Flameworks Open Studios – Meet the Makers

Step beyond the ordinary and into Flameworks, a thriving creative hub nestled next to Stonehouse creek. Home to a diverse community of professional artists and craftspeople, our studios are filled with the scent of sawdust, the glow of molten glass, and the rhythmic clang of hammers on metal. This is where ideas are forged, traditions reimagined, and materials are transformed into objects of wonder.

During Open Studios, you’re invited behind the scenes to meet the makers, explore their workspaces, discover and purchase the incredible variety of art and craft being created right here in Devonport.

From lampworked glass by Tobias Davies to the coastal inspired cast-glass chain jewellery of Amy Whittingham, you'll find light, transparency, and storytelling fused in glass. Glenn Carter, a master stained-glass artist, brings centuries-old techniques to life with painterly precision.

For lovers of clay, there’s much to explore—from Christina Peters’ dynamic raku-fired ceramics, to Belinda Reed’s social commentary with sgraffito textures, and Toni Fairhead’s subversively witty profanity porcelain.

Metalwork is alive and sparking at Flameworks: Luke Axworthy shapes raw steel in the forge, while Peter Reeves and Emma Gooding both craft exquisite jewellery in silver and gold, blending traditional skills with contemporary design.

Alice Wood repurposes rugged materials into striking reclaimed canvas and leather bags, while Emma Bullivant combines wood and forged steel into bold, sculptural furniture pieces.

You’ll also find Becky Crawford’s playful mixed media works, Angie Wickenden’s elegant basketry and hand-built ceramics, and striking photographic works by Christ Parkes, capturing the world through a unique and thoughtful lens.

Whether you're curious to see how things are made, looking for a unique piece to take home, or simply eager to be inspired—Flameworks Open Studios offers a rare glimpse into the working lives of some of Plymouth’s most talented makers.

Come for the craft. Stay for the spark.

WOW we did it!

Flameworks desperately needs to raise funds to rain proof the roof and fix the upstairs artist studios and the communal ceramics workshops.

Our resident studio holder, ceramicist Angie Wickenden recently worked with the people on Time Team! Watch all 3 videos on the Cornwall dig below - Angie features in Day 2 and Day 3!

Flameworks CIC studio holder and glass worker extraordinaire, Amy Whittingham, has a new book coming out in July. Here’s what Amy has to say…

“ I am so excited to tell you that Glass Casting is going to be published by Crowood Press in July 2019. It's been a long time in the writing but I am so proud to say that it will finally be with us in the next two months!”

Flameworks’ project coordinator and studio holder Louise Rabey has recently teamed up with Author Susan Lacey and her son Adrian to illustrate their magical book ‘The Magical Teddy Bear.’ A light-hearted colourful adventure about a teddy bear that comes to life and performs some good deeds around the world. Featuring a special foreword by Veronica Taylor who famously voiced Ash from the hit series Pokemon.

As a ceramicist and an experimental archaeologist, I became fascinated by the story of the Hembury bowl some years ago. It is on permanent exhibition at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter. The bowl is 6000 years old(36950BC), was made of gabbro clay from the Lizard, Cornwall and was found at Hembury Causewayed enclosure, in East Devon.

This is the Hembury Bowl. It’s curated and on permanent exhibition at Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter. It was found by Dorothy Liddell in the 1930’s, whilst excavating the Iron Age Hillfort. During the excavation, the causewayed enclosure was found at the north end with a considerable amount of Neolithic pottery. The chronologies for this period were constructed by Stuart Piggott based on the assemblages and stratification of Windmill Hill which was excavated in the late 1920's.

Flameworks based ceramic artists Leigh Mason and Angie Wickenden will be at Barnstaple for Devon Pop Up’s event “Clay - a Festival of Ceramics” on Sunday June 30th, 2019.