 10am-2pm:

Jacqui Ramrayka

Homeworks favourite and long time supporter Jacqui Ramrayka is back again this year on Sunday 6th December.

Jacqui Makes a range of hand built and thrown ceramic vessels, making one-offs and working in series, ensuring no two pieces are ever the same. Beautiful pieces to be cherished forever: