That’s it for another year. The annual exhibition closed at 4 p.m. on Saturday 30 th July and during the afternoon we held the prize draw. Some of the prizes were won by people living here in Orkney but many will be winging their way to destinations on the mainland. Maybe you will be one of the lucky recipients.

We have now dismantled all the displays and packed away our equipment until next year. Our exhibiting members came in to collect their unsold items and to help with clearing the hall. Many thanks are due to all the members who came to do a session of helping out with sales, some of them turning up day after day. It can be a busy way of spending a few hours but gives us a chance to meet our visitors and chat about the amazing artistry and craftwork to which Orkney is home.

Of course thanks are also due to the manager and staff at the Kirkwall Community Centre for hosting us for six weeks every summer and helping to make our events run smoothly.

Most of all our thanks go to you, our visitors, for your compliments and your custom.

Don’t forget many of our exhibitors are also present here on our website and for some you can contact them directly through their own listing and for others you can e-mail us at info@orkneyartsandcrafts.com.

Some of our members went on to exhibit at the agricultural shows over the first couple of weeks in August and especially in the craft village and marquee at the County Show on Saturday 13 th August in Bignold Park, Kirkwall.

The next one-day crafts fairs scheduled are Saturday 20 th August and Tuesday 23 rd August, both 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Town Hall, Kirkwall Community Centre, opposite St. Magnus Cathedral.

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This year we had more beautiful hand-made prizes donated by our members. They ranged from knitted goodies to cards and jewellery and our lucky winners came from all over Britain. Of course the beautiful Orkney straw-backed chair is the prize most people are hoping to win. Our member who makes these chairs is rightly proud of her work and was very pleased that the recipient this year is a little girl, Sarah Lyon, who will be able to treasure this and keep it as an heirloom to pass on in the future. You can see how pleased she is in the accompanying photograph. All prizes have now been collected, delivered locally or posted.

Other prize winners included:

• Star Island Soap gift box: Sheila Russell
• Bird design wooden platter: Johnson, Stromness
• Knitted Cushion: Bain, Kirkwall
• Necklace: Drummond, Kirkwall
• Standing Stone photograph: Stainger, Kirkwall
• BellieM Designs chopping board: Linklater, Kirkwall
• Island Design shoulder bag: Hugan, Wick
• Meg’s Handcrafts knitted socks: Sarah Sankey
• Rural Horizons woven willow fish: Paterson, Westray
• Quoyloo Woodcrafts pendant: Karen Brass
• Traditional straw basket: Tricia Heath, Canterbury
• North Ronaldsay Wool: Mrs. A. Flett, Inverness
• DragonLadyDesigns silk drawstring bag: Atkinson, Birsay
• Needle felted seal: Lady Golding, Ayr
• Cushion cover: McFadden. Glasgow
• Knitted fingerless mittens: Amy Crow, Holm
• Felt picture: Jean Gibbon, Rousay
• Pincushion: Chimene Taylor, Shapinsay
• Owld Granny encaustic art fridge magnets: Kirsteen Hine, Dounby
• Knitted scarf: Kattenburg, Holm
• Silk card: Muir (address not recorded after posting)
• Aak Work Child’s Printed picture High-vis waistcoat: Lindsey Johnston, Glasgow
• Handknitted lacy waistcoat: McKay, Rendall
• GDM earrings: Riley, Stronsay
• Photograph and bracelet both went to Paula Gray, St. Ola,
• Fingerless mitts (purple): David Jamieson, Jarrow
• Gaia Designs fused glass ear-rings: Amy Sharp,
• Greetings card: Joyce Robertson, Shetland
• Fingerless mitts (blue): Samantha Marwick, Rousay
• Cromarty Crafts necklace: Geddes, Stromness
• Knitting kit: Brogan, Kirkwall
• Turned wooden bowl: Elsa Stuart,
• Necklace: L. Whyte, South Ronaldsay
• Ingavoe Inspirations silk paper bowl: Jean Whitelaw, Birsay
• Knitted child’s hat: Davina Johnston, Dounby
• Billy Jolly creepie: Joey Tait, St. Andrew’s
• Orkney Candles aromatic candle: Lillian Findlay
• Thyme Crafts lace bookmark: Graham Rendall
• Owl cushion: Melvyn Johnstone
• Jackie Pirie handknitted hat, scarf and mitts: David Teale, London
• Isle of Auskerry Knitting kit: Rebecca Taylor
• Blue knitted hat: Peter Syme, Edinburgh
• Knitted baby hat: E. Linklater, Kirkwall
• Alex Shearer woodwork: Collected at time of draw, Name not recorded.
• Mirror with bird design surround: Collected at time of draw. Name not recorded

A big ‘thank you’ to all who bought tickets and for those of you who did not win one of our lovely prizes, better luck next time.

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I work mainly with the technique using copper foil rather than traditional lead. I sold to friends and family at first and started exhibiting. I have since been asked to do special commissions for some Orkney businesses, small group tutoring and to give talks on my craft.

I make stained glass pieces to hang in windows or stand upright with candles shining from behind. I use quite a wide range of images, including animals and birds, flowers, Orkney designs and Christmas designs. Some of my popular pieces have been cats, snowdrops, horses, standing stones and the Ba’, (the famous, or infamous Kirkwall Christmas and New Year free-for-all ball game)

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Our very first jubilee celebration event opened at For Art Sake (Bridge St., Kirkwall) on Thursday April 6^th. It is a ‘Past and Present’ exhibition showcasing present members’ lovely work in a diverse variety of media, and including some archive material from the inauguration events in 1967. It is impossible to pick out any individual pieces for mention as we are a talented crew and the techniques and materials used  cannot be compared one to another. You will just have to go to see it all for yourself.

Unfortunately the size of the gallery space has meant we cannot also exhibit some wonderful original creations from present members as they started their creating and crafting lives. We might manage to show,  “one I made earlier”, at other venues during the year, so watch this space.

The Past and Present exhibition runs at FAS until Saturday 29^th April and that is the date of our first craft fair of the jubilee year in the Town Hall, Kirkwall Community Centre, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

(Disabled access by lift from the foyer).

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I am a glass and textile artist. I work with both stained and fused glass. I particularly work on glass painting but combine different techniques on my panels.

At present I am working on combining glass with textiles including tapestry, weaving and felting.

I also produce a small range of fused glass jewellery.

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It has been long journey to reach the fabulous Orkney Islands; originally I came from Egypt and lived in England for 10 years. Ever since visiting Orkney in 2014, I’d been fascinated by the landscape, the nature, and the friendly people. So, in 2015, I decided to move here to live and run my studio on these islands.

I produce a mixture of different cultures ceramic as I have here many sources inspiring me. I produce a wide range of table wares, lanterns, oil burners, candle holders, handmade tiles for general use, planters and ceramic jewellery. Producing a unique pottery – my aim is to please customers. The studio welcomes anyone who wants to create his own design. Just come along, “turn the corner” and enjoy your time.

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Ann makes a range of good quality machine knitted products using lanbswool which is soft, breathable, durable and cosy.

As well as developing her own designs, Ann provides a knitting service for a number of local individuals and companies.

Ann can alter her designs to suit individual taste or requirements and will happily accept commissions.

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Erica Clarkson is a self-taught Orkney based artist who produces lively illustrations with a unique style using game bird tail feathers and inks.

Making her own quills from a variety of game bird feathers found on Orkney, Erica mixes coloured inks to create fun and vibrant artwork inspired by country living, by the people that flow in and out of her quirky East Mainland Manse and by her rural/coastal environment.

Erica is busy developing a thriving business and her designs are currently available on her stationery well as her evolving home-ware range.

Erica also welcomes commissions with prices starting at £100 for an A4 mounted original.

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Kirstin uses tweed offcuts that would otherwise be discarded and turns them into beautiful and unique garlands to decorate your home, and keyrings to keep a bit of Orkney craft always with you.

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We are very happy to welcome some brand new members to our group and members now joining our on-line family. You may have seen some of them listed on our website already and the others will be there soon.

Mohamed Alhady is a wonderful ceramicist with a wide range of products including homewares, tableware and beautiful hand crafted beads and pendants;

Lynn Bartlett works with stained glass and produces original pieces with the ‘wow factor’ in  different themes;

Erica Clarkson paints quirky pictures and cards with her own amusing designs, using ink and quill pens and brushes;

Kirstin Hourie uses tweed offcuts to make decorative garlands for your home and keyrings to keep a piece of ‘hand-made Orkney ‘ with you.

Ann Mackie is a machine knitter who develops and makes her own designs for hats, scarves and other snuggly, cosy items;

Julie O’Neill hand knits and crochets a wide range of items including lovely ‘trainer’ bootees for babies and toddlers

Chimene Taylor also works with glass using stained and fused glass and makes pictures and delicate fused glass jewellery.

There are other applicants in the pipeline so keep checking back on our members pages  – new people, new products, new ideas.

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I live in Stromness after moving from a busy city life. I am a chef at a local hotel and taught myself to crochet five years ago and have sent items all over the country.

I make a range of articles including beanie hats for all sizes from premature babies to adults and novelty hats too. Occasionally I have made baby ‘sets’ comprising hat, mitts and booties. Other articles cover such items as pram blankets, doll-pram blankets, tea cosies and bags.

I like to attend crafting fairs and chat with other art and craft practitioners. I will take commissions and post items within the U.K.

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Well, that’s our first Jubilee Year exhibition over and we are now well and truly into our craft fairs which began at the end of April. We have started May with a three day fair in the Town Hall in Kirkwall and our next event is a selling exhibition in the upstairs foyer of the auction mart on the weekend of 20^th and 21^st May, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. This will be followed by two one-day craft fairs on Wednesday May 24^th and Monday May 29^th.

The archive exhibition ‘Past and Present’ is on a slightly different tack from the format in For Art’s Sake in April. There is now a display cabinet with some examples of present work and a note about our special year in the Visit Scotland/ tourist office on Junction Road, Kirkwall and it will be there until the end of May.

Lastly in the news, we introduce you to two more new members with diverse skills. At Silver Snowdrop you will find original, unique and quirky items which Elizabeth Arrowsmith makes by re-cycling and re-purposing all sorts of things. Amazing ideas she comes up with!

Susan Sturrock of Poppet’s Gifts is a talented lady. Not only a chef but also a crocheter who has sent her creations all over the country. Check out her work in our ‘Yarn Crafts’ category.

Remember if you want to see more of our members’ work many of their listings have links to social media pages, on-line shops such as Etsy and their own websites.

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On Monday 19^th June the Kirkwall Community Centre was a hive of activity as members of Orkney Arts and Crafts came together to set up the annual 6 week summer exhibition and gathered in the evening of Tuesday 20^th June to celebrate the 50^th Jubilee Exhibition.

Honorary President, Violet Flett welcomed past and present members along with the committee members to the special celebratory evening. Gary Gibson the first Chairman of Orkney Craftsmens’ Guild (as we were known in 1967), officially opened the exhibition and went on to reminisce how the Guild was formed. Gary spoke of the founding members and how Orkney Arts and Crafts still operates on the guild’s original principles where members consistently produce local high-quality crafts including jewellery, knitting, woodwork, ceramics and stained glass to name just a few. New members continue to be subjected to appraisal with all ideas, designs and products requiring review and achievement of the high standards expected thus ensuring that quality merchandise remains on offer.

It should be noted that the Craftsmen’s Guild formed an important footing in the Orkney craft industry with many of the past members utilising the opportunities made available by continuing and launching into formal businesses which are still prominent around Orkney and further afield. One of these success stories developing from the Guild which also shares our jubilee celebrations is Ortak Jewellery.

The evening continued with a finger buffet and a display of archive material featuring some of the documentation from the first inaugural meeting alongside video footage of the 1967 exhibition produced by the late Harold Esson, a founding member and second chairman of the Guild. Gary concluded the evening by officially opening the Jubilee Exhibition doors with special guests enjoying the first viewing of the vast array of crafts on offer.

 “……. with such an amazing array of products you will be spoilt for choice…..”

Opening times: Monday to Saturday incl. 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. from June 21^st to Tuesday 1^st August.

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Anna McEwen is a 6th year student at Kirkwall Grammar School studying Art, Photography, Fashion and textiles.

She particularly enjoys drawing Zentangles which she makes into cards and framed prints.

Anna also gets her drawings printed on cushion covers, aprons and Tote bags.

Anna has done a number of commissions starting at £80.

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The big summer exhibition of our members’ work closed last week, and what an exhibition it has been. Pulling out the stops for the Golden Jubilee year, the exhibition opened at the end of June with a special preview evening and ended on 1^st August with the prize draw. Many visitors came through the doors and admired the display and range of items on offer.

This year the first prize Orkney chair is going to Shetland. Other prizes were collected on the day or will be posted this week to the lucky recipients.  Congratulations to you all.

There is still time to find quality, locally made craft and art-work at our remaining summer fairs and at the county show.

Here are some dates for your diary: (All fairs held in the Kirkwall Town Hall unless otherwise stated)

• Wednesday 9^th August – Craft Fair
• Thursday 10^th August – Dounby Show in the Show Park, Dounby
• Saturday 12^th August – County Show, Bignold Park, Bignold Park Road, Kirkwall
• Tuesday 15^th August – Craft Fair
• Monday 21^st August – Craft Fair
• Tuesday 22^nd August – Craft Fair
• Tuesday 29^th August – Craft Fair         
• Wednesday 30^th August – Craft Fair
• Monday 4^th September – Craft Fair
• Tuesday 5^th September – Craft Fair

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Dawn lives in Outertown, Stromness, and enjoys making craft items in her sun porch overlooking the island of Hoy.

She enjoys working with a variety of different patterned materials, textures, buttons, glitter, sequins and paint.

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As I am a keen fisherman and tie my own flies I have developed my hobby to include salmon fly brooches and framed pictures of fishing flies.

I am also an artist who paints pictures mainly of flowers and scenery, and I also paint on stones.

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Where on earth has this year gone? It seems that suddenly we are at the tail end of 2017 and down to our last three craft fairs of our celebration jubilee year.

We have had an amazing year with new members joining us bringing fresh ideas and products to the fairs, website and the exhibition. The summer exhibition was a great success and offered visitors to our islands another chance to see the incredible creativity of Orkney’s inhabitants. Thank you all who visited, complimented and bought from us.

Now we offer handmade gifts, stocking-fillers, cards and decorations to delight your loved ones and brighten your homes over the festive season.

Check out our Christmas fairs 10a.m. to 4p.m. at the Town Hall, Kirkwall Community Centre on:

SATURDAY 11^TH NOVEMBER

SATURDAY 25^TH NOVEMBER

SATURDAY  9^TH DECEMBER

See you there.  Merry Christmas  and Happy New Year

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Mid-winter festivities are over and here we are at the start of another year. Thank you to all our visitors in 2017 helping us to celebrate our 50^th anniversary.  The planning for our 2018 events has already started as we have made a venue booking for our annual big summer exhibition and some of our one-day craft fair dates.  More information about those will be forthcoming soon.

Some of our members venture forth out of Orkney for events on the mainland and we wish them well in their enterprise. If you visit any craft events elsewhere do look out for the Orkney Arts and Crafts logo on stalls.

Remember that even when there are no events running here in Orkney, you can still contact our maker-members through this website. Many have their contact details on their own listing but you can still ask to be put in direct contact with a specific designer-maker through the ‘Contact Us’ form.

We look forward to meeting you again at our 2018 fairs and exhibitions so look out for our events calendar coming soon.

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