Creative Twinning comes to an end

For the last five years Creative Twinning has been developing links between designers on a local, regional and international level. Over that time we have been involved in opportunities in Karlsruhe, Germany and New York, more locally Nottingham and in the county of Nottinghamshire.

We have worked with over 50 U.K. based designers and creative students and 12 outside the U.K. We have exhibited in New York and five times in Karlsruhe. Designers brought together by Creative Twinning have collaborated on award winning designs, exhibited together and created new work.

As partners, our own creative practices have been enriched by our own Twinning experiences. We have developed new work in response to international visits, influenced  by designers with whom we have worked. However, due to the increase in our individual workloads, Creative Twinning is no longer able to accept new projects and now this journey has come to an end.

We began Creative Twinning to establish links with designers outside our home city of Nottingham and to expand our horizons beyond the U.K. So although we are sad to bring our Creative Twinning activities to an end, we are immensely proud of what we have achieved. The friendships we have made will last a lifetime and the influence on us will inform our creativity for years to come. We would like to thank our partners both in the UK and Germany for their support.

We have updated the website to reflect this change. You will still be able to read previous posts on the blog, but for any other information you will need to contact us individually. Our Creative Twinning email will no longer be monitored.
-Debbie Bryan can be contacted through her website www.debbiebryan.co.uk
-Jayne Childs is J.C. Middlebrook, www.jcmiddlebrook.co.uk you can email her via the contact page
-Hannah Lobley can be found at www.hannahlobley.com

Creative Twinning’s 5th trip to Karlsruhe

 We're off to Eunique again! Here's a reminder about what we're up to...

Each year in late spring Nottingham’s twin city, Karlsruhe, hosts the prestigious Applied Arts Fair Eunique. Creative Twinning’s Jayne Childs (J.C. Middlebrook) and Debbie Bryan return for their 5th visit, this year accompanied by Design Factory members Phiona Richards and Hayley Beckley. The groups hope to wow Eunique’s international visitors with their British take on jewellery, textiles and accessories.

Jayne said ‘We love exhibiting at Eunique and were delighted to be selected again. The standard of work at the show is quite outstanding and it’s such an inspiration to be surrounded by such gifted designers. The range of talent on show is a real eye opener and we hope that Phiona and Hayley will get as much out of the visit as we do. We are made so welcome by the local creative community and look forward to meeting up with and exchanging ideas with our ‘Creative Twins’ in Karlsruhe’

More reading at:
Creative Twinning www.creativetwinning.com 
Eunique www.eunique.eu
Debbie Bryan www.debbiebryan.co.uk
J.C. Middlebrook www.jcmiddlebrook.co.uk
Hayley Beckley www.hayleybeckley.com
Phiona Richards www.rarenotions.co.uk

With hearty thanks to our sponsors One Nottingham and Design Factory!

Eunique opportunity 2015

Calling Designers!

Creative Twinning are pleased to be attending Eunique in 2015 and invite you join us! Read on for more info on the show and how to apply.

Eunique is the Applied Arts Fair in Karlsruhe, Germany. It has been running for 6 years and attendance has been increasing year on year. The show runs for 3 full days (Friday- Sunday) plus an invitation-only private view or 'vernissage' on Thursday evening (5-10pm)

Set up is all day Wednesday and Thursday morning. Although it has previously been billed as a trade fair, it has become a retail fair, attended by trade buyers. Each of the Creative Twinning partners has created trade relationships from attending the show. There is a dedicated gallery area, so you can see what galleries are selling locally

Anecdotally, the buyers are really high quality and we have all done well at the show. The German buyers seem to like our 'British' look! There is a fashion showing running 2/3 times Daily which Jayne took part in last year, this had a positive impact on her sales.

It's not all easy sales however, jewellers have found it very competitive and there is definitely a local German 'style' which differs from the UK aesthetic. Ceramics have done well in the past, as have textiles, but as always past performance is no guarantee of future sales!

Additionally we try to use the time to to expand our creative networks and would encourage other designers to do the same, inviting any contacts to the PV or main event, and circulating free tickets to buyers. Chat to local designers and gallery stands for insider info. We try to spend at least one evening with our Karlsruhe designer friends. They have knowledge of places to sell in locally in Baden-Wurtemburg and across Germany


Costs you should consider include: Travel, accommodation and subsistence, display and shipping. We can help you think about those but you need to be realistic about what they may be.

The organisers are really friendly and speak excellent English. Applications to the show are decided on a jury basis and their decision is final.

So, are you interested in coming with us? Talk to Jayne on 07932 591964 (please don't call Debbie's shop as it a really busy time of year for her) or email us info(at)creativetwinning.com. There are two short forms to fill in, and we'll need 5 hi-res images via Dropbox. The closing date for you to contact us is 23rd January 2015

Christmas Greetings

It's been a busy year here at Creative Twinning HQ. One of our partners, Hannah, had her second son Ethan a few weeks ago. Congratulations Hannah, John and Isaac! Debbie has been expanding her shop in Nottingham's Lace Market, making more space to include more items from our Karlsruhe twins. And I (Jayne) have just moved house, so the Creative Twinning correspondence address has changed, check it out on our Contact page.

We are delighted to have Creative Twinning showcased in Karlsruhe right now. 2014 twin Jutta Becker invited us to show work in her small but perfectly formed shop on Marienstrasse in Karlsruhe.

We are delighted with how it looks and can't wait to develop this relationship further- in the meantime check out Jutta's work online http://www.jutta-becker-objektdesign.de

In 2015, we plan to return to Eunique and to invite some more Karlsruhe 'Twins' to Nottingham. if you are a designer and would like to get involved in either trip, please get in touch. See you soon, have a Happy New Year!

Creative Twinning designers are off to visit German ‘Twins’

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

Gearing up to welcome our Creative Twins!

At the end of March we welcome our Creative Twins from Karlsruhe: Jutta Becker, Leonore Jock and Susanne Högner. We have some exciting events planned where you will be able to meet and exchange ideas with them.

Leonore Jock

Susanne Högner

Jutta Becker

In association with Projector at Broadway, on the afternoon of Thursday 27th March we will be deep in Conversation with designers on the Projector programme, discussing 'Challenges'. 

After that at 5.30pm we'll be hosting the private view of the Creative Twinning Showcase at Debbie Bryan Studio and Shop on St Mary's Gate. All are welcome, but please do book your place!

On Friday we're off to the Craft Centre at Rufford Abbey and Country Park, where Creative Greenhouse will be hosting a 'Kreativ Kaffe' networking session. Refreshments are provided by Creative Greenhouse, you bring the conversation! All welcome, simply book here.

The designers are then being whisked off to have a guided tour of Harley Gallery and Studios, before we return to Nottingham for a more relaxed Friday night in Nottingham.

The designers will be Nottingham based on Saturday with visits to Nottingham Contemporary, the Castle and other art venues across the city. 

Please let us know if you would like to be involved with the designers visits or if you would like to chat to them. They are really excited about visiting Nottingham- so let's make their stay a warm and welcoming one!

Creative Twinning Design Showcase Opportunity

Creative Twinning Design Showcase - deadline extended to 25th Jan!

View and download the Information Document here
View and download the Exhibition Application Form here

Nottingham, Karlsruhe & New York March 2014

Creative Twinning  invite applications from designers based in Karlsruhe to join Nottingham and New York Designers for a showcase of their artwork and to share experiences of running a design business. The successful applicants will be invited to make a visit to Nottingham, UK in which they have the opportunity to:

 1.Take part in a Creative Twinning Showcase with an agreed selection of work at:
Debbie Bryan Studio & Shop, 18 St Mary's Gate, Lace Market, Nottingham NG1 1PH www.debbiebryan.co.uk
Showcase dates Saturday 1st March – Saturday 3rd May 2014
Work to arrive at venue by Tuesday 24th February and any unsold work will be returned to Karlsruhe by the end of May 2014.
With a Private view, Drinks & canapés during your visit to Nottingham on 27th March

2. Showcase an agreed selection of work alongside Creative Twinning Designers in the Apsidal Gallery, Rufford Abbey Country Park from March-May http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/enjoying/countryside/countryparks/rufford/

3. Share your story with an invited audience of like-minded designers, entrepreneurs & creative industrie

4. Participate in formal and informal networking and awareness raising events

5.Visit retail outlets and introduce your work to build links

Please note: The artist is responsible for all postage costs, including the return of your work

The visit will take place between Thursday 27th – 30th Sunday March 2014, candidates need to be available to visit Nottingham for these dates.

To apply please provide your full contact details, a brief CV and a one page summary (in English) of:

1. Your product;
2. The story of your commercial success and any obstacles you face;
3. Your customers and why they buy your products;
4. Any awards or competitions you have been considered for.

Please also include 5 recent images of your work and any web-links. You must also complete a worksheet with information about the work you would bring for the showcase.(Download above)

The closing date for applications is Friday 24th January 2014

Our contact in Karlsruhe is Angelika Schmidt, City of Karlsruhe, Culture Office - Department of International Relations. E-mail: angelika.schmidt@kultur.karlsruhe.de
She is willing to assist with queries about the project.

But applications must be submitted to: info@creativetwinning.com

Creative Twinning, CT meet New York, NY!

Thanks to support from Design Factory, THE organisation for UK Designer/Makers, in mid October we're off to New York with four other amazing designers, Katie Almond, Stuart Akroyd, Phiona Richards and Gizella Warburton. In addition, we are  showcasing alongside 12 UK based and 12 US based designers at the Textile Arts Center in Manhattan. Find out more about them by visiting our People page.

At it's heart, the trip is a trade research mission to discover what the US market holds for UK makers, to meet potential buyers and network with local designers. We'll all be there for at least 5 days, and hope to return laden with contacts and opportunities over the pond! I'd be lying if I said there won't be any shopping but for me (Jayne) a highlight will be a stroll along The High Line, a landscaped park built on an old overground freight line through the heart of the city. It looks amazing!

On Thursday 10th October we'll be taking part in a 'Global Craft Conversation' which will take the form of a live video link between Nottingham/ New York/ Karlsruhe (hopefully)! We'll be talking about creating our own opportunities and how these very different cities make that possible. The Nottingham leg of the 'Global Craft Conversation' is being hosted by Broadway Projector, spaces are strictly limited so email Carrie Blake to book a place projector@broadway.org.uk

 

All the threads are coming together and plans we've been making for over 12 months are now reality. Thank goodness for understanding partners and families, we're on the road again!

Rufford Showcase

We were delighted to be invited to showcase our work at Rufford Abbey Country Park. The fantastic Arts Development team at Nottinghamshire County Council have been so supportive of us from the start, and have allowed us to fill the Apsidal Gallery with Creative Twinning work. we'll have work in there until April 2014 on a rolling programme.

The Apsidal Gallery at Rufford Park

So far, we are showing the work of Jayne, Debbie and Hannah. In October, we plan to add work from designers joining us in New York for Twinning events. Finally in March 2014 we will showcase the Creative Twinning designers who will visit us from Karlsruhe and New York.

We are planing a 'Meet the Makers' event  when you can come along and meet the international visitors, see their designs up close and talk to them about their work, hopes and future plans.

Exciting Developments for Creative twinning

We have been a bit quiet on here, but that is because we have been so busy in our Creative Twinning world.

So far in 2013 we have been mentoring students at Central College Nottingham. Debbie, Jayne and Hannah, along with designers Ashi Marwaha, Suet Yi Yip, Gillian Lee Smith and Kit Anderson. 

In June 2013, Debbie Jayne, Hannah, Ashi and Kit exhibited at Eunique Applied Arts Fair in Karlsruhe for the third time and were accompanied by new designers Sam Robinson, Paula Briggs. It was a very successful event again.

The 8 students we mentored, Mandi Chandler (Curriculum Manager at CCN) along with tutors Julian and Steve form the college all visited Karlsruhe, exhibiting work and making links with colleges and designers in the city. They also visited Eunique and the students did an amazing job helping the Creative Twinning Designers set up their stands for the show.

But now onto the second half of the year. We will again be mentoring students at Central College Nottingham in the next academic year - we will be doing a shout out for new mentors very soon.

We also have amazing things happening in October, with another International excursion but we will keep you in suspense and just say keep the 10th October 2013 free! We will working with Cheryl and Carrie from Broadway in Nottingham on a very special event.

www.broadway.org.uk/  

Projector Project http://shinewithprojector.org.uk/

In her own words - Juli Foos

One man‘s trash, another man‘s treasure
I have tried to discover things among all the garbage that no one else sees. I have transformed the trash without really making any changes. The result, in the end, were rugs or carpets that consist of beautiful graphical patterns and at the same time tell something about our throwaway society.
I like the thought to leave the trash where it usually is - on the ground - but arranged it in a certain order.

When the thrown away things are multiplied, collected and brought into a certain order, the trash can be seen in a different context and its image changes. From everyday garbage like plastic or paper bags, ordinary packagings for sweets or tissues and caps from drinking bottles, just to mention a few, I created textiles that consist of graphically interesting patterns. All the objects have different and individual qualities, but every single one is telling its own story. Because of the materials some of the rugs are perfect for outdoor or bathroom use and some are more considered to be in the living area.
The rugs don‘t have any other special use, they are just carpets. Beyond that they are nearly pieces of art that tell something about our society: What we throw away, what we are consuming and what kind of trash we have in the end. The stories are always about people and products. The objects offer the opportunity to see all the amounts of waste at once, brought together with old handicraft techniques like weaving, crocheting, ironing or welding.

 What makes me an eco-designer?
For me as a designer, the most interesting and exciting part of my work is to discover things not everybody recognizes at first. I always try to find a story behind everything.

What I really like about waste, is that it is always attached to a story because it comes from some person who has done something that produced the trash. The moment, when a certain object or packaging is no longer a packaging but turns into trash. When I was a child, I already felt sorry for objects or products that are not needed anymore and thrown away.

Within my project „one man‘s trash…“ I have mostly worked with real waste from the streets or from some shops or wherever I could get much of one certain type of trash. I tried to see not only polluted pavements in the streets but a huge material storage, free off charge. It was all a very big challenge because many artists and designers have worked with trash and recycling, but I think I am going my very own way now with arranging, ordering and connecting the trash and that‘s what I consider as the most important thing for a designer or an artist.

The so-called story of my success:
The story of my success probably is as long as I am doing creative stuff. I was always searching for „my thing“ and I always used to be interested in urban surroundings, street art, trash and all the things you can tell stories about. So this diploma work is just a logical conclusion of all the thoughts and ideas in my mind that used to be so uncoordinated at some points. I think now that I went through this project and i‘m still into it, I learned how to use my sometimes very autistic way to look at things.

I was working on a completely different topic for the diploma at first, but then I realzied that I have to change it very short in advance, cause the trash project was what I was actually really in love with. When I presented it to my professors and the first time to an audience, I put up an exhibition in a graphic design studio. The rugs were presented in a certain order that build up a story and you could go through the different rooms and follow the story. I placed rugs also in the kitchen and in the bathroom, just where they are supposed to be used. I had a brief talk and showed my short movie and everyone loved it and I never heard my professor talk like that and I was really touched and proud.

Then I was invited to present the project again, one week later at the EUNIQUE International fair for art and design in karlsruhe on a 70 squaremeter stand. I was really surprised and overwhelmed and we came up with an exhibition concept in 3 days and with the help of many people we built up a great stand on the fair and the feedback I got there was really extraordinary and amazing.
I talked to school classes, teachers, artists and designers, to children and to older people and it was so good to see that they all understand my point and liked my objects.
Some of the pieces will be taken into the kkaarrllss design collection (limited designs created by young german designers) and they can be bought from there or from upcoming exhibitions.
The Big Donut Rug has recently be shown in the Design Center in Kielce, Poland and I was told it was the „darling of the public“.

As I have been working for a summer theatre, I haven‘t worked on the project lately, but now, when autumn comes I want to get into it again and also travel a bit and find other trash in other cities and there are plans about creating a golden chandelier from the trash that a certain Black Forest beer produces.


The project has been awarded a scholarship of the german IKEA foundation to support my
diploma work and it has been nominated for the ZKM (center for arts and media in Karlsruhe)
advancement award.

www.juuuli.de.lv
http://julifoos.wordpress.com/one-mans-trash/die-objekte-the-objects/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3qZ14FByQU

In her own words - Renate Schweizer

What makes you an ‘eco-designer’?
I am working and using recycling material as basic- material of my art since my childhood. As an
artist I am taking responsibility in using economical and recycling material for I want to take care
for the health of earth, of the nature, of life in its whole.
Studying arts in India and United states in the early eighties I found the awareness of recycling
material as basic-material for art in the childrem-museum of fine arts in Boston. There for example
people could buy cleaned old cups from yoghurts or bottles to create puppets and masks in
workshop with children. I was very amused about this, that people gave money for the cleaned
yoghurt-cups in the museum but didn't clean their yoghurt-cups at home... this would have been a
different worth-thing in their minds.
2004 + 2005 I have been artist in residence in romania 2005/6 I have been artist in residence in
New Delhi, India. There I started to dry and collect the teabags after drinking my tea. Back in
Germany I continued collecting the old teabags, and created a Kimono made of 600 teabagpapers
for my art-project „Come to dinner – evention to all nations and religions“ exhibition in Karlsruhe:



2007 I created a dress with teabag-papers from red tea

2009 I created the 1st Karlsruher Teebollenhut

Tell us about any obstacles you face and any commercial successes you've had
Until now I didn't really do the cloths commercial, just create them for my art-project „Come to
dinner – invention to all nations and religions“ because for dinner it's a must to wear special
clothes.
For future I dream of creating more individual and crazy hats for Ascot and get the recomend of Charles Barnet and sell it for the happening in Berkshire.

Tell us about your 'customers'
My customers are visitors of my exhibitions and they buy the hats, because they can used it in real in
summer. Also I give workshops in creating your own individual sun-hat with old teabagpapers.

Renate is a member of GEDOK Karlsruhe and International Association of Paper Artists and PaperMakers (iapma)

In Her Own Words - Weibke Goos

Currently, I’m concentrating on designing and producing wearable jewellery - unique pieces as well as small-scale series. My jewellery is characterized by the combination of innovative manufacturing methods, traditional gold work and very old casting techniques. Due to the different manufacturing processes the pieces obtain special surface structures and quite often an archaic charisma.

During my studies at Pforzheim University I have already launched the jewellery brand “Goos Jewellery”. I believe that social justice and the protection of our environment are as important as excellent quality and design. Therefore every piece of jewellery is manufactured from recycled or fair-trade silver, gold and gems. It is my aim to unify timeless and individual design, highest value as well as social and environmental responsibility.

Right after my last year’s graduation I opened the gallery “Goldaffairs” in Karlsruhe. It is the first German gallery for ethical jewellery and sustainable accessories. It is located in the east of Karlsruhe, in close vicinity to the old slaughterhouse. Currently, this area is on the move, there will be studios for artists and designers in the near future. Besides my own works I sell products from international designers and small brands. The accessories I offer are out of recycled materials or vegetable-tanned leather. The jewellery is manufactured from fair-trade precious metals and gems or recycled precious metals.

Trying to establish a business based on a holistic concept of sustainability and social justice is not always easy, but in my eyes it is worth trying in so many ways. In Germany, topics like “ethical jewellery” and “responsible mining” are not as widespread as they are in England, but the public awareness is increasing and the media presence is growing. I experience my customers to be very interested and receptive. Some of them come to my gallery because they already knew about my concept and would like to buy jewellery made of fair-trade gold or silver, others like my design, the personal atmosphere and the products I’m selling.
As I already implied highest quality in design and fabrication, the selection of unique and exceptional products as well as a distinguished customer service are my priorities. Fair-Trade and sustainability are therefore more like a topping that my customers appreciate and that makes my business remarkable.

For me it is more complicated, more expensive and time-consuming to buy fair-trade precious metals and gems. Furthermore, the production of my jewellery is costlier but I hope that this will change in the future. In the meantime, I am convinced it is worth dealing with these aspects even though one must make compromises sometimes.


 Last year, I won the “Heinrich–Blanc Förderpreis” which is awarded every year and honors exceptional academic theses to promote the progress in Baden-Württemberg. I developed an own manufacturing method to create a symbiosis of jewellery and packaging. Both elements interact and therefore are inextricably linked with each other. Every piece of jewellery is formed in its own mold which is, at the same time, the packaging. Thereby every item gains its very special charisma and uniqueness. (mein stein)
In the same year, I competed for the STUDENT DESIGN AWARD for rapid manufacturing and won the second prize. I presented an innovative jewellery concept working with generative design to create rings consisting of very complex organic structures (morphogenetic).

Creative Twins from Karlsruhe arriving soon!

Our Creative Twins from Karlsruhe are arriving at the beginning of next week. We are so pleased to be able to welcome them!

They are:
Juli Foos - 'One man's trash is another man's treasure' - Find out more on Juli's website

Weibke Goos -a jeweller creating a green alternative to conventional jewellery - http://www.goos-jewellery.com/

(photo: Petra Jaschke)

Renate Schweizer describes herself as an 'intermodal artist'. She is bringing recycled fashion this time
She has a YouTube channel showing her work here

Come and meet Juli, Weibke and Renate at Fantastic Futures 5-7pm at Designer Forum and  Designer's Resolutions 6 7- Midnight at Antenna on Tuesday 23rd October, and Inspire and Unite 5-8pm at Nottingham Contemporary on Friday 26th October

Creative Twinning October Events 2012

Creative Twinning October Events - Join us for these unique opportunities to meet a variety of award winning Creative Businesses from the East Midlands and Nottingham's twinned city Karlsruhe in Germany, along with our supporting Partners; South Nottingham College, Design Factory, Designer Forum, Designers Resolutions, Future Factory & Nottingham City Council.

We have some very exciting creative events this October, we hope you can join us. Let us know which events you are coming to by leaving us a message at info@creativetwinning.com

Summer update

We are working behind the scenes on the Creative Twinning Showcase to be held at Nottingham Contemporary on 26th October 2012. Applications are sought from Karlsruhe designers who would like to visit Nottingham from 24th to 27th October. Please see the 'Opportunities' page or click here for more information on how to apply.

Back from Germany

Time has flown by since we returned from Karlsruhe for a second time! After a week in Germany Debbie and I (Jayne) have been rushed off our feet getting back to our own businesses and working on plans for later in the year.

I'll get a review posted just as soon as I can. In the meantime you can view images of our trip on Flickr by clicking this link. 

Here's the amazingly talented CT designers at the press night at Eunique 

(L-R: Suet Yi, Jayne Childs, Debbie Bryan, Rachel Lunn, Michele Arieu, Ashi Marwaha, Gillian Lee Smith, Lucy Harding and Kit Anderson)

Off to see our Creative Twins

We can't wait to meet up with our Creative Twins in Karlsruhe this week. We're back there showing at Eunique Applied Arts Fair for a second year. This year our ranks have swelled to ten, with designers joining us from across Nottingham and the East Midlands.

Debbie and I are also joined by Mandi, Kate and Georgina from South Nottingham College, who are hoping to set up a student exchange of some kind and are going to see exactly what opportunities there are. Hayley Banks from Design Factory, who have generously supported the ten designers, will be there to make links with creative organisations from across Baden Württemberg and beyond.

We'll be looking for Karlsruhe designers to join us in Nottingham for a reciprocal visit in October 2012 and catching up with Angelika, Brigitte, Nora and Philine from last year's twinning events. As you may know, I (Jayne from JC Middlebrook) have started to work with Brigitte making Nottingham Lace in silver. We hope this year's trip will produce more joint enterprises and design collaborations.

Wish us luck, we'll try and update you whilst we're there. See you soon

Creative Twinning 2012

We're in the midst of last minute preparation for Creative Twinning's visit to Eunique Applied Arts Fair in Nottingham's twin city of Karlsruhe. The original Creative twinning designers Debbie Bryan, Hannah Lobley and Jayne Childs will accompanied by 7 designers from across the East Midlands. You can find out more about the designers showing at Eunique here.

We'll also have representatives from two of our supporting partners Design Factory and South Nottingham College. Alongside the fair we'll be busy making links with creative organisations from the Karlsruhe area in preparation for the Creative Twinning showcase we are already planning for October 2012.

We took time out yesterday to take part in some German Language and Cultural Awareness training from the fantastic Jo Small at Optima Training. Our supporting partner Future Factory at NTU hosted us for the day as we prepared our language skills for the trip!

Creative Twinning next stage plans

We will be meeting with some of our supporting partners and designers this Friday to get acquainted and start planning our Creative Twinning trip to Karlsruhe in May. As you may know ten designers from across the East Midlands will be exhibiting at Eunique Applied Arts Fair in Karlsruhe. We hope to also offer partners from Design Factory and South Nottingham College the chance to meet up with their 'Creative Twins' from that region of Germany.

Then we are planning to invite some German designers to return to Nottingham in October 2012 for more exciting events and a design showcase. Later on this year we will be focussing on bringing on young designers so are working on plans with South Nottingham College to help mentor and encourage them, with the aim of involving the young people in the 2013 exchange.

We'll tweet some photos on Friday so don't forget to follow us @creativetwin