Realizing a gap in the market for a place where people could buy the handmade works of small-scale British artisans, Catherine Lock decided this was a niche that must be filled. With a background in promoting local designers (both domestically and internationally), Lock knew there was a lot of hidden talent hiding in the remote corners of the British Isles.
Sustainability and real luxury, plus a connection to culture… well, that was what The New Craftsmen evolved into. Lock’s 2012 journey in search of finding hidden talent led her to isolated areas of Wales, forests of Kent and even some unknown studios in East London. Most artisans Lock met would tell her about other artisans in other areas. Such began a domino effect…
A brick-and-mortar storefront in north Mayfair was revamped into a store that included a studio space where artisans could meet with interior designers and individual buyers to discuss custom projects. The studio can also be utilized by any artist for pieces to be sold at the store… a great resource.
The uniqueness of the pieces made is striking. The range is astonishing. Overall, the artisans represented have such spirit that you really do want to purchase everything! At the very least, there’s a lot to appreciate!
Barry Stedman is a potter that works with red earthenware clay. This London artisan’s pieces are either slab-built or wheel thrown and altered. The process also involves painting, scratching or marking with colored slips, stains and oxides.
Image courtesy of: The New Craftsmen
Zoe Hillyard creates what she calls, “ceramic patchwork”. Here, broken ceramics are reconstructed using fabric and then, they’re hand-stitched. This long and involved process to rebuild vessels is not dissimilar to the Japanese art of kinsugi, where flawed beauty is cherished rather than discarded.
Having spent time in Mongolia, Hillyard is passionate about the journey of the objects and the nomadic culture from which they hail. This West Midlands artist has our vote… we love the strong connection to a faraway tradition.
Image courtesy of: The New Craftsmen
Ndidi Ekubia is a silversmith working at Cockpit Arts Studio in South East, London. Ekubia is a master at using traditional silversmithing techniques that require the beating
 of sheet metal over steel & wooden forms. Each piece is a work-of-art… completely unique… some are decorative vessels while others are more functional, such as wine goblets & ice buckets.
Image courtesy of: The New Craftsmen
What a fabulous reason to visit Mayfair, London. Here, the best-of-the-best that were previously unknown are showcased together in one glorious, light-filled showroom.
Image courtesy of: Pinterest
