Court Cupboard Craft Gallery

Court Cupboard Craft Gallery

Court Cupboard Craft Gallery

Court Cupboard Craft Gallery

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MEMBERS
	The Court Cupboard Craft Gallery was set up exclusively for members of the Black Mountains Circle – a group of local people involved in traditional art and craft work. Their products and skills have been chosen because they represent the best traditions in terms of quality and variety.
	KAREN BEATON Silks LAURA CAMPBELL Pyrographer THE THREE COALS Blacksmith's ELSA DESIGNS Jewellery GAYNOR ELLIOT Ceramics KEITH FOSTER Artist JACQUELINE GIBBONS Feltmaker BRENDA GRIFFITHS Soaps	MAGGIE JONES Enamelling on copper ANNE GULLICK Textile Artist DAVID HASWELL Artist JUDY HARTLEY Basketry DAVID JONES Lovespoons ANNYSA RAHIM Textile Artist FRANCES LESTER Jeweller LOUISE LOVELL Textile Jewellery PAULINE PATERSON Ceramics	ALAN POOLE Stained Glass CATRIN PETTS Calligrapher JOHN HARVARD PHILLIPS Cabinet Maker SIONI RHYS Hand Weavers JULIE REID Beeswax Artist SARAH STACEY Spinner SUSAN POCHRON Glass Beadwork ZOOHANDSPUN Spinner
	KEITH FOSTER Artist Keith Foster studied Fine Art at Newport College of Art and completed his postgraduate teaching studies at Cardiff University. He has spent over twenty years as a professional artist and teacher. He now paints full time from his studio in South Wales. His paintings are a personal response to the cultural heritage and the changing moods of the Welsh landscape. He paints in an expressionistic manner using bold expressive strokes and the paint can sometimes become tactile. His vivid and intense use of colour is inspired by his intimate knowledge of the immediate environment, the industrial communities, the intimate valleys, the wild, rugged hills and majestic mountains. His paintings are in many private and corporate collections. Click here for examples of Keith's works Telephone:- 01495 756 718 CATRIN PETTS Calligrapher Catrin Petts was born in North Wales, the daughter of John Petts, internationally known artist-craftsman, and Kusha Petts, writer and painter. Her upbringing was steeped in the freelance creativity of her parents, creating an awareness of the varied applications of the arts, reinforced through constant contact with visiting artists. Her original training was as a dancer, but since the death of both her parents, she is beginning to realise her strengths as a designer and is battling to find space in which to allow her genetic creativity to develop. For many years, Catrin has taught calligraphy and art and design to adults. She considers it a privilege to bring individuals, together in a communal goal feeling she receives much more than she gives out. This Nietzsche quotation has always influenced her: “Dancing in all its forms cannot be excluded from the curriculum of a noble education: dancing with the feet, with ideas, with words, and need I add that one must also be able to dance with the pen.” Click here for examples of Catrin's works Email:petts552@btinternet.com Telephone:- 01873 858 827 JOHN HARVARD PHILLIPS Cabinet Maker John Harvard Phillips was born in Abergavenny in 1965 and has lived and worked in the area all his life. He first began work as a trainee cabinet-maker with Graham Amey of Crickhowell and has been trading under his own name since 1992. In 1995 he was awarded the Certificate of Quality and Service from the Guild of Master Craftsmen and in 2006 was awarded Level 2 of The Green Dragon Environmental Standard. He works mainly in solid oak and customers can expect a very high standard of workmanship and service, whether their order is a standard item or a design tailored to individual requirements. He has undertaken many commissions for individuals, from private businesses, Brecon Beacons National Parks and Redrow Homes. He is inspired by the local landscape, wildlife and the combination of function and beauty. Click here for examples of John's works E-mail: johnharvardphillips@yahoo.co.uk Website: www.johnharvardphillips.co.uk Telephone:- 01873 858 527 SIONI RHYS HANDWEAVERS Hand Weaver In a district famous for its soft flannel, the craft of weaving continues in the studios of Sioni Rhys Handweavers. The traditional Carthen or throw is woven in the modern idiom with pure new wool, reflecting the colours of the surrounding Black Mountains. The Celtic inspiration in the textiles of Sioni Rhys Handweavers is evident in the new Llanofer Heritage range of throws which echo the traditional weaves of the mills of the area. Fashion accessories in luxury fibres are also created by designer and weaver, using age old methods to produce textiles with soft handle and good drape. Sioni Rhys Handweavers is a partnership: The designer, Dennis Mulcahy was born in Aberbargoed and studied at Newport College of Art obtaining a degree in Graphics. The weaver, Stuart Neale is from Cardiff and was trained in Textiles at the Scottish College of Textiles. Click here for examples of Stuart's works E-mail: sioni.rhys@btopenworld.com Website: www.sioni-rhys-handweavers.com Telephone:- 01873 890 441 PAULINE PATERSON Ceramics Pauline Paterson was born and educated in North London. She left school at fifteen and worked as an Assistant Stage Manager and actress in various repertory companies. Having worked as an actress in theatre, film and television she eventually became a television Production Assistant and worked her way up to Assistant Producer. At the age of 30 she decided it was time for a career change and moved to Wales with her husband and young daughter to start Black Mountain Pottery. Pauline is self taught. The inspiration for her ceramics comes from her love of cooking and entertaining, strongly believing that the presentation of food is as important as its taste, good ceramics and good food go together. Pauline has exhibited all over the world in one man shows and in joint exhibitions and her work can be found in many collections. Click here for examples of Pauline's works Telephone:- 01874 711 518 JACQUELINE GIBBONS Feltmaker Jacqueline Gibbons, feltmaker, currently only exhibits her range of felt pieces at the Court cupboard Gallery, Abergavenny. She uses both locally sourced wools, merino wools and silks occasionally dyeing her own colours. Her hangings are based on her drawings of flowering plants. By careful layering up of coloured wools she tries to capture the luminosity of plants as they catch the sun. The felting process reveals hints of the underlying colours and gives a depth to the work. She is currently researching the effects of the sun and wind on reeds in wetland reserves in Wales and is interpreting this in felt and other textiles. Click here for examples of Jacqueline's works E-mail: jackiegibbons49@hotmail.com Telephone:- 02920 654 496 JULIE REID Beeswax Artist Julie Reid was brought up in Abergavenny and having trained as a cook, she tried her hand at textiles, spinning and gardening. She now lives and works in the Black Mountains. She is a self taught artist who first developed an interest in wax painting in 1988. She uses coloured beeswax and heated tools to make original and highly colourful paintings inspired by her love of the countryside, of colours, shape and textures. She finds the creative process exciting and her designs are constantly changing and developing. Her designs range from small cards and bookmarks right up to A1 pictures. She shows her work in Brecon and at many local craft fairs. She also accepts commissions. Click here for examples of Julie's works E-mail: juliereidartworks@hotmail.com Telephone:- 01874 711 796 SARAH STACEY Spinner Sarah Stacey is a working shepherd in the Llanthony Valley. She was already a proficient knitter when learned to spin in 1989 so that she could use the wool she produced. Her work is now sourced to the Welsh National Museums and Galleries. She enjoys the tactile nature of spinning and prefers to work with the wool from White-faced Woodland sheep. She develops her own knitted designs which depend on the individual quality and nature of the wool she is working with at the time. She makes knitted garments to commission for adults, children and babies. With the decline of rural income, the need to diversify has become an imperative. As well as her spinning and knitting, she is a committed member of local Farmer’s Markets where she and her family sell their organically produced meat. Click here for examples of Sarah's works E-mail: sarah@hedgehogequipment.co.uk Website: www.hedgehogequipment.co.uk Telephone:- 01873 890 712 ZOOHANDSPUN Spinner Jeanette Bush began spinning in 1980 as a way of relaxing in between caring for her new baby and studying for her BSc. She sharpened her spinning techniques when she joined the Breconshire Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers and studied with Margaret Hansford, Elinor Kelsall and Mabel Ross. Courses with Sue Harris and Fran Benton perfected the ‘gin and spin’ and brought a delight in using luxury fibres. She learned a wide range of dyeing skills from Jenny Dean, Martin Weatherhead and Dora Care, including how to dye her own fleeces and ‘invent’ her own colours and schemes. She has travelled the country looking for fleeces, fibres and dyes, spending many hours searching for just the right fibre for her project. Her spinning has won prizes at the Royal Welsh, the Abergavenny and Border Counties, and the Sennybridge Shows. She has exhibited and demonstrated locally, and at the Brecon Beacons Mountain Centre, and the Royal Welsh Show. She has taught spinning and dyeing at local schools and for Girl guiding Cymru. She is the current chairman of the Monmouthshire Guild of Spinners Click here for examples of Jeanette's works E-mail: j.s.bush@talk21.com Telephone:- 01873 811 068 ELSA DESIGNS Gold, Silver and Gemstone Jewellery Elsa's degree in jewellery and silversmithing at Sir John Cass, City of London, encouraged her to explore an extensive range of materials. Within this range of possibilities she still turned to the traditional use of sterling silver, gold and a wide variety of gemstones. Her work is constantly changing and growing. Her inspiration often develops as she works, each completed design triggering new ideas and subsequently new pieces. Living and working in the Black Mountains, on the Sugar Loaf, is inspirational, but geometry has a huge influence on Elsa's designs. She makes all her own ear wires and a majority of her findings therefore keeping each piece unique. Click here for examples of Elsa's works E-mail: elsacleminson@tiscali.co.uk Telephone:- 01873 810 905 DAVID JONES Lovespoons David Jones was born and bred in the Welsh Valleys. His love affair with wood began at an early age with winning prizes for model making at the school eisteddfod. Recognizing his talent, his craft teacher arranged an apprenticeship with a local carpenter. His parents derided the paltry wage of 35 shillings (£1.75) per week, so he followed the family tradition, working underground in the coalmines. Twelve years later, having narrowly escaped the mining fatality list, he moved to Cwmbran to work and took early retirement in 1997. His first lovespoon was produced as a challenge after ridiculing the efforts of a neighbour! Encouraged by his wife, who trained in textile art and now designs his spoons, his re-born talent has gone from strength to strength. The work is a testament to his skill and to his love for the unique beauty of one of nature’s most precious resources. Click here for examples of David's works Telephone:- 01633 790 285 SUSAN POCHRON Glass Beadwork Susan is passionate about beads and beadwork, learning from antique finds and creating her own pieces. However, she started her career in University research and teaching as a fungal physiologist enjoying the challenge of promoting awareness of microbiology for many years. She now concentrate on beadwork as a means of relaxation and using her teaching skills to give lectures, demonstrations and to run workshops initiating others in beading skills. It is the beadwork that fascinates her most and she now make lampwork beads from imported glass rods to use in the creation of unique necklaces. Susan enjoys exploring the balance of colour and texture in creating wearable art. Click here for examples of Susan's works E-mail: susan@heatherfieldbeads.com Telephone:- 0151 653 9067 Website:- www.heatherfieldbeads.com ANNE GULLICK Textile Artist Anne Gullick’s love of textiles and colour started as a child whilst watching her mother and grandmother creating clothes and embroidered items in fabric, wool and thread. She studied Fine Art as part of her degree course, which enabled her to observe costume and textiles throughout the ages. Many of the techniques she uses can be found in paintings and hangings from the Renaissance to the present day – layering, slashing, tucking, appliqué, cutwork, piecing, quilting and bead decoration. She aims to work old methods into a modern setting by employing two or three methods at a time - perhaps machine embroidery, hand stitching and quilting or mono-printed fabric with machine embellishment – to create unique cushion designs, abstract textile pieces, beautiful bags and cards. She gains inspiration from the colours, patterns and textures in our natural surroundings and continues to develop the techniques in mixed media. Click here for examples of Anne's works E-mail: annegullickuk@yahoo.co.uk Telephone:- 01873 850 689 FRANCES LESTER Jeweller Frances Lester trained as a jeweller in her late forties after a career as an engineer. A sense of structure and balance are part of her design personality and they have common ground with her former career and with her jewellery designs. The pieces are made in silver or 18ct. gold and some are set with natural precious or semi-precious gems. The designs are inspired either by a particular event, or from her studies of fluid dynamics and her hobbies of sailing, rowing and swimming. They pass through the sketch-book but are finally resolved in ‘the round’. In her case hand made is a particularly appropriate description because she uses principally her fingers to create the lines of her work. Click here for examples of Frances's works Website: www.franceslester.co.uk Telephone:- 01873 821 352 LAURA CAMPBELL Pyrographer Laura Campbell is a pyrographer living and working in Abergavenny. She is inspired by the beautiful local countryside and the rich Celtic heritage with its sacred sites and its myths and legends. Her designs are meditative and originate from the distinct individuality of each piece of wood, usually walnut or yew. Her ideas are constantly changing and developing to reflect the seasons and the natural world. Click here for examples of Laura's works Telephone:- 01873 858 527 KAREN BEATON Silks Karen Beaton has worked with textiles for 20 years, initially as a spinner and weaver. In recent years a fascination with the way silk responds to light and colour led her to concentrate entirely upon dyeing. Using her early training as a scientist, she has spent time studying the properties of dyes and luxury fabrics and developing unusual applications of resist dyeing techniques. Much of her work is based on the traditional Japanese method of Shibori dyeing. She likes to use acid dyes on white silk and works with the six printing primary colours and she blends a range of colours by the use of repeated dye baths. She also dyes silk fibres with acid dyes, which are then fused with a bonding medium to form a silk ‘paper’ and then shaped. Her work is frequently exhibited in galleries in Wales, Hampshire, Derbyshire and overseas. Click here for examples of Karen's works E-mail: karen@silkdyer.freeserve.co.uk Telephone:- 01335 300 995 THE THREE COALS Blacksmith's The three blacksmiths who work under this name, met while training at Cannington Agricultural College under the auspices of the Wessex Guild of Blacksmiths. Members of the group have won prizes at the Royal Welsh Show and other County shows across Britain. They are members of the Wessex Guild and hold certificates awarded by the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths. All items made by the Three Coals are hand crafted using modern and traditional methods and materials. Previous commissions include sculpture for the Prince of Wales and other restorations at High Grove House and on some other Duchy of Cornwall Estates. Extensive architectural restorations have been undertaken for other clients in Bath. The Three Coals' own designs are displayed in a number of craft outlets, but it is possible for them to work to customers own designs and specifications in a variety of materials other than mild steel, for example in stainless steel. Click here for examples of the 3 Coal's works E-mail: barrie2hartley@btinternet.com Telephone:- 01291 672 469 JUDY HARTLEY Basketry Judy was brought up on a farm near Abergavenny but moved to London to train as a nurse. In 1998 she returned to college and studied at the London College of Furniture and completed a diploma in Textile Crafts. She then studied Basket making at Guildhall University from 1991-1997. Judy has developed her skills by meeting other regional and local basket makers and participating on national and international basketry workshops. Judy has exhibited in London, Bristol and in local galleries and has done work for the Forestry Commission, the Gwent Wildlife Trust and the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. She now lives near Usk and continues to make baskets for pleasure and to commission. Judy runs basketry courses both at the Court Cupboard and at her workshop at home. Judy’s main interest is in traditional willow basketry with a key to maintaining some of the older skills in willow working to create functional baskets. Judy grows a variety of basketry willows at her home, selected for colour and other characteristics for use in her work. Click here for examples of Judy's works E-mail: barrie2hartley@btinternet.com Telephone:- 01291 672 469 ANNYSA RAHIM Textile Artist Annysa trained at Carmarthen College of Technology & Art and launched her business in July 2004. She works with a variety of different mediums including fabric, paper, hand and machine embroidery and her main aim is to create individual pieces for individual people - no mass production, no common place designs. Her inspiration comes from colour, texture and the natural beauty and forms observed in nature. and concentrating on imaginative use of fabrics and finishes, exciting shapes and textures, she works to make a statement and to stand out from the crowd. Annysa welcomes commissions! Click here for examples of Annysa's works E-mail: annysa.rahim@ntlworld.com Website:- www.annysarahim.co.uk Telephone:- 01792 517635 MAGGIE JONES Enamelling on copper Maggie Jones is a Welsh born artist who expresses her visual experiences in many ways. The art of enamelling is ancient and beautiful and is the reward of patience. It is an intensive process with immensely satisfying results. With its limitless colour possibilities and textures, Maggie's pieces have the ability to enhance and the power to mesmerize. Each piece is individually made. Click here for examples of Maggie's works E-mail: enquiries@mcjonesfineart.co.uk Website:- www.mcjonesfineart.co.uk Telephone:- 01639 883 924 DAVID HASWELL Artist Though self taught David's approach has been largely influenced by his interest in the work of three Welsh painters: Kyffin Williams, John Blockley and John Knapp-Fisher. All three included in their work simple farming structures, dramatic skies and a limited colour palette. The Black Mountains, the source of David Haswell's inspiration, offer an excellent blend of buildings and landscape - old farms, chapels, valleys, ridge walks etc operating at the small scale, within the larger setting of the Brecon Beacons which bring waterfalls, the canal and some significant mountain peaks. The intention is to create highly textured images of the Welsh landscape presented with contrast and bordering on the semi-abstract. The effect is achieved through a combination of textural work in acrylics, applied with a palette knife and overlays of deeply saturated pure watercolours from Italy. Click here for examples of David's works E-mail: haswelldavid@aol.com Telephone:- 01873 850 440 BRENDA GRIFFITHS The Good Tree Soap Company Brenda is passionate about the inherent dangers attached to the amount of chemicals and impurities contained in some mass produced products. She has established a growing, home based industry in the making of soaps from only the purest, most natural ingredients. Her goal is to create mild soaps that clean and moisturise. For this she uses a combination of Olive, Palm and Coconut Oils. Olive oil not only makes a mild soap that cleans well but it also heals and moisturises. Palm oil also produces a mild soap that cleans well but at the same time adds firmness to the soap while the Coconut Oil has wonderful lathering qualities. Pure Essential Oils are used not only for their wonderful fragrances but for their therapeutic benefits. Some are used to relieve stress, others have anti-inflammatory properties and some are reputed to be aphrodisiacs! Nutrients are added for their beneficial properties: avocado oil is known to regenerate the skin and soften tissue while calendula oil promotes the healing of burns and wounds. It also soothes and softens chapped skin. Only natural colouring is used, alkanet root, calendula flowers etc, and some of the soaps have petals added - calendula flowers, chamomile flowers and rose petals. All bars are hand cut and therefore may be slightly irregular in size but all have a minimum weight of 100gms. The soap is not tested on animals and contains no artificial essence. SLS (sodium lauryl sulphate) free! Click here for examples of Brenda's works E-mail: brendagriffiths@mac.com Website: www.goodtreesoap.co.uk Telephone:- 01639 770 732 LOUISE LOVELL Textile and Bead Jewellery Louise lives in rural Monmouthshire with her husband. She studied an art foundation course along side a teachers training degree in the 1970s, but having finished the training decided teaching wasn’t for her. She then got married and had her son and whilst he was growing up she worked on various projects including designing knitwear and tapestries. Louise now works from a studio in her house designing and making jewellery, which is something she has always been interested in. Drawing on her many years of working with textiles, she hand sews and hand knits pieces from new and vintage fabrics and wools. These pieces are put together with flowers made from felt, beads, pearls, buttons, crystals and old bits of jewellery all from a large collection accumulated over time. These are strung on leather, ribbon or plaited wools, ribbon and leather. Louise likes to recycle old things giving them a new lease of life. Her jewellery is very feminine and each piece is individually designed and made. Louise’s inspiration comes from her love of gardening, bright flower combinations and the colours in nature. She uses a heart as a re-occurring shape a symbol for life, flowers for their femininity and all the other bits and pieces carefully chosen to create a mood and interpretation of a ‘‘feel good’’ memory or scene such as a garden at different times of the day or season. On the following pages are examples of Louise’s work which include necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Each design can be made in any colour combination or adapted to suit the individual. Each will be slightly different for each piece to be unique. Louise is happy to take commissions. Click here for examples of Louise's works E-mail: louiselovell@btconnect.com Website: www.louiselovell.com Telephone:- 01600 780 460 ALAN POOLE Stained Glass and Decorative Mirrors Alan is an MOD trained graduate engineer and for 25 years worked in an industrial design environment, and has always admired the works of stained glass artists and the use of light and shade as a creative medium. He takes his inspiration from the flora and fauna of the beautiful little valley where he lives just outside Builth Wells, in a small hamlet where the Edw and Wye valleys meet. His work is a reflection of this using the influences of such artists as Lloyd Wright, Burges, and Burne-Jones to produce diverse and pleasing pieces. Alan's designs incorporate many methods of working with glass from the more traditional leading with came through to experimental work in the style of Louis Comfort Tiffany. Many of his projects are brought about by private commission, always welcomed, and is designed to not only to be sympathetic to its setting, but also as an important feature of the room or hallway. Alan's range of intricate mirrors offer an alternative, yet more abstract way to enhance an interior with subtle colour changes and distortions that enable the observer to be part of the composition. He uses a small laptop computer to record his designs and to produce the all important template (strictly a cartoon) and then use traditional millennia old techniques to produce the finished article – a perfect fusion of 21st and 11th century skills. Click here for examples of Alan's works E-mail: info@redkiteglass.co.uk Website: www.redkiteglass.co.uk Telephone:- 01982 553 577 Gaynor Elliot Ceramist Gaynor Elliott at 60, while finding time on her hands indulged a lifetime appreciation of ceramics and was accepted on a full time course under the tutorship of Jack Doherty and Alastair Young, world known ceramists. This was a exciting 3 years, resulting in several exhibitions and attaining the Professional Studio Ceramics Diploma. Her surroundings in the beautiful Llanthony Valley with its rugged outcrops and colours are epitomised in the pots she makes. "Working with clay is a challenge - it has a life of its own, many pieces seem to dictate the outcome and when this happens the symbiosis between clay and potter is complete and a unique one-off piece is created." She also has a love of old leather and this can be seen in the character given to "Well Worn" shoes, bags and especially books which conjure up a tale all of their own. Click here for examples of Gaynor's works Telephone:- 01873 890 781
	MEMBERSHIP If you would like to apply for membership of the Black Mountains Circle contact our administrator Ron Adam on 01873 859269 or 852011 or click on the link below to send us an e-mail blackmntncircle@btconnect.com Back to top
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