Author: Lucy Wray

This was my trade show stand at Artisan Made UK

The display concept was focused on showcasing my new developments. I have lots of new ideas and new experiments that I wanted to discuss with buyers. They weren’t finished products, so I decided to create a display based on my workshop setup.

It worked really well as I could show buyers my development process from start to possible future. We chatted about possible new products, and from those conversations, I have a really exciting new product line that I’m going to develop, but it’s hush-hush for now.

On top of all that, on the set up day, I found out one of my images was used on the front cover of the event brochure!

I feel so loved and supported by my fellow exhibitors and buyers. The professional handmade community are really amazing people

Artisan Made UK is about connecting trade buyers with independent makers. But it’s much more than that, It’s about community.
Running your own business, being a sole-trader can be lonely. Our industry is so misunderstood and at times overlooked. Artisan Made UK is about making friends, supporting each other, collaboration, and championing our niche.
In short, it’s a friendly event perfect for finding your tribe.

A year or so ago, I was asked my opinions regarding the rise of AI in a handmade creative forum. My response was more of a musing really. I reflected on the parallel of how portrait painters must have felt with the invention of the camera.
I imagine, the camera thinned out the need for portrait painters, but did it also open a door and create more space for abstract art and expressionism?

What is AI going to create a space for?

There is no denying our buying habits have been dramatically altered by big giants like Amazon and Temu¹. We subconsciously expect online purchases to arrive the next day – instant gratification with no effort.

As an independent artist, I can’t live up to that expectation. Things take time. As they should. But what I can get behind is the consumer movement which is quietly growing in the background – The Human Connection

I read an article recently about how consumer habits are increasingly shifting away from badly made mass-produced dross. The example given was the comparison between a handcrafted Japanese mug and a mug bought from a global chain store. The store mug was perfectly functional but soulless, mass-produced and common. The Japanese mug had slight imperfections, traces of human touch. It was unique and evoked feelings of well-being and connection when used.

“As AI-generated content becomes more prevalent and, at times, indistinguishable from human work, consumers are paradoxically placing a higher premium on items that show human imperfection, traditional craftsmanship, and a clear, personal, or local origin’.

I was really struck by this concept. How great it would be for consumers to appreciate time and skill. Not only that but to consider the use of materials, the environmental impact and most importantly to buy something with meaning.

My creative practice is not only about seeing the value in discarded waste, it’s about catching special moments, celebration and remembering.

That little bit of silk that reminds you of your Grandma, the postal stamp that reminds you to communicate, or a sweet wrapper because you like sweets (it doesn’t have to be that deep).

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For more information about this subject, try this link; Craft in the age of automation why handmade thinking matters more than ever.

1. *I have never had any inclination to shop at Temu . ↩︎

I’m a Co! A Holly and Co Co

Back in October, I’d been working for 6 months as a community coordinator. One morning, I found out I wasn’t going to be offered a permanent contract. I was quite upset, but that evening, I received a DM from Holly Tucker MBE, the award-winning entrepreneur, founder of Holly & Co and co-founder of notonthehighstreet.
She told me she loved my work and wanted me to become a seller on her creative retail platform, Holly & Co!

This couldn’t have been better timing.
As one door closes, another door opens. Back to being a full-time artist* – hurrah

It’s taken a bit of time to get set up, but you can now buy ThriftDesign art in Holly & Co. Have a look https://holly.co/storefront/thrift-design

*I’m still looking to diversify my income but in a more symbiotic way.

There’s a special place in my heart for independent high street shops. So I was delighted to be commissioned by one of my favourite; a book shop called Ebb & Flo in Chorley.

The owner Dianne, wanted a pencil drawing of the new shop front so she could use it for social media and create bookmarks. She gave me her inspiration, and away I went to create some examples.

I got a bit carried away and created a super detailed sketch of the shop front. Then I remembered the inspiration picture Dianne sent over…. oops.

So I created three versions of the same sketch each slightly different to see which style Dianne preferred. The original detailed sketch won the race. Then I suggested, perhaps some colour?

#development | I’ve been experimenting with my style again. Back in 2020 my work became more colourful –  I allowed myself to use paint as well as stitch to embellish the recycled materials.

Trying to maintain a level of consistency with designs while working with recycled materials is challenging. When its gone its gone. I can’t just pop to the shops and buy some more. I’ve been slowly running out of big bold wallpaper suitable for the foregrounds of my larger pieces. Last week I had a light bulb moment and thought ‘if I can’t find the flowers, I’ll make them!’

These are the first two pieces in which I’ve lead the materials rather than them leading me, to create the natural foreground foliage.

Roughly based on bindweed the flower is made using painted cereal boxes and white textured wallpaper.

When I’m super famous, this will be one of those key pieces which maps my style progression. It’ll be worth a fortune in the future 😁💃