National Maker Directory

Whilst studying for my degree in Norway my main Ceramics tutor told us not to attempt using the potter’s wheel during our studies as he insisted the course did not allow us enough hours practice to master the craft. Being a typical student, I felt extremely provoked by this statement. Determined to prove him wrong […]

I design and craft wooden geared pendulum clocks to commission. I use various species of timber including walnut, oak, sycamore among others. My designs are a contemporary take on the traditional weight driven clock and showcase the movement of all of the clock parts. I like to incorporate various themes in to the head of the pendulum. For example my nautical clock highlights an intarsia square rigger ship and my most recent clock design incorporates a relief family coat of arms to produce a unique family heirloom. Creating something that is finely crafted, durable and unique is important to me as a maker.
My training is in both visual arts and engineering. I use traditional woodworking techniques plus woodturning, wood carving and intarsia as part of my craft.

After graduating in 2013 with a first class BA(Hons) Jewellery and Silversmithing from Plymouth College of Art, Tracey set up her studio near Fowey in Cornwall and since then has exhibited and supplied galleries throughout the UK. Her work explores the concepts of adornment and its value in terms of reinvention by reclaiming scrap silver. […]

TreeFall Design was created by British designer, Manda McGrory. Following an unusual career path that includes running away with the circus, training as a carpenter and working as a bank manager, Manda discovered her true passion for all things textile whilst expecting her first daughter in 2004. An interest in traditional quilting led to a passion for […]

I am a self taught artist, and took up painting again upon moving to Devon 12 years ago, slowly building up my business around working as a teacher and bringing up my family. My main inspiration is trees and I add words and messages that are ‘hidden’ within the branches. These words are intended to be inspirational and/or spiritual in nature and often reflect seasons and celebrations. A few years ago, I had the idea to combine my artwork with my other love – collecting vintage jewellery and antique lockets – to create miniatures that also include special words highlighted in gold. Alongside these, I also create miniatures of wildlife and plants. My pendants tend to be rolled gold or silver, and are hung from vintage necklaces and antique ribbon. I have also continued creating larger paintings, which have included commissions and designs for wedding stationery.

Turnaround – Ian Banstead’s World of Woodturning offers bespoke, unique and handcrafted woodturning by a visually impaired woodturner. A qualified electrician for nearly 10 years before losing my sight, I started a woodturning course with the RNIB which sadly was brought to an abrupt end when the premises closed. I was very fortunate to then meet retired professional woodturner Dick Waller, who as well as transforming my skill and enjoyment in woodturning designed some special chisels to allow me to cut various patterns and shapes. I am open to commissions: please visit my website via the link below for details of these and the many pieces I have turned to date.

I work using semi precious stones and polymer clay to make my jewellery. The pieces I create are simple, stylish and affordable.  My polymer clay pieces are mini pieces of art, they are all one of a kind and very individual.

I studied for a BA HONS in Textile design at Nottingham Trent, specialising in knitwear, and started making jewellery after creating a gift for a friend – who then got asked where she got it from and Twisted Designs jewellery was born!

I find inspiration from all aspects of life. I love colour, texture and form. I find many of the stones I use inspirational, the colours and simply because of the amazing way they are formed by nature. Unique in every way.

Inspired by the UK’s Industrial heritage, Lynn loves reconnecting with the craftsmen of the past and ensuring their stories aren’t lost by upcycling their work and repurposing it. She enjoys the process of unearthing pottery shards, sea glass and iron ore slag and researching their story – How did it get here? Who made it? Each piece comes with the provenance Lynn has been able to uncover, connecting you to the land and history of the shard.

Unearthed by Lynn forges an eclectic union of new and old, as well as raising awareness to reducing our footprint on the planet. She uses non-toxic, food-grade chemicals during the silversmithing process; she sources recycled eco silver for creating her jewellery; and utilises recycled and biodegradable materials for her packaging.

Designer jewellery and tableware, handmade in our studio in the heart of Berkshire. Our ALLORA jewellery collection is inspired by the subtle details found in Italian architecture and décor, observed during Louise Vaessen-Walker’s travels throughout Italy. ALLORA signifies a purity of line and shape, alongside elements of subtle movement, creating an elegant and contemporary collection. The ALLORA collection is handmade in recycled silver, gold vermeil and available to order in Fairtrade gold, and is boxed in our branded eco-packaging.

Our brand ethos is of high quality, handcrafted and innovative designs that express themes of minimal aesthetics and perceived ambiguity, whilst pushing the boundaries of processes and techniques, and using recycled and responsibly sourced materials.

VanillaKiln is a studio boutique with porcelain jewellery and ceramics by artisan Jude Winnall. Everything is individually and skillfully hand crafted in a fusion of sculptural form and innovative design.

The main jewellery collection is an evolving one inspired by an affinity with fabric. Lined in a glossy celadon blue glaze, the range is reminiscent of fresh white linen featuring gathers, rolls and folds.

The ceramics are equally artistic with freeform, contemporary styling. There are lots of beautiful and useful pieces in store with the option of some superb gift packaging. If you love to give, browse the VanillaKiln boutique where you will be spoilt for choice.

I create stained glass pieces, with painted details and images. I use traditional techniques to create either small panels, or full size windows, made from pieces of coloured glass in a lead framework. My inspiration is the natural world around me – plants, trees, birds, fish and animals, set in local or imagined landscapes. I’m always happy to work with a client on their idea for a design to include particular features or colours, and often find my best ideas come from these commissions. Realising my designs involves techniques including cutting intricate glass shapes, a sgrafitto style of paint decoration, lead cutting and soldering, then finishing with putty-cement and polish.

I make slipcast ceramics, both functional and decorative. Decoration is subtle crackle glazes with highlights of coloured lustres.

I add vintage imagery and patterns as ceramic transfers.

Do get in touch.

I’m a knitted textile designer from Scotland now based in Surrey. I work predominately with lambswool which I machine knit then felt in the washing machine before making it into my products, which comprise of interior and fashion accessories. My work is inspired by the natural landscape, and my current collections are inspired by the Scottish highland landscape, where I spent every summer as a child, as well as a small collection of dog cushions that have been inspired by my own dog, Alvar the Corgi.

My ceramics are an eclectic amalgamation of nostalgic form and imagery ranging from teapots and cups to jewellery, as well as one-off larger pieces incorporating precious stones, metal and found objects. I use a combination of slip casting and hand building techniques to create pieces in my signature style. Their surface decoration includes slip painting, […]

Wendy Tournay is an award winning Ceramic Designer/Maker specialising in Contemporary Luxury Fine Bone China Giftware. Inspired by the ethos of Scandinavian design with its functionality, honesty of materials and simplicity, her work is primarily focused on creating perfectly handmade functional pieces with simple clean lines and an elegant silhouette.

She models each new shape in solid plaster and from this she makes a mould. Each handmade piece is slip-cast in fine bone china, fettled, dried and fired. A glossy transparent glaze is applied before second firing to enhance the pure clean lines.

Pricing ranges from £5 for a Hanging Decoration to £100 for a Coffee Pot.

My name is Rachel Evans and I am a basketmaker, working mainly in willow. I grow some willow myself and I use a few local growers for unusual varieties as well as growers in Somerset. I also love to forage in the woods near my workshop in the gorgeous Churnet Valley for hazel, rush, bark and grasses.

I specialise in traditional English baskets, for kitchen and garden, classic designs that have stood the test of time. I trained with Adrian Charlton of Norfolk. More recently I am developing my own style using colour, twisted branches, or more unusual shapes. I am particularly in love with frame baskets, sturdy and strong.

I also make large and small animal sculptures and other forms in willow for home and garden, both for private commissions and organisations such as the National Trust. My price range is from £30 for a small basket to £1000 for my larger sculptures.

White Light Ceramics was set up in 2015 by ceramic artist Rebecca Louise Broad. After graduating from university with a first class honors degree in Ceramics, Rebecca set up her studio in the lovely Cheshire town of Middlewich. Using a combination of porcelain and black clay, Rebecca creates a range of both sculptural and functional […]

Glenn White and Kelley Hann handcraft bespoke furniture using reclaimed or sustainably sourced wood in their workshop near Haytor, Dartmoor.

With a background in the traditional timber framed building industry, we use time honoured techniques to create fresh, contemporary designs. The majority of our pieces are joined with mortise and tenon joints then secured using oak pegs. We believe that our furniture should not literally cost the earth, preferring hand tools and sourcing materials locally.

We love character in our materials. Awkward grains, knots, splits and cracks are a beautiful distraction from the homogeny of mass production, a stamp of natural authenticity.

I primarily work with wood or resin making a wide range of pens. Beautiful pens crafted with exotic woods or something a little more involved with segmented designs. Working with resin enables me to achieve stunning colours or encapsulate some really odd things for a novelty pen. This takes up most of my time but I have a big interest in all areas of woodwork and when time allows making wooden boxes or wooden intarsia.