SWARD DESIGNS

I am a trained Ecologist and self-taught wood turner, originally from NE England and now based in the NW Highlands. My design inspiration is the outdoor environment and natural materials. As an ecologist I learned to observe the range of different shapes and forms found in nature, and to appreciate its beauty. This is reflected in my work, where I use minimum embellishments to allow the wood to speak for itself.

My specialism is creating hand turned wooden bird sculptures and unique hand-crafted wooden jewellery. I use wood from trees native to the UK and Europe, including Scottish hardwoods such as Oak and Elm. Part of the fascination of working with wood is not knowing exactly what it will look like until cut or turned on the lathe. Only then will I decide how best to shape the timber and what to create. Once a piece of wood is used up it will never be replaced with an exact replica, meaning that each sculpture and piece of jewellery created is truly unique.

Email: sward-designs@hotmail.com
Website: www.swarddesigns.co.uk
Instagram: @sward_designs

MOLTEN ELEMENTS

I've always been creative, since early childhood and have had a number of part-time ventures over the years alongside my full-time work in the oil industry.

For various reasons, I gave up my job in the oil industry and at that time focussed on growing my wedding stationery business. It was around then that I discovered lampworking and immediately fell in love with melting glass. I was able to incorporate lampwork glass and silver clay as part of my wedding business but over time, the lure of glass took over.

A chance visit to a glass supply shop and a sale too good to ignore saw me come with my first fusing kiln! The rest, as they say, is history.

Fast forward a number of years, one converted garage and five kilns later, and the love affair with glass continues. Silver clay has been replaced with sterling silver in my jewellery creations, lampwork bead making is an occasional hobby and glass fusing is my absolute passion.

It’s been a real journey and there is still so much more to learn and explore – I’m looking forward to what is still to come.

Email: enquiries@moltenelements.co.uk
Website: www.moltenelements.co.uk
Facebook: MoltenElements
Instagram: @moltenelementsglassart

CLOLA POTTERY

I have dabbled on and off with clay since art class at school, but it is only since retiring and attending a week long sculpting course that it has become a passion.

I work in a recently converted garage and have a well equipped workspace at Clola Pottery, that is shared with fellow hobby potters. My inspiration comes from my love of animals and nature.

I started out making for friends and family, but in 2021 we were open for NEOS (north east open studios) at the pottery. It was very successful so we had a Winter Open studio too, and have continued to participate in NEOS. In 2022 I started exhibiting in galleries through the SPA. Most of my work is now for galleries or commissions.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063503741644