Quodo.com is the place where you can get your craft on by linking leading artisans & artists with Londoners who want to rediscover their creativity outside of the office!
With summer wrapping up and the kids back at school it's the perfect time to get creative with some of London's brightest artists and artisans.
Quodo was founded in London in March 2015 with a mission to make the world more creative by allowing anyone to learn direct from local artisans and artists.
Bringing together 30 of London’s finest artisans and artists offering unique arts, crafts and cooking classes starting from just £20.
Well that sounds like a winner to us and we're sure that as time goes on that they'll get bigger and better so we'll definitely keep our eyes on these guys!
Plus we're super chuffed to say that there's a class just down the road from us (Walthamstow) so we're definitely checking that out on the 26th of September!
If you'd like to join us at Daniel H's Wallpaper screen printing class then you lucky people can use the code below to get yourselves a £20 discount!
Daniel is a brother of the Artworkers' Guild and a published academic working in textiles so we really can't wait to learn from a master craftsman!
But if screen printing isn't your thing then fear not... there are other great classes from millinery, ceramics to healthy cooking so get on to the Quodo web site and start crafting your life a bit more interesting!
For further information, classes and what Quodo can offer you visit: www.quodo.com
Daniel
is a brother of the Artworkers’ Guild and is a published academic. -
See more at: http://www.quodo.com/teacher/danielh/#sthash.N88VvdSJ.dpuf
Daniel
is a brother of the Artworkers’ Guild and is a published academic. -
See more at: http://www.quodo.com/teacher/danielh/#sthash.N88VvdSJ.dpuf
Our appetite for cheap fashion not only has continued to impoverish
workers, put their lives at risk but also adds to the landfill and does
little to wean us off our mass produced addiction.
Having the newest fashions on our back counts little especially if that
pretty little dress is tainted with metaphorical blood -or in this case not so metaphorical.
Over 1000 people -many women and children- died in Rana Plaza in April 2013 yet most are still waiting for any form of justice or compensation.
1,138 pins... one for each life lost in Rana Plaza. 1,138 and counting @AlkeSchmidt
Alke Schmidt is an artist who addresses these same points adding a voice to the workers through her art work inviting us to consider the contradictions and ambiguities of a trade that spans centuries.
Poignant and beautiful her works are a reflection of her concern and care with the issue of sustainable fashion and our collective responsibilities rather then offering us a definite political statement.
Her exhibition of paintings, mixed media pieces and some collaborative works with local students and the artist Della Rees at the William Morris gallery felt like a natural extension to Mr. Morris' philosophies and politics but on a global stage. The often violent and brutal complexities of the textile industry, particularly the cotton trade, is highlighted through stitched, painted and printed work expanding through the decades up to the present day.
I think had he been around now that he would definitely be standing alongside Alke fighting the injustices experienced by workers in the garment trade!
Unfortunately the exhibition Tangled Yarns ends this Sunday the 1st of February but if you can go before then I urge you to go and have a look for yourself!
Alke's work left me inspired, moved and able to ask questions and demand change... though it's not an unfamiliar subject to me because the whole concept of Craft Guerrilla was born as a response to the unfair and immoral way workers in sweat shops are undervalued and exploited in the name of affordable fashion and consumerism.
Yet almost 10 years on these injustices still continue!
Sadly the term sweat shop has its roots further back in history as the term is a deviation from "sweater shop" used in New York city back in the 1800s for garment workers who toiled in cramped, unsafe conditions at the hands of uncaring employers literally sweating due to those conditions.
It's sad that the term still exists at all but it shows how little has changed.
Sure, slowly things are improving but is it enough to expect the High Street to carry all the responsibility?
Personally I think it also falls on to us and though I don't agree that boycotting is the answer - offering the prospect of unemployment to these workers is hardly the answer either! - I do think we need to demand clothing companies to investigate and invest in the whole process from field to factory to shop floor.
Write a letter to those High Street clothing companies and show your support for those workers and also to them and how you'd like to see a positive change in the way they do business.
Recycle, up-cycle and mend your garments plus make a conscientious effort to buy less cheap clothing and instead save up for quality items which you know will last! Also make a point to seek out a company's ethical credentials... after all it's your money so you should. It's your right!
Take it to social media! Apply pressure to companies you know are exploiting workers or working with factories that are and ask them to take action. After Rana Plaza Matalan believed they had no responsibility to the workers yet through twitter campaigning they did step up and provided a compensation package.
Ask questions! Empower yourself with the knowledge that you are making a difference by asking the right questions (How can you afford to sell such cheap clothing? for example), it might not be necessarily a comfortable subject to think/talk about but the right questions can promote thought, discussion and ultimately a change.
“There are no foolish questions and no man becomes a fool until he has stopped asking questions.”
Charles Proteus Steinmetz
Here's a short film interview of Alke by documentary filmmaker Leah Borromeo.
I hope you'll agree in saying that she is an amazing woman and artist...
We salute you Alke!!!
If you'd like to know more about the artist please visit:
https://www.a-n.co.uk/blogs/tangled-yarns
LUSH have been for a long time one of our favourite hand made companies! Back in the 1990's a really good friend introduced me to them; then known as Cosmetics To Go; by way of a catalogue packed with amazing natural and eco friendly products from lipstick to baby shampoos.
The fact that they were around then was a surprise as it wasn't really the "IN" thing.
But things were slowly changing and consumers were looking for a healthier body and not just a sane mind and spirit! Luckily LUSH are still here which I think is a sign of their visionary powers! They started off small but retained their ethics and a philosophy -which many people now share!- but now have shops all over the world... see, you can be a "hand made"company and not have to sell your soul to the corporate devil to achieve success!
One of my fave LUSH scents... The Smell of Weather Turning. A beautiful and original perfume...smells of fires and damp forests.
As a green baby- thank you mum for always looking out for natural alternatives!- this company was naturally one I'd be attracted to and I'm still a fan!
They are a great success story and I love how they keep up with trends and are forever evolving remarkably without ever losing their soul... or ethics.
Fresh faced and clean! Fresh face masks for lots of skin types... just don't attempt to eat them!
So this Christmas they've teamed up with a few talented designers like Jonathan Kenyon,
Creative Director of Vault49, a New York design studio that specialises
in creating branding, advertising, design and art to offer something new. Check out his "White Christmas Packaging", it's Nordic Pop/ German Techno meets a snow boarding Santa!
We love LUSH products and we love the fact that they've collaborated with so many renown and amazing artists... who knows maybe one day they might even work with us!
HUM a crafters hand cream to help soothe the "crochet claw"? Now there's a good idea... Just putting it out there lovely creative head of Lush products!
If you would like to win a copy of the LUSH graphic Novel On the trail of Sandalwood smugglers just answer the following question in the comments. We have two copies to giveaway so enter as many times as you like but please keep to one entry on each platform (Twitter, Face Book and Instagram). If you are answering below we ask that you provide an email address so we can contact you.
Question: What was their company name before they became LUSH fresh hand made cosmetics?
*The winners will be picked at random from all entries on Sunday the 7th of December 2014.
Join us on Thursday the 4th of September for a very special private view... Craft Guerrilla are proud to present WOOD + BONE!
Working from Walthamstow artistic duo Aimee and Amanda create magical imagery and stunning craft pieces inspired by their love of folk, Mexico and printing!
You will be able to purchase most works on display and meet the artists. We'll also be serving drinks and chatting with patrons so please do join us for a fun evening!
We'll be open from 6 pm to 9pm. Free entry and all welcome but feel free to bring your own refreshments. Drinks will be served but if you fancy adding to the table please bring a bottle of your favourite tipple!
Where?
Craft Guerrilla// Black Duke & Cashman 83 Grove Road Walthamstow E17 9BU
The bears and circus animals have settled in at Blackduke &
Cashman. You can find them nesting in between high quality hand picked
mid century furniture and amongst adorable hand made gifts! This
collaboration is one based on a love for beautiful design and tapping
in on local talent. This friendly trio -Black Duke & Cashman, Cat Boy and Craft Guerrilla- are proud to present the best of the best in
art, design and hand made goods!
Pop by on the weekend and see the exhibition which will be on until the beginning of September (from 3rd of August to 1st of September )... though please don't feed the bears!
Black Duke & Cashman/Craft Guerrilla : 83 Grove Road Walthamstow London E17 9BU
Open:
Friday 12 pm to 6pm
Saturday and Sunday 11 am to 6 pm
Or by appointment please email: info@blackdukeandcashman.com
How to get there:
Tube Victoria Line North Bound to Walthamstow Central
Train: From London Liverpool Street toward Chingford get off at Walthamstow Central
From town on the bus: 48, 56 or 55
We are so excited about our friend Amma's new venture! She's one formidable chica and even though she's just become a mum and is a fabulous working designer maker she still found time -and the energy- to kick start an amazing new project in Watford.
So if you'd like to know more about Amma Gyan and Amanartis read on as she explains to us the idea behind the project...
How did it all come about?
Like most ideas it came from the need to find
space myself. I'd been working in a studio that was owned by JJB however
when they closed we all had to move out. So back to the home studio I
went. However since moving to Watford I had made it my goal to get to
know the creative scene and find out what was happening. This led me to
becoming friends with the local arts development officer, who in trying
to solve my studio issue introduced to me the building.
It's grade II listed so has lots and character but it wasn't right for
me with no lift access and I have a very small baby. So I thought about
for a while and decided that although it wasn't right for me it had to
be right for someone else and surely I wasn't the only person in the
same situation. So there it happened I decided if i can't find a studio
space in Watford, I'll start one up.
The stunning Amanartis premises...
We love people who D.I.Y. their own opportunities! So what's the aim behind the project?
To
provide creatives with a base to work from where their business can
grow by networking, exhibiting and collaborating with other artists and
designers.
Provide business support and mentoring for creative start ups.
Offer guidance for design graduates on turning their craft into a business.
Supporting local artists in providing them with a venue to exhibit and sell their work.
Provide work experience for students who wish to gain experience in the creative sector.
Establish a creative destination for design and craft lovers to come and purchase beautiful, unique, quality items.
To
offer designer makers from all over the country a reputable venue in
which to raise their profile and gain recognition for making and selling
quality goods.
To provide a launch pad for design graduates to exhibit and sell their work.
To grow a loyal and discerning customer base.
To offer benefits to our members from associated partners.
A well appointed board room for conducting meeting...
One of the work space which will be available...
I hear you're planning a design fair too?
Launching in October 2013 is a new exciting event for hand made lovers in Herts.
Amanartis design fair will host 20 of some of the best design led makers in the country hosted in the beautiful grade II listed school hall.
Each designer will be chosen for their creativity, ingenuity and style broadening the concept of hand made and crafts.
The aim of the event is to not only showcase and sell beautiful unique items to the public but also to act as a place for designer makers to network and grow their business. If you think this is the venue for you then... please contact us for an application form!
Wow, that sounds amazing! Any last bit of advice for any budding creatives who want to make their hand made business a success?
I
feel it's important to take yourself seriously, don't be shy, say your
amazing, you may not believe but after a while you will because you are.
I'm
still making bags and jewellery so I'm extremely busy especially as I'm
also preparing for Hertfordshire Arts Open Studio in Sept.
A fully equipped modern kitchen...
...and a light, modern studio space!
Amma Gyan is the creative director behind Wear Me a hand made Leather goods company specialising in jewellery and quality hand made leather bags! We're so proud of our Amma and we wish her lots of luck... though I have a feeling she won't need it as she's one smart little cookie!
I love the work of the artist Livia Marin... a brilliant Chilean artist who works predominantly with ceramics. Having stumbled on her work through a friend's Face Book post -see Face Book is not all that bad!- I went on to explore more of this artist's work.
Her beautiful fluid ceramics are something which I truly admire and
as a ceramicist this is so what I would like to make: great, innovative,
modern, thoughtful and meaningful art!
Actually my final year piece was
based on the blue and white willow pattern so her beautifully reworked
offerings are something which I find very pleasing to the eye as well as
to the heart!
So if you also share my love for all things hand made, especially the turned earth sort of stuff, then have a look at Livia's web page... www.liviamarin.com
From the 1st of June we'll be showing our first Illustrators show at Black Duke & Cashman.
"Forest creatures and other animals" is a showcase of work including prints and original art work by the very talented Isobel Kho, Deer Little Forest and Jim Ward aka Jim Bob Art.
Isobel Kho
Craft Guerrilla are very proud to showcase a plethora of creatives ranging from designer makers, musicians to artists and illustrators so it seemed quite natural to include some of that talent in our concession space.
Deer little forest...
The guys at Black Duke & Cashman have been really supportive of us and when we mentioned the possibility of having a show they kindly obliged and let us use their walls!
So if you love illustration as much as we do then pop in and have look...
James Ward...
"Forest Creatures & other Animals" Showing from the 1st of June to the 30th of June Open Thursday to Sunday 11am to 6pm Venue address Black Duke & Cashman 83 Grove Rd Walthamstow E17 9BU To see more by the illustrators or our host's beautiful stock please visit their websites:
Isobel Kho http://www.isobelkho.co.uk/
Jim Ward http://www.etsy.com/shop/jimbobart
Jo Rose aka Deer Little Forest http://www.deerlittleforest.com/
Pop in and have a look if you are in Brighton in May... Our lovely friend "The Stealthy Rabbit" will be there and we love their papier mache' animal trophy heads. Ahhhhh....High tea and lovely chickens pecking around in the gardens. What better way is there to spend a weekend?
Cut-click is an online magazine for art & design. A new issue is launched on the 19th of every month. Cut-click is created by Baker2d & Caroline Twidle We cut-click, do you?
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