When Bryony from Made in Bristol invited me to the launch of the latest installment of the Paper Scissors Stone temporary emporium ('Temporium') I knew I had to go. I first visited the shop, located smack bang in the middle of Quaker's Friars near Carluccio's and Bloomsbury, before Christmas and I was impressed by all the handmade, hand crafted, local products.
The idea has gone from strength to strength. What started off as a pop up emporium for a few weeks at a time, has popped up again in the same space in Quaker's Friars. If it's possible, this time round I think the wares on sale are more lovely than when I last visited. The shop itself has a nice airy feel to it, the interior inviting, the products (and whole shop) have obviously been curated by someone with an eye for aesthetics. This is such a refreshing change from the high street chains who jam as many products into a shop, who don't care about their customers, who just want to make a quick buck, it's nice. Sometimes, even if a shop has beautiful products, the layout, decor and functionality are clunky/ugly/unattractive. I like that the Temporium is providing something more unique and special.
After the success of Volume 1, the Paper Scissors Stone 'Temporium' returns with a second Volume and a new group of participating artists. The artists selling are also the shop assistants for the duration of this volume, so they know what they're talking about. Currently there are items from colour-changing swimwear from Bristol company Mermaid in England, as well as illustrations, prints and original artworks and specially created shop furniture. This is the sort of place you should go if you're looking for a special gift for someone, for yourself or if you just want to support a local shop and local designers. Without preaching, it makes more sense environmentally, economically and, socially. If those reasons don't get you going, all the products are pretty! What's not to love?"Where else can you buy locally created, colour-changing swimwear alongside edible trees, stunning jewellery, contemporary ceramics and robot wrapping paper?" says Director Bryony Morgan.
I caught up with Bryony Morgan, Made in Bristol's Director, to ask her a few more questions about the venture. She explained that what inspired her to start Made in Bristol is the amazing array of talent creating in Bristol and the surrounding countryside. She felt strongly that Bristol had something very special to offer and yet this was not being recognised. The aim was to establish a recognised, professional platform to support artists create and retail their work. I tend to agree, it's one of the reasons I started this blog, I think we both agree that Bristol's creative industry could be showcased more prominently.
I asked her how the brand has evolved and she tells me how Made in Bristol started as a series of one off events and has evolved into a popular daily blog, a series of pop-up shops and has also set up an ongoing weekly market in Bristol. The project also manages a gallery space at Colston Hall and set up the local illustration collective Drawn in Bristol where member illustrators have access to space and facilities enabling them to create work, business development opportunities and opportunities to take part in a series of professional exhibitions to sell their creations.
I wonder if Bryony is an artist herself, and I've always I wondered whether Made in Bristol was a vehicle to sell the Director's own art and others' on the side... She explains that she was a frustrated artist but has now retired. She tells me that she understands some of the processes involved but never really found the discipline that was right for her and so she now describes herself as a curator. She tells me about the great sense of creative achievement she gets from managing the project. I can imagine, it is an achievement, I definitely think Made in Bristol has made it's mark on the Bristol creative scene. Bryony seems to have found her place working alongside artists to create more opportunities, encourage collaboration and create working partnerships with Bristol's commercial sector.
I'm most interested in the future and ambition of Made in Bristol. I can see the venture going places and I'm interested to hear about the plans. Bryony's ambition was to showcase artists from Bristol at a major London event this year and they have just been invited to take part in a new event called Made London in October so it sounds like the dream is about to be a reality
I wonder why Made in Bristol chose pop up shops instead of opening a permanent Emporium for handmade art and products in Bristol. Bryony enthuses about the fantastic energy pop up shops have about them. She explains how they evolve and take different shapes depending on the distinct group of artists involved. She also tells me that the financial pay-off of not having a permanent fixed address is huge so 'temporary use' is a far more viable model that creates greater income for the artists involved. I find this astonishing. Why wouldn't the council make it viable for small, independent shops to open on a site? If it's too expensive, how are entrepeneurs and small businesses, young business people especially, to start out? I could go on, but I won't. I'm glad Bryony is doing her thing, it makes being an artist a little bit more possible in a see of corporate domination.
For the year ahead, Made in Bristol are hoping to launch a new market in the run up to Christmas as well as planning their annual Made in Bristol Gift Fair at Colston Hall in December.
Made in Bristol will be hosting five ‘Volumes’ of the artist run shop each featuring a selection of talented makers and artisans working in Bristol. While the pop up shops may be temporary, Made in Bristol definitely isn't.
If you'd like to sell your items at the next volume of Paper Scissors Stone, contact Bryony at [email protected]
