Our blog
Southampton Uni art and craft fair 2020 cancelled
A further victim of the coronavirus in 2020 is the normally popular Southampton University Christmas art, craft and gift fair, which was due to be held at the end of November. This cancellation is a further blow to artists and craftspeople, who have had so many of...
Meet the Maker: basketmaker Louise Brown
In this regular feature we speak to one of the members of the Wessex Guild to find out a bit more about them and their craft, techniques and inspirations. How did you start doing your craft? What inspired you?I started basketmaking on a whim, seeing an adult education...
The Garden Show at Loseley Park
Against a backdrop of postponed and cancelled events so far this year, it is exciting to be able to confirm that the Garden Show at Loseley Park, near Guildford in Surrey, will be going ahead this month, from 24th to 26th July. The show will feature a great mix of...
The journey of a mixed media commission
Textile supremo Sheila Barrow was commissioned to create a bespoke artwork for a special gift. Here she explains how this piece came together, revealing its development in the series of images you see here. Sheila and many of our members enjoy making exclusive art and...
Meet the Maker: glass artist Dorothy Borland
In this regular feature we speak to one of the members of the Wessex Guild to find out a bit more about them and their craft, techniques and inspirations. How did you start doing your craft? What inspired you?I have always done lots of different crafts, ranging from...
Hampshire Open Studios 2020 cancelled
It is probably not a big surprise to learn that another major event in the annual arts calendar has had to be cancelled because of the coronavirus, COVID-19. This time it is the popular Hampshire Open Studios event. This year was to have been a bumper year, with a...
Meet the Maker: potter Jo Berryman
In this regular feature we speak to one of the members of the Wessex Guild to find out a bit more about them and their craft, techniques and inspirations. How did you start doing your craft? What inspired you?I was trained and worked as an Occupational Therapist and...
Keep creative and carry on during the coronavirus crisis
All of our lives have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. So we asked our crafting members how they are adapting and using their enforced time at home. We received a variety of answers, some of which may surprise you! Teddy bear designer Pauline Collison has...
Meet the Maker: jewellery designer Bridget Bradshaw
In this regular feature we speak to one of the members of the Wessex Guild to find out a bit more about them and their craft, techniques and inspirations. How did you start doing your craft? What inspired you? I regularly attended adult evening classes, while my...
Craft and art events cancelled or postponed
In the light of the global spread of the Coronavirus in recent weeks, and the Government's daily briefings urging everyone to avoid contact with other people, several art exhibitions and events have been cancelled or postponed. The Wessex Guild's display and sale of...
A brief history of the Wessex Guild of Craftsmen
Did you know that the Wessex Guild of Craftsmen was established over 40 years ago? As we launch our new website and activate lots of plans for growth, read below to find out more about where we came from. The Wessex Guild of Craftsmen first formed in 1978 with 64...
Meet the Maker: textile artist Sheila Barrow
In this regular feature we speak to one of the members of the Wessex Guild to find out a bit more about them and their craft, techniques and inspirations. How did you start doing your craft? What inspired you? A textile artist called Alison Holt was my inspiration for...