Stamford Artisans Guild

The Artisans for Charity Art Bra exhibition is raising funds for the amazing work carried out by Cancer Research UK.

Our members are creating artistic bras to be displayed at our 18 May Art & Craft event at Stamford Arts Centre. Some artists are making the bra out of extra supplies they have left over and some are making them from new materials, all are making / designing / using Bras in a creative way to showcase their techniques.

Participating artisans have been sending us a brief write up about their bra. Its not just what they have created but the sentiments and love behind why some of them got involved with this project is heart warming and could leave you a little misty eyed. Read what they have said but you will have to come to Stamford Arts Centre on 18 May to see the absolutely amazing creations they have made! And don’t forget it is for a VERY important cause! 

Jan Smith (Jandy Photography)

Andy let me loose with this project as all Cancer Charities are very close to my heart, after losing my Mum and Grandfather to cancer.

After setting up a small studio at home I decided to dress up my old Ted bear as he is named after my Grandfather (I did feel a little guilty dressing him up as a woman)

Julie Chater, Utopia Treasures

The bra I created was made in memory of my mum who sadly lost her life through cancer 8 years ago this month.  The reason I knitted it instead of making it purely out of  beads and crystals which is my main craft was because she taught me to knit as a child and it is something that we used to enjoy doing together whilst I was growing up.

It is knitted in a pretty pink sparkly wool and I have added Swarovski pearls in little flower clusters with a Swarovski crystal in the middle to add a bit of glamour and elegance to it and hopefully the design my mum would have given her approval to as well!

Janet Steele, Mad Hatter Krafts

I was pleased the Guild chose to support this charity, as so many of us have lost someone to breast cancer.
Eve Marshall had the brilliant idea for all of us to make a bra out of materials we normally work with, so as I usually crochet hats and dolls clothes I crocheted a bra for Barbie in fine cotton.
I cannot wait to see the creations from members who work with wood,  glass, and cakes!

Shalini Austin, Jewellery Artisan

My Wire Art Bra is a tribute to two brave women who are very dear to me. For my aunt Indu (Chachi) who sadly lost her fight and for my lovely friend Callie whose determination & strength in sticking two fingers to breast cancer should be an inspiration to us all! This is for both of you.
I work with wire and make jewellery & wire sculpture trees. So I just had to use my favourite medium because it inspires me to dare and try new things. I think Indu Chachi would have approved and I think this bra will appeal to Callie’s sense of humour and her creative outlook to life.

Pam Langfield

I made the bra from an idea that came to me after looking at our stock. I crochet children’s “bowler hats” which are very popular with parents and children alike. I wanted to make people smile as well as try and raise money for such a worthy cause. The end product is not very useful but just a bit of fun. They can be dismantled and turned back into hats for little ones, once the tassels and straps have been removed!!!

Cathi, Shedglas Design

The Art Bra Project is a great opportunity to expand our skills and creativity for a good cause.

There can be few people who have not been touched by cancer, through family or friends. One of my closest friends is just getting her life back after two years of aggressive breast cancer treatment. As an artist herself I know she will love the idea of these ‘alternative’ bras being created by Stamford Artisan Guild members.

Gianni Deidda, 1.2.Tree

I am a Scroll Saw artisan & I can produce intricate woodwork using this technique.

My art bra will be made from Red Cedar and I shall use a variety of skills to produce the final product.

Eve Marshall

I have friends and family members who have survived cancer and wanted to create a piece that showcased their courage and determination to beat the disease.

I have created my bra using wet felting and needle felting techniques and used a lot of natural British wools in my Art Bra.

Emma Fuller (Emmanence)

Every Cloud has a Silver Lining!
My name is Emma and I am a silversmith. I have decorated a bra with the medium I mostly use which is sterling silver.
my reasons for supporting this cause is due to my work colleague/friend who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Her fighting spirit and positivity amazes me and I know that will get her through this awful illness. I just want to show her I am always thinking about her.

Sarah Lowe, The English Cake Company

I’ll do some cupcakes decorated with various icing techniques. I am hoping that I can convey the softness of feminine qualities with my bra. A good friend of mine successfully overcame breast cancer 6 years ago, so I hope my bra can represent the positive qualities that new treatments can bring.

Irene Gaskill

I work mostly with textiles and some beads and jewellery. The bra I am making will feature all of these mediums.

Diane Lynch, DL Designs of Rutland

Having lost 3 grandparents to cancer and known people who have gone through it themselves, I’m glad to be able to support this charity through my crafting.
This is a macramé bra using cording and flat knots with brightly coloured wooden beads knotted into it. It’s a light-hearted summery idea in one of my favourite threads and it was a fun – if not challenging in places – project.