Meet the Makers
Meet the artists, the makers, creators and venue curators, the wordsmiths, the printers, the writers and readers. Together, these lovelies are helping to shape Berwick’s creative life. Come on in and say ‘Hello’.
Luca Serra
Originally from Sardinia and now based in Morpeth, Northumberland, Luca hand carves wood into beautiful organic forms which emphasise the natural beauty of the grain and pattern. Inspired by nature and mythology, his work balances strength and delicacy. The flowing lines and tactile finish of each piece create a sense of movement, making his sculptures almost impossible to resist as they invite you to reach out and feel the warmth and beauty of the wood.
To find out more about his work, follow @luca.serra or visit Luca Serra
Elaine Simm
Elaine is a watercolour and mixed media artist, living and working in Berwick.
Elaine’s paintings are influenced by the land and seascapes of her native country, Scotland. Born and brought up in Edinburgh, her family holidays were spent climbing the hills and visiting the islands on the west coast. Elaine and her husband love sailing, kayaking and walking in the northwest where the colours of the sea, sky and land are breath-taking and awe-inspiring.
Elaine retired to Berwick in 2021 and she now has more time to paint, and more coastline and landscape to draw on for inspiration.
Elaine works with watercolour alongside pencils, inks and textiles, often on a small scale. What makes her work so striking is how much she fits into these intimate pieces, with layers of detail and texture that draw you in and reward close looking. Though modest in size, her works have a depth and presence more often found in much larger paintings.
You can see Elaine’s original watercolours and card prints at Abstract Gallery on West Street.
Pictorial Photography
Hey, I’m Sarah, a branding and headshot photographer based in Berwick, working with creatives, makers and small businesses across Northumberland and the Borders.
I specialise in relaxed, natural brand photography and professional headshots that help people feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera. Whether it’s content for your website, social media or marketing, I create honest, thoughtful images that show the real person behind the business.
Alongside branding work, I also photograph products, events and families, and I run a welcoming studio here in Berwick that’s become a calm, friendly space for shoots of all kinds.
If you’d like fresh photos for your brand or next project, you can find me at www.pictorialphotography.co.uk and
@pictorial.photography
Maggie Read
Jewellery Studio
I’m Maggie, a jewellery designer and teacher based in the village of Cornhill on Tweed. I design and make my own range of handcrafted jewellery using recycled sterling silver and ethically sourced gemstones, and alongside this I teach silver jewellery and silver clay classes from my dedicated teaching studio.
Teaching is at the heart of what I do. Classes are geared towards beginners and I love to help people discover that they can create something beautiful with their own hands. My classes are small, relaxed and welcoming, with fully equipped benches and plenty of one-to-one support. To find out more, please visit www.maggiereadjewellery.co.uk and @maggiereadjewellery
Mo Healy
Hello, l’m Mo Healy; Artist-printmaker-teacher exploring and creating handmade Artists Book forms. Coming over from Ireland I initially studied in London (& Ravenna) specialising in Glass & Mosaic and headed north to develop my Printmaking with Artists Books practice in Edinburgh.
A member of SSA, Designer Bookbinders UK & Crafts Council Makers, l share the joy of handmade Artists Book-making by hosting friendly and accessible workshops at wonderful venues across North Northumberland & the Scottish Borders. You will often find me on Holy Island, Lindisfarne where l am a visiting Artist-in-Residence at St Cuthbert’s Centre; check the tides and come to say hello!
Links to my Artists Book-making workshops can be found on:
Facebook Mo Healy; Artist-printmaker
Instagram @borderbookarts
Cowrie Craft
I’m Ruth, a self-taught jeweller inspired by the treasures and textures of our beautiful coastline. I founded Cowrie Craft in 2020 and work primarily in silver, incorporating beachcombed finds such as sea glass, my favourite cowrie shells, and St Cuthbert’s bead fossils.
Using techniques including sand casting and wax carving, each piece reflects a love of place and process. I create from my home studio in Berwick and continue to develop my style and skills.
My work is available at
www.cowriecraft.co.uk
St Vedas Surf Shop in Coldingham
(April–December), and also at Puddles
on West Street. @Cowrie_craft
Flight Weaving
I’m Janis Embleton, a designer and hand weaver of luxury fabrics with many years’ experience; I spend my days weaving fabrics for sale, working on private commissions or teaching a new generation of weavers from my studio near Duns in the beautiful Borders.
The use of natural fibres is central to my design process with particular emphasis placed on the interplay between pattern and colour and the myriad variations of the weaving process can deepen and develop these concepts.
Keeping the skill of hand-weaving alive is fundamentally important to me and my hosting of workshops catering to suit all levels of experience allows me to both share my skills and keep those skills current and relevant in the artistic community and community at large.
Find out more at
www.flight-weaving.co.uk
Umbellifer
I am Stephen Lennon and I set up Umbellifer in 2018 when I lived in Skipton before I moved to Berwick in April 2024.
Umbellifer is a prints and greetings card business focusing on plants and birds and my designs are stocked in shops and galleries throughout the UK. Initial drawings in pencil and ink are scanned into my computer and I paint digitally. Plants and gardens have always been my thing and I set up and ran a small plant nursery in the Yorkshire Dales many years ago; walking around an established garden always inspires me.
You can follow me @umbellifercards and find my work at umbellifer.co.uk/shop and locally at www.createkelso.co.uk
Fliss Elsom-Cook
I am a self-discovered artist from Northumberland, and have been focused on painting abstract and intuitive work for the past few years from my workshop overlooking Tillside valley.
Most of my pictures are based on nature, feelings, music, writing or just images in my head, and I paint abstracts in response to what emerges on the paper. I trust my intuition, which gives me a lot of freedom in reacting to what has influenced me.
With some pieces, I have an idea of what I may paint, like flowers or a landscape, and the free painting style often takes the picture in unexpected directions.
Visit https://fowberryart.sumupstore.com/ @fowberry art
Kewin’s Corner
Hello, I’m Emily Kewin, an illustrator, children’s book author, and the artist behind Kewin’s Corner. I specialise in localised prints, with my Berwick-upon-Tweed series among the most popular.
My work is known for its vibrancy, and each design is thoughtfully curated using colour palettes that reflect my personal interpretation of a place. My illustrations are inspired by traditional screen printing, embracing imperfections and maintaining an abstract eye. Every piece represents years of experimentation, patience, and a carefully developed illustration style.
You can find my work locally in Puddles, and it will also be stocked at the Paxton House shop or you can order from my website! https://kewins-corner.sumupstore.com
@Kewinscorner
Block Print Northumberland
I’m Becky Underwood, founder of Block Print Northumberland. I offer workshops on our family farm nestled on the beautiful Northumberland coast overlooking Holy Island – an inspiring backdrop!
My goal is to share my love of block printing with the North East through workshops and events.
I love colour and pattern so this craft suits me perfectly. I believe ANYONE can create a beautiful and unique piece with just a few blocks and some gorgeous coloured paints.
Workshop dates can be found at:
www.fenhamfarm.co.uk/create
@blockprintnorthumberland
Coostie Illustration
I’m Ali Edwards, an illustrator and designer based in Berwick. I create hand-drawn maps and illustrations inspired by the landscapes and history of the North East and beyond. I also teach a range of workshops to help inspire others to explore nature and heritage through their creativity. My work is available to license, commission, or purchase as finished artwork and as a range of eco-friendly art prints and gifts.
You can find my work at www.coostie.co.uk and a small selection of my art prints and gifts are available from Puddles on West Street.
@Coostiedesigns
Eleven Feathers Jewellery
Hi, I’m Amy Dalrymple, silversmith and founder of Eleven Feathers Jewellery, established in 2013. Each piece is handmade by me in my seaside workshop in Berwick.
Inspired by nature, the night sky, and the quiet magic of the universe, my work carries a whimsigoth soul. Crystals, intuition, and a touch of witchy, wonderful weirdness guide every design. I create jewellery as tiny talismans, made slowly and intentionally, each one crafted to hold meaning and find the person it is meant for.
Find my work at www.elevenfeathersjewellery.com
and also in Puddles on West Street.
Are you a creative who lives in or around Berwick?
If you would you like to be featured on this page, please get in touch, berwickstyle@gmail.com There’s no charge and we’d love to see you here. We can also lists your workshops or events free on our What's On pages online and in the magazine. See you there!