Craft Hatch - and O designs

Written
by
Jenny Butler
Writer
Jenny Butler
15th of October 2010
A HUGE thank you to Pip Carroll of Craft Vic for putting together this weeks guest blog! We end this wonderful week with Yumi Ando of and O designs- truly gorgeous ceramic jewellery. Hope to see you all at the Craft Hatch Market on the 23rd of Oct! - Jenny x
Raku Ampersand Brooches and Stitch Lightbulb Brooches by and O designs

Our final October Craft Hatch guest this week on The Design Files is and O designs, the work of Melbourne based Japanese artist Yumi Ando. Inspired by both Japanese and Australian cultures, Yumi hand builds ceramic jewellery and interior accessories; each piece is unique and carefully made from a variety of materials including earthenware, porcelain and raku. We spoke to Yumi about her background and creative inspirations.

"Although I began making pieces commercially this year, in the past I have made craft based visual merchandising items for retail stores. I also make wall hangings from old coffee bean sacks and artworks from found objects such as maps and reclaimed timber.

Left: The creative lady behind and O designs, Yumi Ando Right: Yumiya Arrow Brooch

At the moment I work from home in a small studio based in Toorak. All the pieces are designed, crafted, glazed and finished in the studio, and fired in commercial kilns in Brunswick East.

With my background in Interior Design and Decoration, I am often inspired by Architectural elements, hardware, Industrial machinery and typography. For a long time I have enjoyed collecting all kinds of vintage knick-knacks from markets and antique stores both in Australia and Japan.

Clockwise from the top left: some of Yumi's favorite and inspiring things, Egg Crochet Lace Brooch, Doily Porcelain Brooch and Lace Crown Jewellery and Earrings Holder

At the October Craft Hatch Market I will be selling a number of products from my range. Small brooches starting at $22 to Lace Jewellery holder $68 and Crown Jewellery holder $75. Ampersand Brooch $40, Arrow Brooch $30, Light Bulb Brooch $35, Doily Plates $32, Egg Lace Plate $32 and Summer Cloud Pendant $40.

They are all made from clay slab and shapes are hand cut by hand using original templates. Pieces are then dried on a shelf and refined with brushes and a leather piece before bisque firing. Some of the pieces are hand etched or drawn with underglaze pencils. Glazes are applied by brush or dipping onto bisque pieces."

Yumi's very organised work space!

Thanks so much Yumi! Be sure to pop by the and O designs website here.

Come down to the Craft Hatch Market and see the work of all this week’s featured designers, plus many, many more!

The Craft Hatch Market will be held at on Saturday 23rd of October at The State Library of Victoria from 11am-4pm.

- Pip x

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