Go behind the scenes this June with Suffolk Craft Society and Suffolk Open Studios
This June, Suffolk Craft Society invites you to Meet the Maker—a rare chance to step inside the creative spaces of some of our talented artists and craftspeople as part of Suffolk Open Studios 2025. Over the weekends throughout the month, members will open their studios, offering an opportunity to explore their workspaces, observe their processes firsthand, and hear the stories behind their creations.
Whether you're an art lover, collector, or curious creative, this is a wonderful way to connect with local artists in an informal setting and experience the magic of making up close. Each visit provides the chance to ask questions, see works in progress, and even purchase beautiful handcrafted pieces directly from the makers.
Studios open include:
Helen Maxfield – Printmaking: Helen creates limited edition linocuts inspired by sketching trips around the Suffolk countryside and coastline. Working from her home studio near Needham Market, her work blends the beauty of the natural world with the expressive qualities of linocut, resulting in elegant, place-rich compositions.
Clare Gaylard – Glass: Clare works in flame-formed Murano glass, crafting intricate sculptures, vessels, and wearable pieces. Each component is formed entirely in the flame, incorporating custom detailing and storytelling through glass. Her work is vibrant, textured, and deeply narrative. Her studio is in Earl Soham.
Kate Reynolds – Ceramics: With a background in 3D Design, Kate sculpts ceramic figures that explore the human form using simple outlines and profiles. Her distinctive Raku glazes—crackled whites, turquoise tones, and smoky blacks—create organic and often unexpected finishes. Find Kate in Chelmondiston, Ipswich.
Annabel Ridley – Print & Mixed Media: In her studio in Nedging Tye Annabel pushes the boundaries of print by combining photo and paper stencils in large-scale works on paper, canvas, and cloth. Her process-heavy, layered approach fuses abstract and figurative elements, often drawing on the Suffolk landscape for inspiration.
Cathy D'Arcy – Ceramics: Formerly a textile designer focused on handwoven rugs, Cathy has spent over three decades working with clay. Influenced by the vibrant patterns and colors of her East African childhood, her pottery is full of joy, texture, and warmth. Cathy is in Sudbury.
Usch Spettigue – Porcelain Ceramics: Usch creates functional one-off porcelain pieces with her own signature glazes. From large, spray-glazed bowls to sgraffito-carved surfaces, her work is known for its subtle textures and complex finishes. She is a proud member of the East Anglian Potters Association. Find Usch in Ipswich.
Nicola Coe – Sculpture & Nature Art: Nicola creates evocative, nature-based sculptures influenced by the landscapes she walks in. Foraging for natural materials like feathers and leaves, she uses handmade inks and found objects to create thoughtful, seasonally attuned work from her studio in Hasketon.
Robert Wicken – Ceramics: Robert’s expressive ceramics blend spontaneity with tradition. Inspired by Japanese and Korean pottery, he uses sgraffito, slips, and oxides to bring out the raw, tactile beauty of clay in both sculpture and surface decoration. Find Robert in Chelmondiston.
Suffolk Open Studios takes place every weekend in June 2025. To explore who’s open when and to plan your art-filled weekends please visit the Suffolk Open Studios website for full details, locations, and times.
Support local makers, discover unique art, and see creativity in action.
Our exhibitions celebrate the extraordinary craftsmanship of Suffolk Craft Society makers, showcasing intricate details, time-honored skills, and innovative designs. With dynamic, ever-evolving displays set in iconic venues, each showcase promises a fresh, inspiring, and immersive experience.
If you're unable to attend an exhibition in person don’t forget you can support talented local artisans through our online shop >>>