Made To Scale
Ali is a self-taught chainmaille and scalemaille artist.
“I’ve been making jewellery from chainmaille weaves for several years, but I have branched out into making jewellery and accessories with coloured aluminium scales during the past year.
“I’m really looking forward to sharing my chainmaille and scalemaille creations at the Chiltern Made Fair!”
Chilton Ceramics
Caroline Chilton makes stoneware pottery sculptures.
The process involves making a mannequin to which the clay is added and then sculpted into whatever creature she chooses to make. Once completed these are then fired initially to biscuit form, then underglazed/glazed and fired again to stoneware. This means the sculptures are weatherproof but not frost proof.
“My first experience with pottery was at school and this led me to taking my O and A levels in Ceramics,” says Caroline. “After that pottery took a back seat when I went out to work. It was always my passion but not having kiln or the space for one, it disappeared from my life.
“In recent years I have attended more and more pottery classes and have gained an understanding in firing, so I decided to buy my own kiln and have not looked back.
“It really started as a hobby but since, I have had people requesting commissions, I am happy to have a go at making almost anything – now it seems to be dog portrait sculptures – but I look forward to any challenges that the future brings.”
Kiss My Hide
Kiss My Hide is a local Chesham based leather craft producer of high quality, hand made leather products.
From Poppy Brooches and keyrings to rucksacks and weekender bags, Kiss My Hide uses both hand sewn and machine sewn techniques to create colourful and unique designs.
Cocoa and Paper
What started as a hobby back in 2013, has now turned into Elisa’s full time job as a result of lockdown during the COVID pandemic.
She moved out of her home kitchen and into a unit in March 2021 to keep up with the demand.
Cocoa & Paper specialises in handmade chocolate treats and personalised paper goods. The best sellers include the hot chocolate spoons, hot cocoa bombs and our personalised build your own slabs (which are made to order).
They hold a 5* food hygiene rating and are fully registered and insured.
Vic's Wicks
Vegan candles & wax melts, created using high quality sustainable wax.
All of Vicki’s candles are made using cruelty free products & are hand-poured in small batches, ensuring their unique quality.
Veryan Made This
Veryan will be bringing hand carved lino prints and hand burned wooden signs to the event.
She says: “It all started with a sardine…
“My family play a game where we have to hide tins of sardines in each others houses every time we visit, which sometimes take years to find! I decided to lino print them each a gift so they could have a permanent reminder!!
“And so Veryan Made This was born.”
Holmsdale Wood
Chris Edwards from Holmsdale Wood generally sources local timber that has an interesting natural structure, and often takes commissions from people that have sadly lost a tree and want a turned keepsake from it.
He also make items from salvaged timber and man made materials such as plywood, acrylic sheet and resins.
Fuzzy Bee Crafts & Quirk
Fuzzy Bee Crafts was created by Yesenia during Lockdown as an outlet for her love of sewing. She is a paediatric nurse and sews a range of baby clothes and accessories, washbags and dog bandanas.
She will be catering particularly for the younger age group at the fair with her handmade rompers, leggings, dribble bibs and shorts. Also on her stall will be items made by her family.
She said “It all started on one of the many Zoom chats that had become the new normal during the first lockdown. We had been showing each other the things we had been making and talking about the many ideas we had, and how it would be great if we could open a shop to sell our products. Quirk… was born.
Our oldest maker is 84 years old and our youngest is just 11. Cousins, sisters, grandparents and aunties are all contributing handmade items for Quirk… It has been fantastic to see all the family helping each other generate ideas and create different products.”
Sophie Newman Floristry
Sophie Newman Floristry is a studio based florist in Chesham, offering a truly personal service, creating seasonal arrangements, bouquets and wreaths to complement your home.
Check out Sophie’s website HERE.
The Angelic Cake Company
Susie is based in Amersham and has been baking cakes since 2010 when she started as ‘Angelic Cupcakes’. As time has gone on, the cakes have evolved. She does still make cupcakes as well as birthday cakes, celebration cakes, chocolate drip cakes, brownies, tray-bake stock for cafés, cakes for weddings, corporate events, Christmas cakes, cake pops, giant cookies – the possibilities are endless!
Cakes are usually made to order but for our event she will have a selection of cupcakes and many other delicious things to tempt you – you can also order your Christmas cake from her.
Great Bois Wood
Barry Philpott creates handmade wooden products including chopping, carving and cheese boards, doorstops and individual pieces They are all sourced from timber in Great Bois Wood and chosen for the natural beauty of the wood. Barry says “Great Bois Wood is a privately owned 20-acre woodland within Chesham Bois, east of the Amersham Road adjoining the Woodland Trust, Parish Council meadow and Burial Ground.
The Woodland has existed for several hundred years and is in part designated as ‘Ancient Woodland’, has a good variety of native trees and is rich in ancient woodland ground flora. Situated on the edge of the Chilterns AONB it has also been designated as of ‘special wildlife intertest’, within Buckinghamshire. It is bordered by a public footpath and has several permissive footpaths through the wood.
There is evidence throughout the wood that it has been utilised over the centuries for many industries, including for the supply of timber, wood fuel and charcoal and for the extraction of clay, flint, and chalk. The bridle path and hollow way, along the valley bottom, was the original drovers track between Amersham and Chesham.”
Ink And Paper Den
Stacey is an architect with a special interest in listed buildings. In her downtime she creates whimsical illustrations for her Ink And Paper Den inspired by the things she finds enchanting. She makes handmade cards, prints and more. She has created woodland wedding packages, business illustrations and commissions for special occasions.
Vitre Jewellery
Vitre Jewellery is designed and handmade by Great Missenden based jeweller and enameller Heather Larson.
Heather creates unique pieces of sterling silver jewellery inspired by nature and most of her work features flowing hand engraved textures with a pop of colour. Trees, leaves, and rocks are shapes she comes back to again and again as their simple elegance is so wearable and is the perfect canvas for enamel.
Heather’s work can be seen on Instagram and Facebook and on her website.
Polka Dots and Roses
Laura has run her small business from home since 2012, making everything herself. She loves making textile items that people want to buy as gifts or to decorate their homes with. Polka Dots and roses tries to be as eco friendly, offering affordable reusable items and sources high quality, local, recycled fabric as much as possible.
Moira Dealey Prints
I create gel-plate prints; these are prints using layers of acrylic paints and a flat plate made of gelatine. It is a really fun process, and the results are not always what you expect! I use the prints for my greetings cards. I am starting to use the method on fusible interfacing so that I can transfer the prints to fabric. I also use the prints for collage.
Chris Summers
Chris Summers is passionate about creating art based on whatever scrap metal comes his way. Metal sculptures, lighting and small tables are just a few of the items he is inspired to make.
“My interests lie mainly in creating welded metal items. I use any scrap I can find or things that are given to me which inspire me in some way – every item has a story, I work full time as a domestic appliance engineer and pick up materials on my travels.”
Ellie’s iPad Art
All of Ellie’s designs have been hand-drawn on an iPad. She will be selling prints, gifts, cards and homeware.
“Having grown up in the beautiful countryside of the Chiltern Hills, I have always loved nature. I draw what makes me happy, and I love that my art may bring happiness to others.”
Check out Ellie’s website here.
Marie Jones Fibre Art
A self taught fibre artist, Marie works mostly with wool fibres and embroidery threads. She is greatly influenced by our beautiful landscapes and coastlines. Growing up in Scotland she has always enjoyed hillwalking and exploring, so the dramatic mountains and rugged coasts are a particular obsession. She tries to capture some of that beauty in her work.
Julia Batten Glass
Working in her Chesham studio, Julia creates fused glass pieces for the home and garden. She also runs very popular fused glass workshops.
Sometimes floral, sometimes abstract, always a celebration of colour, Julia’s work will always raise a smile!
Yvonne Makes
Yvonne Webster is a passionate maker of leather bags and accessories. She uses only the finest leathers, top quality hardware, and cotton or silk for linings. Her work is sold in aid of the Amersham and Chesham MS Group.
Two Spoons
Based in Chesham, Two Spoons is named after the tools of the trade – their tasting spoons. For the taste buds behind Two Spoons, Giles & Mark, their time has involved tasting over one million cups between them. They choose teas they love using their many years’ expertise and want to inspire curiosity in this amazing product.
The Sock Sisters
“After a weekend with my sister visiting Art Galleries and craft shops we bought a pair of socks each and were inspired to knit socks together. We bought an antique circular sock knitting machine known affectionately as “The Beast” and several sacrificial balls of yarn later we started producing socks. We love putting together the colour combinations to create socks in yummy colours for both men and women. Our socks are 75% merino wool 25% nylon, the nylon is for hard wearing properties and the merino wool is soft and relaxed in muted subtle shades.
We are excited about our new product the “Long Hottie” which is knitted in lush colours in a choice of 100% Merino or Alpaca wool. These gorgeous shaped hot water bottles with their knitted covers are ideal for all sorts – cosy, warm, can even wrap around aching backs/necks.”
LJC Pottery
“I’ve been working with clay for a number of years and have recently bought my own kiln giving me more freedom to be able to work from home when time allows.
I love the feel of the clay and the idea that it can be shaped into pretty much anything. It’s totally absorbing which is great therapy when you need to switch off from everything else for a few hours! I don’t have any particular style as there are always new ideas and glazes to experiment with.”
Find Laura on Instagram: ljc_pottery
Wild Lotus
Wild Lotus was set up by two friends who discovered a love of block printing and started giving their hand printed designs to friends as gifts. The feedback was lovely, with many saying ‘where can we buy them,’ so they set up Wild Lotus! The Wild Lotus team e use Indian hand-carved blocks to print on cotton, linen and card to make beautiful accessory bags, table linen, babywear, scarves, cushion covers and greetings cards that make great gifts or lovely treats for yourself! All their packaging is biodegradable, compostable or recyclable.
Chiltern Bee
With a background as a biochemist John Farrell began keeping bees a few years ago and now has around ten sites around the Chilterns (mainly around Hambleden, Stonor, &c).
He has formulated a range of products which are based on the properties of the beeswax and honey – Skin and Lip Balms, Bath Bombs and very mild beeswax Soaps. He only uses his own bees wax which is produced by the UK native bee. He is also hoping to be able to bring honey along to the Chiltern Made fair – if the bees oblige!
Little Wren Collections
Hi I am Nicky Adams and have always been busy stitching, knitting and more recently knotting as a way to justify time sitting watching TV.
In lockdown 2 I revisited a skill that I had learned as a local Great Missenden lass in the 70s – Macrame. Since then I have developed a range of dog leads and dog collars and home accessories from pot holders to lampshades and now sell on Etsy.
As a mum to three teenage girls, 2 whippets and a cat life is full; however, Macrame is my source of mindfulness.
I am looking forward to being part of my very first makers fair in October and look forward to seeing you at The Elgiva.
Ember and Wild soaps
Fiona from Ember and Wild makes handmade natural artisan soaps and bath salts. Fragranced only with essential oils. Chemical free with no parabens or phthalates, completely natural and good for you!
More photos on their Facebook page!
Lets Be Cats Jewellery
Liz Turner creates quirky jewellery and accessories using unusual upcycled materials. Haberdashery, discarded books and maps, sheet music and pencils are just a few of the materials which form the basis of her designs. She is happy to take commissions for her map range which can be customised to reflect the owner’s favourite locations. A new addition to the Lets Be Cats range are her upcycled paper flowers – from a variety of upcycled paper and can also include personalised wedding stationery roses. She also sells at Indigo Lily in Great Missenden.
Alex Vincent Textiles
Alex Vincent Turner graduated from Nottingham Trent University in 2019 with a first class degree in Textile Design specialising in embroidery. Since graduating and receiving the Embroiderer’s Guild Graduate award and exhibiting at the Knitting and Stitching Show with the Guild, he has been featured in Stitch Magazine several times as well as selling his work at local shops and craft events.
Alex Vincent Textiles focuses on slow hand crafted textiles and sustainable embroidery with small gifts, jewellery and accessories as well as personalised embroidery and hand embroidered heirloom map artwork.
Alex is available for customised commissions and freelance work and is based in Chesham, Buckinghamshire. Visit Alex’s website here.
JHSglass
JHSglass is designed and handmade by Hertfordshire based glass artist Jenny Hoole.
Jenny’s inspiration is drawn from a fascination with colour, pattern and texture. The decorative pieces are a modern statement for the home using colour and pattern to make functional designs including platters, coasters, dishes and wall art
Each piece of her glass jewellery is created to be elegant, simple and contemporary. Jenny’s work can be seen on Instagram @jhsglass and is also available to purchase online at www.jhsglass.com.
