Shropshire Guild of contemporary craft

This section lists all upcoming events involving members of the Shropshire Guild of Contemporary Craft, including exhibiitions, craft shows and sales, practical workshops/tutorials and conferences. We aim to keep all information fully up-to-date, but if you are planning to travel to see a specific member at an event, it is sensible to contact them first to check that they will be in attendance.

Potfest in the Park, Cumbria

Date:Sat July 31, 2010 - Sun August 01, 2010 Time: 10am - 5pm daily Location: Hutton-in-the-Forest, Penrith, Cumbria0 Web: http://www.potfest.co.uk/potfestpark.htm Designers:Ralph Jandrell.

The ceramics festival takes place in and around marquees in front of the the venue, Hutton-in-the-Forest. Hutton is a cultural destination in itself with it's walled garden, topiary and woodland walks. The potters competition pieces will be displayed on the lawn, juxtaposing ancient architecture and modern ceramics.

Adults £5. Accompanied children free.

Please be aware that many of the exhibitors are unable to process credit card transactions, and the nearest cash machines are in Penrith.

Burwarton Show

Date:Thu August 05, 2010 - Thu August 05, 2010 Location: Burwarton, Bridgnorth WV16 6QJ, Shropshire. Phone: 01746 787535 Web: http://www.burwartonshow.co.uk/ Designers:Ralph Jandrell.

Burwarton Show provides a truly great day out for all the family with something of interest for everyone.   We offer a wide variety of classes for heavy horses, cattle, sheep, horses & ponies and goats, horticultural, handicraft, children, cookery, young farmers and much more.

Trade exhibits offer agricultural machinery, garden equipment, clothing, footwear, crafts, gifts.In addition, the Shopping Arcade, Craft Demonstration Marquee, local Food Court and Conservation area all offer a wide variety of interesting goods.

Three Choirs Festival

Date:Sat August 07, 2010 - Sun August 15, 2010 Time: TBC Location: Gloucester Catherderal Designers:Martin Howard.

More information to come.

Festival of The Tree 2010

Date:Fri August 27, 2010 - Mon August 30, 2010 Time: Open daily from 9am-5pm Location: Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Tetbury, Glos. GL8 8QS Web: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-6XCLUX Designers:Ralph Jandrell.

Westonbirt Arboretum will be buzzing with activity at this world-class event. Please see the website for further information.

On Bank Holiday Monday August 30th, potter Elspeth Soper will be opening the doors to her workshop for one of her exceedingly popular 'Open Studio' events.

Date:Mon August 30, 2010 - Mon August 30, 2010 Time: 11am - 4pm Designers:Willey Furnace Pottery.

 Born in Oxford to an English father and a Canadian mother, Elspeth moved to Shropshire during the early 80's and set up Willey Furnace Pottery in 1985.

"It is incredibly basic here" says Elspeth, "but I have everything I need. Solar panels provide electricity to charge the batteries that run the lighting, there is no water supply so that is brought from home, and my loo is a traditional 'earth closet' located in a far corner of my plot".

Elespeth has been working on a very new range of pots most of the year and said "the new pots are made of cream coloured clay instead of the red terracotta clay that I usually use. The decoration is then painted on mostly using underglaze colours".

"I've been experimenting with the cream clay most of the year" Elspeth said, "but the colours are brighter and more transparent than the slips (coloured liquid clays) that I used on the terracotta so the effect is quite different to my usual work even though I am using basically the same designs."

Elspeth, inspired by country pottery from England and Eastern Europe says "many of my designs result from when I kept chickens, ducks, geese and guinea fowl here at the pottery some ten years ago" says Elspeth, "until foxes came and steadily stole them away".

With pottery featuring chickens, hares and guinea fowl and Elspeth's earthly glaze colours such as soft blues, greys, muted terracotta's, ochre's and greens, the finished pieces from Willey Furnace Pottery would sit happily in any home.

The Open Day is on Bank Holiday Monday August 30th from 11am – 4pm, and Elspeth invites all to attend and receive a complementary drink and nibbles. 

Willey Furnace Pottery is at Barrow Road, Broseley. TF12  5JQ and will be well signposted on the day.

For more information please telephone Elspeth on 01952 885759 or mobile: 07790347007

e-mail: elspeth.wfpottery@hotmail.co.uk

RHS Autumn Garden Show

Date:Sat September 25, 2010 - Sun September 26, 2010 Location: Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire Web: http://www.threecounties.co.uk/malvernautumn/ Designers:Martin Howard.

An eclectic mix of country pursuits, inspiring displays and unique shopping, there is something here for everyone.

From delicious food halls with celebrity chef demonstrations, contemporary crafts, a spectacular RHS flower show, world of animals and giant vegetable competitions, the Malvern Autumn show brings together everything we know and love about nature at its finest.

Gorgeous Contemporary Craft Fair

Date:Sat October 09, 2010 - Sun October 10, 2010 Time: 10am - 5pm both days Location: Enginuity, Coalbookdale, Ironbdrige, Shropshire. TF8 7DQ Phone: 01952 884391 Web: http://www.ironbridge.org.uk/our_attractions/enginuity/ Designers:De Mont and Wright, Designer Weaving Company, Stevie Walker, Roy Abbott, Ettore Consorte, Adept Designs Limited, Paul Jaques, Martin Howard, Blake and Janette Mackinnon, Ralph Jandrell, Jenny Foord, Caroline Bennett, Ted Bruce.

The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust and The Shropshire Guild of Contemporary Craft are again bringing together some of the West Midlands' finest craftsmen and women for the Guild's annual flagship exhibition, 'Gorgeous', over the weekend of 9th and 10th October at Enginuity, Coalbrookdale.

The makers will also be joined by many of the region's top food and drink producers in association with Heart of England Fine Foods. Visitors to the 'Gorgeous' Contemporary Craft and Fine Food Fair will be able to view and buy or commission original craft work of the highest quality as well as meet the designer-makers. At the same time, they will be able to sample delicacies from local producers. Entrance to Gorgeous is £2.50 per person and free for children under 12 (this does not include entrance to Enginuity).

Showing Off

Date:Sat October 23, 2010 - Sun October 24, 2010 Time: Saturday 10am - 5pm and Sunday 10am - 4pm Designers:Kate Mead Designs , Jane Murphy Glass, Alison Dupernex, Designer Weaving Company, Nicki Williams, Marietta Alker, Roy Abbott, Susan Nickless, Ettore Consorte, Paul Jaques, Martin Howard, Willey Furnace Pottery, Blake and Janette Mackinnon, Caroline Bennett.

This annual event will be held in Ludlow's Harley Centre over the weekend of 23rd and 24th of October.

'Showing Off' incorporates not only designer makers from the Shropshire Guild, but also the Worcestershire Guild of Designer Craftsmen. Caroline Bennett, Shropshire Guild member and organiser of 'Showing Off' said "the event promises to offer a vibrant and exciting array of talented designer makers not only from Shropshire but also from Worcestershire". Caroline continued "we have over 26 designer makers exhibiting at this free event, which is always really well supported".

Sculptor and ceramicist Caroline works from her studio near Bridgnorth creates hand built and slip cast vessels as well as figurative sculptures. Caroline said "Showing Off is a great opportunity to really show-off what we have all been making and creating throughout the year".

Disciplines on show will include: ceramics, leatherwork, furniture, basket making, glass, jewellery, textiles and forge work.

Non-Shropshire Guild exhibitors are: Jocelyn Perry (WG), Judith Price (WG), Ken Gilbert (GH), Charlotte Gardiner (MM), Jo Dewer (WG), Brain Maiden (WG), Sarah Jones (WG) and Sue Dawes. 

WG - Worcester Guild of Designer Craftsmen

GH - Guild of Herefordshire Craftsmen

MM - Marches makers 

Entry to Showing Off is free.

Crafts for Christmas, Harrogate

Date:Thu November 11, 2010 - Sun November 14, 2010 Time: Thursday to Saturday 9am - 5pm, Sunday 9am - 4pm Location: The Yorkshire Event Centre, Great Yorkshire Showground, Wetherby Road, Harrogate Phone: 01428 684494 Web: http://www.ruralcraftsassociation.co.uk Designers:Ralph Jandrell.

Purchase inspirational craftwork and design-led gifts to delight your friends and family. See faces light up with exciting toys, elegant accessories, stylish clothes, classic and contemporary interiors and unusual stocking fillers. Please see website for ticket prices.