Clerkenwell Craft Central – Open Studios

Not entirely happy to find myself dragged into Central London for a work course on a freezing but bright Sunday I was somewhat placated to find that “Made in Clerkenwell” was running.

Essentially the higgledy piggledy buildings on the corner of Clerkenwell Green – containing a myriad of tiny designer workshops – were open to the public for some shopping and snooping. I paid my £2.50 entrance fee and tackled the four floors of treasures.

On the ground floor, Sarah Hocombe was demonstrating her use of egg to create stunning frescos and sky paintings – I admit I took a postcard showing blue skies over St Paul’s. On the first floor I admired the chunky silver jewellery of Sarah Herriot and the mythical paintings and razor montages of Veronica Bailey. The Japanese character inspired brushed silver jewellery tempted me at Mandana Oskoui and I read the Grazia magazine reviews to see which celebrity had been spotted sporting a Carmen Woods bag.

On the second floor I was stopped in my tracks by a stunning red dress by Davina Hathorne who seemed utterly unfazed by the numerous people traipsing through her workshop and I had to pick up some of the brightly covered kids themed mug at Michelle Mason. Becca Jewellery was so delicate – with tiny engravings on charm bracelets and pendants with words like “Nice” and “Forget me knot” – I certainly won’t. The butterflies in Frilly by Lily were thrilly (sorry!).

Gathering all my strength I made it up the narrow staircase to the third floor to be greeted by fairy lights surrounding each doorway – nice touch. At the far end of the corridor I was entranced by the leaf and shell inspired jewellery of Emma Q and I tarried a while at Josef Koppmann who captivated with his stories of tourmalated and rootified quartz (hope I got that right – they really were spectacular pieces). But I remained admiring the work of Sonia Cheadle for the longest. Eventually I had to ask what the impossibly tiny glass-like beads were that were on my favourite pieces – black diamonds I was told. And the price of the most coveted pair of ear rings I have seen in a long while – a hefty £1,680. Maybe Santa was listening – trust me to want the most expensive items at the entire exhibition.

What I most liked about this event was it’s relaxed nature. We trekked round the open studios while the artists continued to work – some of them with the kids in tow. And whilst I like the space and clinical tidiness of exhibitions, it was fascinating to see the tiny workshops with the lives and loves of the artists displayed all around in a mele of books, coffee mugs and workshop tools.

Whilst the Open Studios exhibition is now closed, there is still the East London Design Show on 2nd-5th December at Shoreditch Town Hall. You can try Christmas shopping but I bet you end up keeping some of the purchases for yourself.