Made in Bristol Designer-Maker Gift Guide

To celebrate our tenth birthday we are giving you the gift of ideas! To assist your planning for the festive gift-giving season we have created a gift guide showcasing designer-makers from across our fair city. Peruse our 2018 Made in Bristol Gift Guide here.

We believe shopping local & handmade is super important for our society, culture and economy. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Handmade is forever. In a time when so many purchases are disposable buying a quality handcrafted object you love and will treasure is better for the environment (and your soul!)

2. Buying handmade supports real local people and keeps your hard-earned money in the economy where you live. Good for your community, good for you.

3. Buying handmade keep authentic craft skills and traditions alive, preserving skills that can be passed to future generations.

4. Handmade celebrates people, history, personal expression, diversity and the magic of imagination. Amazing! 

Rose Nisbet's expressive range of painted ceramic tableware with gold lustre

In our first ever Gift Guide we have four specially curated sections for you to discover: ceramics, jewellery, homeware and textiles. Our featured ceramicists include the playful Rose Nisbet  - who you can read more about here in our new series of our popular ‘Meet the Maker’ posts.

Sonya Bennett's jewellery is steeped in the folklore of our native countryside

We've showcased a diverse sparkle (we just made this collective noun up, you get the idea) of jewellers in our Gift Guide including Bianca Rose Wood and Sonya Bennett, who, alongside hundreds of talented makers, are both taking part in our tenth Made in Bristol Gift Fair series at Colston Hall.

Will Priestley's traditionally hand-carved wooden spoons

Representing just some of the designers creating with our homes in mind discover illustrator Hannah Broadway, woodcarver Will Priestley and sustainable homeware champion Priormade in our Gift Guide (who has a crowdfunder running to launch her very own workshop / shop in Old Market, Bristol with some great bargains for supporters.)

Priormade's colourful wooden planters

From the elegance of Amber Hards knitwear to the fun functionality of Ceridwen Hazelchild’s  creations we have curated a range of textile designers aimed to delight and inspire. Find them all here.

Amber Hards' luxurious knitwear is inspired by rock strata

So Shop Local this Christmas! We are very lucky to have such amazing access to the plethora of creative talent working in our city - from art trails, artist-led shops and big showcase events, like our Gift Fairs, you can easily shop directly from designer-makers. Nothing beats strolling through a market or fair and meeting the creator of the exact unique “something” you didn’t even know you were looking for. You can discover how that gift was made and the creator learned the necessary skills. Also, in our opinion, giving something handmade has more meaning - you are telling the recipient just how special and unique they are. Yay!

Ceridwen Hazelchild's textile designs are inspired by flora and fauna

We believe collaboration is the key to success and we couldn't have put this guide together without the support of some pretty talented people. Yes, we’re talking about you Jo Hounsome Photography and you, Fable Media, and yes, thank you to all at Bristol 24/7 for hosting and supporting our very first Gift Guide. 

Read More »

2016 Gift Fair - Save The Dates!

Calling local artists, designers & makers....

Not wanting to make you run for the hills, it's only June after all, but we are very happy to announce the dates for our annual Gift Fair, which will be held, once again, at the resplendent Colston Hall.

This year the Made in Bristol Gift Fair will be held on 4 dates:

Saturday 26 November 

Saturday 3 December 

Saturday 10 December 

Sunday 11 December 

Building on last years success we know 2016 is going to be fantastic and therefore if you create locally (Bristol, Bath and beyond) we would love to hear from you. So please put these dates in your diary & do get in touch if you would like to receive an application form (in a couple of weeks time.)

Read More »

Christmas with Made in Bristol - Part 2

Hello - It must officially be 'that' time of year as Saturday (28 Nov) sees the dawn of our first festive Made in Bristol Gift Fair at Colston Hall. So embrace the crisp chilly mornings - it's the season of twinkling lights, mulling & caroling and begin your Christmas shopping in comfort & style.

Have you entered our competition to win £75 to spend at our Gift Fair on the 12 & 13 Dec yet? All you have to do is name Joric's (our bear friend) cub. Enter here & share to get more guesses.

Here is a (very small) taste of what is to come....

Fawn Necklace - Forest and Fawn

Bottle Vases - Boop Design

Flight Coaster Set - Sky Siouki

Rolling Ball Ring - Anna Brimley

Bridge Coaster Pair - Lucie Sheridan & Made in Bristol

Seasonal Best Calendar - Studio Scrase

Walnut & Silver Leaf Pendant - Little Red Apple

Read More »

Christmas with Made in Bristol - Part 1

Hello - Made in Bristol have a jam packed Christmas calendar for you to enjoy this year. Our resplendent Gift Fair kicks off next Saturday but first up is our new event - The Print Show - tomorrow (Sunday 22 November) at Colston Hall.

The Print Show will showcase the very best local printmakers, each with a host of different styles and techniques for you to enjoy. Our one day festive extravaganza is the perfect opportunity to buy original, affordable prints for your home or as a unique Christmas gift. See you there!

Here are are a few previews:

Excelsior - Simon Tozer

A Little Grizzly - Charlotte Farmer

Cardoon Seed Head - Hannah McVicar

Read More »

Shaun in the City Artist - Bett Norris

With the hugely popular Shaun in the City trail coming to an end next week we got in touch with Bett Norris to find out more about her amazing nature themed Shaun 'RAM-BLE'.

Please can you introduce yourself....

My name is Bett Norris and I work as an illustrator. I studied illustration at UWE and I’m now based in The Pithay studios in the city centre. When I’m not painting sheep I create work for magazines, packaging, greetings cards, logos and animations.

How did you design your Shaun?
The inspiration for my design came from the parks and green spaces here in Bristol. I also wanted to show how diverse Bristol is so I filled my park with different sorts of people. Painting my Shaun was a challenge as I’m used to working digitally - but I enjoyed every minute of it. The path was the hardest bit as it needed lots of coats of paint - it took me about three days in total. I worked alongside other artists at the Shaun in the City painting space, that was great as there were always people around to offer advice if need be!

Where is your Shaun located?

My Shaun is located on The Downs, on the corner of Roman Road and Westbury road. I knew it would probably be in a green space but I never expected such a great location. 

Why did you want to get involved with the 'Shaun in the City' project?

I knew a couple of artists who had painted the ‘Gromit Unleashed’ sculptures back in 2013 and saw what joy it brought to people in the city. It also looked like a a lot of fun! When I heard about ‘Shaun in the City’ I submitted a design and was lucky enough to get selected.

What is your favourite design?

My favourite design is Martyna Zoltaszek’s ‘Shaun of the Jungle’  I was a fan of her work before I met her and actually have a couple of her prints. I was painting at the same time as her in the painting space and her design is truly a work of art - it’s beautifully painted. I can’t wait to see it at home in the botanical gardens. 

Which neighbourhood do you call home?

I live on the edge St. Andrews near the park which is lovely this time of year. I normally wander down Gloucester road at the weekend; There are so many great charity shops and excellent  places for fruit and veg. I also like Street Food for affordable Thai food and The Gallimaufry for a pint!  

Wow thanks Bett, such a interesting and fitting design especially for Bristol's year as European Green Capital! 

Read More »

Shaun in the City Artist - Paula Bowles

It’s time for another Shaun in the City artist interview, this time we met Paula Bowles who painted the colourful 'A Sheep's Eye View' Shaun. With such intricate detail you really need to get out there and find Paula's creation, it really stands out from the flock!

Please can you introduce yourself and tell us about your work?

I graduated from Falmouth College of Arts in 2005, and now live and work in Bristol, UK. I work primarily in children’s publishing. My first picture book title with Bloomsbury Publishing, London, was published in 2014, called 'Little Lou and the Woolly Mammoth'. In 2013 I was one of 70 artists chosen to paint a giant Gromit, as part of the ‘Gromit Unleashed’ trail. When I'm not drawing and painting, I can be found swing dancing, cycling or tinkling the ivories on the studio piano.
How did you design your Shaun?

I designed my Shaun with pencil on paper using an outline of the 'Shaun shape'. I then drew my design freehand on to the Shaun sculpture, erasing and adjusting parts as I went, sometimes painting over parts I wasn't happy with. It was very much a hands-on painterly approach! My Shaun is inspired by Bristol landmarks, turning it in to a 'toy town'.

Where is your Shaun located?

Outside the Clifton Observatory.

What is your favourite design (aside from yours!)

I really like 'Beach Boy' and 'Woolly Wonderland'!

Where is your favourite Summer spot in Bristol?

Sat on the wall by the harbour outside the Arnolfini

Which neighbourhood do you call home & why do you enjoy about living there?

I moved to Clifton recently and am still getting to know it. But I'm really enjoying being close to the Downs and to Leigh Woods!
Tell us about an upcoming exhibition or a project you are you currently working on? 

I am currently working on new picture book stories, including a book inspired by the 'Bristol giants' myth. I am also taking part in a group exhibition of children's illustrators in Bath, during the 'Bath Kids Literature Festival' during September/October.

Wow Paula thanks! It takes some talent to paint a Shaun so well, it really is a an amazing piece of art! This is not one to miss so look out for ' A Sheep's Eye View' on the Shaun trail!

Read More »

Shaun in the City Artist - Simon Tozer

Simon's raspberry inspired Shaun 'Jarsberry Ram' has really pipped the other sheep to the post this year! Having already having painted a delicious strawberry themed Gromit, aka Gromberry, in 2013 he's a dab hand at this now. Let's find out a little more about Simon and his beautiful Shaun....

Please can you introduce yourself and tell us about your work?

My name is Simon Tozer, and l am a printmaker. I make my own screenprints, and sometimes print for other people. I do some illustration, and teach screen printing from my workshop at Centrespace, just off Corn Street.

What was your inspiration when designing your Shaun?

When l saw the unpainted Shaun sculpture, the word 'raspberry' appeared in my brain almost immediately. I painted Gromberry, the strawberry Gromit for the Gromit Unleashed Trail in 2013, so from strawberry to Raspberry wasn’t much of a leap of the imagination.

Where is your Shaun located?

Outside The Pumphouse on the Harbourside.

What is your favourite design (aside from yours!)

It has to be Shaun on the Cob.  My wife painted it but that's not why l'm saying it - it's really good.

If you could change one thing for the better in the city what would it be?

I'd build a public lido in the centre of town. Maybe in that pointless roundabout where the war memorial is, although that might be too small. But open air public swimming - why does bristol not already have this? And pedalos in the harbour!

The Bristol 2015 tagline is "initforgood". What are you "initfor" in 2015? 

l have a half allotment in St Werburghs and l'm init quite a lot, hopefully for good.

Tell us about an upcoming exhibition or a project you are you currently working on? 

I'm currently working on some prints on a bit of a maritime theme for Heals.

Thanks Simon, some great ideas there i'm sure we'd all love a pedalo around the stunning harbour! Make sure to look out for 'Jasberry Ram' along the Harbourside! 

Read More »

2015 Gift Fair - Save The Dates!

Calling all artists, designers & makers....

Can you actually believe it?  There are just 5 months until the busy time in all our creative calendars.  Not wanting to make you run for the hills, it's only July after all, but we are very happy to announce the dates for our Christmas Gift Fair, which is held annually at the resplendent Colston Hall.

This year the Made in Bristol Gift Fair will be held on 4 dates: 

Saturday 28 November 

Saturday 5 December 

Saturday 12 December 

Sunday 13 December 

Building on last years success we know 2015 is going to be fantastic and we hope you can join us.  So please put these dates in your diary & in September we will be taking applications for the event. (Watch this space for more info soon!) 

Now let's take a quick look back on last year's tasty & profitable (so you told us) Gift Fair:

Read More »

The Affordable Art Fair comes to Bristol

This weekend sees the annual Affordable Art Fair return to Bristol.  On the 19th - 21st September in it's usual home at the Brunel's Old Station, Temple Meads, the fair is a fantastic chance to browse, buy and enjoy contemporary art.  55 galleries from both the local area and nationwide will showcase a range of paintings, original prints, sculpture and photography.  With pieces priced between £40 to £4,000, there is something for everyone.

Many Bristol based artists will have their work exhibited there.  Artists including Charles Emerson, Tim Lane, Emma Dibben (who has had her beautiful illustrations in our Made in Britain shop - including the beetroots above) and Dorcas Casey.   

South West-based galleries at the fair include Lime Tree Gallery, See No Evil, Bristol Contemporary Art, Leonora Martin, Paragon Gallery, Churchgate Gallery, and Wychwood Art. 

We at MIB HQ love to visit the fair, it's a fantastic chance to see a broad range of contemporary artwork all under one roof.  For more information please visit their website.

Read More »

The Folksy workshop is coming to Bristol

Have you ever wanted to expand your business to a global scale or learn how to get your brand noticed? Well the team at Folksy might have the answers.

Next week, Folksy CEO James Boardwell and Head of Content Camilla Westergaard, will be in Bristol for a one-day workshop on the 18th September.  They are inviting local artists and makers to join them to learn how to create a micro-global business. 

The workshop is designed as a hands-on day, where you will learn the theory behind building a successful brand and understand how you can apply those ideas to your own creative business. It’s aimed at people who are either starting out or plan to start a business in design, craft or art.  Topics will include:  branding, business models, product decisions, storying your work, getting seen on and offline & social media.

For more information & tickets for the event, please head over to the Folksy blog. 

We will be there for part of the day too.... more on that next week.

Read More »

Bristol Balloon Fiesta - and our love of balloons

Print by Fiona Clabon

This weekend sees the annual Bristol Balloon Fiesta, with thousands of visitors flocking to Ashton Court Estate to see the balloons, the glow and other spectacular events.

Bristol and balloons go hand in hand, and many of our artists and makers use them as inspiration in their work. It's not surprising really as if you live in Bristol, during the Summer months, a balloon or two will always make an appearance.

Balloon brooches by Lucie Ellen

If you, like many, woke early this morning to see the mass ascent of hundreds of balloons filling the skies, you will probably have fallen for their charms.  Why not, this weekend, pop (no pun intended) into Cabots Circus and visit our pop-up shops for some balloon inspired jewellery and artwork.

Made in Bristol Mugs

For beautiful locally made homewares, jewellery and more - head down to our shops in Quakers Friars, Cabot Circus - open throughout the Balloon Fiesta weekend.

Paper Scissors Stone & Made in Britain

Quakers Friars

Cabot Circus

Bristol

Mon - Sat: 10am - 6pm

Sun:  11am - 5pm

Read More »

Hugo Grenville School of Painting

If you have a yearning to paint like a master, hone your skills or try something new, then this could be for you. In September 2014, The Grenville School of Painting will open in Bristol. 

Founded by Hugo Grenville, who is regarded by many as one of the country’s best teachers of painting, the course offers a unique one-day-a-week programme of drawing, painting and printmaking in the context of vital and relevant areas of art history, from the early Renaissance to 20th-Century modernism. 

Hugo Grenville is a well-known painter with an international reputation, and a past as colourful as his paintings. With 20 solo shows under his belt at major galleries in London, New York and Palm Beach, Hugo has forged an enviable reputation as one of the country’s leading colourist painters, resulting in invitations to lecture and teach from institutions such as Falmouth School of Art and the V&A Museum.  His fabric designs were included in the Liberty’s Spring/Summer Collection of 2011. He also writes regularly for The Artist magazine. 

The course is open to beginners as well as those wishing to move their practice forward. Hugo now lives in Bristol and following the success of his school in Suffolk, has decided to open the Grenville School of Painting in a beautiful studio off the Gloucester Road. 

Commenting on the new course, Hugo Grenville says, ‘Providing the desire and interest exists, everyone can express him or herself in paint. The object of the course is to teach every student how to develop a distinct voice with which to express his or her thoughts, feelings and ideas’. 

For more information on the courses available please see the Hugo Grenville website.

Read More »

I will always have you - Knowle West Media Centre

Nowadays, most people have a tattoo somewhere, whether hidden beneath clothes or a full sleeve of colourful designs proudly on display.  Tattoos have been around for generations and now Knowle West Media Centre are launching an exciting project called 'I will always have you', exploring the rich tattoo culture of Knowle West.  We caught up with Melissa Mean, centre producer, to find out more about the project and the call out for collaboration with local artists...

Please can you introduce yourself and tell about what you do.

My name is Melissa Mean and I'm a producer at Knowle West Media Centre. I run the art programme here, looking after all the commissions, exhibitions and residencies.

Can you tell us a little about the Knowle West Media Centre? 

Knowle West Media Centre is a digital arts charity and I'm really delighted that just yesterday we won another 3 years funding from the Arts Council as an NPO (National Portfolio of Arts Organisations) to support our work. We think of ourselves as a living lab, experimenting with new ideas, technologies and seeing what happens when you get them out in the real world with real people. We work a lot with different communities and a whole range of artists, filmmakers, live performers, photographers, makers and like exploring new ideas that might make a difference to people's lives.

Can you tell us more about the project 'I will always have you'?

I Will Always Have You is about the rich tattoo culture of Knowle West. 1 in 5 adults in the UK now has a tattoo and we're scratching below the surface to understand its growing popularity- why people are increasingly turning themselves into walking works of art. We've got a mobile tattoo parlour that is out touring the neighbourhood touring the neighbourhood collecting people's tattoos and stories behind them, and we are working with artists Stand & Stare and Play Nicely to turn those stories into an exhibition and online gallery. 

Why tattoos?

With tattoos people are telling an illustrated story of themselves- the tattoos hold fond memories, lost loves, raw regrets, and hopes for our better selves. Tattoos are a really fascinating way to explore ourselves and share really interesting stuff. 

We hear you are on the look out for local artists/makers to join you. Can you tell us about that?

I'm really excited about the next part of the project- taking some of those tattoos and amazing stories and turning them into 3D objects of desire- like jewellery wallpaper, dress fabric- you name it- anything you can do with a 3D printer, laser cutter etc. We are looking for local artists and makers to work with local people to create some amazing objects, that can go onto be sold in shops and markets. We are looking for experienced artists/makers in different disciplines, such as fashion & textiles, graphics & print, product design and jewellery 

The deadline is pretty close, when do they need to apply?

We are recruiting this July- we've extended the deadline to Wednesday 9th july at 10am. full details are here: and on our website or get in touch with me on: melissa.mean@kwmc.org.uk

Thank you Melissa, the project looks set to be an interesting one. For more information on the project or if you are interested in applying please do get in touch with Melissa.

Read More »