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