Graduate Makers
Rheanna Davison | Textiles - Weaving | Devon
Rheanna's work explores the symbiotic nature of weaving, a cooperative relationship between warp and weft, colour and texture, fibre and yarn. The yarns she uses often dictate the way she creates. Each unique quality is imperative to her work. She responsibly sources her materials using mostly mill end-of-line, second-hand or recycled yarns.
She embraces the slow and methodical nature of weaving. It allows her time to reflect upon the process itself, requiring consideration and acute attention to detail. Each decision made is recorded within the history of the piece, the composition becoming autobiographical, echoing to the ring of a tree or a layer in stone.
The patterns within her work often form into repeated geometric grids, this reflects the construction of the weaving itself. Acting as building blocks to the piece to reflect the creating process. Weaving allows her to create something entirely new from these, exploring small elements of the yarns; their cultural, visual or tactile experience.
Colin Wilkes | Glass / Mixed Media | Devon
Colin is a former builder with 15 years of trade experience, so has a good knowledge of materials especially concrete and timber. When he decided to make the change over to the craft industry, I never imagined that his time in the trades would come in so useful. He now specialise as a glass blower and draws on his old skills with materials so he can combine them with the glass he creates in the studio.
He uses my knowledge of working with concrete and techniques of making shuttering, to construct moulds for filling with concrete to form permanent structures for blowing into. He is then able to use the blown glass and the concrete to create the final piece, a half glass half concrete art sculpture. He does this using those same industrial materials from his past career.
The focus of his current practice is to work in a more sustainable way with these chosen materials, by continually reusing them to produce evolving mixed media sculptures. He does this by grinding up the waste concrete back in to fine aggregate then remixing and reforming new moulds, so he can continue creating new works.
His work uses innovative construction methods and a diverse blend of materials, that when put together create dull industrial looking concrete then combines it with vibrant coloured but fragile glass.
Image credit: Rod Gonzalez
Image credit: Lorna Yabsley
Image credit: Lorna Yabsley
Image credit: Rod Gonzalez
Suzi Humphries | Ceramics | Cornwall
Suzi is a Ceramic Artist living and practicing in Cornwall. Her work is centred around interpretations and the contradictions of the inner self. She explores expressions of emotion and allows elements of the hidden subconscious to become embodied. Tapping into the fragmented memories of what has gone before to make them real in the present.
Suzi finds herself driven by process, form, and technique, constantly seeking ways of portraying this fascination in her work. Her aim is to engage the viewer through questioning of materiality, and her pursuit of perfection, as she continues to develop her identity as an artist. Currently, she is exploring working on larger conceptual forms, allowing the additional impact that this scale provides to communicate her ideas.
Suzi’s background is in the wedding industry, she worked as a wedding cake designer for 12 years, owning and running an award-winning cake company. During this time, she developed an eye for design and detail but had an inner longing to create work that had permanence. To fulfil this, she returned to education and studied for a BA (Hons) degree in 3D Design Craft. This was a challenge after so many years out of education, but it has allowed her to grow as an artist, cultivate a fresh desire to create work that has meaning, and given her new insights into how she can express her creativity.
Tamika Loftie-Eaton | Furniture | Devon
Tamika is a multi-disciplinary designer maker who loves to use colour and texture in her designs as she finds that they are great tools at enhancing certain details on her objects.
Tamika’s making and designing process is based on experimenting and combining multiple techniques and materials. The act of combining materials into one piece is a way for her to create a narrative and draw peoples attention to topics she is passionate about.
She uses the inspiration she finds from nature, her environment and the people around her to tackles social issues, which she has encountered, and help bring awareness to them.
Tamika’s skillset includes working with: ceramics, wood, textiles and exploring the possibilities of merging them.
She aims to open my own studio so she can develop her designs as well as collaborate with other creatives and disciplines.
Alexandra Carr | Mixed Media | Devon
Alexandra is a doctoral researcher at the University of Plymouth, with a background as a designer maker informing her practice-based research.
Much of Alexandra’s work plays between various mediums, following experimentation with materials and process.
Nelly Cambridge | Textiles | Cornwall
Nelly’s work is driven by her passion for sustainability and innovation. Using knowledge of different fibre types to create contemporary blends of yarn a variety of fibre types for example; wool, cellulose, plant based and recycled fibres.
With sustainability at the forefront of Nelly’s design decisions she uses natural dye processes to create colour in order to reduce the amount of chemicals entering water systems.
Her end of degree collection of yarn was inspired by the microscopic wildlife found off the Plymouth Sound using primary research gathered from the marine biology department of Plymouth University. This collection is in collaboration with the natural fibre company who have sponsored the development of this unique blend containing seaweed. Nelly aims to further explore the possibilities of producing contemporary blends for application across a variety of markets.
Vicky Jackson | Ceramics | Devon
Vicky learned to knit when she was 6, sitting next to her nanny. From that moment on she has been interested in creating, from fabric to cakes to Fimo.
Vicky tried her hand at being a dental technician. Then met her husband at 21 and had 4 children. Her husband was in the navy so they moved every 3 years and with 4 children her creativity was put on the back burner - she carried on knitting though through out this time.
Vicky had a 2-hour throwing session and had an overwhelming feeling of being at home (in the studio setting) from that moment on she has pursued ceramics. She joined a community studio in Portsmouth and sucked in all the knowledge she could and became part of the leadership team.
Vicky then moved in lock down to Torbay and she renovated their house and finally got a shed/studio from which she indulges her deep joy in mud. She gets absolutely lost in time in her clay space.
Vicky comes from Falmouth in Cornwall and has lived in Scotland twice, Portsmouth six times, Cornwall once and New Zealand once. Her life has been very busy. At last she can focus on her creativity.
Bonnie Mustoe-Whitehill |Mixed Media | Devon
Bonnie is a research-led mixed media artist, curious about the psychology of touch and play. This curiosity guides her interest in creating tactile objects for the benefit of the user, whether that is visual, mental or physical.
Living alongside nature, in the Cotswolds, Devon and Cornwall, has inspired her to use tactile natural forms as starting points within her work. She focuses her creative practice largely on casting techniques, working with various materials, such as glass, fine metals and rubbers to create tactile objects which encourage the user to explore with their hands as well as their eyes.
One of the key focal points within her work is exploring material qualities and how they can be applied and used deceptively in conjunction with unassuming natural forms. Bonnie has found that designing work with surprising properties engages the audience and creates a sense of playfulness and intrigue.
Mateja Perosa |Textiles | Bristol
Perosa Design garments and accessories are universal and timeless, inspired by the folk tradition of the Balkans. Bold and brave: for all creatives, artists and beauty chasers. The touch quality of linen gives us a sense of luxury. It is our ancestral fabric and is made for our sustainable future.
Linen is the textile of our lives. With sustainability at the heart of our craft, each piece is made-to-order, locally.
Mateja Perosa is a surface designer, based in Bristol. She is transmitting the ancestral symbols into the cloth for creating stronger connections between the wearer and linen.
All pieces are made to order with love, in the Bristol Textile Quarter studio.
Faye Bentley | Textiles | Somerset
Faye is a Textile Designer Maker based in the South West of England, specialising in the technique of Tufting.
She is really passionate about all things colour and texture as well as the outdoors. Nature is not only used for visual inspiration but is the core theme for her work. Whether it be through the use of natural dyes, reusing textile scraps or her growing commitment to finding initiative ways to create with any of her textile waste.
Faye creates one of a kind pieces that range from soft furnishings such as her tufted scrap cushions, tactile artwork and wall hangings. With new products including accessories in the making.
Lauren Tearle | Ceramics | Devon
Lauren is a passionate maker who creates ceramic objects for one-off or small batch production.
She is interested in the possibilities of colour, texture and organic forms in her work.
For Lauren, the ceramic studio is a busy, inspiring place for experimentation and learning new ways to create her final outcomes.
Lauren hopes to create beautiful objects that will be treasured forever.
Gail Stubbs | Ceramics | Devon
Gail Stubbs is a ceramicist who makes both functional and installation work based in South Devon. Gail’s work is closely associated with the complex issues surrounding the mechanisation of food production, overfishing and fish politics. The work exists in the realm of social political commentary through craft production.
Fishing related images have been screen printed onto slabs of white stoneware which have been used to form plates using a RAM press with dies cast from factory made originals. The screen-printed images distort when pressed illustrating how the narrative of food and fishing is sometimes romanticised and warped by both marketers and consumers.
Maritime phrases were used to convey suggestions of the frailty of marine life and dangers of overfishing and the situation humans find themselves in with regards finite resources. Mass production methods of ceramics have been used as a canvas to mirror the mass production and processing of food.
Westcountry clay has been used and limited firings carried out during the making process enabling the production of the work with a low carbon outlay.
Andrea McCarthy | Printmaking | Devon
Andrea’s printmaking practice consists primarily of lino and cyanotypes.
Andrea spends a lot of time walking by the sea and the countryside in Devon, and that has become a great inspiration for her work. Typically she will work from photos taken on these walks but the process is important as well. She enjoys focusing on the highlights and shadows, and seeing the print come to life as the layers are added.
In October, Andrea opened her own shop on The Barbican in Plymouth to sell her work and she is really enjoying it!
buyindie.co.uk/store/andrea-mccarthy-prints | @andreamccarthy.print
Ella Kearvell | Textiles | Somerset
'Ella's Handmade Creations' are handcrafted textile dolls, made with an emphasis on recyclability and sustainability. Ella’s creations combine her love of animals and costume design, which she studied at Arts University Bournemouth in 2022. Each creation has its own unique character, brought to life in recycled, natural and vintage fabrics, using the combination of machine and hand-stitching.
Ella begins her creations by deciding on which animal head she would like to create; she looks for animals that have interesting colours and fur types. She enjoys replicating these in different fabrics, trims and stitch techniques. Her favourite part of the process is sewing the patches on around the eyes, every stich and thread of “fur” gives the doll its own unique character. The clothing is created once the doll’s face and body is complete.
Sustainability is an important factor in Ella’s art practice, using materials and fabrics that work with nature and not against it. She loves recycling materials into new creations and upcycling clothes, giving things a second life. Collecting vintage fabrics, clothes and trinkets is a favourite hobby of hers.
Ella also loves learning about the history of her local area in Somerset, UK. Learning stories about the lives and work of past locals, has given her great inspiration towards her art practice over the years.
Karen Painter | Ceramics | Bristol
Following a successful career as a graphic designer, an ongoing appreciation of art, particularly contemporary craft, has led me to the position of artist/maker.
Through my degree course, my practice has developed in ceramics, wood and textiles, with their natural properties being important to me.
Karen’s work is mainly in ceramics, with an interest in wood and textiles.
Darcy Chapple | Mixed Media | Cornwall
My work explores memory, melancholy, and the human experience using primarily oil paint. I also play with the layering of paint with charcoal and inks. Drawing inspiration from the profound narratives held within individuals and landscapes, I delve into the invisible energies that intertwine with the human figure and the spaces they inhabit.
Colour, to me, serves as a dynamic language, capable of evoking intricate emotions and moods. Through intuitive brushstrokes across the canvas, I orchestrate a symphony of hues, each interacting to create captivating atmospheres and narratives. My practice is deeply influenced by the works of the masters, where nostalgia intertwines with modern sensibilities, as I borrow and reimagine historic palettes in contemporary contexts.
Central to my recent explorations is the notion of invisible pain and chronic illness, particularly from the female perspective. I aim to shed light on the unseen struggles and resilience of individuals navigating these experiences, inviting viewers to confront and empathise with these often-overlooked narratives.
Recently, my focus has shifted towards the intersection of women, nature, and healing—examining the profound connection between the female form and the landscape.
Eve Copper | Textiles | Devon
I graduated from Plymouth College of art with a BA Hons in Fashion Design 2 years ago. My final collection featured at Graduate Fashion Week presented a unique modular multiway clothing system.
The Eve Copper brand has developed that final collection into an ever-evolving collection of sustainable womenswear. I describe my garments as considered craft, as all aspects of the design and production has been consciously selected to minimise planetary impact, reduce waste, utilise existing resources, improve use-value and adaptability.
I specialise in creating multiway garments, which give my customers multi-use clothing with greater value and longevity than the single purpose clothes most brands offer. The considered design of these pieces reinforces the sustainable fashion ideology to buy less, buy better and use more.
All garments are manufactured by hand in my small Tiverton studio on a ‘found’ vintage knitting machine and other vintage sourced sewing machines. I use consciously selected materials including British wool, vintage and dead-stock fabrics, vintage buttons and notions (where possible) and sustainable new fabrics.
Matthew Blythe | Photography | Devon
I have been practicing and learning photography for about 4 -5 years, this last year I have been making a concerted effort to gain the skills in running photography as a business. I covered the Teignmouth Maritime and Shanty Festival as the official photographer and took part in my first exhibition at TAAG last week, where I sold one of my limited edition prints (lots of rain so not many visitors).
I am now pursuing a career in photography alongside my normal job, I am looking to learn how to make a career in an arts based role. My skills mainly lie in landscape photography and I focus on the local area.
Ender Locke | Wood | Dorset
I am a maker at heart. More than anything, all I want to do is make. Woodwork has been my passion for years but I love to try any craft I can. I first made a pole lathe, then a treadle powered one and at 18 spent my summers savings on my first proper lathe.
I've been woodturning for over three years now and am proud of the level of quality I can produce. I'm 21 and since finishing my degree in product design technology I'm excited to see what I can do next. I want to eventually transition to making bespoke furniture by hand, even forging the nails and fixings. But until then I will make what I can and to the best quality I'm able to.
Honing my skills as a maker gives me great satisfaction and I hope the opportunities make southwest could provide can aid me along the way while.
Susan Bradshaw | Textiles | Devon
I have developed my craft skills of lace and embroidery since the 1980's, attending adult education classes and local textile groups. Making textiles has given me a creative pastime and social exchange.
My new textile professional practice is in a home-based studio. I have showed at a variety of local galleries and outlets and organise workshops to share my skills of needle lace and I have been invited to take part in art retreats. I use traditional needle lace techniques that create the textures needed for my designs.
I like to explore the potential of the lace stitches by working with a variety of materials to keep the delicacy that embroidery and lace embodies. Sixteenth century Elizabethan Stumpwork is my inspiration, particularly the distorted perspective of animals, people, and places.
Natural and urban landscapes are my design source. I love to combine colours and blend them to capture my visual interpretation. I use natural threads such as space dyed silks and cottons to make my lace and embroidery.
Breesha Partington | Mixed Media | Bristol
Breesha Partington is a recent Maker graduate from Cardiff Metropolitan University, specialising as an interdisciplinary designer with a primary focus on the laser cutting process. Their work encompasses the creation of decorative design pieces, including acrylic and ply vases, alongside unique wall pieces crafted from the by-products of the laser cutting process. They are committed to creating circular, eco-friendly bodies of work.
Their design philosophy leans towards minimalism, infused with mid-century modern influences. They strive to harmonise digital processes, such as laser cutting, with traditional handmade techniques, creating pieces that blend precision with the organic touch of craftsmanship.
Natasha Craig | Wood | Devon
I am a woodworker based in south Devon with a background in 3D art & design. My woodworking practise is centred around tactility, utility and sculptural form.
All of my woodwork is sculpted by hand into playful soft shapes contrasting against what we would expect from the solidness of timber. Each piece has a tactile quality, a texture to connect with through touch. My work is representative of non-repetitive shapes that can be found in rock, stone and pebble with an abundance of inspiration from the moors, and beaches of Devon. Each piece I make is to be held and treasured in the same way we are drawn to collect a pebble from a beach.
There is a nod to my Indonesian heritage where richer dark tones, blacks and deep browns, were always present through art and wooden furnishings in my family homes. I make reference to these deep tones through the burning of the wood and find natural, lighter, creamier wood tones contrast in a satisfying way against the intense black of brunt oak and ash. This black burnt wood element can be found throughout my work with the natural cracking and warping to be embraced as a contemporary rustic off shoot of the process.
Utility is as important to me as much as form. Each object must have a purpose. That purpose can be minimal such as my vases that hold one treasured stem – drawing the focus to the object with the appeal of personal intervention by the user. My scope of work extends to more obviously useful items such as brushes, kitchen boards and lamps with exploration within these fields an ever developing part of my practice.
etsy.com/shop/natashacraigwoodwork | @natashacraig_woodworker
Lisa McEleny | Materials | Devon
I am a Plymouth based artist working within the field of craft. My design process is heavily shaped by growing my own materials (wheatgrass and chia). This grown matter is manipulated, interacted and merged with other materials such as latex, plaster, porcelain and copper, in innovative ways such as electro-forming plant ‘root’ to create conceptual jewellery and mini-sculptures, a relatively new discovery with great potential. I enjoy creating porcelain ware with experimental techniques incorporating latex, organic matter and porcelain slip. My symbiotic relationship with nature offers a clear provenance and appreciation of both materials and nature and a mindful, enriching practice. I am able to work more sustainably through growing my material and utilising as much as possible to avoid waste and limit my carbon footprint.
My practice explores the interplay between permanence and impermanence. A previous nursing career, where experiencing old age fragility was commonplace, fed my fascination with ephemerality and I am inspired by the parallels between the human body and the natural world. My recent semi autobiographical work, ‘Ephemeral Bodies’, examined the ageing female form as an object which changes and decays over time. As humans, the manifestations of ageing often cause fear rather than embracement and celebration of these alterations; my work tells the narrative of a transience with which mid-life can draw comparisons. This fleeting phase demonstrates a midpoint between life and death and growth and decay where acceptance, peace and beauty may be found alongside fragility and vulnerability.
Lyndsey Gates | Glass | Devon
I am a glass artist who combines the crafts of stained glass and silk-screen printing. I use a silk-screening process to create images on glass with enamel, powdered glass, and acid. The glass is then kiln-fired many times to permanently embed the images.
For me, experimenting with these processes is challenging, detailed, and yet highly rewarding. Each piece is unique due to the unpredictable nature of the medium. Subtle variations emerge after each firing, creating distinctive patterns and details.
My inspiration is highly drawn by nature, geometry, symbolism and a tinge of dark, doomy loud music! I often incorporate plants and greenery to construct living, functional beauty. Plants and greenery are not just decorative elements; they are integral to the pieces themselves. This integration allows a sense of growth and resilience, mirroring the natural world's constant dance of life and renewal.
I am also committed to sustainable practices. Each frame, border, and stand is crafted from salvaged wood, giving each piece a unique story. By incorporating reclaimed wood into my work, discarded materials enjoy a new life.
My glasswork encompasses techniques including traditional stained glass methods using copper foil and lead, and kiln-fired work that integrates screen printed enamels and finely sifted powder glass frits to create patterns, and imagery.
I am a member of Double Elephant Print Workshop in Exeter, utilizing their amazing facilities to help create my screen-printed glass works.
Although my journey with glass started several years ago, it was the transformative events of the pandemic and the birth of my daughter, that allowed me to reflect on my love for this craft, igniting a renewed sense of self-discovery and motivation to nurture my confidence with glass and propel it forward.
My path with glass is yet to unfold fully, and I am enthralled by the possibility of refining my craftsmanship and cultivating my skills further.
Graham Tapper | Furniture | Devon
I get most enjoyment from making rustic items, or humorouse items that make me chuckle and / or quirky objects that no-one has seen elsewhere before.
Sarah Drury | Jewellery | Devon
I am a Devon based artist specialising in jewellery, my work revolves around social commentary. Each piece I create serves as a form of gentle protest, designed to be placed or worn as catalysts for meaningful discussion. Contemporary jewellery, with its intimate relationship to the body, holds a unique position in that it can act as a mobile talking piece for big issues. Functionality is essential to my jewellery making, ensuring that each piece embodies a dual purpose: wearable art with significant meaning.
My approach to jewellery making blends high-tech and low-tech processes. Utilising techniques ranging from computer-aided design to traditional methods like lost wax casting, etching and patina. I prioritise principles of repurposing, recyclability, and the safe disintegration of materials. Recycled brass and silver serve as the foundation of my creations, this aligns with my commitment to sustainable practices.
During my undergraduate studies, I researched PFAS—per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as forever chemicals and illustrated the public health risks posed by these substances through a collection of jewellery.
I made components for the jewellery from resized sink traps with the aid of CAD. Incorporated carpet, embroidery and nasal cannula (used to administer oxygen to hypoxic patients) to create a visual narrative representing the ways that PFAS are infiltrating our bodies within the domestic environment and that this is leading to PFAS accumulating in our bloodstream causing serious disease including cancers. The collection is designed to create visceral discomfort and generate discussion about a pressing public health issue that remains overlooked by the government.
Rachel Ward | Mixed Media | Devon
Rachel is a Textile Design Innovation Masters graduate from Devon who is passionate about combining traditional embroidery and textile techniques with laser cutting, 3D printing, photography and digital design to create colourful and imaginative pieces that provoke joy and awe.
Growing up in the Southwest Rachel has been continuously inspired by the euphoric feeling of the natural world, from the coast to the moors, the outdoors has had a large impact on her work. She aims to capture this in abstract shapes, ensuring the audience feels the natural world’s light and wonder without being tied to its literal appearance.
Rachel creates mixed-media pieces suitable for interiors, and accessories including bespoke embroidery/ beaded items and sculptures. She also has experience making large-scale installation pieces suitable for commercial and gallery use.
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