Big thanks go to everybody who made beautiful things, sold beautiful things, smiled, sang, dressed up, ate, shopped, drank and laughed at the event this year.

Hopefully, we’ll see you all again soon.

Christina and Charlotte
x

Photography by Rhian Askins

Knitted Silver Wire Ring by Charmione Lloyd

A skilled knitter Charmione makes her ever-popular snuggly knitted scarves and neck warmers, but also lends her skills to knitting with silver wire to create unique pieces of jewellery embellished with swarovski crystals or ceramic buttons.

Knitted Silver Wire Rings by Charmione Lloyd

She also makes a collections of headbands, clips and brooches using upcycled zips and feather headbands.

Charmione Lloyd Zipper Brooches

Her popular and unusual vintage brooch bridal bouquets are completely unique, and amazing to view in person, so don’t miss the opportunity – you won’t have seen anything like them elsewhere!  Have a look at the event page to find out what else is happening at the Winter Arts Market this weekend.

Charmione Lloyd Vintage Brooch Bouquet

See more of Charmione’s work on her website at www.woollyfrog.com

And so, for our next act…

Liverpool lass Laura Naylor will be at the Winter Arts Market (Saturday only) selling a variety of handmade creations which make for great gifts!

Her handcut and sewn textile accessories are vibrant and eyecatching, and can be worn many different ways.

'Explosion' Brooches by Laura Naylor

Interchange - Cuff by Laura Naylor

Red Blossom Bag by Laura Naylor

A keen printmaker, she will also be selling a range of fun and quirky handmade cards and christmas decorations which have been made using a variety of techniques.

Axel Rods Neck Cuff - Kate Stewart Factory Floor Jewels

Liverpool’s Kate Stewart is the creator of Factory Floor Jewels – a range of distinctive urban jewellery. Working with objects discovered on the floors and in the bins of family & friends, trade suppliers & manufacturers, instrument technicians & luthiers; the jewellery has developed into a brand that is sold in prestigious galleries including the Hepworth Wakefield as well as online and at craft fairs.

Factory Floor Jewels by Kate Stewart

She is also the creator of ‘The Design Heaven’ range and she tell us “It’s a range of accessories made by myself and husband Steve, mainly from re-purposed materials and including coasters, key rings, plectrums and graphic items including a small range of cards using vintage graphics with a modern twist”

You can see Kate’s range of unique accessories and jewellery in person at the Winter Arts Market at St George’s Hall Liverpool on 3 & 4 December 2011, from 10am – 5pm, along with over 120 other artists and makers (and much more!

Kate also runs an online store where you can find more design-led items made in Liverpool by artists and designers – find it at www.made-here.co.uk

Factory Floor Jewels Blue Arrow Necklace

Coaster

Makers United is a Community Interest Company that works with communities, organisations and creative practitioners developing innovative, creative experiences, projects and products designed to enhance our wellbeing and living environment. They will be holding a stall at the Winter Arts Market this year (Sun only) selling a range of gifts using laser cutting technologies including architectural gifts, jewellery and lifestyle products with unique illustrative qualities.

We love their work… just look at the pictures below. Find out more about Makers United on their Facebook page.

Liverpool Anglican Cathedral

Makers United - The Art & Design Pod

Alice Lenkiewicz Upcycled Candle Holders

She will also be selling glass paperweights and original watercolours of the River Mersey which are painted en plein air and make a wonderfully original gift.

See more of Alice’s work on her website at www.alenkiewicz.com

Alice Lenkiewicz Plate

Alice Lenkiewicz Watercolour

Rachel Jones - "We can't all be stars"

Bird House Press is the studio of local printmaker Rachel Jones. She makes bright and whimsical hand drawn illustrations and artworks, created using traditional printmaking methods including screen-printing, letterpress and lino cutting.

She’ll be selling her work as limited edition prints, tote bags and greetings cards at the Winter Arts Market in St George’s Hall this December.

“My first print, and still my most popular to date piece, was a simple paper stencil cut out, with three plump birds. I am always trying new print methods, and enjoy finding different ways to produce my work and always strive to have new work for all the art fairs I attend”

Rachel’s a Winter Arts Market regular having taken part at the very first one back in 2009, and she loves it! Here’s what she told us:

“The Winter Arts Market is a fabulous way to show case the creative talent that is available in Merseyside / North West, and has a wide range of artist makers, which in turn means hundreds, if not thousand of handmade products, all under one (immensely impressive) roof.”

“The great thing is that the public get to chat directly to the artists/makers who have spent their time creating the work – making it a more personal experience.  I love chatting to all the different people who stop by my stall, explaining how a print was created, discussing what the idea was for a particular design, or having a natter about anything and everything!  If people are interested in trying out screen-printing – I know to point them to the Bluecoat – where they are able to try something new – without having to go miles to do it!

The whole day is a great experience, for me its also a great way to get feedback about the work I have done, find out what people are looking for, get new ideas, and meet other artists. Last year was great, this year, I have been focusing more on my screen printing – and have lots of new designs, so hopefully – it will be even better”

Check out Rachel’s website to have a peek at more of her designs, and see them in person at her Winter Arts Market stall on the Saturday 3rd  (although the event runs for the whole weekend Sat 3 & Sun 4th December) between 10am-5pm. Entry is £1.50 for 120 stalls and under 16′s enter for free.

Bird House Press Website Screenshot

Rachel Jones “Cat with a Moustache”

Snap it on your phone or camera and post it to our Facebook page or @_openculture on Twitter and we’ll enter you into a prize draw to win a £50 Winter Arts Market voucher or one of two £25 vouchers! Just think of all the wonderful handmade goodies you could buy!

You have until midnight on 29th November to send us your snaps!

You’re spoilt for choice with a number of FREE events including an exhibition of Henri Matisse’s Art Books, free Jazz concerts at the Walker Art Gallery, and the fantastic family friendly Dinomania! at the World Museum where you can meet a young T-Rex roaming the museum!

Take a look at what’s on below:

Dinomania! at the World Museum

10.30am – 4pm 1 – 4 December 2012 – FREE ENTRY

A young T-Rex will be roaming around World Museum – come and meet him if you dare! Four days of FREE dinosaur events, talks and activities. (Plus on 2 & 3 December enjoy Dino-Night at the World Museum, buy your tickets from the Museum shop)

The Art Books of Henri Matisse at The Walker Art Gallery

Runs until 15 April 2012 – FREE ENTRY

Sixty-three framed original illustrations with text from four of Matisse’s most significant books, including his famous ‘Jazz’ (1947), one of the most celebrated artists’ books in the history of modern art.

Highlights include:

• ‘Icare’ (‘Icarus’) from ‘Jazz’ by Henri Matisse
• ‘Le Clown (‘The Clown’) from ‘Jazz’ by Henri Matisse

Jazz at the Walker Art Gallery

1 -3pm on Sunday 4 December & 8 January – FREE ENTRY

Old time traditional jazz, live in the Walker Art Gallery on the first Sunday of the month until 4 April 2012.

Age of the Dinosaur at World Museum

Runs until 15 April 2012 – Ticketed

Featuring animatronic dinosaurs, fossils, interactive exhibits, and a life-size replica of a T-Rex. Enjoy the sights, sound and smells of the pre-historic era. (Tickets available in World Museum and online at liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/dinosaurs)

Locations:

Walker Art Gallery, William Brown Street, Liverpool, L3 8EL

World Museum, William Brown Street, Liverpool, L3 8EN