Meet the Maker - Katie Almond, ceramicist.

Another workshop to whet your creative appetite.  This time from ceramicist Katie Almond in Rutland.

Since graduating five years ago, Katie has set up her own workshop in Rutland making ceramics using a variety of slip casting and hand-building techniques.  Each piece is essentially a canvas for decoration and collage as she combines drawings with found ephemera.  "I am inspired by nostalgia, old paper ephemera, vintage textiles and a love of drawing."  

She transfers old envelopes, bus tickets, seed packets and magazine adverts unearthed in charity shops and car boots sales on to her hand-painted porcelain jugs, cups, cakes stands and brooches.  

The mass of handwritten receipts, savings books and postcards she acquired from her grandmother has been a constant source of inspiration.  “Reading through them is fascinating.  One receipt from 1951 just have been when she was out buying presents for my mum, aunt and uncle.  I love being able to add a personal touch to my work.”

"The pieces I create are unique, one-offs that explore a variety of nostalgic themes that I am always adding to. Currently my themes are; the notions of afternoon tea, ‘Oh I do like to be beside the seaside’, gardening and flowers, and traditional blue and white pottery."

Katie is another artist exhibiting at Unit Twelve alongside Kirsty Elson in the 'madebyhandonline' exhibition and she also supplies galleries and shops both in the UK and internationally as well as regularly attending craft fairs.

And of course, you'll be keen to know more about the workshops she runs at Debbie Bryan's studio in Nottingham which include courses in the art of  brooch, tile, card and bead making.  These are all on offer in the coming weeks, with the added incentive of homemade cake and tea thrown in! Ideal for hen parties, birthdays or just to vent your creative bent, you can find out more from her website. 

And don't forget if you can't get to Nottingham, do try to search for something similar in your area and let us know how you get on.  We'd love to see the fruits of your labour.

And my tenuous link for the day - I guess it would have to be my pottery, as featured on our vintage inspired aprons!  Take a look on the website if you fancy something to keep you tidy as you bake (or even wear one for your ceramic sessions!)

www.cobwebknits.co.uk