It's a sunny start to June and we have some lovely new guest artists joining us!

 Jackie Doran

I'm Jackie, founder of Bonnie Lass Create.  My mission is to share the joy of macrame through unique handmade gifts for you and your home.  I also commission bespoke pieces and beautiful handbags to reflect your individual style. My macrame journey started in 2021 when my daughter brought me a gift to attend a workshop, and I was literally hooked straight away, since that time I've developed my own skills in teaching and have hosted over 60 workshops.  I also sell my creations at local craft centres and independent shops across Dorset.  

I named my business Bonnie Lass because this is what my dad called me when I was a child.  My dad sadly died when I was setting up my business and I thought it was a fitting tribute to name my little venture Bonnie Lass Create. 

I'm thrilled to be showcasing my work at The Purbeck Artisian Yard and hope you enjoy coming to take a look as well as discovering all the other talented makers and artists in this creative space.

Jackie Wand

As a natural crafter, Jacqueline produces classic glass vases and resin craft ware for sale. She uses the beautiful colours of the rolling Dorset countryside, where she lives, as inspiration to create useful artifacts. Jacqueline's bright personality and heart can be seen in each lovingly crafted object.

Marion Spencer

Marion Spencer (Mars) is a ceramic and fine artist who hopped the border from

Somerset ten years ago and has always been at her happiest immersed in the

natural world and folklore which reflects in her ceramic work particularly. She

admits to being quite eclectic and loves to make one-off pieces as well as small ,

affordable gift items: “ I’m really a frustrated sculptor, with not enough time and

a small kiln which limits my output . I love to draw as well as paint and bring

humour into some of my card designs. If my work brings a smile to others, I

believe my job is done.”

Marion is a member of Purbeck Arts Weeks (PAW), Dorset Arts and Crafts

Association (DACA)Artist and Purbeck Artists and Stallholders (PASH) and trades

as Westcountry Creations, exploring a variety of media.

New guest artists Spring in to the Yard this May!

 We have some lovely new guest artists for May and just in time for when its finally feeling like Spring! Meet our new artists.....

David Fletcher.

Hello my name is David. I started my journey into painting in 2020 when lockdown shut everything down and everyone was bored. Since then I have tried watercolour and more recently oils but generally use acrylics. In the beginning I took inspiration from Claude Monet but I like to think I have developed my own style now. 

I like painting landscapes of places I've visited. And also enjoy painting the detail needed for paintings of animals and birds. I've recently started making my own individually sized frames.

Lyn Hunt

I was taught to sew by my Mother as a child, otherwise self- taught. I live in Wareham and am inspired by the amazing scenery we have, especially on Purbeck. The originals are made from scraps of fabric and lace, etc..I was a nurse until I retired and now make these pictures as a hobby. I sell them 'not for profit' supporting Routes to Roots and Compassion, two charities close to my heart. 

Thea Hodgson is back in the yard with her beautiful paintings....

“Great to have my paintings on the Wall of the Purbeck Artisan Yard for a second time.

My preferred painting medium is watercolour which I use for flowers and sometimes landscape  painting.
With spring arriving there is plenty to choose from.”

It's time for the annual Winter Fair!

 This November join us at the Purbeck Artisan Yard for our annual Winter Fair. You'll get to meet some of our resident Artisans, enjoy some outstanding Christmas Shopping with unique, high quality gifts, sip on some mulled wine and treat yourself to a mince pie.

We're also holding our Christmas Hamper raffle which is full to the brim of Christmas goodies with all the proceeds going to our chosen charity. Our ever popular Christmas 'Lucky Dip' is also taking shape as we speak, created by one of our super talented resident makers you'll be sure to win yourself some super goodies.

The event will be held here at the Artisan Yard in Wareham, Church Street on the 11th November from 10am until 7pm so be sure to pop over and get your Christmas shopping done early! 

August guest artists are making their way to the yard!

 We're looking forward to welcoming two new makers to the yard this August....

Keleigh-Marie Snelgrove....

After moving to Wareham in January 2020, I was inspired to take up painting and creating.  It's helped me through lockdowns, associated uncertainties and the ups & downs of life today.  I create and paint as a mindfulness exercise and I hope others find a sense of peace when they view my work.

Becky Mitchell - Macrame and Crochet....

Matthew Beavan

Restored Gin Cabinets....

July brings sunshine and new guest artists!

 We are delighted to have some wonderful Dorset talent join us for July, here's a bit more about them....

 Sophie Kilic:

Having grown up in Dorset, I am fascinated by the sea, the patterns of foam on the beach, the shapes, textures, the play of light. Dorset breathes prehistory in the geology of its rocks and in its ancient places. These and the natural world are what inspire me to paint and write. My love of nature prompted me to question if acrylic painting could be eco and health friendly. 

The paints I have been using come from Australia and, carbon footprint besides, are more eco-friendly than other acrylic paints. However, having continued my search for something nearer to home, I am now moving into mixing my own paints with earth pigments and a plant-based acrylic binder from Germany.

Wendy Jeavons:

From my coastal studio near Lulworth Cove, I create fused glass art and jewellery thatconnects you to the magic and wonder of the coast. You will discover glass artworkwhich will add a little coastal tranquillity to your home and will soothe your senses, whilstother statement pieces are more vibrant and full of energy that will add a dramatic popof gorgeous sea colours to a room. The glass jewellery captures the essence of the sea,giving you that connection to the coast and a sense of peace.

I have worked with glass for over 25 years since graduating with a 1st class degree inglass from Edinburgh College of Art, then receiving the prestigious Crafts Council StartUp Award to purchase equipment to start The Red Brick Glass Studio. I use a variety offused glass materials and techniques to experiment with light, layers, energy, and colour.I love incorporating screen printed elements in the work, creating small details for you todiscover, which creates pieces you can lose yourself in.If you love the idea of making your own sea and nature inspired fused glass artwork, I runfun and relaxing workshops from my home studio in Lulworth Cove, Dorset. I also haveChristmas themed workshops, full of snowflakes, stars, and magic! If you live a little toofar to come to workshop, I offer, make at home kits, so you can have some creative fusedglass fun at home. You will find sea themed kits and gorgeous Christmas decorations. The kits make lovely thoughtful gifts for creative friends and family.

Photographer Fran Groves joins us as a guest artist for April...

 We're delighted to have local Photographer Fran on board for the month. here's a little bit more about Fran and what inspires her beautiful work....

I am a photographer. I love exploring textures and colours in every environment sometimes creating landscapes and sometimes focussing on a small detail to enlarge. Since retiring to Dorset I have teamed up with my college friend Hilly who is a ceramicist and also moved to Dorset. We formed Rich Earth Studio in 2018 and have been encouraging each other to exhibit and meet with other artists in Dorset.

In this guest exhibition I present a range of my work looking at structure and shadows alongside the beautiful colours of Pheasant feathers. During the winter months I find I am drawn to objects that I find and putting them together to create something different according to the light and their proximity. The pheasant feathers were taken last year and I had no idea so many patterns existed on any one pheasant.

I exhibit mainly in Weymouth and Portland and am currently exhibiting in the Home exhibition curated by Artwey, a group of local artists.