Rooted in Wales 2024

18.Ten is designed by Lizzie Banham, who grew up on the outskirts of Conwy, studied for her Art Foundation in Bangor. 18.Ten is the product of studying Silversmithing and Jewellery at Loughborough University where the Toastrack and Salt and Pepper pots were designed. The collection follows the principle ‘form follows function’ with a touch of humour.

Buddug (pronounced bu-th-ig) Humphreys is a designer-maker orginally from Snowdonia area of North Wales but now lives in Cardiff, South Wales. She works from her studio by Whitchurch Road in an old recording studio/hall.

Her Welsh upbringing is a large inspiration to her work. The Welsh countryside, welsh literature and culture, feeds into her work.

Buddug studied jewellery and silversmithing at London Metropolitan University in 2002. Buddug keeps a sketchbook diary to gather ideas and inspiration; It is filled with interesting words, magazine snippets and drawings of objects from all around, anything I spot that triggers the imagination.

Enamelling is the technique Buddug is best known for, a method of melting glass on copper, silver or steel. She layers enamel and draws into these layers in-between firings.

Carla’s Cwtch jewellery is family run business inspired by a passion for Welsh heritage. My hope is to keep our unique Welsh traditions alive by providing contemporary accessories you can wear with pride all year round. I want my customers to open their gift and know they are loved.

Most days you will find me in my cosy home workshop in Neath, South Wales where everything is crafted by hand. We use only nickel free components and lightweight polymer clay.

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.

Clinton is a landscape painter and wood carver and who has lived near Bala since the early eighties.

He has worked on art projects and exhibitions all over the UK but his chief inspiration for his work is the Welsh landscape.

He is fortunate to have a grandstand view of the landscape from his home on the slopes of Foel Goch.

All the spoons are carved at his studio using locally sourced wood – chiefly apple, cherry and plum. Occasionally he also uses birch, yew and other woods. Only hand tools are used. Most of the work is done with an axe followed by a selection of spoon knives. They are carved while the wood is still green – freshly cut and full of moisture.

He likes to allow the shape of the spoons to be dictated by the forms and figures present in the grain of the wood. As no two pieces of wood are ever the same, then neither are two spoons.

The finished spoons are allowed to dry slowly before finishing. If they are to be used for cooking it is a good idea to rub them with a food safe oil such as Tung or Walnut. This will preserve the original colour of the wood.

I am a sculptor of shape and design, inspired by nature. Lifecycles and growth becoming form and line. I have always been amazed by Mother Nature and the construction of living things. The way life grows, it’s support systems, protection, stamina, defence mechanisms and instincts.

Having studied ceramics and metalwork in my Applied Art Degree, both these elements make a up part of the skillset I call upon to create sculptures. Wood being another material I hold dear and can often be seen carrying a found log or sleeper around.

This series uses slip cast porcelain to produce a skin like that of a shell or a husk – the protection and nutrition of life beginning its journey.

Deryn is a jewellery and design brand created by Gwawr in 2018.

Originally from North Wales, Gwawr often made jewellery and accessories to help style her outfits, and having always been of a magpie nature, (‘Deryn’ meaning ‘Bird’ in Welsh) Deryn was born out of a passion for eclectic styling and collecting beads and textiles.

Deryn pieces are one of a kind, colourful, often playfully asymmetric and are designed to be worn and loved. Small collections, consciously handcrafted and inspired by the colour combinations, textures and compositions found in nature.

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.

Dust Shack is a family run business where each product is lovingly designed.

Using a variety of woods, Scott and Bobbi design, craft and finish their products to the highest of standards in their North Wales studio and workshop. Combining digital and traditional woodworking techniques, we aim to produce bespoke and elegant items to last for generations to come.

All chopping boards are made from the highest-grade timber, which has been kiln dried to reduce the levels of moisture in the wood, ensuring it is as stable as possible with a minimal risk of cracking or warping.

Chopping boards are treated with pure mineral oil which is a tasteless, odourless, clear and food safe product, fully approved by the British Pharmacopeia. This protects the wood when cleaning, and brings out the natural colour, beauty and sheen.

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.

Elin is an artist from Machynlleth who makes prints using Collograph and Linocut. This series is based on the landscape around her in the Dovey Valley. The work derives from her appreciation of the rural way of life, traditions, the Welsh language, Welsh culture and the beauty of the landscape surrounding her which is an integral part of her life.

Elin believes in creating smaller collections in limited runs creating value in the knitware they produce. Combined with a focus on contemporary design, zero waste and the use of sustainable materials.

Elin’s designs are made to be characterful, yet timeless, drawing inspiration from traditional Welsh tapestries and domestic textiles, lace curtains provided Elin with the idea for the pattern on their Fair-Isle scarved.

All Elin’s products are made from ethically sourced wool and hand framed in their Carmarthenshire studio.

Elly Englefield trained in Contemporary Textile Practise at the University of Wales, Cardiff, graduating in 2005. Elly then went onto establish ‘EllyMental Jewellery’. ‘EllyMental Jewellery’ is the transformation of Elly’s little illustrations into lovingly and meticulously hand crafted pieces of jewellery. Elly is inspired by designs based on her own fervent interest in kitsch nostalgia, victoriana and animals. She incorporates her drawings with found ephemera such as 1950’s books, Victorian newspapers and delicate home-made papers. Items are multi-layered with metal and coated with resin to create a strong and robust end piece.

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.

Glosters Pottery is run by husband-and-wife team Tom and Myfanwy Gloster. They design and produce a range of contemporary ceramic homewares for those who enjoy using beautiful, functional products made with care.

Their designer ceramics are made from stoneware clay in their Porthmadog based pottery workshop. Made using a range of glazes inspired by their local surroundings and the changing seasons in North Wales. Each piece has its own story as to how it began, how the form came about and the work emerged as part of their range.

They believe that the story, the soul of a piece, doesn’t stop there. It continues with its new owner, where you bought it, why you choose that glaze, each piece holds far more than its original function. They hold memories from their maker, from their owner and all are individual.

Jane Evans [Gyotaku Gifts] is the UK’s leading practioner of the art of Gyotaku. Originally used by Japanese fishermen before the invention of the camera as way to record their catch; she has made the art form her own by using her own unique composition and colour pallette.

For the past two years she has been a member of the “European Society of Gyotaku” and exhibited in the “Royal Society of Marine Artists Annual exhibition”. Being recognised by other Gyotaku makers and marine artists is testament to how hard she has worked to master her art.

Heulwen predominantly uses glass powders and frits to create subtle, almost hidden and ghosted images that instil a sense of mystery and intrigue whilst capturing the atmospheric mood, light and textures of the wild and windswept places of her childhood in North Wales and Mid Wales. Her work hints at our memories of people, places and times past that we can no longer see, touch or return to, yet we can still feel what remains hidden below the surface. This is particularly relevant in her collection of tableware titled Tir Du/Black Land which pays homage to the drowning of the village of from Bala Capel celyn and the Tryweryn Valley, with screen printed poetry by family friend Rhodri Jones who went to Capel Celyn school as a boy and whose family have farmed the surrounding hills for generations. Heulwen was born at the side of Llyn Celyn and so the place has special meaning to her, which she hopes is reflected in her work.

Karen’s jewellery combines this love of material with a strong sense of place and a fascination with the natural world.

The collections are intrinsically linked to the sea and inspired by walks along the beaches of her native Anglesey or visits to Ynys Enlli/ Bardsey Island. Karen draws influence from the tangles of seaweed left at high tide, the exciting treasure found along the shoreline as well as the golden wind-blown marram grass.

Designs are developed through drawing and experimentation in metal. These are translated into silver or gold by hand in her workshop overlooking the Carneddi Mountains, on the edge of Snowdonia. Karen endeavours to use only recycled silver and gold whenever possible and is also a registered Fairtrade goldsmith.

Koa is inspired by a love for the coast and the UK’s thriving creative community. Based near the water’s edge in Sully, South Wales, their location gives them space to pause, evaluate and enjoy life a little more. They hope to capture this feeling in each piece of handmade jewellery, reflecting the coastline and all its colours and forms. Environment sustainability is a key ethos of Koa Jewellery. Each piece of jewellery is crafted using pewter containing 100% recycled tin originating from unused and discarded electrical goods. Materials: Modern Pewter is completely free of nickel and lead, so does not tarnish or irritate. Pewter is almost 91% Tin, with the other 9% made up of a little Copper and Antimony, which is a white metal mineral also found in nature. The pewter and findings [earring findings, chains etc] used are 100% lead and nickel free. Earring findings are silver-plated steel. Chains are stainless steel. Cuffs are made from aluminium. Coloured elements are created with resin.

Lisa Reeve is a contemporary landscape artist located in Conwy, North Wales. Her distinctive artistic style captures the intricate details, textures, and contours of the stunning Welsh landscape. Beginning with original line drawings, Lisa translates her art into digital prints, offering a unique and expressive representation of the beauty that surrounds her in Wales.

Liz Toole is a printmaker who has a genuine love of birds. Working and traveling in Africa has informed and inspired Liz’s work, this is where she fell in love with nature, mainly birds, following her ceramics degree. Liz uses birds to tell a story which is usually something that has happened in her life, she aims to create a positive story.

All of Liz’s screen prints and linocuts are designed and hand printed by her using specialized printmaking papers. Colour plays a huge part in Liz’s work, she has been known to test print 60 different colour combinations for a two colour screenprint, waiting for that eureka moment.

‘Elements – Embracing Nature in Design’
My eco-silver jewellery is testament to the beauty found along the Gower Peninsula coastline. Each water-cast element is carefully hand-selected to ensure my pieces are truly one of a kind, capturing the essence of the natural world in stunning detail. The lava and pearls add colour and elegance to my wearable works of art.

Menna Jones is a contemporary Welsh designer with a diverse artistic background. Her journey into jewellery design began in Swansea with an Art Foundation, a year studying Architectural Stained Glass, and a part-time Silversmithing course at Gower College, before pursuing a Higher National Diploma in Jewellery and Silversmithing and a top-up year in Design for Industry at the renowned School of Jewellery in Birmingham. Design for Industry prepares students for competitive design jobs, and the additional year focuses on specialised areas, including skills development. Her Welsh roots play a crucial role in shaping her work, drawing inspiration from the natural environment that surrounds her.

The highlight at Birmingham was Menna’s selection to design the medals for the International Association of Athletics Federation’s (IAAF) World Indoor Athletics Championships, which were held in Birmingham in 2018. Menna’s designs wove together various images of the city’s architectural heritage, and showcased her ability to blend architectural influences with creative design. The medals were fabricated by a local medal and trophy making company, Fattorini, based in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter.

Mouse Sails started in the late 1980’s making sails for windsurfers and yachts. Floss took over when their parents retired.

They aim to minimise sailings impact on the environment by reusing and recycling old, damaged and discarded sails, which are used as raw materials for their range of bags.

Each bag is unlined and designed to be a working bag, with the hard-wearing sail material making them quick to dry and easy to clean.

The bags all bear the marks of their previous usage and life at sea. On the bags label you will be able to find the sail type, area of sailing and notable features on the sail such as: hank stains, reefing points, repairs or abrasions, prototype, batton pockets or UV effects.
These features make each bag completely unique.

Since graduating in 2006 with a First Class BA (Hons) in Contemporary Crafts Rebecca has gone on to set up her own business as a jewellery designer-maker.

Rebecca endeavours to produce accessible, wearable jewellery.  Her inspiration is taken from antique jewellery and collectables resulting in designs that echo the decadence of times gone by. With a modern approach she creates classic, yet contemporary jewellery designs.

Handpicked gemstones are the main focal point of many of her pieces. She has a fascination with gemstones, particularly labradorite and rainbow moonstone which have an iridescent play of colours, these gems feature strongly in her collections. The individually set stones are decorated with hand placed tiny granules of metal which create delicate and intricate detail.

Rebecca is an award-winning designer, jeweller, and silversmith based in Cardiff, South Wales. Her work includes gold and silver jewellery, handcrafted silverware, and bespoke commissions, often repurposing heirloom pieces.
Inspired by material exploration, historical styles, and microscopic imagery, Rebecca’s creations focus on texture and surface decoration, using techniques like hammering, engraving, and reticulation. Her signature Blobby collection, inspired by ancient coins, features unique, handcrafted pieces in gold and silver, celebrating the historical charm of irregular, hand-stamped coinage.

With finishes like her signature sparkle effect, Blobby pieces—ranging from pendants to signet rings—offer personalized touches with gemstones and diamonds. No two Blobbies are identical; each is a testament to the timeless allure of the past, crafted by hand to tell its own story.

Ruth makes original screenprints and collages from a studio near Bala, North Wales.

The prints are all made by hand, using Fabriano watercolour paper. This surface has a silk-like quality and holds the colour beautifully. It’s also acid free, which means it doesn’t fade or discolour.

Each design is made in a small edition. The prints are individually numbered and signed. Once an edition is sold out, Ruth adapts some of the images for her range of greetings cards.
Ruth trained as a textile designer in Liverpool and Birmingham, after which she worked as a freelance designer and illustrator. Clients have included Ikea, Sainsbury’s, Waterstones and Marks and Spencer. She has worked extensively with Tate, writing and illustrating 3 children’s books and a designing a range of toys, clothes and tableware. Her prints focus on plants, gardens and animals with a nod to mid-century design. There is a strong illustrative style, with bold colours in contrasting layers.

Ruth is an artist/maker living in Borth, Ceredigion. A practicing artist for over 30 years, Ruth’s work is informed by the world around her; the patterns and colours of nature. Ruth spends a lot of time peering into and photographing flowers. Birds feature heavily in Ruth’s work, generally informed by, but not of this world, they are quirky, whimsical and colourful. Ruth’s love of working with textiles lead her to felt making and with wool fibre from the Cambrian mountains, she uses felt making techniques to draw and to sculpt.

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.

My journey in pottery began around 2010. At that point I’d spent my whole career as a graphic designer but had begun to feel something was missing. The trouble, I realised, was that advances in technology meant I was working entirely on a computer screen. I was in danger of losing the connection between hands and heart that underpinned my creativity.

I found a potter to teach me the basics of pottery on the wheel. Somehow it felt like coming home. After another year attending an evening pottery class at a local university, I took the plunge and bought my own wheel and kiln – and haven’t stopped since.

I’m especially drawn to the Japanese aesthetic of simple organic shapes and finding beauty in the imperfect. My pieces may be wheel-thrown or hand-built depending on my mood – but always look as if they belong together. I love to group them and see how they complement each other.

Nothing stays still. I’m constantly experimenting with form, texture and application of the glaze, trying to move my work to its next level. But it always has a practical purpose. The idea that we can use beautiful, handmade items in our everyday life is very important to me. I recycle as much clay and packaging as I can in my work practice.

Flecked: This is my main body of work which has been developing for over ten years, featuring simple forms, clean lines and minimal decoration. I make all sorts of everyday household items from eggcups to platters and coffee beakers to serving dishes. I’ve also made dinner sets and vases all with the same Lavafleck clay and dipped in a simple white tin glaze.

Cilcain: Having moved to a new home in the shadow of Moel Famau, I’ve taken inspiration from the rugged landscape and beautiful stone used in the houses and walls around Cilcain village. The Cilcain Collection uses three different stoneware clays, harmonised by their natural forms and an off-white glaze that’s soft in colour and texture. I either dip the pieces or apply the glaze with a natural flow. Depending on which clay body is used, the glaze sometimes appears nearly white and other times takes on a heather tone.

Ensō: These designs have evolved from throwing with a dark chocolate-coloured clay. Although I often dip the glaze, here I wanted to explore the textures and patterns I could achieve using a brush on these Japanese-inspired shapes. I love the idea of the Ensō circle: creating a mark using one breath, with intention. As I practise meditation and mindfulness this really struck a chord with me – it was one of those moments when things just start to fit together. Sometimes, I admit, it’s more than one breath! But the idea of using uninhibited brushstrokes to express a moment when the mind is free to let the body create is quite special to me.

A self-taught macrame artist Sian Elen creates her work by hand and aims to show the amazing variety of pieces than can be made with knots. Her work has included art installations, clothes for mermaids, home décor, a handfasting cord for a wedding, intricate jewellery and much more. Based in Rhos on Sea her work is Influenced by nature and the whimsical and each piece is unique and may include crystals, foraged driftwood or seashells. Sian also holds workshops and talks, to encourage macrame (or cwlwmwaith) as a wellbeing tool, which it continues to be for her.

Leah has been a basket maker for 14 years. Working from her base in the Clwydian hills in North Wales, she focuses on making traditional, strong functional baskets that become integral to people’s homes and everyday lives. Leah is a maker of the Cyntell, a traditional Welsh frame basket make from hazel and willow that was historically used for many purposes in the home and in horticulture. She is also a maker of the French Perigord basket (le bouyricou), a traditional plaited spiral basket from the Dordogne region of France, also used in horticulture. As well as making these baskets, Leah also teaches beginners and advanced basketry, passing on skills and techniques and keeping precious traditional baskets alive.