Art & Craft

Alun Rice

I have lived in Chirk Bank since 2010 and enjoyed attending local craft fares. I challenged myself to start on the felted box sets available in craft shops. From there I found lots of ideas and tutorials online and found felting a good way to relax and take anxiety away.
I have done a few commission pieces of people’s pets and most of my work tends to be a bit quirky. Painting and ceramics is something I also enjoy as well.

Beverley Furniss

I can’t remember a time when I couldn’t knit! My first attempt at clothes for my dolls were replaced with jumpers and cardigans for my own children. More recently my knits have been for charity, alongside seasonal bunting. my other passion is bell ringing, I make rag rugs to order for ringing rooms across the uk to raise money for St Mary’s church bell fund.

Chi Hinks

I am a Ceramic Artist & the owner of The Willow Moon Ceramics. I have lived in the beautiful market town of Oswestry after relocating from Wales 3 years ago.
I started Ceramics 5 years ago, my inspiration & style is very much linked to my Spiritual lifestyle, nature & the Fae. All my pieces are either hand built or thrown on the wheel, trimmed, dried, fired in the kiln to 1,000 degrees & then artwork & hand glazing added before being fired in the kiln again at 1,250 degrees, therefore making it a lengthy process.
No two pieces are ever the same, making them truly unique; & each piece is imbued with love, light & magical blessings.

Chris Allen

Rebel Dragon Designs is a family business based in Llangollen Rural. We create products that celebrate and promote Wales and the Welsh language and Wrexham. All of our products have a Welsh/ Cymraeg, Wales/ Cymru, Wrexham/ Wrecsam theme. We specialise in acrylic fairy lights in different designs; acrylic and wood dragons as well as wood and slate hanging decorations, fridge magnets, jewellery designs and keyrings.

CJ Hills

I am an autistic/ADHD maker who loves exploring charity, junk and antique shops. I search for old spoons and forks that I can upcycle into jewellery. I work from my girlfriend’s workshop, which is in an old mill building, mostly making rings and earrings. When I’m not making I am away having little adventures in our campervan or hanging out with our little dog, Woody. I also love bushcraft, sewing and photography.

David Marshall

I am a hobby turner who likes to use local woods utilising recycled dead trees and foraged timber.
I’m always looking for interesting and rare material. I like to produce useful, tactile, beautiful one off items.

David Poole

I worked as a painter and decorator from the age of fifteen. I am now retired and live in Chirk. I took up painting art as a hobby a few years ago and really enjoy it.

Elaina Owen

I am the crafter behind Lainie Makes and Creates in Shropshire! I have always had a passion for making and creating, whether it is drawing, painting, upcycling or sewing. With a love for sustainability and British products, I try to focus on creating beautiful sustainable gifts. Everyday products that you can use time after time. I am a great believer that “it is all the little things that make the big difference to help our environment”. My current bestsellers are my reusable cotton face pads, that I make from 100% cotton fabric off cuts and cotton towelling. They are a fantastic environmental alternative to disposable face wipes and cotton wool makeup pads. I am committed to using as little plastic as possible to reduce my daily waste. Remember to Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, then Recycle!

Elly Jones

I am a mixed media printmaker combining hand inked prints with photography, textiles and spontaneous processes that echo nature’s evolving character. I’m inspired by the idea that layers found in shadows, weathered surfaces, or reflections in water, can be translated in various ways. Allowing me to create literal or abstract interpretations of subjects and places. Since completing a BA(Hons) Degree in Design, Illustration at Wrexham University in 2001 I have worked on various creative projects. More recently finding the opportunity to develop work from my home studio near Llangollen in North Wales, which is where I find most of my inspiration for my work. Along the beautiful hiking trails of the lakes, rivers, mountains, and woodlands around the valleys.

Emma J Holmes

I am a passionate artist with a keen eye for capturing the essence of life and
my surroundings. Driven by an insatiable curiosity to understand the world, my drawings explore the interconnectedness of everyday subjects, all bound by a common thread:
meliorism—the belief that small acts of love, creativity, kindness, and compassion can make the
world a better place.

Gareth Holt

Having visited Lady Margaret caravan site some years ago, I fell in love with the area of the Ceiriog valley. Now living in the valley and retired I enjoy my pastime of painting landscapes in acrylics.

Hazel Starnes

(Mere Crafts) I am a local artist working from my home in Ellesmere. I am interested in many crafts, but my passion is glass. I love the way the light interplays with the colours and am fascinated by the textures and finishes that can be achieved. I currently focus on fused glass and many of my pieces involve several firings to get depth and shape onto them. I love trying out new techniques and cover a wide variety of styles, often getting my inspiration from nature.

Hobson Tarrant

(Trefonen Gifts) I am an ex-businessman turned craft enthusiast on retirement. I moved to Shropshire from Greece 2 years ago, started by painting local scenes on canvas, then progressed to laser engraving and more recently clay modelling…. I am interested in all things creative and wrote numerous published books whilst in Crete.

Imelda Cole

Once I retired I joined a local art group and have been introduced to a wide variety of media and techniques and this is reflected in the paintings I produce.  I enjoy all aspects and suppose I am best described as a mixd media artist with a wide range of subject areas.

Irene Jones

I am a local retired hobby artist, only taking up the brush again on retirement. I paint in pastels, acrylics and watercolour. I like landscapes, portraits and animals.

James Bavin

My inspiration comes from the love of technology and using it to display my work in a new way. The material used is biodegradable and derived from renewable resources such as corn starch, tapioca roots, and sugar cane. Mostly in black and white but also using a limited colour palette to its best effect.

Janice Taylor

(Arty J) I am a local artist and enjoy experimenting with different mediums making mostly abstract pieces. I also have taught art to various groups all over the world. When I was due to retire I was looking for something arty locally, then along came the opportunity to both exhibit and volunteer at The Old Milk Bar!

Jill Blanchard

I am inspired to in the places I visit, whether this is the the local hills or the coastline of Northumberland where I am from. I enjoy painting and learning how to see the world through this medium.

Jennifer Muir

I started to paint at retirement in Scotland 27 years ago, having almost yearly exhibitions and  a display in a local cafe.  I kept my prices low by using recycled frames, and all  money went to support a charity working with needy children in Eastern Europe.  My inspiration comes from all that I see around me. I also enjoy making small felt or cloth animals. I moved to Weston Rhyn 3 yrs ago.

Karen Thompson

I am passionate about art and creativity and the vital role they play in helping to navigate today’s mental health challenges.  ‘Creativity’ offers a therapeutic outlet that fosters proven, emotional well-being.  My love for nature and the environment also drives my commitment to addressing the climate crisis and exploring how we can build resilience in the face of it.

I believe in the power of recycling, re-purposing and repairing as essential practices, not only for sustainability, but also as creative expressions that align with my artistic values.  These interests guide me to contribute to my community and to a more sustainable and beautiful world.

Katie Welham

(Glasses For All Occasions) I started this journey back in 2017 after having surgery and it has slowly expanded into what it is now. In 2022 I was diagnosed with ME/CFS amongst other conditions and eventually had to give up my full time “grown up” job. I moved over 120 miles to Gobowen from Lincolnshire and have had to build up my business again in the area.

Kelly Jones

I grew up in Chirk, attending the local school as a child and then working in it as an adult. I have always had an interest in art and craft, whether it be photography when out on a walk or making things at home. The Old Milk Bar has gievn me the opportunity to display and sell what I make which is lovely!

Kirsten Tolland

(Valetta Road) I was born in New Zealand but have married into a family from Chirk. I have been making earrings since 2013 when I had my first child and was at home with him. I really enjoy experimenting with new designs.

Lesley Jones

(Brushstrokes) I am a local artist having lived and worked in North Wales for 40 years. My preferred medium is watercolour, although I also work with pen and wash, pastels and acrylics. My inspiration is drawn from the local landscape, flora and fauna, exhibiting in a number of venues around the area and I am a member of several art groups . In 2021 I was selected as a ‘wild card’ artist painting alongside finalists from the prestigious TV series “Landscape Artist of The Year”  in Port Meirion on the  North Wales coast. I am at my happiest when working together with like minded artists on showcasing the local dramatic scenery  and fascinating wild life native to the area, my philosophy is “ there is always something interesting and beautiful to see around us. One just needs to look intently and observe the finest details”.

Lindsay Adams

(By Linz) I have worked locally in the NHS for over 20 years, but am now crafting full time. While I started by making personalised cards for friends and family, I now enjoy the freedom to try new crafts and producing mixed-media works that incorporate paper quilling and repurposed costume jewellery. The costume jewellery is sourced locally (which is a hobby in itself!) and where possible I recycle and re-use materials that would otherwise end up in landfill.

Liz Carding

I have lived and worked in the Wrexham area since 1987. I have always had a strong bond with my surroundings and landscape. Textiles, especially sheep fleece is one of my favourite mediums to work with, I especially enjoy making felt landscapes, using dyed fleece. By contrast I also love the definition and clarity of lino printing, which really taxes the brain in the design and cutting process. I also enjoy dabbling in different crafts from pottery, willow weaving to environmental art.

Louisa Graham

I live near Bala and I’m inspired by where I live and animals. All cards are from my own original artwork.

Mandy Marshall

Socks; I am just obsessed with knitting socks! Super cosy & comfortable. Great for long walks or just chilly evenings!
I also enjoy taking unloved frames & used corks & turning them into something useful again.

Maureen Davies

Knitting is my passion and having done it for 65 years, I am now retired and have all the time to pursue new designs and textures. Specialising in Nordic Icelandic Fair Isle sweaters in natural fibres like merino, alpaca and silk which are 100% suitable for sensitive skin and very light but exceptionally warm. All totally seamless.  Inspired by the landscape and nature from living in Wales for colours and shapes and these keep me incredibly cosy on my walking adventures.

Neil Ree

I make small things out of wood. Small boxes, small clocks, small figures. Even some children’s toys. I get my inspiration from things that I see during life as it ticks by.
I don’t work all of the time but do as much as I feel and that way I really enjoy the making process.
I have been making things in this way for a number of years now and just enjoy myself.

Pauline Preston

I am a local artist and although I work with most media my preference is watercolour. I take my inspiration from my surroundings, be it animals, plants, people and/or buildings.
I help run a local not for profit art group at Dudleston Heath, near Ellesmere.
We host sessions for painting ,linocut, clay and wirework.
I had an enjoyable day as a ‘wild card’ at Compton Verney, Landscape Artist of the Year .

Penny Price

I’m a landscape artist, working in a variety of mediums, taking inspiration from my native North Wales as well as the Welsh borderlands.
Sketching and drawing outdoors is the ultimate experience for me. Having a fascination for the casting of light  and shadow, I’m often inspired to compose a sketch or detailed drawing, capturing the mood and atmosphere of a place. I will then develop this into a painting back in my studio.
I admire Impressionism and Expressionism, including modern takes by contemporary artists. I am also a fan of the modern “Urban Sketching” movement.

Rachel Lewis

I started making silver plated bracelets after receiving one as a gift and realising they could be made a lot more affordable than large companies were charging. Later that year I became pregnant with my first baby and this became the perfect hobby whilst on maternity leave and along side returning to work part time and attending local craft fairs, now my little boy is turning 5 and his little sister is 1 it’s a relaxing hobby for the evenings.

Rhian Parry

I make various items using sublimation techniques, I especially enjoy making things with Dr Who and Marvel characters.

Rosie Davies

Living in the beautiful Ceiriog valley gives me all the inspiration I need to sketch, take note and head for my studio to paint. I work with oil on canvas mostly but acrylics, watercolour and egg tempera are also mediums I enjoy to work with. I host a weekly art class for local amateur enthusiasts and Saturdays are my Open Studio days for the public to browse my work and watch me paint. I accept commissions.

Rowena Porter

I come from a family of makers and hoarders. All my family are creative and good with their hands. Both my parents were fabulous and prolific knitters, although I came to crochet late in life, after trying other crafts. I love making lots of different items, working in wool or cotton. I try to support local yarn shops and dyers, sourcing high quality from them. I have my helper Bryn dog, who comes to many fairs and markets with me, generally on chief “meet & greet” duty. I also have 3 tabby cats who frequently “help” me with my crochet.

Sam Farr

We are an award winning company making natural handmade skincare products straight from our farm in mid Wales and not the factory.

Sarah Hawkes

Hi, I’m Sarah and I work on my neighbours farm at lambing time, do biodiversity surveys of local invertebrates, garden for clients and admin the Ceiriog Valley Wildlife facebook page. I also love making pictures, usually painting, but sometimes out of felt made from the fleeces of ‘our’ sheep or painted on especially nice offcuts of wood grown in the Ceiriog Valley. I’m very pleased too, to have been one of the 3 artists who made the mural now in Chirk Station.
I am part of the Oliver Jones Memorial Hall Art group (Dolywern) where we chat and work on our own projects whilst escaping the distractions of home for an evening every week!

Sian Price

I’m Sian I am a Welsh artist, I live in North Wales near Corwen and I create art from my rural home. I studied art at Wrexham university and I was rewarded with a BA (Hons) degree in ‘Fine Art’. My passion for ‘Concrete’ came along after I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I started to experiment with concrete and adding items that I found outside my home for example ‘leaves’ etc. I love nature and spending time outside In it I find relaxing, and inspirational for my art.

Teleri Jarvis

I have been a passionate crafter all my life, learning to sew from my mum at a young age. During Covid, I really focused on crafting to help my well-being and mental health. This reinvigorated my enthusiasm for making. As my skills have developed I have begun making soft furnishings, upholstered items and wedding invitations for people. These made to order projects often result in small odd pieces of fabric and card. To save these pieces going to waste I use them in my crafts. I have become more conscious of the amount of waste we produce as a society in the past few years, so by saving these scraps and turning them into something that someone will love, gives me real joy.

Trish Sangster

I am a local photographer who enjoys creating images using camera and computer. I love to create eye catching and beautiful images from nature, using local flowers and scenes from around the Cieriog Valley. I print and mount all of my own work.

Valerie Creusailor

Goch & Co. Ltd is an award-winning artisan producer of fine condiments and seasoning, offering traditional and authentic tastes of Africa, made in Wales. Our products are inspired by a secret family recipe and our Southern African heritage, founded on strong family bonds and traditions. All products are concentrated fusions of natural goodness, addictively refreshing and delicious. We love our all-purpose chilli range of products, available as gluten-free & vegan, with no artificial additives, colours or preservatives.

Vikki Dawson

I started sewing in lockdown in 2020 and like to make items that are useful and well made. I recently moved from East Anglia so as well as sewing to pass the time we are looking forward exploring the area more. My husband and I originally lived and attended school in North Wales but moved away to pursue careers and have lived all over the world.  Now retired we have decided to settle back in North Wales.

Wendy Dowley

After becoming ill and life changing dramatically for me, I found comfort and fulfilment in art and crafts. It allowed my mind to relax and my body to heal in my own little world of colour, imagination and design. ‘Wriggly Ralph’ was my pet Springador who was by my side day and night and occasionally joined in with my creations!

Zita Rice

My name is Zita Rice. I trained in floristry in West Sussex and worked in a garden centre and florist shop on the south coast. I moved to Chirk Bank in 2010 and subsequently worked in a few florist shops. I set up Riceflowers in 2015 as I wanted to create beautiful arrangements from home. I source the most realistic artificial flowers and set them in resin or foam. Most of my vases are purchased from charity shops or donated by friends so each arrangement is unique and sustainable. I create wedding bouquets, buttonholes and table arrangements as well as memorial pots and posies.