Humming with Creativity at Cockpit Arts, Deptford

Last Friday I took the train to Deptford to visit Cockpit Arts, Deptford open studios. I was mesmerised by floor after floor of talented makers - weavers, jewellers, ceramicists, leathermakers, cabinetmakers, artists, tailors and even a shoemaker. The place was humming with creativity.

Cockpit Arts is London's leading centre for contemporary craft. They are the UK's largest, most diverse cluster of makers. I was intrigued to visit them in their studios and see some of them at work.

Eleanor Lakelin is a cabinet maker by training.  She sources wood from British trees felled due to decay.  Using a traditional woodworking lathe and centuries old chisels and gouges she carves sculptural objects. Each piece has a unique form, grain and colour way. Each piece tells a story of its past. A story that encourages touch and reflection. Eleanor's work is included in prestigious museum collections including The Victoria and Albert Museum and The Museum of London.

www.eleanorlakelin.com

I was delighted to meet Yusuf Osman in his studio. Yusuf is a trained leather worker who has learned his skill from leather craftsmen all over the world.

Yusuf spent lockdown designing a line of playful but functional leather mats.  Available in aesthetically pleasing curved shapes and sizes they can be used on a table as place mats or on a desk as a mousemat.  Mix various shades of tan with forest green and burgundy grape to create a stunning display.

www.yussi.co 

Founder of Studio Mito, Millie was happy to demonstrate her skill to me. She trained at Central St Martins to become a weaver. She combines this skill with jewellery making to create striking pieces out of silk and tencel yarns. Earrings, bracelets and cuffs are available in glorious colour palettes of pale pinks, neutrals, cobalt blues, emerald greens and burnt oranges combined with 24K gold plated findings.