WINTER ART FAIR OPEN STUDIOS

Mandy's studio will as usual be a visual delight as she mixes in work for sale with objects and textiles that inspire her.Her studio gives a glimpse in to her working process and the antique and vintage cloth that are the starting point for her collages, dolls and fabric books.

Visit Jessica in the Paddock studio for a glimpse into her cosy, creative world!  Find out about forthcoming workshops, view artwork, sketchbooks, trinkets and textile treasures as well as browsing her collection of orginals, cards and kits.  As always, Jessica will have plenty of Christmas bobbin decorations for sale as well as gifts for fellow creatives and stitchers!

Jill’s small studio will be full of colour,  with quirky animal and bird clocks and beautiful jewellery. She may have had time to make some collages or illustrations as well.

Visit watercolour artist David Holliday in Castle View Studio. David has been busy painting several new images including a Sunrise over Lindisfarne and Hadrian's Wall and a ghostly image of Sycamore Gap entitled 'An Echo from the past'.

Explore her latest ceramic sculptures and jewellery, inspired by geological features, craggy, rugged landscape and coastline, weathered and shaped by nature, including humans. Melanie has recently expanded her ‘Shibui’ porcelain jewellery range and ‘Tumblestone’ sculptures. Feel the textured, lichen like surface of ‘Traced Tarn Tumblestones’, punctuated with striking bronze markings.

Visit Rebecca’s studio to explore her vibrant new floral art and experience the joy and energy of her innovative painting process firsthand. Discover her striking seascape monotypes featuring our iconic Northumberland castles. Browse a wide range of colourful landscape prints and enjoy a special offer on greetings cards.

Cathy's unique Linocut prints reflect her interest in the lives of the people and countryside of Northumberland. The originality of her work is derived from her love and talent for observational drawing and design.

Jina's studio is packed full of wildlife artwork, gifts and homeware. You can see the method behind the madness and look through her sketchbooks as well as watch Jina paint live. Why not also discuss a pet portrait with her for that extra special gift or hear about her latest workshops ran here at the Hearth. 

Catherine Brady of Crushshades is a textile designer who is interested in designing templates that interlock together to form uniformed, structured patterns in contrast to her abstract maximalist fabrics. Catherine strives to create unique pieces of functional art for the home. She has exhibited at the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair and sold work with independent stores.

In her studio in a converted barn in the heart of Northumberland, Sarah makes books and papercuts inspired by the landscape, by stories, film and poetry. Incorporating bookbinding, papercutting and painting in her work, she is fascinated by the magic of transforming a flat piece of paper into something three dimensional.

Basket weaving for me, feels akin to storytelling. Each piece informs the next, its ancient origins passed through many hands, timelines & cultures. I work with the rhythms of the seasons to grow, gather & weave willow creating functional, unique pieces. Practicality & natures magic entwined. Celebrating the relationship between us & our landscapes.

My handmade ceramics are made in my garden studio in Gateshead. My work includes unique sculptural and functional pieces inspired by nature and all things beautiful. I love the versatility of clay and enjoy exploring various surface decoration to create my pieces.

Self taught linocut artist based in the North East of England with a love of all thing ancient, mythical and spiritual. I am fascinated by the many different aspects of the divine feminine and the stories they have to tell and hand print goddesses designs from all around the world.

Joanna is a printmaker inspired by the allotments, the Town Moor, parks and gardens in her local area of Newcastle, and by more distant places with a personal connection. She specialises in woodcut, creating her images by printing several layers of ink of varying transparencies using multiple blocks or reduction process, creating a subtlety and softness in the finished piece.

Sooz handcrafts one-of-a-kind mohair teddy bears and other animals under the guise of BearTonBorough. It all began with a kit bought online, though Sooz has now also developed her own patterns including a rabbit, an elephant and most recently a camel. In addition there are some very special bears with maps on their feet, a lovely personalised touch that makes for a thoughtful gift.

Oakwood Soaperie is a small, artisan soap business in the heart of the Tyne Valley. Ceri (owner & maker) specialises in handcrafted, traditionally made, cold processed, natural soaps, & bathing products. All the products are formulated from finest natural plant based and sustainable ingredients, home grown botanicals & local beeswax to create skin & planet friendly luxurious products.

I carve entirely by hand . Starting with a felled tree , I work from the bark inwards to discovery the hidden shapes within. Using many types of wood I am always inspired by my love of Music and Nature . Most of my pieces are reflective of these 2 important elements.

Julia Neubauer is a knitwear designer and Maker. Based at the Brewhouse Studios, overlooking the river in Alston, Cumbria. Her hand framed knitwear is mainly made from British pure wool from Yorkshire woollen mills. Accessories include Wristwarmers, hats, headbands, scarves and neckwarmers as well as simple garments and homeware.

Michelle is a Northeast based artist, jewellery designer and teacher. Michelle works primarily in silver plus some gold, copper and brass. Using traditional silversmithing skills she sets semi-precious stones into her designs heavily influenced by her natural surroundings.

Bethan Laker makes characteristically ‘wonky’, messy drawings into original, witty and authentic products and artworks. Typically working with bold line, collage and print, producing colourful responses to everyday life and North East landmarks. The work is joyful and expressive, with text and phrasing as celebrated as the drawings.

Joseph Hillier makes sculpture that relates organic and digital geometries to the human form. His work has been collected and commissioned internationally and can be seen by appointment or open studio events from his sculpture garden and studio in Prudhoe, Northumberland.

After training and working in London as a theatre designer, Willa Story returned to the North in 2001 to launch her business 'Unique In Glass'. Her stained glass and mosaic artwork and exclusive glass gifts incorporate several techniques to produce vibrant, bold and unique pieces. Willa's studio and showroom are based near Bardon Mill. Commissions welcome.

Melissa Girling is a furniture-maker and designer using traditional techniques to create unique, handmade pieces in wood. Alongside bespoke furniture commissions, her hand-crafted wooden boxes with choices of stacking trays and distinctive latches (collaborating with metalsmith Helen Connor) are designed as special gifts with many uses.

The Hearth Café will be serving seasonal drinks and refreshments throughout the fair. We recommend reserving a table in advance to avoid disappointment. The Cafe serves teas, freshly ground coffee, homemade cakes & scones, light lunches, and the popular all-day breakfast. Vegetarian, vegan & gluten free, licensed: craft beer & wine.