Looking ahead to Lustre

Lustre, returns to Nottingham Lakeside Arts Centre this weekend, and is the ideal place to kick-off your Christmas shopping. During this special weekend you will find over 65 of the country’s finest contemporary craft makers selling everything from fine jewellery, bags and hats to ceramics, glass and tableware.  Each maker has been specially selected by an independent panel for the quality and uniqueness of their craft and will be on hand to talk to you about the ideas and techniques behind their work. We caught up with Joy Bates from Seven Gauge Studios, who is one of the Nottingham makers who will be exhibiting at Lustre this weekend, to find out more about her gorgeous range of knitted products. It’s your first time exhibiting at Lustre – what can visitors expect to see from Seven Gauge when they visit your stand?   Cushions, throws, hot water bottles, scarves + hats knitted in pure lambswool. Where do you find inspiration for the gorgeous patterns on your knitwear? I’ve collected old knitting patterns for years and draw inspiration from those together with visiting exhibitions. I’m also addicted to Pinterest and find that a useful source of inspiration too. Do you have any new themes or patterns you’ll be displaying at Lustre?   New patterns for this season are Grid, Angles, Wedge + Micro - all very geometric. I’m really into blue this season so have added Neptune blue and Indigo to the collection. You can view my ‘blue inspiration’ Pinterest board here:  https://www.pinterest.com/joyb7/blue-inspiration/ Do you have a favourite item in your current collection? The ‘Angles’ throw and matching cushion in oatmeal/indigo. You’re based in Nottingham – does the city have a vibrant creative scene when it comes to makers? Yes, there’s so many talented artists, designers and makers here, textiles being particularly strong. Nottingham Trent University has always had a great reputation for it's fashion, knitwear and textiles courses and not forgetting our textiles heritage - Nottingham used to be home to so many lace and knitwear manufacturers... Many of our readers will be visiting Lustre to start on their Christmas shopping. Who would you say is the ideal recipient of a Seven Gauge knit? Anyone who loves pattern and colour!   Lustre takes place at Nottingham Lakeside Arts Centre on 7 & 8 November 2015. Weekend admission £5. State pensioners £4. U16s free http://www.lakesidearts.org.uk/Crafts/LUSTRE.html