The designers and makers at Down To Earth work in a broad range of media and what they all have in common is the creativity, talent, individuality and skill required to create original, beautiful and desirable items by hand, and in a world where mass produced items are everywhere, these are qualities to be valued.
Also many of us are trying to live our lives in as ethical and non-material a way as possible. So at Down To Earth we have sourced local artists - so as to hep reduce our carbon footprint and hep our economy by buying locally. We also have chosen work that is either sustainable, low energy, recyclable, re-used or recycled.
Anne Collins- Fused glass art by Anne Collins, based in mid
Brenda Wholey- Surprising, innovative, extraordinary and quintessential. Her longstanding love of ceramics and fashion come together in her range of ceramic handbags. (Member of W.I.R.E.)
Butterfly Blue- Justine Williams Buckle and Pendant designs
Craig Kendall- Fresh and exciting block canvas, open edition prints
Gail Kelly- Gail uses a variety of printmaking techniques and years of experience to produce the Algan Arts range of Greetings Cards and Original Prints. (Eco criteria - Low energy)
Geoff Beckett Artist- Geoff is fascinated by shape, tone, and the way they affect colour, and likes to keep a strong definition in his work. (Local Artist)
Jane Willingale Loudware- Jane trained as a textile designer at
Janine Partington- Janine is an emerging designer-maker in the South West combining the traditional craft of enamelling with fresh, clean, contemporary designs
Joan Hardie- Bitter Beck Pottery.
The Littlecote Soap Co.-Beautifully packaged Handmade Natural Soaps, Toiletries, Skin-care and Bath Products, made by hand in the English countryside using nature's herbs, flowers, aromatherapy oils and exclusively designed sophisticated perfumes. (Member of W.I.R.E.)
Morpheus Glass -Fused glass art by fused glass artist Stephanie Bowen. Producing architectural fused glass panels and unique fused glass art
Rachel Barker- Rachel is that rare person today, a studio potter with a modern vision and the ability to draw on the best of our design heritage from the past. Her wonderful designs are a pleasure to use with subtle graphic patterns and comfortable shapes based on organic forms.
Sara Wood- Glass designer and maker inspired by the natural world (Local Artist)
The
Sue Holdaway- Sue creates unique dramatic, jewellery using or combining re-cycled and art glass. (Eco criteria Recycled)
Sue McLeod- Botanical artist based in Wem, Shropshire (Local Artist)
Sumptuosity - Sumptuous handcrafted silk gifts and accessories, (Member of W.I.R.E.)
Tara Dennis - Hand silkscreen printed designs on recycled paper & card. Wedding stationery greeting cards hand folded envelopes... (Eco criteria Recycled)(Member of W.I.R.E.)
The Black Rabbit- The black rabbit specialises in unusual knitted decorative home products and gifts. (Eco criteria Low Energy)
The Contemporary Design Company - Framed originals limited edition prints handmade jewellery notebooks cards & postcards canvases commission work design. (Eco criteria - Recycled)
Turtle Bags - Cotton string and sisal bags - natural alternatives to the plastic bag. (Member of W.I.R.E.)
Sarah Hough - Sarah creates contemporary paper goods inspired by fashion, textiles, botanicals and the fun things in life. Working out of her small studio in the
David Pantling - David graduated from the
Karen Atherley - colourful figurative ceramics with a touch of humour
Chris Docking - Atmospheric local landscapes and compositional shots from the up and coming photographer. (Local Artist)
David Melville - David trained as a potter at the Kent Institute of Art and Design, graduating with distinction in 1979. Since leaving college, he set up his pottery with the aim to produce useful hand made pottery that everyone can afford. He makes a prolific selection that is collected by many. Some pots form part of his functional tableware collection and there are others that are more individually made and decorated. All the glazes used are David's own formulae and are unique to his pots.
Mari Eluned - A young jewellery designer who transforms natural Welsh materials into pieces of unique jewellery based in Snowdonia.
Jessica Sherriff Jewellery Design - Hand crafted acrylic jewellery made in
Love Unlimited Ceramics Liz Riley - colourful funky fun ceramics
Kat Boon Design specialising in handcrafted accessories from reclaimed materials.
Tabitha Tansey Tabitha is a glass artist based in rural North Shropshire. Her glasswork is created with a technique called Pate de Verre using small pieces of glass called frit which are mixed to a paste then carefully packed into a mould. (Local Artist)
Alan & Lyn Newton Alan and Lyn make studio pottery in stoneware and porcelain clays. Each piece of pottery is hand-thrown on the potters wheel or hand-built.
SSJ Smith offering inspiring and inventive ceramics.
Lush Designs Marie Rodgers & Maria Livings Studied painting and printmaking at Maidstone Art College and evolved their business while working in the theatre and community arts after moving to South East London.
Their love of colour and characteristic quirky prints has been applied to a range of homewares many of which are made in house at their lovely studio at Cockpit Arts in Deptford where they have twice yearly open studio events.