Spotlight On The Seller: Andrea Brajer

Andi’s Crafty Creations is a Leeds based business for contemporary soft furnishings which combine traditional and modern techniques. I create bespoke folded book art: I upcycle unwanted books into ornaments and sculptures according to a given theme or subject. My designs are tailored to the requirements of each customer with words, images or geometric shapes folded into the pages to produce a theme, a message or a particular subject.
 

The book covers can also be customised, I decorate them with fabric, paint, and / or the decoupage technique. I use good quality ribbons, laces, and aesthetic charms to enhance the visual. Each folded book is created with the customer or theme in mind, for a decorative purpose.

Decoupage art work: I apply decoupage to artefacts such as small, ornamental wooden hearts or miniature storage boxes, to larger domestic, wooden furniture pieces. Vintage, Shabby Chic and Country Chic are really close to me but I am happy to mix this style with modern elements.

What I really love about this craft is the challenge of giving old, unwanted pieces of furnitures or unwanted books a new life. It’s very satisfying to see something transformed.

Spotlight on the seller - Hart of glass

The Hart of Glass  seeks to offer a range of unique fused, slumped, recycled and stained glass giftware, jewellery and homeware at affordable prices. 

Designed and made in Leeds in my home studio, I take inspiration from nature, colour,  light, textures and used objects. A large range of glass is used in my one-off pieces and each one is meticulously created with love.

All jewellery is made by firing multiple layers of the finest ‘Bullseye’ and dichroic art glass to achieve a various multi-dimensional effects.

Recycled bottles are chosen carefully for their colour, shape, texture or design which impacts on their final use. Bottles are kiln-fused flat to make cheeseboards, or slumped into shapes for dip dishes, spoon rests, candle bridges and plates. 

I use special enamel paints for commission messages or patterns, for instance on a champagne bottle for an anniversary.

I also enjoy enhancing colourless and transparent glass with inclusions such as coloured ground glass (frit), wafer thin glass and copper sheet or wire. 

I use this technique in my key rings, plaques, coasters and bowls. Again, this provides me with a wide scope of possible designs and products, which are always developing.

Bespoke and commission pieces are always welcome. Please email me with your design idea to thehartofglass@gmail.com

“People are like stained glass windows. They sparkle and shine when sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.”
~  Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Spotlight on the seller - Melodies Jewellery

As a practising Jeweller and Interdisciplinary Artist, I find my work reflects many of my personal motivations. My range is inspired by a passion for music, a desire to re-use redundant materials, being able to hold something meaningful close to you, popular culture and a need for progression.  

I've developed my work to suit this ethos and now create a range of home-wares and gifts alongside my core jewellery

 These ranges are entirely made from neglected musical materials, instruments and other musical paraphernalia. 

I started my business in 2012 after years of making jewellery for fun and having graduated college with a BA (hons) in Interdisciplinary Art, the real world beaconed, but now I am back to what I love.