In this sparkling summer show, fourteen members of the highly regarded Hampshire and Berkshire Guild present fresh work. Ranging in scale from contemporary domestic furniture to precious jewellery and exquisite enamelled silver pieces, the exhibition highlights the excellence of design and execution that is the guild’s hallmark.

Soft and tactile woven rugs and blankets, luminous kiln-formed glass, floating printed silks and crisp linens, plus a range of ceramics from fluently painted tin glazed ware to handbuilt smoke-fired vessels all demonstrate the high ambition and honed skills of the exhibiting artists.

The exhibition opens on Saturday May 24th and runs daily from Tues to Sat until Saturday 21st June, 10am-5pm. Entry is free.

The purpose-built and light-filled exhibition space at these beautiful gardens allows members to show their work at its best. Life-enhancing craft from handwoven rugs to luminous glass will be on show alongside unique jewellery, beautifully crafted tableware and statement ceramics and furniture destined to become heirloom pieces.

With the cafe beside it and the nationally important arboretum a few steps away, there couldn’t be a better prospect than a wander amongst the trees, an opportunity to soak up the creativity of some of the south’s most accomplished makers, perhaps rounded off by lunch or tea in the courtyard.

Jennie Gilbert is hosting her 30th Christmas Open Studio, with special guests blacksmith Paul Smith and sculptor Elaine Peto.

Open for two weekends, 10am - 4pm each day, here’s an opportunity for original Christmas shopping in a relaxed atmosphere in Jennie’s beautiful pottery studio at Fifield Bavant, Broad Chalk, West Wiltshire. With mulled wine and mince pies, it’s worth a visit!

www.jenniegilbert.com

Kathryn Green creates multi-layered textiles using a rich palette of techniques to achieve her complex, shimmering pieces. Having obtained a first-class degree in textiles, she went on to qualify as a tutor, taught in further & higher education for several years and now teaches regularly from her studio and various other venues. Since graduating Kathryn has continued to develop her approach to textiles, specialising in textile print and dye processes. 

This workshop will explore the use of procion dyes for screenprinting and mark-making on cloth. Through the exploration and experimentation of a range of processes you will develop an understanding of layering and colour mixing, pattern and surface texture.

You will create a series of samples and fabric pieces that will form a reference library for future experiments and create starting points for your personal creative development. Using a silk screen as the main medium, you will explore how to build up surface texture and layers of colour by printing with a variety of techniques and temporary resists, including breakdown printing onto fabric.

You can find further details and book on to Kathryn’s course here.

After missing out last year, we are finally going to be back at the wonderful Hillier’s Arboretum, near Romsey, Hampshire.

‘Explore Making : Contemporary Craft’ is the title of the show and Guild members will be on hand to demonstrate and explain the skilful processes involved in transforming wood, clay, textile, glass and metal into fine pieces of crafted art.

https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/hilliergardens/whatson/Explore-MakingMay22

Please do join us for a glass of wine at our Opening Evening on Friday, 29th October from 5-7pm or any time over the weekend.

The Guild, plus guests, will be back in Stockbridge at the lovely Town Hall.

Stockbridge Town Hall

An Aladdin's Cave of beautiful handmade things... perfectly timed to dodge the usual High Street offerings and choose genuinely creative and individual treasures direct from their makers.

The Guild benchmarks are originality and quality, and you'll find unique examples here of gorgeous, covetable jewellery, heirloom furniture, fabulous sculpture and designer-made ceramics to add joy to all seasons of the year.

Come along to find truly thoughtful presents for friends and family, or to drop a hint to your beloved with yourself in mind!

This weekend!  Once again the Guild of Craftsmen of Hampshire and Berkshire will be exhibiting in Odiham's Cross Barn (just 5 minutes from junction 5 of the M3) from 10-5pm on Saturday 22nd and 10-4 on Sunday 23rd November.  

Odiham's historic Cross Barn provides a fabulous backdrop to modern makers' work. Up to the minute ideas sit comfortably in an ancient building, united by ingenuity and a timeless fascination and understanding of materials.

Individually the guild's members exhibit at prestigious shows nationwide, and this is a great opportunity to see and buy some of the best of contemporary craft closer to home.

There will be a variety of beautiful, hand made craft objects available for visitors to purchase and to commission. There will be elegant calligraphy; ceramics for house and garden; smart leather work; a variety of wooden furniture and decorative items; precious and not-so-precious jewellery and some inspiring metal animals as well. The textiles are in different forms, quilted, woven, tufted and crocheted, some in soft fabrics but also harder materials made into rural baskets, trugs and garden decorations. There will be objects that you need, want or that you can just play with! Ideal for Christmas presents too.

To sustain us throughout the weekend we will enjoy the delicious catering of Kathryn Ball,  who we are delighted to welcome back for a second year. 

Do come along and see the show, enjoy the refreshments and take the opportunity to buy something for yourself, friends, loved ones. We look forward to seeing you there.

Attractive new space in the centre of Stockbridge.   Janie Bates, who seeks out antique silver and exotic beads from Africa and the Middle East to create lovely pieces of jewellery, joins Guild members for the weekend.