We belong here

Our studios, our workshops, our offices, our classrooms and workrooms are important. For those of us who work creatively, these spaces can be as important as our homes. They are rooms for us to dream in and to make in, but they also accumulate the detritus common to all well-used areas. We asked the members of Crafts Council and of Crafts UK to take a picture of a small detail in their workspace, a detail that was peculiar to that room, something small that says “this is mine and I belong here”. We received many submissions and are sorry we could not feature them all. We hope you enjoy this collaborative photo essay as much as we have. 

“This small plastic meerkat lives in a forest of brush pots on my workshop window sill and he looks directly at my banding wheel, the place where the action happens. I don’t know how he got there or where he came from but, I was lucky enough to travel to Africa a few years ago and, when I came home, there he was.” Philippa de Burlet is a potter and also works for MAKE Southwest.

A glass-fronted display cupboard, which houses assorted ephemera: paper structures I made as a student, finds, experimental pieces…” Eleanor Symms makes contemporary jewellery.

“An image of our office door. Since we moved in, lots of artists, participants and volunteers have added postcards, stickers and even textiles to it. The busy mix of pretty images, musicians’ stickers, photographs, community groups’ business cards, souvenir postcards, cyanotype fabric and flyers is always growing and pretty much sums up the slightly messy collaborative spirit of Aunty.” Catherine Mugonyi is the director of community arts organisation Aunty Social.

“Tools in sawdust at the lathe. A layer of sawdust and scattered tools gather here every day, no matter how often it’s cleared. It’s a small, familiar mess - the rhythm of work in progress and the truest sign that this is our space.” Barnaby Ash and Dru Plumb operate the woodturning studio Ash & Plumb.

“In a corner of the studio, objects from my childhood - Neddy the rocking horse and Nellie the elephant pull toy with broken trunk - and a ceramic box from my art school days, beside the pile of CDs; and some of my art-related books, as I'm a bookaholic.” Karen Suziki, aka Nameless Wonders, makes hand stitched mixed media textile animals.

“I collect the backs of pictures. This is just one of a few illusions I play and interact with and enjoy on a daily basis.” Deborah Bowness is a trompe-l’oeil wallpaper maker.

“This is our studio, where we practice and teach Indian wood block printing. It is part of a wider group of artist studios called Pavilion Studios. These aprons are for our workshops. We use textile paint so we've got to make sure everyone is covered up.” Joanna Sanderson is the founder and creative director of Zena & Rose Studio.

Objects captured by textile artist Diana McKinnon

“The map shows where members of the college have come from over the years. We haven’t managed to capture every member but there are a few. Shelanu, which means ‘belonging to us’, is a collective of migrant and refugee women working with Craftspace to develop craft skills, confidence and well-being through social enterprise.” Emma Daker of Shelanu: Women’s Craft Collective.

“She follows me around the studio depending on her mood. I have had her for years, she never complains and just sits quietly contemplating.” Dionne Ible creates and teaches as QEMAMU MOSAICS.

“The image is a snap-shot of riven oak in an early drying stage, which takes a few years. It's spaced out to allow an airflow. This particular pile is outside under corrugated iron to protect from rain and too much sunshine. The wood is sourced from an oak that was storm damaged in my local village a few years ago.” Adrian McCurdy makes furniture and carvings.

“Images and words on the pinboard in my workshop, many of which have been there for years, showing the on-going thoughts and themes that inform my work and act as touchstones to remind me what I am doing and why I am doing it…” Karen Downing throws porcelain pots for everyday use.

“I am a glaze specialist and these are my materials, glaze tests and cork pinboard.” Linda Bloomfield designs and makes ceramic art and porcelain tableware.

“This is a weaving of a bird that I did more than 15 years ago in a workshop with the lovely weaver Caron Penney. This weave is one of the most prized possessions in my studio and has journeyed quite a few studio moves with me. It was woven at a time when my children were very young and I was hardly able to weave. This tiny piece acts as a constant reminder of the love I have for my craft and never to give up on my passion for weaving.” Rachna Garodia is a weaver and textile artist.

“These are my Workshop Keepers. They have moved with me to every studio space I've had and are integral to the smooth running of my workspace! One was given to me by my Mum and the other by a friend - they keep me grounded and make me smile.” Ellen Monaghan is a jewellery maker.