The Designers Journal: British Craft Trade Fair Part 1

We went to visit the British Craft Trade Fair today in Harrogate and saw lots of inspiring work from this years exhibitors. Read on to find out who really caught our eye, and be sure to check out their websites for more information!

Sue Foster - Norfolk Heritage Collection

Sue Foster is a textile designer originally a weaver, who collaborated with the Norfolk Museums and Archaeology service to create her heritage collection. I was drawn to her stand because of the bright colours and striking, unusual patterns used across her work. The designs used on her work were pulled out of museum archives relating to traditional Norfolk textile patterns and lovingly restored and re-produced by Sue. Who knew there were such beautiful textiles hiding away in archives all over the country, and maybe even the world!

Pink Barcode £35

Yellow 'lace' cushion £35

Red Multi Pattern £35

You can visit Sue's website HERE

Jill Govier - Touchy Feely Textiles

Next up is Jill Govier of Touchy Feely Textiles. I loved here crafty, patchwork cushions and products. Jill told me how she completed her degree in fine art and was forever being told to move away from stitch, but she just couldn't keep away and ended up stitching together slate for her final projects. It all worked out in the end with these lovely products, which combine pretty fabrics, buttons and quirky typography.

"The gift you buy but don't want to give away"

Cushion

Purse

Cushion

You can visit the Touchy Feely Textiles website HERE or follow Jill on TWITTER

Gracie Ink Designs

I also met Grace from GracieInk designs who screen prints all of her work by hand from her studio in the Scottish borders. I loved Gracies' expressive pot doll cushions and the illustrative birdcage designs. I love how Gracie takes inspiration from her travels around the world, creating unique and interesting textiles, see pictures of her work below.

Birdcage cushion

Tote Bag

Purses

Russian Doll cushion

Russian Dolls

Visit Gracies website HERE or check out her Facebook page

Caroline Pratt

Surface Pattern Designer Caroline Pratt really caught my attention with her bright, funky retro inspired patterns. I loved her stand and her work, in particular the parrot design; very detailed, stunning work!
Having been featured in Good Homes magazine, the Print and Pattern Book and the Tiger print blog, Caroline is definitely one to watch with her lovely design work. Very inspirational indeed.