Maker Focus: Hairst

Rosie Brewer

Rosie studied 3D Design at Camberwell College of Arts where she found herself drawn to working with wood. Her love for design resulted in creating new forms for functional kitchenware.

‘‘From classically gnarled British oak to a dusky and mysterious hardwood from overseas: all wood is a natural story and no two stories are alike. Each quirk of the timber helps me find the piece it will become.’’

Everything is crafted from sustainably sourced, FSC certified wood.

Bill Brown

Bill is a craftsman, designer and maker who has recently returned to Shetland after retiring from his job as Head of Ceramic Design at Glasgow School of Art. Having spent a number of years specialising in the techniques of casting and ceramic printmaking, Bill shows the diversity of his skills and the flexibility of ceramics as a medium.

As well as teaching, Bill has exhibited work widely in the UK, mainland Europe, USA and Australia.

James Brown

James is an illustrator and designer who produces screenprints and linocuts from his London studio.

He has designed and produced bespoke prints for The Postal Museum, V&A Enterprises and The Barbican. He has clients all over the world, and is also a bestselling author.

Terri Campbell

Terri Campbell graduated with a BA (Hons) in Jewellery & Silversmithing in 2014 from Edinburgh College of Art.

Living in the rural countryside in South-West Scotland, Terri’s work is influenced by the natural beauty of her home. Organic shapes and nature inform her studio practice. She works predominantly in sterling silver, using yellow gold and semi-precious stones as subtle details, creating delicate pieces of wearable jewellery.

Clod & Pebble - Christopher Viviani

Christopher Viviani is a trained sculptor working from his studio in Ayrshire on the west coast of Scotland. He uses ethically sourced materials citing nature, bushcraft, and food as the inspiration for his work.

He is interested in how a piece of kitchenware can change the user’s relationship with food and increase the pleasure of eating.

‘My wooden and ceramic ware is a step away from the mundane and lifeless mass produced ware and is a celebration of individuality and uniqueness.’

Creatively Occupied - Michelle Freemantle

Using a combination of handbuilt, thrown and press mould techniques, Michelle Freemantle creates work that is both visually pleasing and tactile. Selected twice to take part in workshops in Tokoname, Japan, which has a 900 year history of the production of pottery and ceramics, her work is infused with the influence of this experience mixed with ideas and concepts from time spent studying and later producing work in Finland.

Detta Textiles

Detta Textiles produces high-quality knitted scarves, cushions and fashion accessories on heritage framework knitting machines.

Their studio is based in Kegworth in the East Midlands, a place with a deep rooted history in framework knitting. Most of Detta’s products are constructed using 100% British-spun lambswool as well as products that are knitted in cotton, linen and craft yarns.

Carla Edwards

Having graduated from Edinburgh College of Art, Carla Edwards has been designing and making contemporary jewellery from her workshop in Leith, Edinburgh since 1999.

Her inspiration comes from a love of the natural world, pattern, colour and drawing. The small details of plants fascinate Carla and she enjoys translating elements of her drawings into wearable jewellery.

Carla uses resin in her jewellery because a wide range of colour, pattern, translucency, form and finish can be achieved. Complementary materials such as aluminium leaf, gold leaf, silver and 18ct gold are also used.

Kara Leigh Ford

Kara Leigh Ford designs and makes all her ceramic work from her studio shed, just outside Bath, Somerset. She describes her work as ‘modern rustic with organic undertones’. Growing up by the coast, the textures and colours of her favourite Devon beaches constantly inspire and inform her work.

Fraser Knitwear - Joan Fraser

Joan Fraser is a designer who takes inspiration from the history and influence of Fair Isle knitting. She is fascinated by the infinite variety of patterns, and the way they evolve and renew with each generation.

“A hallmark of our style is an understated and elegant approach, resulting in harmonious compositions that are equally at home in country and city.”

These wraps are knitted in Shetland using pure high quality yarns for a smooth and luxurious texture.

Ghost and Bonesetter - Karen Daye-Hutchison

Karen Daye-Hutchison studied at University of Ulster and Manchester Metropolitan University. She is a designer and silversmith, and has exhibited in galleries both nationally and internationally. She draws inspiration from music, poetry, myths & legends and her pieces use lines and textures to explore the parameters of design with symbolism as an allegory.

Miriam Griffiths Knitwear

Miriam Griffiths Knitwear is a small-scale handmade knitwear label based in Sheffield. All the pieces are made from high quality, locally sourced materials with a focus on using natural materials. Colour plays a huge part in the design.

Miriam graduated from London College of Fashion in 2013 where she studied Surface Textiles, and specialised in knitwear. The brand spawned from her love of making, and being a part of the whole design process. Working from her studio in Yorkshire, she aims to produce interesting yet wearable products that can be integrated into day wear.

Kate Hollowood

Kate Hollowood creates bespoke sculptural lighting from her studio in Royal Leamington Spa. Each piece is unique.

Inspired by the spectacular skylines and architecture of New York and Dubai, the collection conveys a modern aesthetic, marrying intricate design with refreshing simplicity. When lit the lighting casts an arrangement of captivating illuminations and shadows on the surrounding environment, creating a relaxing atmosphere.

Emily Jepps

Emily Jepps is a surface Pattern Designer & Illustrator from Kent, who studied Illustration at the University of the Creative Arts in Maidstone. Over the years she has designed work for Harrods, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Whittard of Chelsea & The National Autistic Society.

She is particularly influenced by Japanese art and design, and tends to draw her inspiration from the natural world.

Hilke MacIntyre

Hilke MacIntyre was born in Germany and studied architecture at the College for Art & Design in Kiel. She worked for various architects until she moved to Scotland in 1995 and since then she has concentrated on printing, painting and ceramics, combining a simplified figurative style with bold shapes, strong colours and abstract patterns.

Her work is widely exhibited in galleries throughout Britain and has been selected many times for the annual show at the Royal Scottish Academy. Her linocuts and woodcuts have been used for various illustrations. She lives with her family near St Andrews.

Milomade - Evie Milo

Evie Milo is the designer/maker behind the company Milomade. Her motto is 'too good to waste'; her eco-friendly process aims to leave no damage or waste.

Her entire product range is made from rare and recycled materials: antique silverware, copper pipes, vintage maps to name but a few. Many of her products evoke the nostalgia of childhood, from the comics, to the maps from family journeys and holidays.

Hannah Nunn

Hannah Nunn is a designer based in the North Pennines, Yorkshire. She creates a range of lighting, inspired by the beautiful details of nature.

Hannah’s design process starts with collecting and drawing from real plants. She then refines her design by using a laser cutter to create intricate and delicate motifs.

Amelia Stone

Amelia Stone is a jewellery designer based in south west England. She graduated with a BA in Fine Art from Cardiff before deciding to focus her attention on working with metal. Her jewellery is instantly recognisable through its iconic hoops and loops that make it both sturdy and intricate. Each piece is handmade.

Catherine Tough

Catherine Tough graduated from the Royal College of Art in 1999, with the vision of turning heritage craft into playful, modern pieces that are a pleasure to wear and use.

Catherine's passion for textiles began when she was still at school. She went on to study textiles at the Royal College of Art where she developed her signature style of bold, playful designs using beautiful materials.

Julie Williamson

Julie Williamson is a designer/maker who lives and works from her home in Whalsay, Shetland. She is inspired by local imagery, wildlife and folklore stories. Julie’s interest in old toile-de-jouy scenes and original Fair Isle knit patterns is used to recreate scenes and designs from memories and stories from her rich cultural heritage and created into unique designs for digital and screen printed fabric.

Kathryn Williamson

Kathryn Williamson is a jeweller based in Pittenweem, Fife. She is inspired by found objects and fragments of pottery from beach walks around the Fife coast, museum artefacts and pattern.

Elements of enamel, found pottery and acrylic and occasionally semi-precious stones are combined with silver textured or etched shapes to create an overall subtle blend of colour, harmony and pattern recreating the effects of living by the sea and a sense of calm and memory in the wearer.

Witch Mountain - Kim Tillyer

Based in the Lake District, Kim Tillyer’s work begins with drawing and dreaming. Personal stories mixed with northern myths and folklore, as well as the constantly changing visual delights of the Lake District result in a collection of illustrations and designs which she uses to create original artwork. Much of Kim’s work combines cyanotype printing with traditional stitch techniques and hand drawn motifs such as bears, plants, birds and “shelters in a landscape” including tents, simple houses and romantic, mysterious towers.