Geckoman and friends
a gallery of beautiful handmade things
Over the years we’ve met many wonderful and talented fellow artists and makers at fairs, markets and festivals.
And we love getting out of the workshop and meeting all the lovely customers too!
Here are some of the friends we often share space with. We hope you enjoy our little online gallery of beautiful handmade things.
If you follow the links do let them know Geckoman sent you. Cheers!
Geckoman
If you've been directed here from elsewhere I better introduce myself.
I make wildlife sculpture in both bronze and ceramics with a detailed, lifelike quality. 100% carbon neutral reflecting a deep concern for sustainability, conservation and the environment.
Instagram: @geckomanart
Ladybird and Leaf
The Ladybird and Leaf range was exclusively made by Steve and Jane Whitehouse from their home in the heart of Shropshire; their love of the British countryside perfectly reflected in their lifelike, nature inspired work. Steve's playfulness and mischief shines on in his dragons and green men.
Sadly, Steve passed away in 2019. To say he will be very greatly missed is an understatement. He leaves behind a legacy of beautiful sculpture that is becoming increasingly rare and is extremely special.
The level of detail in Jane's work with polymer clay is simply astounding.
Amanda Glanville - Maker of Tiny Glass Stuff
Melting glass since 1996, Amanda is a familiar face at the UK’s top Designer Maker events and Open Studios and is happiest working on luscious, unexpected colour combinations that a loyal following of fans have come to expect!
Her jewellery ranges from ditsy bird earrings to statement Space Cactus necklaces and elegant bead necklace designs inspired by vintage fabrics.
Find her on instagram @theearringcafe
Kate Rhodes Jewellery
Also based in Hebden Bridge.
“I try to run an ethical workshop,” says Kate. “Recycled silver and gold, off-cuts of titanium are used in the work, and I am starting to source my other metals from recycled sources. My electricity is from a green tariff using entirely renewable sources."
“My inspiration comes from walking and absorbing the landscape, and my constant doodling of the world around me. The metals I use and love give me a colour palette of rich, warm tones. I can blend them to give subtle, stylish effects, or contrast them to make vibrant stand-out pieces."
Instagram: @katerhodesjewels
Kath Baker - Katfish Designs
Another maker from Hebden Bridge, Kath is a textile artist making tweedy birds, creatures & blooms from UK pure wool tweeds.
Designs inspired by a love of nature, stirred with a good dollop of childlike imagination. She uses techniques including needle felting, applique, free motion embroidery, hand- stitching, bead and wire work to give each piece its own distinct character.
The majority of fabrics used are carefully sourced Scottish and English tweeds that come with their own stories of wool, looms, and skilled hands. However, she also like to play with re-purposed fabrics, old velvet curtains, a rainbow of felt, sari cloth, unspun wool, once loved jeans and gardeners twine.
Instagram: @kurlykath
Sarah Stoker
Sarah's work is wonderful. Lots of gorgeous floral pottery, the jugs pictured are two of the numerous pieces we have at home. Her wildlife, landscape and floral watercolours are increasingly taking centre stage.
She has a lovely studio in the garden of her house in Barnsley. When all this current nonsense is over check out when she’s doing her regular ‘open house’ events if you’re anywhere near by.
Find her on Instagram @SarahStokerDesigns
Roo Waterhouse
Roo is a figurative artist also based in Hebden Bridge.
Her oil paintings observe and contemplate the ordinary tools of everyday life. They celebrate the significance of our treasured possessions and the histories they hold.
Roo specialises in Bespoke Shelf-Portraits. These novel and intriguing paintings show cherished books gathered together on bookshelves. They are little personal poems which celebrate the significance of our treasured libraries.
Instagram: @roowaterhouseart
Simon Parry - Red-Leb Jewellery
Simon is a jeweller with big ideas about being epic and loving every moment you get.
He makes very individual, one off pieces of wearable art.
From his home in Scarborough Simon also runs courses in jewellery making and silversmithing.
Instagram: @redlebjewellery
Kerry Tremlett
A textile design degree thirty years ago kick started my creative career. Since then I have worked as a wallpaper designer, trade, craft and art fair exhibitor and artist /printmaker.
A natural progression to painting has given me the freedom to make more considered, expressive work both emotionally and physically.
‘my paintings are a celebration of colour, friendship, human interaction and a recognition of our connection to the natural world’
Instagram: @kerry_tremlett_art
Lisa & Colin Badger - Hawkhill Hotworks
Hawkhill Hotworks design & make distinctive, beautiful wrought iron & fused glass heirloom quality indoor & outdoor furniture with wood or brass accents, plus lamps & art glass, splashbacks, and fused glass windows featuring exceptional glasswork by Lisa Badger alongside masterful metalwork by Colin Badger.
Hawkhill Hotworks is well known for distinctive and fully functional designs that show a care for comfort and ease of use as well as originality.
Instagram: @badgerl.glass
Jill Govier - Touchy Feely Textiles
Touchy Feely Textiles is Jill Govier, she loves to sew and play around with fabrics and words! Creating quirky one-off textile gifts and home wares. Her purses, cushions, key fobs, peg bags and fabric covered journals all contain quotes; some motivational, some funny, something there for everyone!
Recycling and reusing textiles is something of a passion. Mixing old with new, vintage fabrics with bright contemporary prints.
Instagram: @touchyfeelytextilesjill
Louise Wilcox-Mundy - Pewter-ful
Louise Wilcox-Mundy is the designer/maker producing gorgeous gifts and Christmas decorations in English pewter, casting from her home in Tamworth, Staffordshire.
The pewter is all lead free so it will stay shiny, never developing the deep grey of the old leaded pewter.
Instagram: @pewterful
Nicki T Photography
Nicki Taylor's vibrant photographs lead you along a very fine line between humour and tragedy. Her Fine Art background is visible in her unique way of exploring her field of contemporary photography.
Throughout the lockdown Nicki has been keeping a photo diary as a personal response to Covid-19.
The photos have very subtle text overlaid and sometimes hidden within the image and are best seen on a screen rather than a phone.
Available for the first time here.
