8 minute read
Feature
Sheron King
Designer-maker and lover of colour, texture and ephemera!
Advertisement
Although I was unable to talk to Sheron in her Newnham home due to Covid restrictions, from the glimpses I could make out on my computer screen, it was obvious her studio is jam-packed full of objects - a selfconfessed ‘collector’, this creative lady is obviously not keen on throwing things away! Surrounded by a veritable cornucopia of textiles, china, books, ribbons, beads, papers and buttons etc. Sheron explained that she had arrived at the creative designing and making point of her life via a somewhat surprising series of twists and turns. Originally from Wiltshire and then Cornwall, Sheron initially came to Plymouth to study bakery and confectionery with advanced cake design and decoration at Plymouth City College. ‘Then randomly I went into nursing training,’ said Sheron. ‘I worked as a nurse for a year. I put my heart and soul into what I do, but I knew nursing wasn’t me - I have this desire to be creative, I think that’s probably why I went into confectionery.’ The arrival of children curtailed the nursing career and while her children were young, she completed an A level in textiles, fi nding the work inspiring and fulfi lling. Creating with textiles, mixed media and later other media such as ceramics made her buzz. Then came a pivotal moment - her marriage broke up and suddenly, with two young children, she had to become fi nancially independent. She started running workshops in the community for a variety of projects and schools, eventually working for Cornwall College, teaching low level art and design to students with a range of special needs. She completed a teaching qualifi cation by studying part-time, which fuelled a desire to take her learning experience up a notch, as she completed a degree in 3D Design at Plymouth University. ‘It was a great experience and very interesting going back to full time study,’ said Sheron. Degree completed, with encouragement from one of her lecturers and much appreciated fi nancial support from her parents, she also completed a Masters in Contemporary Design. Sheron said she was ‘really, really chuff ed’ to have studied successfully to such a high degree and that it helped her put a very traumatic time in her life behind her while building her confi dence and self-esteem. While she would dearly love to make a full-time living out of art, design and making, for the moment, Sheron works part time for a local MP and also as a partner with a network marketing company. However, she has converted the dining room of her Grade II Listed home into a studio, where she works and facilitates workshops. Sheron, whose business is called Mad Hatters Studio, admitted she gets called a hoarder: ‘Actually, I quite
forcibly say I am collector! I see the potential of objects, that is why it is very good for me to have this creative space for myself and to share with others through workshops and events. ‘I put a heavy focus on re-use, sustainability and upcycling, because I am passionate about helping improve our environment and one thing we all can do is cut down waste by recycling or upcycling. ‘I have collected lots of old textiles, lace, buttons, beads, even some small vintage toys – these things feed into my work, inspiring intuitive design and using real or imagined narrative. I have made crazy jewellery, cards, mixed media pieces as well as a range of ceramics - I am absolutely addicted to colour, pattern and textures.’ She said she loves off ering people the opportunity to enjoy doing something completely diff erent, develop skills or nurture a new-found love of creativity which in turn can be very therapeutic and empowering. ‘I love sharing a creative space, people who come here say “I just love the vibe, it’s really creative, welcoming and positive”. I get that feedback from a lot of people so I must be doing something right!’ When not working or creating, Sheron loves her garden, which is home to four chickens and a beehive, overseen by a beekeeping friend. She took up foraging during the fi rst lockdown, discovering the delights of making wild garlic pesto and elderfl ower liqueur. She’s also discovered a love of dogs - never having been brought up with them, she now looks after her son and daughter-in-law’s cockapoo and delights in the unconditional aff ection off ered by a doggy best friend. ‘I just love him,’ she laughed. n
Jane Honey
FAMILY-RUN BUSINESS • OVER 60 YEARS EXPERIENCE
Find your dream park home in the picturesque countryside of Devon.
From completely bespoke builds to fully-sited, ready to move into homes, our team are here to help make your dream home a reality in Devon.
Glenholt Park Honicombe Park New Park
Established and sought after location north of Plymouth city centre.
• • • Flanked by woodlands. Pleasant walks. Close by Park & Ride offers easy travel links. Set in the Tamar Valley, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
• • • Nearby shopping facilities. Pets considered. St. Ann’s Chapel has a post office and store. Woodland surroundings with views of the rolling hills of Dartmoor.
• • • Good shopping facilities. Plenty to explore. Dartmoor is only a 10 minute drive away.
Book a contactless park viewing or a design appointment today. Call us on 01935 862079 or visit berkeleyparks.co.uk
Lou C
Fused glass artist
Lou, whose home backs onto Plymbridge Woods near Glenholt, is originally from the Midlands but came morning!’ said Lou. to live in Plymouth when she was 18 - she says she feels It was through Instagram that Plymouth artist Brian she qualifi es as a local now! Pollard got in touch: ‘He said he really liked my work ‘I love it here, I couldn’t live anywhere else, it’s and would I be prepared to meet him? I thought “Is this beautiful, we have everything, with the sea and the real?” and I didn’t answer him for a couple of weeks!’ moors,’ said Lou. Scroll forward and following meetings with Brian, a While her son was young, Lou was involved in the care collaboration of local artists including Lou has been industry - she then started doing voluntary work for formed called Plymouth Colour Collective. Sadly due to the Samaritans which subsequently led to a career as a the Covid pandemic its fi rst exhibition last March didn’t nurse, a role she enjoyed for some 20 years. Then, while take place, but one could be on the cards for this year. suff ering with long term health issues, she rediscovered ‘Hopefully it will make people more aware of local a love of art as part of her artists that are out there,’ recovery. ‘I’d always dabbled in it, but I started looking around at what sort of things I’d like “ About fi ve years ago, she ‘took a huge leap of faith’ and invested in her own kiln, such was her enthusiasm for she said. ‘Plymouth Colour Collective art is very colourful, very bright and cheery, it lends itself to to do and started teaching myself how to do fused her new-found hobby ” what’s going on now.’ Lou loves creating pictures glass,’ said Lou. About fi ve years ago, she ‘took a huge out of glass, whether they are fl oral scenes, landscapes or leap of faith’ and invested in her own kiln, such was her buildings, including several well known Plymouth pubs, enthusiasm for her new-found hobby. complete with chirpy seagulls. Created with humour, her Learning through trial and error with designs and fi ring quirky glass pictures conjure up the atmosphere of our schedules, it wasn’t long before people started to ask ocean city in quite a unique way. her to make pieces for them - her fl edgling business had Lou explained that technically, the creative process of begun to take root. fusing glass means every piece will always be diff erent, While she stresses she is ‘very much part time’, she now depending on the fi ring schedule - and there are plenty has some 2,300 followers on Instagram and sells her of mistakes to be made along the way! work online through the Folksy website. Glass lends itself perfectly to the colourful art she ‘I am absolutely passionate about it - it gets me up in the likes to create: ‘The vibrancy you achieve from glass is
