love artisan beads - one
off creations in lampwork glass, ceramics or
polymer clay - that are
miniature works of art,
but also love using semiprecious gems. I source
beads from all over the
world now - USA, Australia, Finland, Slovenia,
Poland, Israel. I have
become friends with
several artisans in the
UK and the USA and can
now ask beadmakers,
component makers and
metalsmiths to create
to my own design, idea,
shape or colour; that is
wonderful!
I work from home in
my huge conservatory
which is beautifully light
- but on my dining table mostly. I am more
than happy for clients to pop round, have a coffee and help choose their own design/beads/
metals; but some regulars now just leave me
their dress or outfit and say ‘ make me something - you know what I like’; we usually then
have a fitting before I finish it off.
You set up your own “Artisan Collective”, how
did that come about? Could you tell our readers a little about The Design Platform?
About 18 months ago , completely fed up with
attending overpriced, cold, draughty ‘craft fairs’
where half the offerings were imported rubbish I got together with a group of other local
artists and crafters to establish our own Artisan
Collective which we call Design Platform. It’s
creativebeadchat.com
everything you want from a ‘craft fair’ but never
get unless you organise it yourself. We looked
for ages and finally found a lovely venue; the
local heritage centre exhibition room, which
used to be a station platform (hence the name).
It’s warm and light and has an intimate atmosphere. We can play good music and give everyone a drink when they come in. Every market
has a charity raffle and we collect for the local
food bank. Ther H\