‘Meet the Seller’: Naomi Sloman

Naomi Sloman‘s illustrated products are all kinds of awesome. They make fantastic gifts for guys and gals and will be available at Brighton Craftaganza on Saturday 29th November. 

Please introduce yourself…

My name is Naomi and I’m an illustrator

Describe the products you currently make to sell

I make products featuring my original illustrations including greetings cards, prints, tea towels and, new this year, mugs & coasters.

Where and when do you design and make your products?

I have a part time job for three and half days a week so I spend my other day and half creating designs for my products as well as working on other illustration commissions. I work from my home office/ studio and manage to spread my stuff all over it even though I’m meant to share it with my husband!

How long have you been selling your wares and how did it begin?

I started selling three years ago at Brighton and Hove Artists Christmas Open Houses. I now have an Etsy shop and my Christmas Cards have been sold in a few Brighton shops. This year you can find them at the wonderful Dowse on Western Road along with my A-Z Gangster print.

What drew you to the Brighton area, if you are not a ‘native’?

I moved to Brighton from London 4 years ago. I love London and city life but I also love getting out to the countryside. It’s unbelievably difficult to do that in London – I once spent two hours trying to get from Paddington to the end of the Metropolitan line for a winter walk. By the time I had arrived and eaten a pub lunch it was dark and time to go home. Being sandwiched between the sea and the South Downs is perfect.

Any other crafty disciplines you like to practice?

I would love to be a good photographer but I don’t have the time to learn at the moment. I’m a bit of a cheat and resort to using special effects to create a ‘professional’ photo!

What inspires the things you make?

I mainly draw people and animals so any quirky people I spot out and about can lead to new ideas. Traveling abroad is also a great way to get fresh inspiration. And I love a good story – I recently made a short comic about a Victorian menagerist, which will soon be available to buy in my Etsy shop.

Personal motto?

I don’t have one.

‘Meet the Seller’: Lawrence Latham

I know I always say ‘I’m really excited that so-and-so seller will be selling with us…’, but I really am so excited to see Lawrence Latham’s stall at Brighton Craftaganza this year! He will be selling his phenomenal found object lighting  pieces on both days (Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th November), so please don’t miss the opportunity to check out his stall. 

Please introduce yourself….

Hi, my name’s Lawrence Latham and I am a maker of stuff.

Describe the products you currently make to sell

I collect anything from broken cameras to Bakelight, or hubcaps to suitcases and then turn them into lighting. I use end of life or mass produced cameras and recreate lighting where the flash used to sit. Many of my lights also feature adornments of found objects. I always like a little piece of a Brighton carbootier in my work.

Where and when do you design and make your products?

I’m lucky enough to have a studio at home. Ok, a spare room. I’m all about the waking up in the morning and then being able to walk straight into my studio. Though ‘Homes Under The Hammer’ or the odd DVD box set means I’m late getting into work sometimes.

How long have you been selling your wares and how did it begin?

I’ve been selling for around 3 years now. I studied graphic design and photography, but realised that I enjoyed collecting and making props for photo shoots more than taking photos! I have a massive collection of old camera parts and cameras and remember taking two parts of different cine cams and moulding them together as a sculpture. But then, I literally had a light bulb moment (sorry, couldn’t resist) I found some a hand stitched filament bulbs and the rest is history, well, three years of it.

What drew you to the Brighton area, if you are not a ‘native’?

Love love and more love. I met my partner, but he lived in Brighton. I used to come down on the coach straight from Uni on a Friday night to see him. I just couldn’t bring myself to go back up to London on the Monday… So, I stayed! Eighteen years later I’m happy to be with the most amazing man, in the most creative place in the galaxy.

Any other crafty disciplines you like to practice?

I love mashing up ceramics and toy figures. Action Men, Victoriana ceramics and Transformers are my current favourites.

What inspires the things you make?

Jumble sales and carboots are where I dream about ideas, and my Etsy store is where all the ideas are for sale. I love all things random. Anything from Alphabety Spaghetti to the intricate workings of a Casio watch inspire me. I have an old children’s book from the 1970’s called ‘How it Works’ and I love reading it to look at the process of things being made, it always helps me form ideas.

Personal motto?

Love what you do, and wear a vest.

‘Meet the Sellers’: Amy & Claire from Super+Super

I’m thrilled that the lovely Super+Super ladies will be pitching up to Brighton Craftaganza this Christmas! Come and see their delightful wares on Saturday 29th November. 

Please introduce yourself….

Hi, we’re Claire and Amy from Super+Super in Brighton. Super+Super offers studio spaces, workshops and craft parties for creatives. We have also just released our first two books, entitled ‘Printmaking’ & ‘Embroidery’ which are available online and in all good book shops.

Describe the products you currently make to sell

We are bringing a small selection of our favourite products to Craftaganza. You can expect a selection of bright coloured crochet cord necklaces like the ones we wear all the time and hand rolled fun giant bead necklaces. We also make woven wallhangings out of cool coloured jersey yarn (our favourite material at the mo!) and they come in a variety of sizes. Perfect to brighten up your workstation! We are also very excited to bring signed copies of our two publications to Craftaganza too!

Where and when do you design and make your products?

We make all of our products in our HQ. The HQ is the ideal space to be creative and make a mess, although we must admit they often end up finding their way into our bags to finish at home, on the sofa with our cats!

How long have you been selling your wares and how did it begin?

Amy is a craft fair veteran and has been selling her Miss Amy Phipps wares for years. Claire was also selling vintage clothes online so when Super+Super was formed we put our heads together and started doing fairs selling second hand clothes and handmade products.

What drew you to the Brighton area, if you are not a ‘native’?

Amy went to University in Brighton and is still here to this day and Claire moved to Brighton after going to university in Southampton. Both of us feel that it’s such a creative place to live and work and we couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. Although we would’t say no to an NYC HQ!

Any other crafty disciplines you like to practice?

We’ve tried everything once! We love learning new skills but our favourites are probably screen printing, macrame, embroidery and papercutting.

What inspires the things you make?

A lot of the products we make are all ones we want to wear ourselves. We find a lot of inspiration from learning new craft techniques, a new type of material and bright colours.

Personal motto?

Tea makes everything better.

‘Meet the Seller’: Rosy Appleton Woven

We are so excited to have Rosy Appleton with us selling her wonderfully unique products made from fabric woven by her own fair hands! Being involved in every step of the production of her product range is truly inspiring. Come and see her work on Saturday 29th November. 

Please introduce yourself….

Hello, I am Rosy from Rosy Appleton Woven, and I make woven things. I studied Textiles at De Montfort University and Winchester School of Art and fell in love with weaving. I liked the preciseness and technical limitations that you have to work around to get something new and interesting.

Describe the products you currently make to sell

My current collection of fabric is all woven with Shetland wool. It is really homely and comforting, very soft and comes in lots of colours. I make my fabric into fashion and home accessories, such as cushions, door stops, lavender bags, scarves, iPad cases and tote bags.

Where and when do you design and make your products?

I design and sample my fabrics on a table loom at home. I am the woven textiles technician at DMU, so over the summer on my days off I got to weave all my fabric on the bigger (and slightly faster!) looms. It was hard work. Since then I’ve been busy on my sewing machine making my products.

How long have you been selling your wares and how did it begin?

When I finished uni I really missed weaving so I bought myself a little loom with some money I inherited. I was living in a tiny flat at the time so I went for the smallest to fit it in. When I first had the idea of making and selling it was too difficult to keep up with production.

So now I have this job it’s perfect to fit in the extra work. And the benefit of working at a uni is fantastic for inspiration, the equipment and having lots of creative brains to pick!

What drew you to the Brighton to sell, if you are not a ‘native’?

After university I moved down to Brighton. My Mum and brother had already moved down and I had visited many times and loved it. I moved back up to Leicester when I was offered my job. I really miss the creative atmosphere and the amazing shops and bars and restaurants. So selling in Brighton is an excuse to soak it all up again.

Any other crafty disciplines you like to practice?

I like to try out all sorts of crafty things. I make some beaded jewelry, I dip dyed a duvet cover, Harris tweed cushions for my living room, anything really. I bake a lot too, if that counts?!

What inspires the things you make?

I tend to come across one thing or another that will spark off a chain of memories which I use as my inspiration. My current collection is inspired by childhood memories. I bought a skirt from Beyond Retro that reminded me of Licorice Allsorts, which reminded me of my Nana, which reminded me of other memories of being little and that started off the process for me.

Personal motto?

‘It is what it is.’ Weaving can be a very slow and at times a frustrating process. There’s no point in getting annoyed if you have to spend time fixing something, struggling with tension issues or rushing to a deadline, as it is what is and you just need to get on with it!

‘Meet the Seller’: Viktorija from Andsmile

I dare you to not find Viktorija from Andsmile‘s work adorable! With super affordable prices, these pieces of wearable art could tick many of your Christmas present boxes. On sale on Saturday 29th November. 

Please introduce yourself….

Hello, My name is Viktorija and I’m an illustrator and designer maker.

Describe the products you currently make to sell
I make quirky badges, earrings and necklaces, all based on my drawings and inspired by imaginary pet friends and popular culture.

Where and when do you design and make your products?

All products are designed and made in my London studio. And I think I design them all the time! 🙂

How long have you been selling your wares and how did it begin?

I’m selling my goods for over two years (soon will be three). It all started from an etsy shop and couple of postcards and an idea that I wanted to make wearable and usable art. So I tried making brooches and earrings and kept doing so since.

What drew you to Brighton, if you are not a ‘native’?

I’ve heard so many good things about Brighton Craftaganza and I met some of the Brighton makers at some other fairs and they all are such lovely people so I decided to try my luck at Brighton. Also any excuse to go to Brighton, such a beautiful place. 🙂

Any other crafty disciplines you like to practice?

I love crochet, I am not really good at it but I love it! 🙂

What inspires the things you make?

Usually it’s my favourite characters from tv shows and films and sometimes it’s stories from my life or my imaginary friends lives (like pandas and smoking squirrels).

Personal motto?

It will sound like a certain brand slogan but hey, DO IT 🙂 Whatever it is, whether there are doubts or confidence issues, or it’s “not good enough”, it’s an answer for a lot of questions. 🙂

‘Meet the Seller’: Anna Watson

If you can’t think of someone you know who like a piece of Anna Watson jewellery this Christmas, then I’m not sure you know enough people!!! On sale on Saturday 29th November, I’m having trouble deciding which is my favourite piece…

Please introduce yourself….

My name is Anna and I’m a jewellery Designer

Describe the products you currently make to sell

I make pendants, rings and small sculptures out of wood, plastic, brass, silver, copper and gold. I use clean forms and polished surfaces to reveal the qualities of the material, to catch the light and attract the eye. The pieces are highly tactile inviting the wearer to play and fiddle with them. They have also been designed to be displayed simply as objects on the mantle piece or on a shelf.

Where and when do you design and make your products?

I have a workshop in Brighton where I develop designs which generally emerge through the making process. At home, when I’m on the bus, walking and cycling I’m also designing and developing my ideas.

How long have you been selling your wares and how did it begin?

I studied 3d Design Materials Practice at the University of Brighton, since graduating in 2011 I’ve worked for other jewellers. I have had my workshop since graduation and am there most of the time, in this last year I’ve developed the business and am beginning to do more jewellery and craft shows, and provide work for various stockists.

What drew you to the Brighton area, if you are not a ‘native’?

I’m a native!

Any other crafty disciplines you like to practice?

I love all art and craft practices and try everything I can get my paws on! I spend time painting and drawing.

What inspires the things you make?

Films, books landscapes, people, holidays, places and spaces and the feelings and wonder they evoke.

Personal motto?

Don’t overthink things.

‘Meet the Seller’: Shelley and John from Snapdragon Designs

This crafty couple with be selling their awesome product ranges on Saturday 29th November at the Christmas Brighton Craftaganza. I can’t wait t check out their clever laser cut jewellery and beautiful notebooks.

Please introduce yourself….

Hello, we are Snapdragon Designs. A husband and wife team Shelley and John, from Kent. We met and Art college and gained degrees in Graphic Design from De Montfort University. Shelley has been a professional Book Binder for 10 years and John a Design and Technology teacher for 8.

Describe the products you currently make to sell

We make a range of unique and quirky acrylic jewellery influenced by fairy tales, stories and books alongside a range of handmade books and lasercut cards.

Where and when do you design and make your products?

Most of our designing and making is done in our tiny one bedroom flat, but thanks to John being the head of Design and Technology we also use his workshop space as a place to spread out. We are hoping to finally get a workshop of our own sometime in the near future.

How long have you been selling your wares and how did it begin?

We started selling my wares at small craft fairs and gradually making our way up to bigger and better things! It all began with me wanting to make pretty things so I started to make hand bound books from vintage fabrics and beautiful handmade papers. Then John made me a laser cut cat ring and it all grew from there.

What drew you to the Brighton area, if you are not a ‘native’?

Brighton has always been to us a haven for the creative and quirky, somewhere we have loved to visit, especially to amble around the Lanes shopping for the weird and wonderful. This made it an ideal destination for us to take our individual designs.

Any other crafty disciplines you like to practice?

Hmm lets see, I’m always trying out new things, depending on what mood I’m in! I’ve dabbled in marquetry, knitting, silversmithing and hat making to name but a few. Being a Design and Technology teacher, John, gets to play at new things everyday with a variety of materials! Often is the phrase “look what I made” uttered as he walks through the door.

What inspires the things you make?

All sorts really, I used to read a lot when commuting to London everyday and the type of books I read always had an element of fairytale to them.

Personal motto?

Shelley: Right, we need to make . . .
John: Yes Dear.

‘Meet the Seller’: Vicky from Woah there Pickle

Vicky will be returning to sell at Brighton Craftaganza on both days (29th & 30th November) this year. I have no idea why we haven’t interviewed her previously, but today I’m making amends. Let’s hear about the lovely lady behind the awesome lino-cut designs…. 

Please introduce yourself….

Ello! I’m Vicky and I make all sorts of linocut bits and bobs as Woah there Pickle.

Describe the products you currently make to sell:

I hand carve and print linocuts which form the basis for all of my products but these range from original prints and cards to badges, tea towels and now Christmas decorations as well. There’s normally lots of colour or bold typography and hopefully subjects that bring a smile to people faces.

Where and when do you design and make your products?

I do all my printing at home on my kitchen table, that’s one of the things I love about linocutting, you can do it anywhere. You can find me printing at pretty much any time of day as well. There’s something very relaxing about sitting down at the end of the day and carving out a new block. I just know that if I start stabbing myself it’s probably time for bed!

How long have you been selling your wares and how did it begin?

I studied Graphic Design at Uni but never did a whole lot with it, I was much more interested in commercial print and printmaking. Then, just before moving to Brighton I went to America for a few months and on a bit of road trip went to visit one of the oldest letterpress print shops in the country, Hatch Show Print. It was seeing how they incorporated hand carved blocks into their archive of moveable type that made me think that actually that bit doesn’t really need much set up or equipment at all. So as soon as I got back I started linocut printmaking. That was in 2009 and I’ve been obsessively printing ever since.

What drew you to the Brighton area (either to live or to sell, interpret as you like), if you are not a ‘native’?

I was living in Kingston after going to Uni there and came on a few weekend visits to Brighton, just to the beach and a wander around the shops. I knew it would be an awesome place to live so eventually moved and I love it here. The sea is right there, there’s so much going on and it’s full of all sorts of weird and wonderful people. Not to mention it’s just a great place to be if you do anything artistic or creative.

Any other crafty disciplines you like to practice?

I’m also a bit of a crochet fiend. My mum taught me a few years ago when I wanted to make a baby blanket for a friend and I was hooked (as they say – boom boom!). I’ve recently been trying amigurumi which is so much fun because once you have the basic stitches down you can make anything you can imagine!

What inspires the things you make?

Anything and everything that will make me smile. Nostalgia, quirky objects, funny sayings and things from places I’ve been all feature in my prints. Humor is very important in the work that I do and I know that if I pull back the paper on the final colour I’m printing and it makes me laugh, I’ve done a good job.

Personal motto?

That’s a tricky one but there’s one thing that I’m sure will end up on a print one day and is a popular sign in the bars in New Orleans – Be Nice or Leave!

‘Meet the Seller’: Amalia from Linescapes

If you are looking for a gift for an architecture loving person, then stop your search right this second and make sure you are at the Christmas Brighton Craftaganza craft market on Sunday 30th November.  The detailed, high quality illustrative work by Linescapes will fill that Christmas stocking perfectly! 

Please introduce yourself….

Hi, I’m Amalia, a free-lance designer with over 20 year experience in Spain, the UK and USA and the creative brain behind Linescapes. After training in Architecture and obtaining a Masters Degree at the Royal College of Art, I recently gave up my free-lance job in architecture in order to dedicate my full attention to developing Linescapes into a successful brand.

Describe the products you currently make to sell

With the CAD software I used in my professional life, I create colourful illustrations of objects I find interesting like vintage cameras. I also enjoy creating abstract patterns inspired by architecture and detailed drawings of well-known buildings. The latter is my current focus and I intend to continue developing collections of buildings around the UK and further afield as well as taking commissions like a recent house portrait and a drawing of Sydney Opera House.

Where and when do you design and make your products?

After moving to Brighton ten months ago, I refurbished my flat extensively in order to create a larger spare room that I could use as my studio. Originally my husband and I used to work together but as I started expanding the brand, he’s been forced to work in the main bedroom so I can make room for my paper trimmer, computer, materials, etc. (bless his heart…)

How long have you been selling your wares and how did it begin?

I started painting furniture and boxes 25 years ago in Spain but got side tracked by my studies and my job. It was only three years ago that my husband encouraged me to start painting again which I did with a vengeance! In the meantime, I started creating the vintage camera collection which sold very well and since then the illustrations and stationery work has taken over the paintings as my main activity.

What drew you to the Brighton area, if you are not a ‘native’?

I have wanted to move to Brighton for years now but it was only when I was made redundant last year and went free-lance that we decided to take the plunge and move. I love the architecture, the friendly people, creative atmosphere and general laid back attitude. I can’t imagine living anywhere else anymore!

Any other crafty disciplines you like to practice?

My hand painted products are still in the background but lately I have been too busy with my illustrations to dedicate to it the time I’d like to. I also make notebooks with beautiful materials for covers. All my work can bee seen on my website, www.linescapes.co.uk.

I’m planning to showcase all of my work when I open my flat during the Open House in December with 4 four other artists which is very exciting! Keep an eye on the Artists Open House website for details (www.aoh.org.uk)

What inspires the things you make?

My eclectic style is inspired mainly by the aesthetics of the Mid Century and Bauhaus movements, beautiful product design, and an obsession with stationery (and Pinterest!). This, and my experience as an architect, has resulted in the strong sense of colour, shapes and graphics evident in my products.

Personal motto?

Follow your dream. Simple…. :o)

‘Meet the Seller’: Jake McCombe Jewellery

If you’re looking for The Special Gift this Christmas, or even fancy treating yourself to something amazing, I think I know just the jeweller for you! Jake will he selling his amazing contemporary jewellery on both days (29th & 30th November) at the Christmas Brighton Craftaganza at Fabrica. 

Please introduce yourself….

My name is Jake McCombe. I am a jewellery designer / maker base in Brighton. I set up Jake McCombe Jewellery a year ago.

Describe the products you currently make to sell

I design and make gold plated jewellery that is both classic looking and minimal in design. I also have a range of acrylic, wood and silver jewellery that takes inspiration from Japaneses traditional patterns. For Craftaganze November 2014 I will be selling a mixture of both ranges with some new piece made especially for the event.

Where and when do you design and make your products?

I have ideas for jewellery designs at different times and places, I have a note book that I carry with me so I can write and sketch them down at any time, then enhance the ideas when I’m ready. I have a bench at home so most of my work is done there, very handy.

How long have you been selling your wares and how did it begin?

I studied jewellery design at Middlesex University then worked for established jewellery designers in London for a few years. I started to make my own jewellery to sell about three years ago, and I’ve had my own brand for just over a year.

What drew you to the Brighton area, if you are not a ‘native’?

I’d always wanted to live in Brighton and finally the opportunity presented itself, since then I’ve made it my home. I love living by the see and find its a great creative hub.

What drew you to the Brighton area, if you are not a ‘native’?

I also run projects under the name SuperAwesomeProductions, we design and make art installations for festivals and event. The last pieces was a swing that had a glitter shower, lights and flowers attached that was hung from a tree near the main stage at ‘Secret Garden Party’ music festival.

What inspires the things you make?

My work is inspired by many different things, recently I have been looking at technical diagrams from the 1950s of mathematical shapes and symbols, beautifully hand drawn and ordered.

Personal motto?

Push your ideas, strive for the best, go for it!