Coastal Creatives Boutique Gallery

Royal Wedding 'Tea Party' Exhibition

2011-04-11T13:07:00.003+01:00

We are very busy getting organized for our Royal Wedding 'Tea Party' on Wednesday 27th April.

Parcels are arriving daily filled with gorgeous handmade creations including Kate & Wills mugs, Screen Prints, tote bags, book marks....

We have also decided to combine this event with showcasing our new Spring/Summer collections of beautiful jewellery, ceramics by katie Almond, artwork by Gillian Bates and Heidi Rhodes plus many many more....

The exhibition opens at 2pm closing 8pm. We look forward to welcoming you with a glass of bubbly and delicious nibbles.

Lots of love Rachael & Louise x

Christmas Windows!

2010-12-14T15:23:00.001Z

Christmas Preview Event- Thursday 11th November!

2010-11-09T10:52:00.007Z

On Thursday 11th November, from 3-8pm, Coastal Creatives are showcasing their makers and artist NEW Christmas collections, here at our fabulous gallery in Southbourne. If you are a fan of all things handmade with a unique coastal twist come along and enjoy 10% off all purchases. You will also have the opportunity to support our favourite charity Surfers Against Sewage by taking part in our 'Arty Lucky Dip'. For just £2 you will have the chance to win gorgeous gifts made by us and our artists aswell as special discounts and free luxury giftwrapping! Louise and I have been very busy making yummy Christmas nibbles and are waiting for our festive fizz to be delivered- let's hope we don't get carried away sampling!

Interview for UK Handmade Magazine

2010-06-09T16:32:00.005+01:00

Check out the Summer edition of the UK Handmade magazine http://www.ukhandmade.co.uk/.

Not only is it full of inspirational makers work and scrumptious recipes but it also has an interview on Coastal Creatives Gallery!

Hope you enjoy the read x

Coastal Creatives Gallery is ready for the Summer!

2010-05-12T14:25:00.008+01:00

If like us, you are busy re-decorating your homes, Coastal Creatives Gallery is definitely the place to visit to find that unique piece of art to create a focal point in your room and a talking point with friends and family.

New artists joining the gallery this Spring include ceramicists include Katie Mac and Katie Almond, jewellery by Lawrence Gibson and Funky Button. Stunning hand pulled seaside inspired screen prints by Green & Blue and more amazing block art originals by Andy Povey!

Special commissions are always welcomed here at Coastal Creatives and we are very proud of our excellent reputation in this area. At present our artists are hard at work making bespoke driftwood mirrors, beach hut wardrobes and of course the very popular personalised signs.

Love is in the air!

2010-02-06T14:11:00.002Z

Coastal Creatives are very proud to be introducing new artists and collections to the gallery this year. In time for Valentines and Mothers day, we have jewellery featuring pretty hearts, butterflies and flowers and a funky range of up-cycled flip flop jewellery for surfers and surfette's!

Perhaps you are getting married this spring/summer and have a coastal theme in mind... pop in or look online to see our gorgeous array of shell heart wreaths, Mr & Mrs driftwood plaques, oyster shell candles, shiny pewter table wear and trinket boxes, colourful vintage style art canvasses and of course our best selling silver shell jewellery (which we have added some exclusive designs too) for the bride and bridesmaids.

Don't forget that we are always delighted to commission unique designs from any of our artists just for you!

Creative Chaos for Lou Lou's Birthday!

2009-10-20T09:43:00.011+01:00

A really fun afternoon was had by all to celebrate Louise's birthday at Vanesssa Conyers Pottery Parlour in Blandford, earlier on this month.

Friends and family were invited to get down and dirty with the hope of creating a handmade ceramic masterpiece. As you can see we had a brilliant time and can't wait to go back again! Thanks Vanessa x

If you would like to book a session or party contact: Vanessa on 01258 455232 or email info@potteryparlourdorset.co.uk

Sophie's Work Placement

2009-09-09T15:11:00.008+01:00

Hi my name is Sophie, i have just finished my first year on the FdA Textiles course at The Arts University College Bournemouth and am really enjoying it. I have recently moved down from Birmingham and am finding sea-side living really inspiring! i love all things handmade and was really pleased when offered a placement at Coastal Creatives.

During my time there i was set a brief by Rachael and Louise where i was asked to design and make a banner representing Coastal Creatives, that was to be used for future fayres and exhibitions.

I created a sketchbook to get my ideas going, collecting postcards and ephemera and taking photographs around bournemouth pier.

My banner was ready in time for the 'vintage fayre' and I felt really proud to see it hanging up representing Coastal Creatives! I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here, Rachael and Louise are lovely and i wish them all the best for the future, i know they will do well!
x

Stacey's Work Placement

2009-08-01T16:31:00.007+01:00

Hi there, my name is Stacey and i am a student at the Arts University College Bournemouth studying textiles. I have a real passion for the craft area within textiles and especially unique/bespoke pieces. Another love of mine is the beach so working here at Coastal Creatives was perfect for me! It has been very inspiring to spend my two weeks here at the boutique gallery, I am leaving with a head full of new ideas ready for the second year on my course.

As part of my placement I was set a little brief by Rachael and Louise to design and make a small gift to send away as a press release. I was working on something with a christmas theme as magazines are always ahead of time. I made some lavender cushions using beach imagery but tried to make them feel more wintery with the colours and textures of fabrics that I used.

I have had such an enjoyable time here on my placement and I would like to wish Rachael and Louise the best for the future with their successful growing business.

'A Stroll Along The Prom'

2009-07-15T12:04:00.014+01:00

Textile art exhibition ‘A Stroll along the Prom’ opens at Coastal Creatives, Bournemouth’s leading lifestyle gallery on Saturday 18th July. Gallery owners have invited four leading South coast artists to capture the best of Bournemouth in their own unique style and medium. The exhibition promises to be a wonderful celebration of seaside fun and frolics whilst capturing our very own iconic landmarks such as Bournemouth Pier, art deco beach huts, sandy beaches and bathing belles.

Participating artist include Gillian Bates (Brighton), Annie Watkins of Rosiepink (Bournemouth), Michelle Steele (Essex) and Jane Colquhoun (Swanage). Canvasses and wall hangings will also be available to purchase online, please click on Picture Perfect- Mixed Media/Textiles. The Exhibition closes on Saturday 22nd August.

FEATURE ARTIST- GILLIAN BATES (images above)
"I’m a little bit obsessed, it’s perfectly true - I go funny around fabric. In fact the only thing I enjoy more than adding to my ever-growing collection of vintage and reclaimed fabrics is rummaging through them all to find just the right piece to integrate into my latest textile art canvas.

My obsession for all things textiles led me to successfully gaining a BA(Hons) in Textile and Surface Design in 2007 . During my studies I was extremely pleased to be shortlisted for the RSA Fashion Interiors Bursary Award. I am now very happy to be indulging my passion working as a full-time artist, creating contemporary textile art from my studio based in the elegant, seaside town of Eastbourne, East Sussex. All of my handmade canvases are entirely unique and are created using the pick of my reclaimed and vintage fabrics
With levels of care and attention that only come from focused obsession, I work in a fantastically wide range of canvas sizes and colours to produce art that I hope you will find both engaging and pleasing."

'Our Glistening Shores'

2009-06-10T16:26:00.005+01:00

A new exhibition starts here, at Coastal Creatives, on Saturday 13th June. 'Our glistening shores' is an exclusive collection of Jurassic coast paintings, by Dorset based professional artist Lucy Young.

The collection encapsulates the essence of our coastal landscape and like the ocean, her paintings flow across the canvas with her subtle use of opalescent tones. Lucy Young says "I would like people to feel a fresh tranquility when they look at my paintings and put themselves there just for a moment.”

Lucy's inspiration is drawn from dramatic changes within the coastal landscape through out the year, from frosty glistening scenes of Lyme Bay to fresh summer mornings at Mudeford Sandspit.

New Arrivals!

2009-05-28T15:30:00.003+01:00

Due to the fantastic response to Andy Povey's 'Holidaying in Blighty' exhibition, NEW works have arrived in the gallery today- 28th May '09. Pop in and take a look!

Kay's work experience!

2009-05-22T16:39:00.011+01:00

Hi, I'm a textiles student at Bournemouth Art Institute. I am very passionate about coastal living, nature and the environment and wanted to combine these two loves during my work experience placement here with Coastal Creatives. I have been given a project to make ten items inspired by the coast. Rachael and Louise, the owners of Coastal Creatives are also very keen on the enviroment, they are active supporters of Surfers Against Sewage, which I believe is extremly cool, as they always find the time to help and raise money for the campaign as well as be mummys to there children and running a successful business. I wanted to highlight the negative effects of leaving litter on our beaches and the damage this causes to marine life, by designing and making ten hairbands. Each hairband has been made from materials found on the beach such as rope, net, straw, wire, feathers, plastic and shells. An exhibition of my work can be seen in the gallery, so pop in...It has been such a pleasure doing my work experince at Coastal Creatives, and I wish Rachael and Louise all the best and look forward to getting involved in future projects.

'Holidaying in Blighty' Exhibition

2009-04-28T19:18:00.008+01:00

Coastal Creatives are thrilled to be exhibiting an exclusive collection of seaside themed wall art by Norfolk artist Andy Povey, also known as 'Norfolk Boy'.

Living by the sea with his wife, six children and a Ford transit, Andy scours the coast looking for inspiration, collecting driftwood and other natural found objects to re-work into humorous and nostalgic pieces of seaside art. Andy’s design ideas come from handwritten farm, sale and tourist attraction signs and his love for all things retro.

Gallery owner Louise Mitchell says “The collection evokes happy childhood memories of living by or visiting the seaside, eating ice creams, building sandcastles and riding Bette the donkey. Andy Povey's unique style and play on words are a contemporary twist to seaside kitsch!"

The exhibition opens at the gallery on Saturday 2nd May closing Saturday 6th June. All originals and prints will also be available to purchase from the website- http://www.coastalcreatives.co.uk/ click on Picture Perfect link on the toolbar .

For images, further information or commissions please contact Rachael Johns or Louise Mitchell via email: info@coastalcreatives.co.uk

'Washed Ashore' Driftwood Exhibition

2009-02-11T11:22:00.006Z

Coastal Creatives Boutique Gallery proudly presents ‘Washed Ashore’ a special driftwood exhibition celebrating the Jurassic coast.

Coastal Creatives owners Rachael Johns and Louise Mitchell have selected six Dorset based artists and expert beachcombers to display their sea smoothed driftwood creations, ranging from dramatic garden thrones, mirrors and floor standing lamps to quirky bathroom cupboards and romantic shell and driftwood hearts. All fashioned by the sea and made into sculptural pieces of art perfect for our seaside homes.

Rachael Johns says “Washed Ashore truly embraces our love for the British coastline. We are very excited to unite such talented artists and offer our customers such a diverse range of products once thrown ashore in winter storms and then lovingly crafted to a high standard at affordable prices.”

'Washed Ashore' opens on Saturday 14th February, closing on Saturday 28th March.
For images and further information please email: info@coastalcreatives.co.uk
To purchase online visit http://www.coastalcreatives.co.uk/

Coast Magazine Awards

2008-10-03T12:11:00.014+01:00

Coastal Creatives won runner up in the annual Coast magazine Awards 2009. This popular national magazine invited their readers to vote for their favorite seaside businesses. Hundreds were nominated and it was down to the final choice of the nine judges who were going to come out winners.

Coastal Creatives boutique gallery came second in the ‘Best New Business by the Sea’ category and for a business going into our second year, this was a huge triumph! “We are thrilled the gallery has been acknowledged at a national level. It’s fantastic that all of our hard work has been recognized and awarded and it’s especially nice to know that our passion for the arts and coastal lifestyle is also shared with so many like minded people”.

The award coincided with the successful launch of our New lifestyle online shop, http://www.coastalcreatives.co.uk/, which has proved an international selling platform for our artists. We also hope that our new interior design service will prove that Coastal Creatives will be welcomed into the homes and hearts of many more”

Everyone's Flocking to Coastal Creatives

2008-10-01T13:17:00.007+01:00

With a fascination for our cute feathery friends, we were really pleased to see an exhibition of work by Gemma Roberts at this year's New Designers Show, her gorgeous porcelain and silver birds and nests were so unique and interesting that we just had to work with her. It was shortly followed by artist Eileen White showing us her limited editon paper cuts which were also on a bird theme... jewellery by Tamsin Howells and beautiful illustrated bird prints by Nikki Allan featured here, that another new inspirational window display appeared on the Grove....

'The Spirit of the Sea' Exhibition

2008-07-22T14:38:00.012+01:00

Textile Designer-Maker Michelle Steel

“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” (William Morris)

The purpose of Michelle's work is to stimulate and excite the mind, evoking appreciation for the visual and the handmade object. The work is inspired by her childhood spent in Southend seaside.

The textile canvas' created achieve innovative original aesthetics as well as a nostalgic feeling towards the seaside. Michelle's work is underpinned with the use of traditional textile techniques and the exploitation of the machine’s potential.

Each canvas is screen printed and hand embellished making each artwork a one off unique creation. Michelle is very passionate about colour, decoration, texture and print which are all reflected within her work, creating lively imagery that hopefully brings a smile to the viewer.

Michelle Steel's 'The Spirit of the Sea' exhibition runs from July - August at Coastal Creatives Boutique Gallery.

Coastal Creatives and Dorset Art Weeks

2008-04-21T11:33:00.022+01:00

We have handpicked an exciting mix of artists and makers to showcase during Dorset Art Weeks. Visitors to Coastal Creatives will be offered the opportunity to buy and commission original coastal artwork, fashion and interior products and discover how they are created. An interactive programme of events includes the artists and designers demonstrating their discipline, showing sketch books and portfolios, and encouraging people to get involved in the making process.

Confirmed 'Meet the maker-Demonstration'Programme

Saturday 24th May – Rosie Emerson Artist- Catwalk Model Series Collection

Saturday 24th May – Carara Designer Handbags from Vintage to Nautical- Design your own bag

Sunday 25th May – Orla Brady – Fine art illustrations- featuring sea found objects

Monday 26th May – Peter Boyce-Tomkins – Sculptor and wood worker- ‘Focus on Sails’

Tuesday 27th May – Annie Mainstone of ‘Rosie Pink’- Have a go at the traditional craft of Felt Making

Wednesday 28th May – Zoe Keeton Textile Designer- Vintage seaside postcard collection

Thursday 29th May – Sarana – Beach Lifestyle Photography- have your beach hut featured

Saturday 31st May – Meninafeliz – Textile Designers- launching their jolly new range –‘Beside The Sea’

Tuesday 3rd June – Rhyannan Hurst of RRH Designs- Jewellery from the shore

Tuesday 3rd June – Jeneta Bird- Seascape and beach hut paintings

Wednesday 4th June – Julie Winsor Driftwood garden art and seascape paintings

Thursday 5th June – Richard Wilson- high quality ceramics from Chapel Yard Pottery

Friday 6th June – Sue Hart Jewellery Designer- launching her exclusive NEW designer range

Saturday 7th June - Zoe Sinclair & Andrea Blood ‘The Girls’- Award winning art duo- performing a traffic stopping live window installation.

Opening hours: 9.30am – 5pm
Days: Tuesday- Sunday

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside....

2008-03-08T11:26:00.026Z

A lovely new seaside inspired collection from textile company 'Loosethreads' has just arrive at Coastal Creatives door. The collection includes canvasses, handbags and purses. The designer 'Cath Peet's distinctive freeform embroidery technique and use of materials and colours have resulted in a beautiful, yet simple collection of coastal inspired accessories.

Pop in and have a look....

New Spring Collections- Petula T-Shirts- As seen in British Vogue

2008-02-13T14:34:00.000Z

Forget words and slogans, just beautiful hand designed prints on soft raw edged vintage wash fabric. Petula t-shirts come in both short and long sleeves and in various stunning designs. They even have their very own chinese good luck charms attached!

Pop in and have a look...

Featured Artist- Orla Brady

2008-01-28T11:25:00.001Z

Based in Bournemouth, Orla's work is heavily influenced by the inspirational environments of the Jurassic Coast and the New Forest. The colours, patterns, textures and species of these beautiful habitats form the focus of much of Orla's photography, illustrations and assemblage art.

Miniature Museums & Treasure Trays’
"The concept of the ‘Miniature Museums’ began out of the need to display my own treasured relics of childhood, love, discovery, travel and memories. As a sentimental hoarder, having these objects close by is a tangible link to people and the past. Treasure Trays celebrate our precious and sentimental items in a world that struggles against an increasingly throw-away society."

Visit Coastal Creatives to have a look at Orla Brady's 'feature window', purchase or commission her work.

We couldn't be without our sisters!

2008-01-11T10:12:00.000Z

They help us out with anything from PR and fashion advice to choreography and waitressing!

Christmas Fair Launch Party

2008-01-11T09:37:00.000Z

The 2007 Coastal Creatives Christmas fair held at the stunning Study Gallery of Modern Art in Poole, Dorset saw a gathering of 70+ artists and makers all showcasing their new collections.

The 'Launch Party' event on Friday 30th November was a real success with over 250 people enjoying the nights entertainment by local Jazz band- The Goodfoot and gorgeous nibbles from The New Orchard Cafe (Poole Old Town) and organic wines provided by the Organic Vineyard (Southbourne Grove-Bournemouth).

A big thank you to everyone who took part, volunteered and visited the fair. We hope you all enjoyed it and are very happy with your sales and purchases.

Grand Opening- 11th May '07

2008-01-10T17:54:00.000Z

Talk about cutting it fine Rachael was still getting changed in the bathroom when the Mayor arrived! Pimms was plentiful and the mini scones were MASSIVE!

The beginnings of a rollercoaster journey.....

2008-01-10T11:55:00.001Z

Where we are today...
The Coastal Creatives Boutique Gallery in Bournemouth showcases exclusive handmade collections from over 100 emerging and nationally acclaimed British artists and designer craftspeople, all of whom embrace the spirit of re-claiming, re-using and recycling materials in their art, from beautiful designer handbags made from vintage Liberty fabrics, shell and sea glass jewellery from local shores, oyster shell candles, fisherman rope door stops, to Dorset driftwood and vintage crockery mirrors. Every month we feature an 'artist/maker of the month' inviting customers to get to know a little bit more about their background and inspiration.

How we started....
Coastal Creatives came about one winters evening in 2005, at a silversmithing class in the New Forest. Many a happy hour was spent making and discovering our shared dream to start our own business within the arts. Surrounded by talented artists and makers with no or few outlets to sell from in the Dorset area, we decided to curate two high quality, exciting and modern Design Fairs. With the aim for us to showcase our collections and raise the profile of 'crafts' in the area.

The ideal venue was found and booked for May and November of 2006. There was now NO looking back. What we didn't realise was how hard it was going to be. After many late nights spent on our computers creating and designing the infrastructure of the company, and visits to what felt like every craft and design fair in the country we had our bench mark for what we wanted to achieve and ideas on how to make our events different from those we had visited. We then invited the local talent to take part and even attracted artists and makers from across the south to provide the public with a totally unique and diverse mix of high quality products. The fairs proved to be a success with increasing numbers of exhibitor applications and visitors at each event.

What came next..
In May 2007 we opened Coastal Creatives Boutique Gallery and Craft Studio on Southbourne Grove in Bournemouth. This was a dream come true for all of us, a beautiful building to showcase collections, located 5 minutes from the beach and a year round outlet for our friends and fellow makers to sell from. Plus the opportunity for us to pass on our skills and passion for 'making' in our truly inspirational crafts studio. Specialising in textiles and jewellery, an exciting programme was designed and very quickly we received bookings from girls who couldn't wait to dust down their sewing machines and dig out their bead and button collections to make gorgeous handbags, stunning jewellery and even a showcase lampshade for the home.