studio 203 gallery

The Merriment Makers Christmas Boutique Pops-Off after another amazing year

2011-12-04T14:18:00.000-08:00

As we closed our doors tonight we had a few straggelers coming in an almost panicked state scooping up their chosen selection and tucking them under their arms. If you suddenly remember you can't get through Christmas without that little someghing you found behind our now rather steamy windows, please just send us a wee message and we will sort you out, put you in contact with the maker directly or point you to their nearest stockest... biggest supprize is this fantastic jacket stayed on the manequin all weekend, even through the Satruday Night Fancy Dress Seshion!

A HUGE thankyou to everyone who came, saw, bought, helped or sent their merry wares - wouldn't have been the same fun-filled weekend with out you.

All work and no play makes for a dull Saturday night

2011-12-03T17:45:00.000-08:00

so hop on your paper plane and come see some Robbie Porter prints! We will be here officially till 8pm tonight, but probably longer... Robbie's A3 prints are just £45 framed up and ready to go and he is also featured in this years wall of pop out fame.

Clasic Christmas Toys

2011-12-03T16:00:00.000-08:00

Anyone with an eye for design will have a soft spot for ye olde toys and we Merry Makers love a wooden snow man, fluffy fairy or christmas pud. Andrew JL Ansell has transformed his love for classic photography AND toys into the most christmassy set of badges. We love the bold colours and hint of nostalgia. 4 for £4 anyone?

Everbody loves lego, right?

2011-12-03T14:12:00.000-08:00

What we have here is one of Rachel Eliot's first lego men, painted to promote a DIY lego man workshop, her name is Eve. So far in the Lego man team we have a member of Kiss, a very precisly painted figure from a tallented 6 year old girl and the very first face ever drawn by a 3 year old boy - lovely moment, now preserved in glass forever, and as a lego man how amazing is that? Rachel's workshop is open all weekend but she will be making guest appearances Saturday from 6 to 8 pm and Sunday from 12 to 3 pm.

Some of our new favourite things!

2011-12-03T10:30:00.000-08:00

Claire McVinnie's badges, christmas tree decorations and gracefull clocks are all flying high on our list! Espcially as they only come in at £5 for a tree ornament, £10 for a badge and £20 for a clock, swoop in fast before they are gone!

Thistle do nicely...

2011-12-03T08:30:00.000-08:00

The Merriment Makers is all about celebrating Made in Scotland, and these pieces by Helen Stephenson and Sharon Kirby are made right here in Studio 203. Helen's leather thistles are available as brooches and keyrings for £10-£15 and Sharon's bird range includes birds on tree decorations, sticks, badges and coat racks. Prices range from £3.50 to £50.

Anatomy of an eye glass case

2011-12-02T15:07:00.000-08:00

As interpreted by the embroidary revoloutionist, Susiemaroon. We are very pleased to have Susie's new collection on show this year, along side her already classic take on the mobile phone case and book mark we have the next generation of protection, for the new Kindle. Oh it's a winner and we only have a few so get your elbows out! All Susiemaroon wares are made with an eco concience and a ethicalyl sound heartbeat.

Incase your looking for us...

2011-11-29T14:26:00.000-08:00

... we have made a map! Click on the image for the details. Any trouble? Look for the Lisemore Rugby Club, the only stripy building in town, maybe? If your heading away from town and you hit the police station on your left, you have gone too far. If your heading towards town and you reach The Plesance Venue on your right, you've gone too far! In either case, look for Jackie Box on Lamp Posts, fences, railings and walls and you can follow the trail straight to our doors... SO much work is arriving that we just can't take a minute to photo it! Gonna be a goodie!

2011-11-24T02:37:00.000-08:00

Some of our new favourite things are arriving in here each day at studio203! From Claire McVinnie we have a range of wares including this awsomely named "Sunset Cowdog" tote. Julia Smith's Deep Fired Ceramics label was a firm favourite last year, and with her super cute badges bike and elegent insect collection this year may just trump last year. We are also happy as an elf in a workshop to have Gemma Petrie showcasing her hand painted homeware collection, her mirrors and boxes are compleatly unique.

Get Involved!

2011-10-24T14:17:00.000-07:00

The Merriment Makers Pop-Out Christmas Boutique

CALL FOR ARTISTS!!!

The Merriment Makers Boutique is re-opening its door on Thursday December 1 at 6pm for an extended 4 day run of fun. In this, our second year we are branching out to include workshops, live music and Tombol-Art as well as the opportunity to buy from some of Scotland’s newest and established artists, designers makers and shakers.

Would you like to be involved? This year we are inviting you to send us some images of your work, from anywhere across Scotland whether you are just beginning as a crafter or are experienced and established in your field – be it art, design, music or craft– we want to hear from you so please get in touch!

We need to hear from you by Sunday 13th November and will reply before Tuesday 15th. We are looking for any creative submissions, so please:

EMAIL – us some images or a web link and a little bit of information about you studio203gallery@gmail.com

FACEBOOK – Merriment Makers – A Pop-Out Christmas Boutique with a link to your page.

The Merriment Makers is run by the resident’s of Edinburgh’s Studio 203 at 203 Pleasance. Profits from the event go back into funding this artist led space and covering costs for this and future events. Please bear in mind we take a 40% commission on all sales.

Once you are on board, we will ask for your work to be with us by the 27th of November - in case we have a snowy month like last year. Have a peep at the photos on our blog: www.studio203gallery.blogspot.com

There is no item to small and no idea to crazy… we look forward to hearing from you!

the merriment makers pop-out boutique photographed by rockstar vanity

2010-12-20T09:07:00.000-08:00

The main pop-out display! Featuring works by Lyndsey Brown, The Lindstrom Effect, Eleni Kalakorti, Ticky and Kevin Sim.

Irene Wandsworth's Sporren Handbags, Elsie Dodds' prints and Helen Steven's braceletts

The Rockstar Vanity suitcase

Irene Wandsworth's hand bags

Cabin Jack Design's Toadstool door stops & Hot Water bottle's, Elsie Dodds' repeate pattern cushions, Will Watson West's Squirrel Cushion and Bibette's Steps

Photograph by Andrew JL Ansell, Badges by Armeda

Tote Bags by Found

Our Jewelery Display featuring Lovely Pigeon, Sharon Kirby, Louise Smurthwaite, Helen Stephens, Eleni Kalakorti, Julia Douglas, Ian Nicholson and Claire Pouget Wright.

Fantastic Fairy Tale Hot Cakes

Ceramics by Julia Douglas

Cards from Contributing Artists

Decorations by Lucy May Schofield

A small pop out display featuring works by Libby Walker

Agyreotypes by The Lindsrtom Effect, Pop-out Books by Lucy May Schofield & Libby Walker, Bookmarks & iphone covers from Susie Maroon and Birdie Coathooks by Sharon Kirby

A Birdie from Sharon Kirby's coat hook

East Clairmont Street by Tommy Perman, Agyreotypes by The Lindstrom Effect, I phone Cases from Susie Maroon, Stationary from Louise Smurthwait & Libby Walker. Chest of Drawers hand made by Sharon Kirby.

The Lisemore Rugby Club, The Old Firestation and Brunswick Street Tree by Tommy Perman

The third small Pop-Out display featuring works by Tommy Perman and Eleni Kalakorti.

WE ARE OPEN!!! Today & Tomorrow only... 10am - 8,30 pm

2010-12-04T04:10:00.000-08:00

a HUGE THANKYOU to everyone who as fought the pretty pretty snow to get their works to us... some of the recent arrivals include the stunning alphabet cushions, prints and cards of Elsie Dodds, A fantastic range of works from the hand of Tommy Perman and some fantastic jewlery fresh from the Lovely Lovely Pigeon herself!

Here is a brief run down on some of our contributors.... there are many more who will all be shouted out later on... Come on down, the snow's melting and we got some hot booze for ya's!
Lindsay Brown Recent Graduate of ECA's illustration masters. Lindsay's Background is in textiles and she explores both traditional drawing and textile printmaker's techniques in her works. Lindsay's Endangered Species print takes the backdrop of the popout display and is based on themes of reproduction, presence, absences, loss and untimely death.
Tommy Perman Graduated from Gray's School of Art Painting department, but has always had an affinity with the balance between drawing and the options presented by technology. The range of prints on show highlight the versitility of Tommy's practice and his interest in cataloguing and documenting the scottish landscape, his local urban landscape and the cultural landscape. The compositions are heavily edited for compositional balance and to focus attention on the details. Tommy's work can be read as a doccument of the impact each generation has on the landscape: something historic, something contemporary, something permenent and something temporary.
http://www.surfacepressure.net/
The Lindstrom Effect Qualified at Stephenson's Colledge, Ian Bruce and Vala Jonsdotter work together under the title The Lindstrom Effect and together they glide between digital and analogue production techniques to create a varied portpholio of works heavily influenced by film. Vala's Argyrotypes are one off prints, made using traditional techniques they carry the essence of the 18th Centuary explorer with then. Ian's hand drawn portraits are converted to digital drawings and printed but retain a classic dimension within their composition. The Lindstrom Effect is to be intrigued by the world around you.
http://www.thelindstromeffect.co.uk/
Susie Maroon Graduate of Gray's School of Art Sculpture department, Susan Brown combines artistic concept with high design and sustainable, ethical production values to create her self titled 'Eco Label'. Susie sources with Love, care and attention to detail so you know what your buying looks oh so cool but has a warm heart.
http://www.susiemaroon.co.uk/
Louise Smurthwaite, Edinburgh
Moustaches, Prints, Notebooks, Cards, Mountain Badges & Log Badges
Graduate Edinburgh Colledge of Art 2008 in Drawing & Painting.
Regularly exhibits with Edinburgh Printmakers
New website http://cargocollective.com/louisesmurthwaite#803324/news
Libby Walker Graduate of Edinburgh Colledge of Art Visual Communication Degree
Glasgow based illustrator who also works in textiles, wallpaper and stationary. Designed for Coco of Brunstfield and collaborative projects include illustrating the poems of Ken Cochrie
http://www.libbywalker.co.uk/
Sharon Kirby Sharon launched studio 203 almost a year ago, and has devoted time, energy and tallent to launching this space into Edinburgh's creative community. Sharon is a professional cabinet maker who runs her freelance buisness projects from her workshop in the studio. Sharon has also recently launched a range of furniture and accessories featuring her birdie design and is open to discussing comissions.
Rock Star Vanity Studio Resadent Tanya Simpson's photography business has an eye for personality and a devilish detail!
http://rockstarvanity.daportfolio.com/
Richard Strachan Graduate of Gray's School of Art, Richard Strachan is currently preparing for an up coming show at Schop on Blackfriars Street in February 2011.
Gillian Bracher Graduate of Gray's School of Art, Gillian is an a Pop Art Expressionist! Her works are possibly insppired by the over comsumption of information and experience we have around us at all times - influencing our thoughts and lives. They are beautiful colour studies in their own rights, and are pieces which are a pleasure to live with.
Julia Smith Julia is a ceramacist based near Inverness who has a varied and established exhibition history including a recent and prestigious installation at Charles Renne Mackintosh's House for An Art Lover. Her work is distinctly hand made, but is designed for every day use.
http://www.juliasmithceramics.com/
Lucy Roscoe Recent Graduate of Edinburgh Colledge of Art Masters, Lucy has since established The Book Tree Press and her works are in high demand! Lucy describes her intricate cut out, 3d collages as drawing with a scalpol.
http://www.lucyroscoe.co.uk/
Elsie Dodds Graduate of ECA, Elsie Dodds is run by Catherine Robdoza-Hallows who has formed the concept behind the homeware brand which is educational and beautiful. The Aplhabet cushions can be the foundation of a child's understanding of letters as well as a beautiful addition to a room.
http://elsiedodds.com/
Will Watson West Currently studying at ECA, Will has produced a range of Cushions which are hand screen printed and filled with duck down.
Ian Nicholson of The Precious Metal Workshop Ian established The Precious Metal Workshop in the Out Of The Blue Studios as a place to practise his own silver smithing from, to run classes from and to offer space to other jewelers.
http://www.preciousmetalsworkshop.com/
Claire Pouget Wright Is resadent at the precious metal workshop and is currently working on her new line of designs!
http://www.clairepougetwright.com/
Hot Cakes This very new Edinburgh based Cake company who specialise in 3d cakes.... edible art!
for more information please visit www.studio203gallery.blogspot.com or contact nicolarbrooks@hotmail.com... Thanks for coming!

our window

2010-12-02T02:49:00.000-08:00

Here it is... our window display! Black and white to catch your eye and little framed cubby holes to show off somw of the works we have inside... a huge thanks to Helen Stevens for all her hard work - job well done eh!?!

impractical cloathing

2010-12-01T14:55:00.000-08:00

Gather round ladies... we have a secret to share... this natty little number is fully functioning, hand made in Edinburgh from the finest Harris Tweed AND stands up on its own to dance around. The buisness name is Impractical Cloathing...but Irene Wandsworth is the maker we all want to track down as she very kindly offers them in hundreds of different finishes... finualy someone understands the need for your eyes to match your gown... and your handbag! We won't have her full range over the weeken (she could fill the studio herself!) but we are very proud to have a carefully selected stash of Irene's favourites... along side some of her bold and original re-interpretaion of the sporen... one for the galls!

lindsay brown

2010-11-29T17:32:00.000-08:00

It's not everyday you see a condor... and today is certainly not like any other day Edinburgh's seen the like of for a good number of years... so it seems fitting to showcase works by Lindsay Brown who graduated from ECA's masters in illustration last year. Specialising in endangered species, Lindsay's analytical drawings show in bold black and white the creatures who have become extinct along side those who maybe next to go missing... kinda sad... but tough not to think about with all this weather to weather... and just look at the character in this drawing.

rockstar vanity

2010-11-28T14:43:00.000-08:00

This stunning photograph is part of a signed edition of prints from Studio 203's own Rockstar Vanity Photography. With a hint of the surreal and a burlesque edge, we feel this snippet of Tanya Simpson's masterful folio of over 40 striking, unusual and downright sassy images is incentive enough to head over and find out what goes on behind the studio doors. Rockstar Vanity specialise in capturing a mood and creating an atmosphere, with the help of their famous costume box of goodies and range of make up artists - including vintage specialists for that classic retro portrait! If your looking for an unusual Christmas treat, Tanya will be happy to talk through a custom shoot.

claire pouget wright

2010-11-26T08:29:00.000-08:00

Ain't this a hint of the urban to wear on yer person! Claire Pouget Wright is a recent graduate and one to watch... and we have a few stunning pieces from her last collection to check out in the window display right.... NOW! Rings, Earings, Necklaces and brooches and made in silver, whith artistich details added and when you think it couldn't get any better, along comes the odd precious stone or two! The gossip is there is more to come... a sneak preview of her latest collection - if we are lucky!

cabin jack

2010-11-26T08:08:00.000-08:00

Cabin Jack has popped in today to present us with an amazing army of toadstools! These cute little fellas are door stops by design, but as they come un-stuffed (so you can post them... or at least carry them home!) their final role in life is really up to you... lunch box, handbag, keep sake box, hip flask home or just to hide the odd chocolate bar or two from thieving fingers. These tiny treasures will bring a tall story to every home, with their hand-made love, recycled or end of line fabrics and price tag of only £24.

hotcakes

2010-11-26T03:43:00.000-08:00

This is beautiful re-interpretation of a classic baker's delight comes fresh from the Hotcakes kitchen... no need to adjust your screens... that is a cake... really... an apple cake! We are overjoyed to have the Hotcakes team on board... and can't wait to see what 3D Cake Sculptures or trompe l'oile they come up with for the event. The master bakers behind the edible art are Saoirse Milotte and Erika Perry and we will be able to put you in touch with them at the Boutique on Sat 4 Dec or Sun 5 Dec for any Christmassy Cakey needs you might have... if you can't wait that long - or horror of horrors - might not be able to make it on the day, are facebook phobic, or would just rather... then please send an email to studio203gallery@gmail.com and we'll point em your way...now are you craving apples... or cakes... or a good ole fairy tale... mabey its all 3....

louise smurthwaite

2010-11-25T16:58:00.000-08:00

Louise Smurthwaite's works are just as cheery as can be! This MMmmmmmountain Badge is currently making home in one of our recently installed window boxes... along with it's pall, the Yule Log brooch... oh if this makes you half as cheery as it makes us, we won't even notice the cold from all the chuckling!

sophie martin

2010-11-25T16:31:00.000-08:00

Sophie Martin is an illustrator based in Edinburgh who has brought much of the Merry to our event! With an eye for the animals and the Scottish landscape, Sophie has illustrated a variety of books based in our (now freezing cold!) home country. For our up coming event, Sophie has given us stacks of her characterfull coasters and place matts. Thanks for all your help too Sophie!

lucy roscoe

2010-11-25T05:21:00.000-08:00

Just fresh back from a visit to Edinburgh's Book Tree Press... the home of illustrator and designer Lucy Roscoe. Lucy's work is thematically very close to the heart of the Merriment Maker's as she not only specialises in pop out books and decorations (like the fantastic screen ptinted pop-out Tree books above) but also hand makes 3D cut out illustrations of clasic fairy tales and stories. We are lucky enough to have one of her beautiful, framed sceenes from either Mary Poppins or Alice in Wonderland (pictured) coming our way... but you'll just have to wait and see...

eleni kalorkoti

2010-11-21T10:52:00.000-08:00

There is nothing better than an art-filled Sunday... and thats exactly what we've had today! Eleni Kalorkoti has handed over her prints and is the first artists to be given a Pop-Out make over... and (hopefully) you'll all agree that her Jester, Clown and Harlequin are perfect for our wonderland displays... might let you have a sneeky peek in the next few days...it's almost Christmas after all!

merriment makers

2010-11-03T19:20:00.000-07:00

Well well well... here it is - the first draft for public eyes of the amazing flier design by Kev Sim for our next event Merriment Makers - our Pop-Out Christmas Boutique. What you are seeing here is the front and back of an A6 flier which can be coloured in and customized to your hearts content. Keep your peepers here for the low down on the Scottish Artists, Makers, Crafters and Grafters who are showing their work during this two day festive bonanza!

august 23 - 29

2010-09-02T17:44:00.000-07:00

Week 3 features painting by Richard Strachan and a Giclee Print by Tommy Perman. Both Richard and Tommy live here in Edinburgh.

Richard Strachan graduated from Gray's School of Art in 2001 and has since received awards from The Welsh Arts Council, The Scottish Arts Council and in 2006, was awarded the prestigious Aspect Prize. Richard is currently a part time tutor at Edinburgh Colledge of Art, where he specializes in Photoshop - the tool which enables Richard to convert his initial architectural photograph into sketches of the final composition. The process is based upon precise measuring and masking of areas before spray-painting the surface until a high gloss finish is achieved. This piece is the first in a series of Routed surfaces which Richard is currently developing - providing a literal 3D groove to the painted illusion.

Tommy Perman graduated from Gray's School of Art in 2002 where he established his distinct style and interest in the boundaries between Art, Design and Music. Tommy focuss upon the Urban Landscape and starts his process by taking photographs of a seen which he feels compelled to document and edits away the detail to leave a line drawing with colored focal points. Tommy works digitally, using Illustrator and a Graphics Tablet, which also reflects his interest in the connection between digital and analogue procedures. Tommy Perman has exhibited widely in the UK, Holland and Canada, both as an artist and musician in Collective / Band FOUND.

Both Tommy and Richard take their inspiration from the detail and pattern in architecture and work to a restricted palette. In the window of Studio 203, Tommy Perman's piece shows the distinct Lismore Rugby Club over the road, while Richard Strachan's high gloss finish could both represent and reflect the street outside.

august 18 - 22

2010-08-23T18:30:00.000-07:00

Week 2's window show cases: Gillian Bracher's triptych 'Suffer for fashion'; intricately hand made knickers by Alice Bodgener and a flocked skull by Marta Tycinska & Sam Collier.

Gillian Bracher graduated in painting from Gray's School of Art and now lives and works in Edinburgh. 'Suffer for fashion' is three square pieces layered in boldly contrasting paint, collage and varnish. The sculptural and tactile painted surface is punctuated by actual domestic and practical objects like fairy lights, scalpel blades and photocopies of Kate Moss.

Marta Tycinska and Sam Collier met in Edinburgh where they both live and transform natural found objects like skulls into artworks. This piece has been painstakingly cleaned and then flocked to create a seductive and tactile surface. Marta and Sam create beautiful objects that contrast and highlight the natural form and the extreme artifice of the decoration.

Alice Bodgener is a Scottish Textile Designer and Maker. She hand sews and finishes these knickers to the highest of standards, devoting care and attention to something usually hidden in public. With a nod to the titivation of Burlesque, Alice's knickers are for looking, not touching.

august 8 - 15

2010-08-14T14:40:00.000-07:00

This is our first installation caught on camera by Andrew JL Ansell, who also took the beautiful Holga shot of Edinburgh's distinct skyline shown in the left of the window. Underneath, the blue retro record player has be transformed into a bicycle lamp by Sean Cartwright, which display's the title to his poem 'Unreal Dreamstreet on the Hill'. The poem is hand-written by Sean on the large banner. The TV shows a film by Sara J Forbes which was inspired by Sean's poem and shows Edinburgh's streets.

launch exhibition

2010-08-09T03:45:00.000-07:00