About Me

Crafter, Artist, Designer Maker

So many choices for a title but none ever feel quite right…

About Me

Crafter, Artist, Designer Maker

So many choices for a title but none ever feel quite right…

WLV Uni Graduate

Graduation day for my BA in Applied Arts, Glass

Amateur Dressmaker

Passionate about personalising, upcycling and learning new skills

Travel Enthusiast

Relocated to Italy to learn the language and explore the land

Creative Arts Teacher

Creative workshops online and in-person for craft activities

Getting to know Kelly Louise

Find out a little bit about me and my creative journey…

My Creative Practice

I am Kelly Louise Rooker, a craft maker and passionate about materials and making techniques. I love to learn the processes for new skills and explore different approaches.

At university I studied on the BA Applied Arts degree at Wolverhampton University, graduating in 2012, after specialising in glass making. My final collection of kiln cast glass work; entitled Journeys, was exhibited in 2012 at New Designers in London alongside my peers and fellow creative arts graduates.

I also have experience with clay; I particularly enjoy throwing on the wheel and using objects and textures to impress into the clay. I have experimented with Raku glazing which I love, and marbling with pigments to make pottery and jewellery items.

More recently, I’ve developed a range of textile based skills and focused on free-motion embroidery to apply my drawings onto fabric; appliqué for both wall art and bag designs; nail and string wall art with a focus on simplistic images and lettering; and jewellery making with T-shirt yarn, leather and braided or twisted cord.

I particularly enjoy making bespoke commission pieces, personalising items for special people and special occasions. If you would like to commission a piece of work; in any form, please contact me and explain: the work you were inspired by, your ideas for the piece/s, your budget and deadline. I look forward to working with you to realise your vision.

Creative Experiences

All things creative; from my education and short courses, to volunteering and work experiences.
Check out the different techniques I have experimented with too…

Creative Education

2012-2013   PGCE in Post Compulsory Education (Art & Design)
2008-2012   BA Applied Arts
2006-2007   Art Foundation Diploma (3D Crafts)
2004-2006   A-Level Fine Art

Creative Volunteering

2012          Art in Clay Helper at Hatfield House Ceramic Festival
2012          Glass Festival Helper at Stourbridge Glass Festival
2011-12    Contemporary Glass Society Rep for Wolverhampton University
2010-12    Year Group Course Rep in Applied Arts

Extra Curricular Courses

Jewellery Making
Upholstery
Basket Weaving
Stained Glass
Ceramics

Creative Skills and Techniques

Jewellery Making ~ Glass Kiln Casting
Drawing ~ Mixed Media ~ Sewing ~ Crochet
Slip Casting ~ Glass Sand Casting ~ Photo Editing
Embossing ~ Wire-working ~ Upcycling ~ Quilling
Upholstery ~ Basket Weaving ~ Stained Glass
Free-Motion Embroidery ~ Finger Knitting
Glass Blowing ~ Plaster Casting ~ Model Making
Pottery ~ Clothing Alterations ~ Painting ~ Batik
Patchwork Quilting ~ Screen Printing ~ Clay Coiling
Lino Printing ~ Clay Slabbing ~ Nail and String Art
Woodworking ~ Photography ~ Clay Marbling
Soldering ~ Metal Piercing ~ Website Editing

Creative Work Experiences

Goodwin-Jones Ceramics, Brittany, France

Artist Assistant in ceramics on a work placement for 12 days including studio and business side of running a creative business, August 2013

Birmingham Metropolitan College, Sutton Coldfield

Trainee Art and Design Teacher during PGCE placement from October 2012 to May 2013 completing over 120 teaching hours

Halesowen College, Halesowen

Assisting in the classroom for 3D Design with Level 2 and Foundation students from end of February 2012 to April 2012

Elston Hall Primary School, Wolverhampton

After School club during January and February 2012 then running an after school Art Club from end of February 2012 to end of May 2012

New Invention Junior School, New Invention, Wolverhampton

Clay workshop with the entire school of around 300 students in the playground on 2nd November 2011

Kings Hill Primary School, Wednesbury, Walsall

NVQ Primary School Placement – Year 1 – March 2011 to May 2011

St. Edmunds Catholic School, Wolverhampton

Student Associates Scheme, Design Technology Teaching Placement – 15 day placement from early January 2011 to middle of February 2011

Samuel Whitbread Community College, Shefford

Art and Design Technician for 2 weeks in April 2010

aba associates, Redborne

Graphic design – professional company – two days work experience during school 2004

Exhibitions

2013 ~ Oh My Glass!

Red House Glass Cone in Stourbridge showing a piece of degree work and a piece since graduating during the International Glass Festival, 7th September – 21st October

2013 ~ Oxfordshire Artweeks

Across Oxfordshire showing at West Ox Arts Gallery in Bampton, 4th May to 2nd June

2012 ~ Art in Woodstock Festival

Around the historic market town of Woodstock in Oxfordshire showing at the Junction Art Gallery, 27th October to 4th November

2012 ~ Glass and Glory

During the International Glass Festival at Amblecote Holy Trinity Church, Amblecote, Stourbridge, 24th – 27th August

2012 ~ Warm Glass Prize

Online exhibition receiving 36 votes, with my Wedgwood Blue piece

2012 ~ New Designers

Business Design Centre, Islington, London, 2nd – 9th June

2012 ~ Art and Design Degree Show

University of Wolverhampton School of Art & Design, 27th – 30th June

2011 ~ Wedgwood: Royal Reflections

Wedgwood Museum Royal Reflections exhibition and silent auction raising money for New Designers 2012, 12th – 16th December

2011 ~ CGS December Enclosure: Vessels

Selective as part of the Contemporary Glass Society online exhibition for “Unique Manufacture” work. View my profile on their Artists catalogue here.

2011 ~ Evolving Arts: Phase Three

Netherton Arts Centre, Netherton, Dudley, 10th – 19th November

2011 ~ British Arts Medal Society Student Medal Competition

Birmingham University in the School of Jewellery, Birmingham,
15th March – 15th April

2011 ~ CGS February UK Student Show

Contemporary Glass Society online student exhibition, Feb – March

2011 ~ Art and Design Foundation Diploma Show

Bedford College in the Art and Design,  Department, Bedford, July

2011 ~ A-Level Exhibition

Samuel Whitbread Community College, Shefford, July

Location

Modena, Italy

Contact Me

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