Each month our shop features the work of an emerging or established maker, along with offering 10% off selected pieces of their work.

Our Maker of the Month for June is Wayne Charmer

How and why did you become a maker?

From an early age I can remember enjoying painting or making things. It was only during my last year at college that I realised I always used my hands to build or manipulate materials during art class. Originally I thought I wanted to be a painter but after my time at college I focused more on exploring new materials like wood, ceramics and metal. I then went onto study a 3 dimensional design course at the university of Manchester. This give me the chance to explore a variety of materials but glass was something completely new to me and I feel it offers so many possibilities. After successfully completing my degree I started selling work within galleries and also received a loan and a grant from the Prince trust fund, which help me set up my business and move my studio out of the garage into Cockpit Arts along with other makers. The main reason for me to want to be a maker is because I enjoy it, I feel that I am very lucky to be able to go the studio each day and loose myself within my work.

Did you have an inspirational teacher or mentor?

I have had a few I can think of but the ones that stand out the most would be my art teacher during college. I remember whilst just finishing school and always drawing an apple for example to look exactly like an apple taken from a photograph, then meeting my new art teacher who taught me to think outside the box and be more creative in my approach. She was a little mad yet I believe she helped me explore new ways of working and I never again painted a picture of an apple from a photograph and I took a more abstract approach. I also had a couple of good business mentors in the past who made me look at sales, marketing, finance etc all the things university never prepared me for.

How would you describe your work?

My work is functional yet decorative, inspiration varies but mainly comes from visiting new places either it be the architecture or wildlife all these have an impact on the design. So although I enjoy working with colour and texture like the Landscape collection my work can also be more subdued like the Serenity collection, it all depends on my inspiration.

What type of material do you prefer to work with?

I enjoy working with enamels which I fire between two sheets of glass, I apply the enamels by hand and like to add layers of colour to create tiny air bubbles which get trapped in the glass during the firing process.

What would you most like to make that you haven’t so far?

I would like to spend more time exploring sculptural work and possibly combined the glass with a new material to create something that isn’t functional. I am currently exploring ways of melting glass onto textures made from clay and plaster. This is at the very early stages of development but this is the fun part exploring new ways of working.

What are the benefits and disadvantages of being a maker?

The main one, which is true for many makers that I know and for myself is not having that regular wage like you do from working for a large company but it still all worth it. Working for yourself means that you continually think about work and not leave it at the ‘office’, it sometimes helps to develop new concepts yet it can be a bit selfish when you are spending time with friends and family. Also with being creative means that I always want to make things and there is always motivation for this part but it can sometimes be difficult to drag yourself away from the kiln and look at other aspects of the business.