The incredible talent that fills the shop (they have collaborated with over one hundred designers and offer space for makers to sell their wares) is both inspirational and intimidating. Led by Jude, and kept hydrated by Alice, we pretty soon relax, and get ready to become one of those makers, however briefly.

So step by step silver jewellery goes something like this….

After learning how to thread a saw – surprisingly difficult – we get stuck in on a piece of copper. Much cheaper than silver, it’s an ideal way to practice those straight lines, changes of directions and curves, and the process definitely informs the designs for our own pieces. Once we produced our stencils and stuck them to the silver, it was time to saw away. It’s easy to cut, or at least more so than I anticipated, and fairly fast once a decision has been made as to exactly what you’re trying to create. After sawing, it’s down to filing and sanding, an almost therapeutic job, watching your square of metal become a smooth shape that you created. Once the pendant is ready, it’s a case of drilling a hole somewhere in it and attaching a jump ring then a chain.

If it all sounds surprisingly simple, that’s because it is. What makes Turpentine unique (and awesome) is the clear passion that they have for what they do. At the same time is being in awe and respect of the makers they work with, they set up a feeling of accessibility and inclusivity. From describing their education – ‘St Martin’s, yeah, it’s just an art school round here ‘ – to the equipment needed – ‘don’t spend a fortune, find an old scrap of wood somewhere’ – and the cosy warmth of the shop and space, they clearly want to bring their craft to everyone. As well as one off workshops they run 6 week courses, graduates of which have gone on to do great things.

Handmade to the high street is their tagline, and they’ve succeeded in creating a brilliant shop space with workshops, that is ‘accessible, catchy, gender-neutral, art-based’ – and most of all fun.

The BUST Craftacular London summer session brought some of the best in the capital together to share their skills and wares at York Hall in Bethnal Green. Nearly seventy stalls filled the Bethnal Green venue, including wooden jewellery from Lucie Ellen, quirky postcards by Lucy Wilkins, lovely sewn bags by East London’s Olive Road, some organic haircare courtesy of Glasshouse and prints on offer from Su & Miah.

As well as all the opportunities to part with your cash for something beautiful, workshops throughout the day let participants try it out themselves. London Craft Club set up plant pots for individuals to paint, the colourful thumbs being a giveaway as to who had given it a go. The retro art of friendship bracelets was there with Mollie Makes and The New Craft House, and Live It. Love It. Make It. has brightened up homes (including my own!) with some paper cut wall hangings.

Tatty Devine is one of the success stories of the homegrown creative business. Started by best friends Harriet and Rosie in 1999 as a panicked reaction to a Vogue buyer asking Harriet to see her collection after spotting on her wrist the leather cuff she had made, it’s now a global jewellery range, specialising in bright and bold design. Using acrylic I was taken through the steps of making a bunting necklace, that will jazz up even the blandest of black work outfits.

Most of the designers and makers at BUST Craftacular sell and run workshops throughout the year. From the oooohs and smiles around the fair, it seems like new and old crafters alike will be sampling what’s on offer, and joining the cool crowd.

‘Travelling and looking at new things around the world and around me is always inspiring. People do inspire me in so many ways, events , words…’ Nadine Kanso


Now based in Dubai, she has always seen creativity as an innate part of her being and her background and culture is evident. Her Arabic identity, and her pride in it, is a living element of her jewellery line, Bil Arabi, which fuses the Arabic language with her milieu of design and creative training and a passion for looking good.
http://www.stylehunter.com.au/interviews/nadine-kanso