Monday, 30 July 2012
Tuesday, 26 June 2012
Balvenie Master of Craft awards 2012
I am delighted to be joining the judging panel for this years Balvenie master of craft competition along with TV presenter - Kevin McCloud, David Stewart -Malt Master, Anne Cuthbertson - editor of Sunday Telegraph Life, Nick Hand - Expert Crafts Photographer, Robin Wood - Chairman of the Heritage Crafts Association, Melina Keays - Entertaining Director of design magazine Wallpaper and Stephen Dixon Maker trustee of the Crafts Council.
The Judges for The Balvenie Masters of Craft 2012
20120627 Copyright onEdition 2012©
Free for editorial use image, please credit: onEdition
http://www.thebalveniemastersofcraft.com/winners-2011/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/foodanddrink/balvenie-whisky/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/foodanddrink/balvenie-whisky/9209633/celebrating-contemporary-craft.html
It has been quite a year since winning the Balvenie Young Master of Craft 2011. I have received a huge amount of support and custom from all corners of Britain and beyond, many have come through the Balvenie directly, many through Robin Woods Blog last year such as a Cambridge priest and a couple who started their own business building tandem bikes.
Unbelievably, this time last year I was making my shoes from the confines of a 12 ft shed at the bottom of the garden, rapidly running out of shelf space. Now I have been able to spread my wings and make shoes in my workshop within Aberystwyth Arts centre's creative units, a bright spacious artist studio designed by Thomas Heatherwick. It has taken a while to settle in but I have come to love the strange juxtaposition of the old traditional craft in such a modern space. Surrounded by my collected shoemaking tools and machines I am constantly reminded and touched by all the support I have received over this time setting up as a shoemaker.
Each machine has a legendary story attached; it has been such a journey finding the equipment in an era where Singer machines are collector’s items rather than an indispensible companion to the maker. Amazingly most of the few machines that I require as a shoemaker have somehow materialised all within 50 miles of my workshop. My 1950s Singer post machine which had almost resigned itself to an early retirement after being used to make shoes in Wales over 30 years ago is my closest companion, now firmly placed in its new home, kindly donated from Pam. We worked out my former shoemaking mentor trained on the very same machine all those years ago. And then there is the sole press which was made entirely from scratch by Pete the motorbike builder who spray painted it RED to match my name. The Merkle skiver is over 60 years old, which I traipsed over the other side of London to collect, now in its permanent position with special thanks to Dai Davies for fitting the oak tabletop for it to be positioned on. Then there is the incredible 1920’s combination finishing machine' which has had new life breathed into it after Ian and Angie from Betws donated it from the bottom of their garden. After 20 years of battling the Welsh elements in silent desolation this great cast iron sander now turns beautifully with the help of some WD40 and new motor fitted to turn the wheel and a lovely piece of oak shelf for the shoes fitted by Max.
20120627 Copyright onEdition 2012©
Free for editorial use image, please credit: onEdition
(L to R) Stephen Dixon, Anne Cuthbertson, Nick Hand, Melina Keays,
David Stewart, Ruth Emily Davey, and centre Kevin McCloud, The Balvenie
Masters of Craft 2012 judging panel
The Balvenie Masters of Craft 2012, an awards programme which recognises, honours and celebrates highly skilled craftspeople around the UK.
For more information contact Fiona Boston: Fiona.Boston@77pr.co.uk or call +44 (0) 20 7492 0977
The Balvenie Masters of Craft 2012, an awards programme which recognises, honours and celebrates highly skilled craftspeople around the UK.
For more information contact Fiona Boston: Fiona.Boston@77pr.co.uk or call +44 (0) 20 7492 0977
http://www.thebalveniemastersofcraft.com/winners-2011/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/foodanddrink/balvenie-whisky/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/foodanddrink/balvenie-whisky/9209633/celebrating-contemporary-craft.html
It has been quite a year since winning the Balvenie Young Master of Craft 2011. I have received a huge amount of support and custom from all corners of Britain and beyond, many have come through the Balvenie directly, many through Robin Woods Blog last year such as a Cambridge priest and a couple who started their own business building tandem bikes.
Unbelievably, this time last year I was making my shoes from the confines of a 12 ft shed at the bottom of the garden, rapidly running out of shelf space. Now I have been able to spread my wings and make shoes in my workshop within Aberystwyth Arts centre's creative units, a bright spacious artist studio designed by Thomas Heatherwick. It has taken a while to settle in but I have come to love the strange juxtaposition of the old traditional craft in such a modern space. Surrounded by my collected shoemaking tools and machines I am constantly reminded and touched by all the support I have received over this time setting up as a shoemaker.
Each machine has a legendary story attached; it has been such a journey finding the equipment in an era where Singer machines are collector’s items rather than an indispensible companion to the maker. Amazingly most of the few machines that I require as a shoemaker have somehow materialised all within 50 miles of my workshop. My 1950s Singer post machine which had almost resigned itself to an early retirement after being used to make shoes in Wales over 30 years ago is my closest companion, now firmly placed in its new home, kindly donated from Pam. We worked out my former shoemaking mentor trained on the very same machine all those years ago. And then there is the sole press which was made entirely from scratch by Pete the motorbike builder who spray painted it RED to match my name. The Merkle skiver is over 60 years old, which I traipsed over the other side of London to collect, now in its permanent position with special thanks to Dai Davies for fitting the oak tabletop for it to be positioned on. Then there is the incredible 1920’s combination finishing machine' which has had new life breathed into it after Ian and Angie from Betws donated it from the bottom of their garden. After 20 years of battling the Welsh elements in silent desolation this great cast iron sander now turns beautifully with the help of some WD40 and new motor fitted to turn the wheel and a lovely piece of oak shelf for the shoes fitted by Max.
Friday, 8 June 2012
Launch of the Creative Unit competition 2012
www.ruthemilydavey.co.uk
Wednesday, 25 April 2012
Wrapping them up . .
I like to give each of my customers a unique tailored
service. Each pair of shoes requires undivided care and attention to detail. In
the finishing process I apply several layers of protective polish and carefully
tie the laces into a perfect bow before carefully wrapping them in tissue paper
to send them off to their new home with wishes of luck and the hope that they
will see faraway places and do good things. Below is a pair of lime green, soft
Italian leather brogues with rolled edges, fully lined in soft, black suede, finished
with yellow stitching made for a very special customer who is walking through 5 different countries including
Amsterdam and France.
www.ruthemilydavey.co.uk
Sunday, 8 April 2012
Recycled Leather Shandals
Despite doing my best to always use as much of each hide as
possible I constantly
have offcuts of leather so I made these patchwork shandals from a mixture of burgundy and
deep brown leathers all linked together with a deep burgundy stitching and brass buckles.
If you have the choice, why not go for it?
Sometimes, just sometimes, a customer comes along and uses the colour palate
to its full potential. My Customer, Conchita got very excited in being able to live out her dream of commissioning mirror image footwear in her two favourite colors. So here are her finished pair of lime green and deep purple lace up shandals complete with matching opposite stitching and laces, the uppers have rolled edges and are fully lined in soft biscuit suede.
A Pivotal Moment for a Shoemaker
I finally had my very first set of lasts made ... I just
need to make the shoes to fill them now..
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
Handmade In Britain Shoes
Here are the pair of shoes I exhibited in the Handmade In Britain show 2011. Soft grey Italian Leather uppers with light grey and charcoal Brogue Toe Caps and white eyelets. ... With Union Jack laces.
www.ruthemilydavey.co.uk
www.ruthemilydavey.co.uk
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
'Year in a Creative Unit' Competition 2011
I am delighted to have been chosen to spend a year in a creative unit designed by Thomas Heatherwick within the Aberystwyth Art Centre beginning in September.
http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/ccs/unit/
http://aberystwythartscentre.co.uk/
www.ruthemilydavey.co.uk
It will be a wonderful opportunity to develop my business within a community of other artists and within the Arts Centre itself in a large bright white space after making all my shoes from a 12ft garden shed !
http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/ccs/unit/
http://aberystwythartscentre.co.uk/
www.ruthemilydavey.co.uk
Sunday, 9 October 2011
Handmade in Britain Book Launch 2011
The book is created to support the resurgence of interest in high quality, handmade British designs and crafts. It features 90 contemporary British designer- makers who represent some of the talented artists working in Britain today.
In these days of mass produced objects where people have become strangers to the process of making, it is comforting to know that there are still craftspeople working by hand and creating wonderful, unique products such as jewellery, ceramics, textiles, furniture and other crafts. Many draw their inspiration from nature and the world around them, each has a unique approach to their work and the area they have chosen to specialize in. - Piyush Suri
The launch of the book will coincide with the annual Show at Chelsea Old Town Hall in October with a private view evening of the selected designer-makers work on 27th October 2011.
www.ruthemilydavey.co.uk
http://www.handmadeinbritain.co.uk/
In these days of mass produced objects where people have become strangers to the process of making, it is comforting to know that there are still craftspeople working by hand and creating wonderful, unique products such as jewellery, ceramics, textiles, furniture and other crafts. Many draw their inspiration from nature and the world around them, each has a unique approach to their work and the area they have chosen to specialize in. - Piyush Suri
The launch of the book will coincide with the annual Show at Chelsea Old Town Hall in October with a private view evening of the selected designer-makers work on 27th October 2011.
www.ruthemilydavey.co.uk
http://www.handmadeinbritain.co.uk/
The YOGA Show 28th, 29th & 30th October 2011 London | Olympia
I will be exhibiting my shoes for all three days so if you are interested come and spend a day or three at the yoga show and get a free personal shoe fitting.
http://www.theyogashow.co.uk/london/home.php
www.ruthemilydavey.co.uk
Monday, 22 August 2011
Antonio Ruocco of Da Constanzo
I went to visit a very special shoemaker on the isle of Capri - Antonio Ruocco.
Since Roman times, strappy sandals have been the symbol of Capri. Antonio is continuing the ancient techniques and tradition of sandalmaking passed down from his father, Costanzo, using the very same tools and leather suppliers from Tuscany. You can see the photograph of Costanzo on the wall behind his workbench overseeing each pair being made! Ispirazione!
Since Roman times, strappy sandals have been the symbol of Capri. Antonio is continuing the ancient techniques and tradition of sandalmaking passed down from his father, Costanzo, using the very same tools and leather suppliers from Tuscany. You can see the photograph of Costanzo on the wall behind his workbench overseeing each pair being made! Ispirazione!
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