Christmas ideas from Cotswold Craftsmen

Craftsmen, designers and artists from around the Cotswolds will be exhibiting and selling their range of beautifully designed handmade original pieces at the Tithe Barn Bishop's Cleeve from 29th to 309th November 2008, with a preview evening for 6pmn to 8pm on Friday 28th November.

This is the perfect opportunity to buy a unique Christmas present for the man or woman who has everything or to talk to the designers about commissioning individual pieces.  Items on display will range from silver jewellery to carved walking sticks, sculpture, ceramics, textiles and paintings.

The exhibitors are all members of The Cotswold Craftsmen’s Guild which works to maintain high standards and includes a rich cross section of craftsmen and women who value the traditions and skills of the past and embrace contemporary techniques and ideas.

Making her debut at the show will be new member textile artist Cheryl Cracknell.  Also on show will be a new range of work from glass artist Steve Callender which incorporates stone work by stone masons Richard Bossons and Rita Dawe.

They will be displaying their work alongside established craftsmen such as John Button with his beautifully carved walking sticks and sculptures of animals and birds; silver jeweller, Hazel Morris; Les Sharpe with his whimsical decorated ceramics and Julie Sutton who creates ceramic artworks ranging from jewellery to mirrors.

Hazel Morris, the Guild’s secretary said: “We value the unique qualities that handmade individually crafted objects possess and recognise the lasting pleasure they bring.   Our aim is to encourage the making of individual items to a professional standard of design and finish. Through striving to develop our skills as makers and designers, we offer something new to those who appreciate quality.”

Exhibitors

Bishops Cleeve is Cheryl Cracknell’s inaugural show for Cotswold Craftsmen:

Cheryl Cracknell is a textile artist and tutor working with raw merino wool , silk and other fibres which she combines in a feltmaking process to produce textural pieces of art. She takes her inspiration from a close observation of nature, the wonderful colours of which are reflected in her work. She hand dyes the wool and silk in her Worcestershire studio to obtain subtle variations of shade and tone, and their careful placement gives atmosphere and depth to her designs. The technique used ensures that every piece is a unique artwork.