Events for December

With less than a month to go until Christmas, it's a really busy time for me - making to supply stockists and exhibiting at Christmas shows - not to mention my own Christmas shopping!

There are 3 events where I'm selling my work this month:

The 'Pop-up Design Shop' is back in Winchester, at The Brooks Centre, until 24th December.  Suzie Brown curates the selection of items for sale - there's a great mix of gifts, fashion, jewellery and homewares from around 20 designers - definitely something for everyone and a wonderful opportunity to buy something really unique. http://www.popupshop.me.uk/

On Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th December, 'Making Space' in Havant is transforming into a gallery space for it's Christams Craft Fair.  The resident makers, and some guest makers (that includes me!) will be selling jewellery, ceramics, glass, textiles, photography, fashion & illustration.  It promises to be a very festive weekend! http://www.makingspace.org/

I'm venturing a little further north to new territory for my last event!  'Merge' Contemporary Christmas Craft Fair takes place in Oundle, Peterborough, Northants.  I'm looking forward to visiting Oundle - I've heard it's a beautiful town, and the show promises a real diversity of makers.  There's also a chance to win £100 to spend too! http://www.mergecontemporarycraftfairs.com/

I'm also trying to set up my own online shop, but if you would like to purchase anything before then, send me a message via http://derynrelph.co.uk/index.php?/contact/ and I'll be happy to help!

Enjoy & 'MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!'

Meeting the makers

As a designer maker there's nothing quite like meeting the people who buy your work.  It's really rewarding to have comments and feedback, whether good or bad, and can help inform future design decisions!


When you put a lot of time and thought and hard work into a larger piece, like one of my chairs, it's also good to know that a piece is going to a good home!  The making process is not quite as painful as child birth, but it certainly feels like waving a child off on their first day of school when you say goodbye to a piece like that!


Today, I'm taking a much needed break from making, to go and meet some fellow makers - I'm off to MADE 2011 in Brighton http://www.brighton-made.co.uk/

I'll be looking out for the lovely Emily Maude, whose quirky illustrations, prints and other goodies are wonderful!  My particular favourite is the 'Kitchenalia' range (as pictured) - I'm hoping for a tea towel or a little tray www.emilymaude.com

I'm sure there'll be lots of other wondrous things to see and buy - I'm hoping that I will find some Christnmas presents too.


I'm visiting MADE with a friend.  We're both so busy, our little rendezvous have become too few and far between, but we always have a lovely time and treat ourselves to lunch at 'Bill's' http://www.bills-website.co.uk/ The colours and displays of fresh produce are a site to marvel at and a real treat to my designer's eye - the food is delicious, organic and wonderful too!

Forthcoming book launch

Great news - the launch of the 'Handmade in Britain' book is less than a month away. I am one of the designers featured in the book!

Published by Vivays Publishing Ltd, the book is written by Piyush Suri, textile designer and founder of 'Handmade in Britain', an organization devoted to promioting Briish  designer-makers, both nationally and internationally.  Further information here www.handmadeinbritain.co.uk

The book will be launched to coincide with the 'Handmade in Britain' show at Chelsea Old Town Hall, King's Road, London. This Contemporary Craft & Design Fair takes place at the end of October:

Thursday 27th Oct, 5.30pm-9pm - Private View evening
Friday 28th Oct, 11am-6pm
Saturday 29th Oct, 11am-6pm
Sunday 30th Oct, 11am-6pm

Tickets can be purchased online from www.handmadeinbritain.co.uk, or on the door.

Hope to see you there!

Choosing colours

I'm often asked how I choose the colours for a collection, or where my designs come from - so I thought I'd show you how my  designs develop!

I'm always collecting inspiring images, taking photographs and collecting bits and bobs.  I've got some pinboards in my studio where I start putting ideas together.  My current collection, 'Buttonbox' based on the button box that used to belong to my Nanna - so there's lots of memories and nostalgia in there too!

Next I put together a mood board.  This often has colours on, but sometimes I also make a colour board to help with choosing yarns.

Once I've ordered my yarn I work on patterns, and then when the yarn arrives the sampling begins!

My 'mix and mis-match' style brings together different patterns in colours in a unique way - it's certainly great fun putting pieces together!

I now have a core selection in each collection, but continue with some 'one-off's' too!