Despite having only just celebrated Bonfire Night, preparations are well under way here at the Old Fire Station for the installation of our festive Gallery exhibition, Christmas Making Space.
Building on the exhibition that we had in the Gallery last year, where the Shop spread across the two spaces, this year we wanted to showcase the work of our designer-makers with a real emphasis on their making process. So not only do you get to see a special display of their work, you also learn about what makes their products different from those you could buy on the high street.
We’re featuring three of our favourite Shop sellers in this exhibition; Kina Ceramic Design, Miesje Chafer and the Compartment Store.
Kina Ceramic Design is a range of contemporary porcelain tableware and home accessories designed and made by Kina Gorska with her partner Darek. Kina is based in Yarnton, a small village just north of Oxford where she makes full-time from her studio. Her work is quirky and fun- aiming to put a new spin on an everyday object. Her most popular designs do this strikingly well, such as her fingers mug or speech bubble serving plate.
(All images by Kina Ceramic Design)
On the textiles and accessories front, we have Miesje Chafer- creator of gorgeous screen-printed colourful designs which can’t help but make you smile. Her work is always really popular in the Shop and nearly every female member of staff has one of her products- one of us even has custom made chair covers! Miesje used to be based in Oxford but has recently moved to Southampton (sadly). She designs and screenprints all her fabric herself, and doesn’t tend to make the same colour combinations, meaning that each item is unique.
(Images by Miesje Chafer and Shop at the Old Fire Station)
And last but not least is the Compartment Store- a collaboration between Gift Wrap HQ and Kitty Farrow, producing stunning contemporary stationery with a vintage aesthetic. Combining some cracking good puns with top quality materials, their range will convince you to send something in the post rather than an email. They’ll be the best looking Christmas cards you’ll see this year.
(all images by the Compartment Store)
As well as the exhibition to feast your eyes on, we’ll also be running a range of Meet the Maker workshops where you can make your own Christmas gifts with the help of our exhibitors. Kina will be helping your decorate your own ceramic Christmas bauble on the 21st November; other local maker Anabelle Lou will be making fabric earrings on the 28th; and finally Miesje will be with us on the 5th December to make your own origami Christmas decorations.
We’ll be opening the exhibition officially on the 20th November for the Christmas Light Festival, so why not come along, enjoy some mulled wine and start looking for those perfect Christmas gifts?