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I hope you have as much fun watching the series as we had making it! From stone carving and jewellery, all the way to guerrilla knitting, we’ve found a huge range of high quality crafts to suit all levels of skill and all kinds of people. I’ve been genuinely inspired by the many talented amateur makers I’ve met, as well as by the master craftsmen and women who’ve generously shared their skills. Seeing how GETTING STARTED things are made, and then having a go myself, has been the Lots of the craftsmen and women who took part in Handmade most satisfying part of my experience – I hope this booklet Revolution told the team that often they start making things will help build yours. without a conscious idea of what they are making – if you’re more practised and have some materials available for use, Inside this booklet you’ll meet some familiar faces from the then experimenting with different materials could be a good series. They’re delighted to be able to share their experiences way to start. with you and offer up some ideas about how you can get started. I hope you’ll get real insight into all the different types If you’ve never made anything before, an easy first step for making of craft that you might be tempted to try. an object or product you are interested in could be choosing a material or reading about a craft in this booklet that sparks an If you’re a keen crafter or cautious new starter, it’s time to get interest. We have encountered individuals that can make and stuck in and join the Handmade Revolution! create materials or decorative items from about just about anything:

Paper Wood Plaster Clay Ink Plastic Textiles Photographs Paint Willow Haberdashery Metal Stone Ceramics Meet the judges Gill Thomas from Avening Women’s Institute told us that the best way to get started is: If you don’t already know them, it’s time to introduce the judges. They’re all professionals in the craft world and full-on enthusiasts “START SMALL AND SIMPLE – AIM FOR for all things handmade: they know what will make the grade. MAXIMUM EFFECT WITH MINIMUM EFFORT. Glenn Adamson is a leading specialist on the history and theory SUCCESS HAS TO BE GUARANTEED. of craft, currently working at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. “I have both deep and wide understanding of craft practice, BE PROUD OF THE THINGS YOU’VE MADE both historically and present-day – I have a lot to say about it!” AND SHARE YOUR SKILLS READILY.” The judges from left to right: Piyush Suri, Mary Jane Baxter Piyush Suri is a textile designer and retailer who loves everything Later on in this booklet, Mary Jane Baxter, Handmade Revolution and Glenn Adamson handmade and is passionate about British crafts and contemporary judge and milliner, suggests a few things you can find in the home interiors. “What can I say… I am a workaholic and like to work seven that could turn into craft treasures. days a week.” Mary Jane Baxter is a trained milliner, author and reporter for a number of publications and magazines including her own blog. “I’m passionate about making and spreading the ‘creative word’ – I really want to enthuse others and encourage them to give making things a go.”

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How I made craft my trade I STILL REMEMBER HAVING TO CHOOSE BETWEEN LATIN AND TEXTILES O-LEVELS (YES, IT WAS A WHILE AGO!).

Reluctantly, I swapped trays of left my job and signed up for what I’m doing today. I write Being cash-strapped, I’ve glittering sequins for ancient an HNC in millinery. A year later monthly columns on craft and always had to improvise verbs, and I suppose that could and I was working part-time style for various magazines, when it comes to my craft, have been that. But something for a well-known hat-maker to and recently published my first so I’ve become adept at you truly love never really goes the stars whilst continuing to book. I still make hats of course, turning trash into treasure. Mary Jane Baxter, away, does it? Reading English freelance as a journalist to help and teach millinery too – and I’m Milliner, Handmade at university, my desire to pay the bills. I launched my currently writing a second book Here are a few of my top tips: create something re-emerged, own range of hats, but realised showing people how to fashion Revolution Judge Scraps of ribbon and I started designing hats. My pretty quickly fabulous head 1 and Contributor Great for creating Bloomsbury heroines Virginia that designer- “SO I TOOK A RISK, wear at home. Back then, I spent most of my corsages Woolf and Vita Sackville-West makers often LEFT MY JOB AND spare time in the school textiles As for my mum Old jumpers were my inspiration, and I tried should I say bemused?) by the struggle to SIGNED UP FOR AN 2 room rummaging through the and her advice? Perfect for making my best to emulate their look. number of hats that adorned rely on their HNC IN MILLINERY.” rag bag, creating embroideries. Well, who woolly hats and gloves my abodes. My passion was craft alone At home, I’d be found running “ALTHOUGH VERY knows what Laddered tights fuelled by the discovery of unless they have some form of 3 up clothes on my mum’s SUPPORTIVE OF MY would have happened if I’d and garden wire flea markets, treasure troves financial support. sewing machine. Although HOBBIES, WHEN IT have started out differently. Fabulous flowers bursting at the seams with Saddled with a fair bit of very supportive of my hobbies, CAME TO GETTING AN Each of us has a unique path Retro ties trinkets and trimmings with debt myself, I reasoned that 4 when it came to getting an EDUCATION, MY MOTHER to follow and everything we Sew on a vintage buckle which to adorn my makes. borrowing more money was and belt up in style education, my mother was WAS PRETTY ADAMANT.” do informs our creative work. out of the question, so I’d pretty adamant. Latin, she felt, By the time I reached my All I can say is (to quote my Lace doilies The hat-making bug stayed somehow have to combine my 5 would be the better choice. mid-thirties, things came to a mother directly) “it certainly Unusual trims for tops with me, and when I went on to craft with my journalism in order I could always go back to head. Work pressures were pays to have many strings Tea towels work for the BBC as a journalist, to pay the bills. 6 textiles later, she reasoned, increasingly squeezing out my to your bow.” Presumably, it Turn them into an apron my sewing machine came with whereas a grounding in Latin creative impulses and I felt I had It’s taken me almost ten years makes the music sweeter too! See what else you can do! me. Friends were amused (or was a one-off opportunity. to take action. So I took a risk, of hard graft, but that’s really 3 4 HANDMADE REVOLUTION HANDMADE REVOLUTION

Now it’s your turn. Use the tracing paper to practise by tracing over these letters.

Try your hand A B C D E F G H I J at Calligraphy K L M N O P Q R S ‘CALLIGRAPHY’ comes FROM THE GREEK WORDS ‘KALLOS’ MEANING BEAUTY AND ‘GRAPHE’ MEANING WRITING. IT IS THE ART OF FORMING SYMBOLS BY A PEN OR BRUSH. T U V W X Y Z Modern calligraphy ranges There are three core skills Learn how to manipulate the pen from functional hand-lettered to be learnt when using a for a ‘thick-and-thin’ effect inscriptions and designs to calligraphy pen: FRONT SIDE fine-art pieces. Mary Jane Baxter’s hats 1. Keep the pen angle constant; a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Flat-balled, round-nibbed pens the nib should not turn as it and brushes are used to create forms lines or curves. The nib this craft. should always point in the same direction. You don’t need to spend lots o p q r s t u v w x y z of money on fancy pens and 2. Lead the nib gently across brushes; you can make a basic the paper, moving it backwards calligraphy pen by using a or sideways from the direction lollipop stick. You just need it’s pointing in. Use a little to snap it in half lengthways to pressure and try not to lean make a blunt end and dip it too heavily on your hand. If you into some ink. press too hard on the nib, you will damage it and you can also 90º Learning to hold a calligraphy 45º dig into the paper, causing an pen is easier than you think inky mess! – all you need to do is learn how to manipulate the pen for 3. Draw vertical, horizontal a ‘thick-and-thin’ effect with a or diagonal lines parallel to flowing, regular pattern. See each other. the diagram on the right.

Calligraphy invitation by Vici-Jane Kohring 5 6 HANDMADE REVOLUTION HANDMADE REVOLUTION

Chris Grace, Wood Turner and Engineer, Handmade Revolution Contributor

“One of the easiest and simplest things to turn is a Bud Vase. These are often made from a single piece of wood cut into a hexagonal shape for ease, and gripped by a chuck. As the wood spins on the lathe, the turner uses chisels or gouges to shave the wood away to create the shape. Once the outside is formed, a hole can be drilled into the block and the trumpet shaped to make it into a vase. It is then finished with progressive grades of sandpaper, and waxed or oiled depending on the Bud Vase made by Chris Grace effect you desire. Let your imagination run wild and combine other materials for a Bud Vase like this. Finishing: To get a good smooth finish, take a final cut with a sharp tool, then start to work the surface of the wood with good quality sandpaper and sand the wood using each grade of grit until the finish is smooth. There are approximately eight grades of WOOD CRAFTS OFTEN AIM TO UTILISE THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF WOOD sandpaper commonly used; make sure each grit has taken out TO CREATE APPEALING AND INTERESTING OBJECTS FOR DECORATION, the marks from the previous one before continuing, until you get PRACTICAL USE OR TOYS. the finish you want. Once the wood is sanded, a finish can be applied such as oil, lacquer or wax. Layers can be built up to create a shiny surface The type of wood and way Ash is primarily creamy white “WOOD TURNING over a period of days; the more layers used, the higher gloss of shaping it offers each in colour, although it can range IS A QUICK AND finish you get. Lemon oil can also give a fresh scent.” Geronimo by Chris Grace craftsperson a different effect, to a beige colour in black ash INTERESTING WAY OF product and experience. Often varieties. Ash wood was once SHAPING A PIECE OF the grain and type of wood used to make oars, handles for DID YOU KNOW? shapes the product made. axes, tennis rackets and skis. WOOD TO WHATEVER YOU WANT… THE Interesting patterns can be Heartwood is found at the in turned items as a decorative Wood can be shaped by hand, Walnut is coarse grained and found by picking a section centre of a trunk or large feature. power tools or machine. is a favourite wood amongst ONLY LIMIT TO WOOD of tree with a knot. As part branches. It often has a dark An interesting example of how a carpenters and wood turners; it TURNING IS YOUR Wood Grain refers to the of the tree, it is either a base colour; many smaller branches machine plus hand tools can be is easy to work with using hand IMAGINATION!” alternating regions of relatively of a branch or a dormant bud. do not have any of this as they utilised to create a wood craft tools and is easily shaped and darker and lighter wood are newer growth. product is wood turning. sanded. It is inherently strong, Understanding how trees resulting from the differing grow can help guide the Sapwood is the live outer part growth parameters occurring Wood turners often use native stable and shock resistant. craftsperson to make the of the wood, made from mostly in different seasons – these hardwood varieties including: Elm is a warm brown-coloured most out of the material: water and minerals that the are also known as growth wood and highly grained. It Cherry is a hardwood that roots have taken out of the rings representing a year of lasts well under water or below Pith is located at the centre has a hint of pink or red to it. soil. As branches get thicker, growth each. Changes in their ground level – it was used for of a stem during the first year Cherry wood darkens with the centre part may become width represent changes in water pipes in the medieval of growth. It does not grow age; it is often used to make heartwood. the tree’s environment, such period and in some of the any larger after the first year. musical instruments. as a drought or other trees construction of the original It is not always visible in Bark is the tree’s outer cover, competing for water and light. London Bridge. older wood. and is sometimes incorporated

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Wool THE ART OF SPINNING WOOL INTO YARN Make WAS DEVELOPED Around 4000 BC, MAKING IT ONE OF THE FIRST FIBRES TO BE MADE An Embroidered INTO CLOTH. WOOL CAN BE HAND OR MACHINE SPUN – EACH PRODUCES A Decorative Object DIFFERENT TEXTILE RESULT.

Naturally, wool can be found Traditionally, wool is knitted by in many colours, depending hand, with needles – bamboo on the kind and breed of or wooden needles are good animal it comes from: first tools for beginners as they Sheep wool produces light have a slight grip on the wool, greys to rich browns and can while metal and plastic needles vary in texture. provide opportunity for fast, smooth knitting. The bigger Glenn says: Angora rabbit wool is known the needle, the bigger the for its softness and ‘halo’ fluff. stitch you get. Knitters often “One of the clearest Cashmere goat wool is need to have a good grasp instances of the handmade known to provide lightweight of maths, to count stitches if revolution is seen in the underground phenomenon insulation. knitting to pattern. of ‘yarn bombing’, which Mohair goat wool is sourced Knitting doesn’t need to be all is equal parts graffiti and from Angora goats. This fibre about clothes and scarfs! One tea cosies – a startlingly is sometimes referred to as the of the latest trends is guerrilla contemporary use of a diamond fibre because of its knitting or yarn bombing, a type craft that was once natural lustre and hard-wearing of street art that uses colourful thought old-fashioned.” properties. displays of knitted or crocheted wool rather than paint.

Kath Hitchings, Knitter, © Eva Steidl CONTRIBUTED BY Handmade Revolution Contributor ELLA ROBINSON, ARTIST “Knitting doesn’t have to be all about wool either – you can knit Using these instructions, you could produce a name or text with spirals of stretchy T-shirt material or fleece to get a great plaque, a house number or name sign, something to decorate texture and to practise. To learn to knit, the best thing to do is to find a garden or interior or an embellishment for a picture frame or someone you can watch, who’ll teach you patiently; once you’ve mirror. You could also use this technique to add a new lease of got the hang of it, with a bit of practice you can knit anything.” life to old furniture. Turn to the next page for instructions...

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Top Tips If you have knots in your wood, do not drill within Make an Embroidered 3mm of these as they may snap the drill bit, causing the Decorative Object broken bit to become stuck within the wood. This can 1. Make a template or draw/print off text or 8. With the wood in front of you and the template usually be freed with pliers, YOU WILL NEED: a simple image for use as your design idea. to the side (for guidance/reference), decide but it can take some time, Medium-sized piece of Try not to make it too complicated as this will where you will begin stitching and select your and you will need to have a wood – e.g. driftwood require a lot of drilling! first colour. spare drill bit to hand! Embroidery cotton of Tip: Any knots in the wood, or areas of Small drill holes will only be various colours unevenness, should be avoided. 9. Take a length of embroidery thread no longer able to accommodate three A needle with medium- or four ‘lines’ of thread, so if 2. Cut around the template so there is not than 1 metre and thread through the needle. sized eye you need to put more than too much spare paper around the edges. Drill – either a hand drill this through one hole, you or pillar drill will do will need to make the hole bigger. Mark any larger holes Drill bit – an example small clearly on your template. size would be 1.5 or 2.5mm 3. Neatly mark the areas on your template where 10. Make your first stitch, going through the back you will need to drill the holes. You will need to of the wood whilst holding the end of the thread. Sandpaper – ideally both It is a good idea to ensure consider the size of the drill bit you are using, and Complete one stitch at the front and return to the fine and medium grades that the drill holes are well the holes required, to enable you to successfully back. You will now have both ends of the thread sanded, as any splinters of A4 paper stitch your full design. at the back. Tie these into a double knot. wood may catch the thread A sharp pencil or pen and separate the strands, Scissors 4. Affix your template to the wood using 11. From here, you can continue stitching until you meaning you will need to matt adhesive tape. are finished with this colour. Matt adhesive sticky tape get a new length. Tip: It will make it easier later if you ensure Your design idea – the whole template is covered with tape. Do not make the length of either a text or image cotton too long, as this will Protective eye gear mean that it gets twisted and may knot itself whilst you are Optional: 5. Drill the holes as required, making sure they 12. Double knot the thread onto one of the stitching. a pair of pliers, vice go all the way through. existing stitches at the back and cut away any excess. If your needle gets stuck going through a hole, then Glenn says: a little tug in the correct direction with the pliers “You see a lot of ‘upcycling’ 6. Remove the template in one piece 13. Continue stitching until the template (you will need it later). is complete. should free the needle and in craft today – that’s when allow the thread to be pulled a maker takes a piece of through successfully. junk and adapts it into a usable object. Often, the If you have a few pieces of traces of the material’s wood, you could always previous life make the 7. Use the medium grain sandpaper first 14. Attach a fixing (such as a picture hanger) start with an easy design finished item better than to smooth down both sides of the wood if necessary, to mount your piece on the wall. to see how the technique anything brand new.” (the back will be more rough). Then follow works and then build up to with the fine grain. a more complex design.

Photography © Ella Robinson 11 12 HANDMADE REVOLUTION HANDMADE REVOLUTION

Metal Health & Safety AS YOU’LL HAVE SEEN THROUGHOUT THE Considerations SILVERSMITHING SERIES, METAL IS A TRULY DIVERSE MATERIAL – • Use safety glasses, leather USED FOR MANY THINGS FROM LARGE Silversmithing is the term for making products from gold apron, steel toecap shoes and silver and it is mostly used for making jewellery. BRIDGES TO INTRICATE JEWELLERY. and ear defenders • Wear non-flammable Katherine Womack, Blacksmith, clothing Handmade Revolution Some of the techniques are similar to that of a blacksmith but Contributor • As well as leather gloves, silver is soft enough that it can be worked at room temperature. “I was fascinated by the craft of blacksmithing you can use leather palm protectors Silver can be cut with saws and carved with engraving tools, files from a young age, watching the smiths and drill bits. It can be hammered to forge shapes or add texture; Experts say that the best working at the local county show. I had the opportunity to have it can be domed with punches and patterned with stamps. a go a couple of years ago, found I had a natural talent for it, way to get started is to go Hayley Wright, and I’ve been hooked ever since! and see a blacksmith at Silver Jewellery Maker, Various pieces can be joined together by soldering them with “Working with metal is more about technique than strength, and work. Find someone in Handmade Revolution a blow torch. Wax can be carved and then cast into silver. Once feel rather than facts and figures. My style is art nouveau inspired; your local area – the links Contributor a setting is made, lots of materials can be added – for example I like to make anything from huge gates to tiny pendants, steel at the back of this booklet gemstones, shells, glass – your only limit is your imagination! should help. sculptures to toilet roll holders!” Silversmithing takes a little patience and a keen eye, but is a really enjoyable process and creates a very special final product. DID YOU KNOW? Top Tips to There are few crafted products that we can carry with us our Blacksmithing is thought to have started in the Iron Age, Glenn says: get started whole lives and which will be here long after we have gone; some 2000 years BC. 1 Find someone locally and jewellery is one of them. In the very early days, mainly simple tools and weapons were “Blacksmithing is tough watch how they work forged, and the ironwork was used as a form of status, only the work, involving a lot of “I mostly make jewellery: rings necklaces, earrings, bangles, 2 Scrap pieces of metal can that sort of thing, but I have made other small items on request very rich and powerful being able to afford the more decorative heat, smoke and raw be reused or worked and complex items. physical effort. So when a such as trinket boxes, tiaras and spoons. My favourite things to 3 Beginners could start make are rings; wedding rings are really special, I always feel The blacksmith FORGES (hits the metal between a hammer and maker coaxes iron into a work with wire or beads. honoured to make something so important.” anvil) to alter the cross section of the original material being used graceful, tapered shape like those in Katherine’s gate, 4 “Have fun, be original to what is required e.g. a taper or square or flat or other section. and wear your creations; it’s a feat worth admiring.” Alternatively, they FORM shapes like scrolls, curves, twists: it was people spotting the this is done by using the hammer with the anvil as a pivot to jewellery I was wearing This page: Katherine Womack’s that led me to setting control what you want the metal to do, or using other tools to tapered, iron gate control the forming. up my own jewellery making business.”

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Glenn says: “The trick of carving stone is to find forms that exploit DID YOU KNOW? its natural grain, pattern, Slate can be up to 600 and colour. Vincent’s work million years old – that is particularly effective means it is so ancient it in juxtaposing smoothly pre-dates the existence of finished surfaces with those humans, dinosaurs, insects left rough, emphasising two different qualities of and even complex plants. the same material.” You can find slate in a variety of colours, even if From left to right: Aural, Talking Head and Whale Form by Vincent Elphick found in one place. Slate from North Wales can be Recommended Materials found in many shades of grey, and may also be Plaster purple, green or cyan. Great for beginners, as you don’t need to buy expensive tools to The word marble derives work it. You can start by making wet plaster blocks; if you make from the Greek words your own block, it can be ready to work after 10-15 minutes of ‘mármaron’ and ‘mármaros’ mixing. Carve, while wet, with plastic cutlery. (see ‘Aural’) meaning crystalline rock Breeze blocks and shining stone. A good cost-effective material which can be covered with render Soapstone can be found all and masonry paint to create a variety of effects. (see ‘Talking Head’) over the world. Its primary Soapstone components are magnetite, Another good medium for the beginner, as it’s very soft. It’s also dolomite, chlorite and talc. the densest stone there is, which also makes it the heaviest, so As talc in soapstone is soft mind your toes if you drop it! (see ‘Whale Form’) to the touch, it gives the smooth feeling of rubbing Slate a piece of dry soap and is A material you can build up to using, along with marble, with more one of the key ingredients experience. It is expensive and requires more industrial tools in talcum powder. which require investment. Breeze blocks are made “MY FAVOURITE STONE TO WORK WITH IS WELSH SLATE. from a mixture of cement Stone Carving IT OFTEN TELLS YOU HOW TO GET THE BEST OUT OF and ash which is then IT ITSELF. YOU CERTAINLY CAN’T BULLY IT.” formed into a ‘block’ shape. Vincent Elphick, Stone Carver, ‘Breeze’ is an old British Handmade Revolution Contributor Tools “I never use power tools. It’s a personal thing, that’s all. There’s term for ‘ash’ and derives Vincent has been making things for as long as he can remember, nothing wrong with utilising power tools, it just takes something from the French word discovering a passion for working with stone in 2006. Inspired away from my own particular party.” ‘braise’ meaning hot coals. by nature and his own emotions to create his work, Vincent was Plaster of Paris gained its featured in the series as a judges’ favourite. name from predominant “Stone carving takes me on a journey; often I start out with a larger Health & Safety Considerations use in Paris in the 1700s piece and make something, and then it will evolve into something Wear protective gear, such as a pair of goggles and face mask, – the plaster protected smaller. This can be a good way to make the best use of your and always carve away from yourself. houses against fire. materials. If I can do it, anyone can.” 15 16 HANDMADE REVOLUTION HANDMADE REVOLUTION Make A SIMPLE PAPER FLORAL HEADBAND OR GARLAND Contributed by Helen Frances

1. Cut out all the parts from the templates. HOW TO MAKE This is ideal as a decorative MODEL MAKING headband or it could be Onorio Depiro, Model maker, made into a garland and Handmade Revolution Contributor used to decorate a room or table. You could produce 2. Start by gluing one side of your leaf and “I would consider my craft as Have fun with what you are a smaller version to make sticking it onto your string. Pinching it in half ‘high end’ collectible toys/ attempting to make, ask other a friendship bracelet. will enhance the impression of a leaf. models. I like the idea of artists for tips and take your time You will need: constructing things which look when trying to perfect your craft. as if they are able to move or A glue gun When creating a model or come to life. I use a variety of Hot melt glue sticks figure, I always start with a 3. Glue the smallest flower onto the medium materials but I believe the quick concept sketch so I can Scissors flower then onto the largest flower. This will most valuable is clay, such as visualise the piece before I 3 copies of the template give the effect of layered petals polymer, epoxy and water- start sculpting. I then build an provided based. I find it very easy to armature (skeleton) using tin-foil manipulate these materials into 1 piece of string or rope – which can help bulk out most of the desired forms. I also like for a headdress a piece that the form. Other materials can be 4. Pinch them together to close the flower, creating objects from durable wraps around the head at thin wire and cheap woods such making it look more realistic. materials such as chemiwood, least once, or the wrist if as MDF. ABS plastic and resin. making a smaller version, Once I’m happy with the base long lengths for a garland. The best way for a newcomer form, I can begin to build up to begin model making would the sculpt using very small Glenn says: be to start with a simple drawing Helen Frances, 5. Glue this onto the leaf that you previously volumes of the clay. I then start of a character or item and “People tend to think of Paper Artist, glued onto the string. to refine the model using tools then begin to replicate the craft as something Handmade Revolution and home-made appliances design in 3D. I began by using traditional, but many of contributor that can get into all the detailed simple forms with clay, such today’s biggest industries “I LOVE THE IDEA OF areas. I sometimes prefer to as sausages and round blobs rely on skilled artisans. One BRINGING TO LIFE break down the model into 6. Keep repeating, grouping some flowers to make up the basic shapes. example is film. Stop-frame INANIMATE OBJECTS many parts so that I can focus together and leaving a finger’s width space I then slowly began to make animation, for instance, LIKE A FLAT PIECE OF on the individual pieces. Once between others. more challenging objects and depends on the work of PAPER AND TRANSFORMING I’m happy, I reassemble all the THEM INTO THREE- started to learn how to apply modellers to achieve its Your finished piece should look a little like components and apply all the DIMENSIONAL PIECES textures and finishes. wonderful effects.” ours above! weathering and finishes.” WITH A PERSONALITY.” 17 18 HANDMADE REVOLUTION HANDMADE REVOLUTION

Piyush Suri, Textile and interiors designer, Handmade Revolution Judge and Contributor

TEXTILE PRINTING TEXTILE PRINTING IS THE PROCESS OF APPLYING COLOUR TO FABRIC IN DEFINITE PATTERNS OR DESIGNS.

Printing on fabrics developed in the early Screen printing: A professional stencil method 17th century in response to the popularity of of print making in which a design is imposed ‘chintz’ textiles imported to Europe from India. on a screen of polyester or other fine mesh These fine cotton fabrics had exotic flora and (traditionally, silk was used). The blank areas are fauna designs dyed and painted in rich colours. coated with an impermeable substance and Textile printing was not successful in Europe ink is applied by a squeegee onto the printing until the 18th century, as it was seen as a threat surface. There is one screen for each colour and to the silk weaving industry. a number of screens can be used for multicolour patterns. Screen printing is more versatile than In the 1960s, many artists such as Andy Warhol any other method and, with different inks, it can and Roy Lichtenstein made screen printing be used for printing on textiles, ceramics, wood, techniques popular with large scale and solid paper, glass, metal and plastic. bright colours perfect for Pop Art. Today, textile printing is a very sophisticated process, utilising Stamping: This is an easy printing technique for advanced fabrics and inks combined with home use where rubber stamps, foam stamps computer technology. or potato or other fruit stamps can be used with fabric paint to print on material. It’s ideal for small There are various ways to transfer patterns onto home projects and making T-shirts. fabrics or other surfaces. Some of the popular methods that can be used at home are: Lino printing: A design is carved out of linoleum using special cutters, ink/paint is added to the Stencilling: This is one of the cheapest and surface, and then the lino is pressed down evenly easiest methods; stencils are usually made from onto the surface to be printed. This form of paper, card or plastic, and the design to print is cut printing is used for transferring designs to paper by hand. The stencil is placed on top of the fabric, or card. paint is then brushed, stippled or sprayed on top, then the stencil is removed. There are pattern You can try textile printing at home, starting with and design limitations though and stencilling is basic stamping and building up to the more usually only used for a one-off, or a small batch of complex methods as your skills develop. prints. Stencilling can be used not just for printing fabric, but also in wall and furniture decoration. Stencilling is ideal for making T-shirts, bags, etc. James Green - Pigeons lino print 19 20 HANDMADE REVOLUTION HANDMADE REVOLUTION JEWELLERY MAKING Where to

Siân Rookwood, go to next: Jewellery Maker, Handmade Revolution Contributor

“I endeavour to use everyday Find something that you’re For more information on the Handmade objects and materials that are really passionate about, invest Revolution series, visit bbc.co.uk/handmade either recycled or upcycled; in a decent set of appropriate predominantly industrial tools and do plenty of research! washers, zips and clockwork There are loads of fantastic craft For crafting events in your local area, For many crafts, there are organisations and gearing from broken pocket sites on the internet, with great visit bbc.co.uk/thingstodo guilds that can offer more information about how to get started. These are but a few: and wrist watches. tutorials, images and step-by- There are lots of organisations that offer step guides to help you get Jewellery by Siân Rookwood I work most often on chainmail demonstrations and access to many of the The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths: started. Once you’re confident style pieces which just involves crafts included in the series and this booklet: blacksmithscompany.org.uk with the basics – experiment! a pair of pliers in each hand It’s always more satisfying to put For heritage craft demonstrations across British Artists Blacksmith Association (BABA): (and eye protection) and a bit of your own spin on a classic idea”. England, visit english-heritage.org.uk baba.org.uk brute strength! For courses and craft activities across The Association of Woodturners of the UK, visit nationaltrust.org.uk Great Britain: woodturners.co.uk CERAMICS The British Woodturners Association: For information on specialist skills and craft britishwoodturners.co.uk/ Rowena Kelley, workshops, visit: The British Woodcarvers Association: ceramicist, Heritage Craft Association: britishwoodcarversassociation.co.uk Handmade Revolution heritagecrafts.org.uk Contributor The Master Carvers Association: Craft and Design: mastercarvers.co.uk “Buildings such as castles, tin Roll the clay evenly so the four craftanddesign.net/craft-guilds mines and tower blocks have sides and bottom are of similar The Guild of Machine Knitters: inspired my Candle Towers. thickness. To join the pieces, Design Museum: guild-mach-knit.org.uk designmuseum.org Landscapes, shells and trees dampen the edges with water The Knitters and Crochet Guild: can also be starting points for and carefully press together. Crafts Council: kcguild.org.uk your ceramics. Smooth with a finger or use a craftscouncil.org.uk wood or metal tool. Keep finger The UK Hand Knitting Association: It is exciting to work with clay marks to a minimum for a neat National Federation of Women’s Institute: ukhandknitting.com using fingers as the basic tools. Ceramics by Rowena Kelley finish. After drying, the box can thewi.org.uk With a knife and rolling pin, you The Silversmithing Guild: be decorated with acrylic paint. are ready for slab work. contemporarybritishsilversmiths.org Have fun! Start making ceramics For a first piece, you could The Craft Potters Association: at home, and later you could make a simple box or Candle cpaceramics.co.uk join an evening class or craft Tower. These are made by group where access to a kiln The Society of Scribes and Illuminators: rolling out clay, as you would widens the possibilities”. calligraphyonline.org pastry. Air drying clay is available and this does not The Calligraphy and Lettering Arts Society: need firing in a kiln. clas.co.uk 21 22 Use this template for the paper floral headband on page 18.