GNCCF 2012

GNCCF 2012

Last week was the 5th GNCCF at Spinningfields and it’s always a joy to visit this great contemporary craft fair that’s more or less on my doorstep. This year I saw many familiar faces again as so many of the makers have exhibited with me in Hebden Bridge over the last 6 years and I also got to catch up with Suet Yi; the ceramicist I sponsored in 2011 and awarded an exhibition opportunity to. Suet’s work was so well received at Heart Gallery we only have a few pieces still available and she is hoping to send us a little top up of wall pieces for Christmas. My phone was playing up so not many pictures but here is a quick look at our visit:

GNCCF 2012

Julia and Lisa, Heart Gallery princesses, with Katie and Faye

It was a quick race around the stands as there was a train to catch but we managed to stop lots of times to catch up with previous makers and I also got to introduce myself to new makers who may be interested in our 2013 programme.

Jennifer Collier and Louise Wilson

Adele Taylor

Lucy Anne Harding

Charlotte Verity

Katie Almond

Katie’s Best New Business Award

Ann-Marie and Angela, show directors, should be really proud of their achievements. I have watched GNCCF grow over the last 5 years into the premier destination it now is for high quality contemporary craft in the North of England. I know what it’s like to give birth to an idea that’s driven by desire and not greed and you can see their passion for championing craft in the North shining through…long may it continue.

GNCCF 2012

Meet The Maker – Suet Yi

Suet Yi – ceramicist

Last year at GNCCF I was honoured to be asked by Ann-Marie and Angela to offer a prize to an exhibitor and also excited to be able to get a sneaky early peek before the doors opened to the public! (See the blog I did about it here). The GNCCF showcases cutting edge contemporary craft to buy from over 150 carefully selected designer-makers in ceramics, glass, jewellery, interior and fashion textiles, wood, paper, silver, metal, product design, print-making and more. Last year was its fourth year and I have supported it since it first opened its doors at Manchester Grammar School in 2008 when it was opened by designer Thomas Heatherwick.

GNCCF Spinningfields 2011

Visitors to GNCCF can spend the day in a relaxed yet stimulating atmosphere, chat to the makers about their work and buy or commission pieces directly from them. As a gallery owner it is the perfect place for me to visit to find new graduates and designer-makers I have not yet discovered to showcase their work in Heart Gallery in the future….and there’s a bonus – it’s ‘Up North’ so not far to travel!

My first view of Suet’s display

Awarding Suet Yi with her certificate and the chance to exhibit with me in 2012

Awarding Suet an exhibition got me thinking about her work and when it would best suit Heart Gallery. Talking to Suet made it clear that she had a real passion for her craft and her inspirations from nature and life were so important to her. Suet’s display reflected this so well so it seemed apt to launch a Summer Showcase around her and therefore a 2012 exhibition was planned, organised and hey presto – Suet’s work has now arrived at Heart Gallery for others to admire 9 months after first meeting her.

Summer Showcase 2012 invitation

Summer Showcase 2012 invitation

In 2008, Suet quit her job in Hong Kong and came over to the UK to do a second degree in Nottingham. She expected to do something she would enjoy but had absolutely no idea what that thing would be. The summer before she entered her final year, she met Katrin Moye (an established potter based in Nottingham) who offered her a placement over the holiday and a part-time job for two months. This working experience helped her explore some decorating skills in pottery.

Suet Yi – wall plates

During her final year, Suet gave all her heart into creating her own body of work and played with clay every day and night. Sometimes it did not listen to her and sometimes she misunderstood it so the path to understanding ceramics took a lot of patience on Suet’s part but her love towards her work is more powerful than an alarm clock! It wakes her up every morning and she now knows that ceramics is the thing for her life. Suet Yi Ceramics is her everything; it has given her a meaningful life, a life Suet is able to look after and control, a life which makes her smile and a life she wants to last forever.

Suet Yi – wall plate

Suet explores beauty and simplicity from her love of the countryside and also the joy of being a child. 

Suet Yi – ceramic birds and trees

She enjoys the inner peace and tranquillity creating with clay. 

Suet Yi – wall plate

From her playful plates to her minimalist birds and trees, there is a sensibility as delicate as the materials. 

Suet Yi – ceramic birds and trees

We adore Suet’s work and know that you will too so do call in soon to see the range she has created for us. We are officially launching the Summer Showcase on Sunday 01 July from 12-5pm so do please join us for our Garden Party.

Suet Yi Ceramics – wall display

I will finish this post on Suet with her own words: “Ceramics and I are bonded by destiny. It carries my love for a simple and quiet life.”

GNCCF

GNCCF at Spinningfields 2011

This little post is a wee bit late as after this show I was flying off to Tenerife with my family for a much needed holiday after a difficult summer in hospital and time off recuperating. Since I got back from Tenerife it has been chaos climbing that paperwork mountain and getting ready for Christmas at Heart but this show had to get a wee mention so here goes ….  oh and by the way the Tom Dixon lights, supplied by Ferrious, in the window and foyer were amazing; I have drooled over the copper shade pendant for a very long time but unfortunately cannot afford it – I need 3!

Inside the window display looking towards Suet Yi Ceramics

I had been kindly asked by Angela and Ann-Marie, GNCCF organisers, to be a prize sponsor and offer an exhibition opportunity to one lucky exhibitor and this was a tough decision to make as there was so much talent in that building! I only had 1 1/2 hours to go round all 141 stands and make up my mind, not an easy task at all, although I did have a glamorous assistant with me, Lisa Murdoch and a  glass of white Pinot!

This display of Suet's caught my eye very early on

Close up of Suet's ceramic plates/sculptures inspired by nature and observations of every day life

Suet was really pleased with her prize and although really busy herself we shall be working together in the Summer of 2012. In the meantime, take a peek here for what beauties are in store for you when her work arrives at Heart Gallery.

Handing over the certificate to Suet Yi was a pleasure and I can't wait to work with her in the Summer of 2012

Once the decision was made I could relax slightly and chat to past, present and future makers of Heart Gallery before racing back home to get ready for my early morning flight! Here are a few of my highlights, some work has been showcased in Heart Gallery over the last five years and some is yet to come so watch this space!

Always great to see Tamsin Howells and her amazing acrylic jewellery

Adele Taylor's jewellery is amazing - I should know I've bought a fab ring similar to the large one on the poster!

Hannah Nunn was glowing, as always

Sally Pawson's colourful aluminium and silver jewellery arrived at Heart just before GNCCF

Her customised stand made me smile - I love rainbows x

I have admired Emilie Taylor's handbuilt ceramics for some time now

I had to fight, well grapple actually, with the girls from The Craft Shop in Manchester over Kate Lulham's work. Perfect for Heart Gallery and it will be coming but they will showcase her work before I do in 2012 so you must get along to see it

Katherine Richmond wasn't on her stand unfortunately but her jewellery was stunning and I will be in touch with her soon

inspirational jewellery from Kayleigh Biggs

Jennifer Collier's recycled and transformed papers are making a return to Heart Gallery in May 2012

Neighbours over the road on Market Street, ethical and sustainable Makepiece, managed to set up in record time

This blew me away. Leila Arzaghi, fragile and precious

Faye Power - hand illustrated ceramics, fabulous wedding gifts

The stories behind Catherine Chester's conceptual jewellery had me engrossed for some time, her stand was amazing and she had one proud mummy with her and rightly so

I collected my order from Sarah Tyssen. Limited edition woven scarves and blankets

Jill Ford's contemporary ceramics are a delight

Alix Swan I gave a prize to when she exhibited at Holmfirth earlier this year, her stand was amazing again

Another peek at Alix Swan's work

Finally, inspired and exhausted I set off for home dreaming of one day owning one of these!