The Wondrous World of Nelly Saunier: Gaultier’s Plumassière Extraordinaire

In January 1997 Jean Paul Gaultier made his somewhat unconventional entry into the world of Haute Couture. Amongst his most memorable offerings for Spring ’97, was a striking parakeet bolero of multi-hued plumage. The aforementioned creation was the handiwork of master plumassière Nelly Saunier, who has collaborated with the designer on each one of his couture collections.

The crafthaus membership and the general public are invited to review the 7 proposed projects and vote for the one project they wish to see supported. 

One vote per person.

Polls close today October 21, 2014 @ 6PM EST.

No crafthaus membership or other registrations needed to vote!

A Show of Fact and Fiction - UK Crafts Council

Over the past few years, the word ‘narrative’ has become very popular in design and craft. This rather pompous sibling to the simpler ‘story’ is often offered as a shorthand for work that engages with tradition and authenticity. But the Crafts Council’s new exhibition interrogates more closely the relationship between contemporary craft and narrative.

Marine Life in Glass - Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka

Leopold Blaschka joined his family's jewelry and metalwork business as a young man in the mid-1800s in what is now the Czech Republic. There he learned the art of lampworking - bending and shaping glass with a gas torch.

Artist Residency Program - Opportunity

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
Deadline: 03/01/15


Media Accepted: Wood, Glass, Metal, Fiber, Clay, Mixed Media

Access to wide variety of professional opportunities and resources!

• Five to ten residencies awarded
• Three, six, nine or twelve-month residencies
• Stipend & modest housing allowance
• Free studio space with 24hr access
• Ongoing professional development

To apply visit http://www.crafthouston.org/artists/residents/apply-to-program/

Crafthaus Online Exhibition!

INSTILL- material matters offers an opportunity to experience the recent works by MA postgraduates from The School of Jewellery at Birmingham City University, one of the most important and internationally renowned contemporary jewelry programs in Europe.

Crafthaus has been privileged to show work from the graduating jewelry classes of the Birmingham City University for the past 5 years in a row. Thank you Professor Astfalck for this wonderful opportunity!

Men of the Cloth is an inspiring portrait of three Italian master tailors who confront the decline of the apprentice system as they navigate their challenging roles in the twilight of their careers. Directed by Vicki Vasilopoulos, the film unravels the mystery of their artistry and reveals how their passionate devotion to their Old World craft is akin to a religion.

Di Gilpin is a Hand knitwear design studio, based in Fife, UK.

Di Gilpin are dedicated to hand knitting, with only the finest wools and Scottish cashmere. The development of ongoing skills and education are at the heart of the company. Alongside their own label collections, they work to commission and create DIY knitting kits. They also collaborate with international fashion labels and design luxury knitwear pieces for hundreds of industry clients.

Featured Masthead image on Crafthaus:

Kim Cridler

"Where the Sweet Waters Fall", 2014

Painted Steel, aluminum, and concrete with stainless steel
Fabricated by KC Fabrications
Commissioned by MTA Arts & Design and MTA Metro-North Railroad

Kim's page on crafthaus.

The last word:

The Frog Museum

In my current, highly irregularly occurring, explorations on taxidermy in contemporary craft and art, I stumbled upon this little gem: The Frog Museum in Estavayer-le-Lac, Switzerland, a collection of 150-year-old satirical tableaus of domestic life in the 19th century — all involving stuffed frogs!