Pop-Up North Wales Contemporary Craft Fair

Dots Allowed is an illustration brand, founded by a wife and husband based in Holyhead, North Wales. All our artwork is hand-painted and designed in the style of pointillism or dots and are inspired by the British countryside and our love of the sea. We design and create unique artwork which we then use to create art prints, greeting cards and giftware. All of our products are proudly designed and made in house in Wales.

A self taught artist with a passion for nature, old rambling buildings and mystical old places. I’ve lived in North Wales all my life and my paintings are inspired by my surroundings and childhood memories. Painting mostly in acrylic on wooden surfaces I like to paint places or objects that are usually missed and bring out the beauty of the ordinary. My painting are often described as having a mystical feeling and I like to keep the rustic feel alive by using recycled wood either as a painting surface or in my framing.

Working mainly in cloth, fibre, print, collage and freestyle embroidery, I create one of a kind accessories, journals and soft sculptures referencing the stunning natural environment of my home on the edge of the Dyfi Valley.

Here at Fonted we travel across the UK photographing the signage on hotels, pubs, shops and iconic buildings. As a result we have generated a vast image bank of letters in a variety of typographic styles. From these, we create unique word-art in the form of pre-designed words and phrases. Alternatively we offer a bespoke service whereby any word or phrase can be made to order. For each piece of artwork we provide a certificate detailing the exact location of each letter featured.

Emily’s body of work consists of hand built slab vessels and porcelain functional pieces. Her inspiration is the local landscape. She represents through mark making and form the textures and lines found on the mountain side and the contrast between the landscape in which she lives. She has always been interested in juxtaposition between nature and man made.

My original prints are inspired by a life-long love of nature, and I have a particular interest in small British wetland creatures. My animals are often animated with a little glint of personality to make the viewer smile but also to invite a closer consideration of the smaller and sometimes overlooked animals critical to biodiversity and healthy wetland systems. I am an intaglio printmaker, playing with mezzotint, drypoint and especially collagraph: the range of expression that can be gained by manipulating cardboard or, even better, an old oat milk box is really very exciting!

Eleri is a photographer, artist, and educator living and working from her home in Llanrwst, North Wales.  She originally trained as a documentary photographer gaining her Degree at the University of Wales Newport, She later graduated with a master’s Degree in Photography as a Contemporary Practice from University College Falmouth.

Eleri loves to combine traditional historical fine art photographic processes such as cyanotype, silver gelatine, and platinum palladium printing with contemporary digital photographic techniques.  “ I draw inspiration from the formal structure and discipline of traditional photographic genres while enjoying the fluid creative characteristics of digital technology.  As well as maintaining her freelance practice, Eleri is a visiting lecturer in Photography at Chester University and has worked as a Creative Practitioner for Arts Council Wales. She Also runs Tilt & Shift Photography Workshop and Studio with her partner David Paddy.

Needle felting is an obsession! I’m constantly fascinated by the medium and how things can come to life using it. My first passion was for birds and wildlife, but simple representational reality lacks something; I’m always looking to allow my creatures to come alive as they are created. By looking carefully, by understanding the anatomy and movement of my subjects, I hope to do just that. And then there’s whimsy – as well as realism, I am attracted to creating characters which make people smile and bring joy to the owner.

Saltwater & Starlight Ceramics are handmade by Pwllheli based artist Jessica Leese, Jessica takes inspiration from her surroundings on the Llyn Peninsula and the rich folklore of the U.K.

Clare’s jewellery collections are individually designed and handmade in her studio in North Wales using recycled silver and brass. Each of the items in her collections are designed to be simplistic and timeless.

Returning to Denbighshire after studying Illustration at Harrow College of Art Tara worked as a Ceramic Artist and developed her portfolio. She now works freelance experimenting with screen printing process. Inspired by any environment she might find herself in, the surroundings and natural details found create collages on a screen that are shaped by texture and create a pattern in her work. Drawing is most significant in her practice, initial lines and marks transform on the screen like magic, creating a new view, Tara often works on a proof and a finished piece creating a unique print. She is passionate about sharing her practice and details within any view are a great influence on all her projects, she enjoys sharing these opportunities through community workshops. With much enthusiasm for experimenting with materials, mark making processes and printing together.

Using silver chain, wire and sheet as alternatives to thread, wool and fabric, Suzanne Claire handcrafts tactile French knitted, crocheted, embroidered and woven jewellery. Each piece is characterised by a slinky movement and feel to the skin, or enlivened by the manipulation of the original surface texture. Splashes of colour are added through semi precious beads and threads, giving each creation a playful quality.

Mixed media artist based in North Wales with a love of colour collage and recycling.

Delicate botanical designs in blue and white created using the Cyanotype process to produce a unique range of home and gift ware.