Only weeks after waving farewell to Karlsruhe design visitors, Creative Twinning designers Debbie Bryan, Hannah Lobley and Jayne Childs prepare to exhibit their work in Germany for the fourth year running.
The team are heading off in mid-May to Eunique Applied Arts Fair. The annual fair is held in Nottingham’s twin city of Karlsruhe, Germany and welcomes around 13,000 visitors over three days.
Thanks to support from Design Factory, One Nottingham and the Creative Quarter, the Creative Twinning team are determined to keep a good presence at the fair, which has been an important networking opportunity for Nottingham designers since Creative Twinning’s first showcase in 2011. Even though there are financial pressures on designers here in the UK, the show has led to many successful opportunities for the trio. Jayne has developed a successful jewellery collaboration with Karlsruhe goldsmith Brigitte Adolph, Debbie has sold her products in Karlsruhe and welcomed German designers to stock their work in her Lace Market shop, and Hannah has received a trade order for Korea and sold work to the President of the World Craft Council!
This year the team’s ambitions continue to develop: for Debbie the visit will be a buying trip, researching new designers and collections for her shop. Hannah has been selected to take part in the 'Just Paper' showcase within Eunique. Jayne will show her contemporary lace textiles as part of the daily fashion show for the first time this year.
Jayne said ‘Eunique has always welcomed our British design contingent and we are delighted to return this year for the fourth time. We hope that next year we will again be joined by other Design Factory members to continue our strong British presence.’
Nottingham and Karlsruhe have been twinned for over 40 years and over that time many good friendships and working relationships have been forged between residents. Design collaborations include Jayne’s lace made into solid silver by with goldsmith Brigitte Adolph, and Kit Anderson’s work with street artist Juli Foos. This year’s visitors were ceramicist Jutta Becker, and jewellers Susanne Högner and Leonore Jock.
The visitors had a privileged tour of the Lace Archive at Nottingham Trent University, a chance to chat with Kathy McArdle of about the Creative Quarter and met with Creative Greenhouse members at Rufford Abbey Country Park. They also toured Harley Gallery and Studios on the Welbeck Estate in North Nottinghamshire. The trio’s design work is currently showcased at Debbie Bryan Studio & Shop 18 St Mary’s Gate, in Nottingham’s Lace Market area.
Creative Twinning are looking to make new opportunities and spark collaborations, so if you’d like to be involved in next year’s activities or would like to find out more about Eunique, do get in touch
