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The team

Artyard Handmade has a special group of talented, local artists and crafts people teaching our workshops.  They are all knowledgable and passionate about their craft and will leave you equipped with the skills and inspiration to go on creating and hand making things at home...

 

Debra Luker

Partner and Artist


12 years ago I set up the original Artyard just for kids...I loved Art ...loved kids..I always made things and painted and there is never enough art at school..so everyone needs somewhere special to go and be creative, right? Freedom to express what they see, feel and sense in this crazy world.

I love to draw and paint with music playing in may own happy little studio world.  I love making things too.."Papier mache queen" they say.  You name it, i’ve made it...just creating, for me, is total heaven (well with chocolate on the side!)

Favourite desires...to own a Fridha Khalo or huge Picasso painting,to travel to lake Titicaca, to sing in an opera, to live in Prague as a puppeteer or just paint forever in a french chateau overlooking the sea!

Fiona Harvey

Partner and Craft Lover!


I have long been an avid crafter, making lots of lovely things for our home and as gifts for friends.  Having worked in corporate environments for 13 years, I really longed to find something that would marry my love of making with my knowledge of PR and marketing and enjoyment of people! 

Originally from South Africa, I love a good braai (bbq!), I love the beach, I love skirts and sewing and making interesting crafts out of not a lot!  I love teaching and discovering that we are never too old to learn new things (!!)  and I am a secret photographer. 

I read this great quote: 'Let your passion drive you on a voyage of discovery'.. and thought...well, let the journey begin...

Emily Smith

Tempting Cake is a luxury cake company born out of twin passions for baking and fine design.  Based in Wimbledon, they have quickly built a reputation for creating beautiful, designer tiered wedding cakes, celebration cakes, Tempting table dessert tables, cupcakes and hand iced cookies for discerning clients in London and surrounding counties. 

Director Emily Smith is passionate about sharing the skills she has built up with students and inspiring them to have a go themselves.When she's not baking up a storm you will find her engaged in some kind of outdoorsy activity from running to riding, or absorbed in a good book - cookery of course!
Website: www.temptingcake.com

Katie Farrell

Party Co-ordinator

There are few things I like more than spending an afternoon knitting, tinkering with my paint box or a good session of cut and paste in my sketchbook. Originally from Canada, I find myself everywhere but there these days! My most recent move was from Budapest to London's SW and (luckily for me) my curiosity and love of craft brought me to the Artyard! Is there anything better than getting yourself elbow-deep in a DIY project or in papier-mâché paste with a bunch of grinning kids? I love to travel, advocate cycling in the city, read (a lot) and charity shop hunt.

Katie webster

Sewing Tutor

I have always been creative and I am pretty sure I was born fully equipped with a loaded pencil case in my hand! I used to spend hours in my room or at the kitchen table making things like cards, clothes for my Barbies, furniture for their house, painting...the list is endless. I grew up to become a designer and have a theatre design degree, specialising in costume design and construction. I was fascinated with making a 2D paper pattern and transforming it into  a 3D garment. I relish the skills I have been taught and acquired over the years but I am still learning. It is important that everyone realises that they are creative in some way or another and we should all be allowed to express it without hesitation or fear. I am passionate about helping people realise their inner creativity whether that be making a fabulous dress or a beautiful gift for a friend. In 2006, I started up my own small business offering a bespoke dressmaking service, but more recently I have been working on my gift and homeware business 

Jack Lawson

I am a freelance photographer with a passion for portraits and travel photography in particular, and I have been lucky enough to work in some amazing places like Tanzania and Vietnam. I have always been a lover of art of every sort (and spent may happy years of my childhood making a mess at the Art Yard) and I am always eager to try out new things and experiment. I take my camera with me everywhere I go, always looking for the next picture. You can find my pictures here.

Jess Lucas

from Pink Sunshine: Jewellery and Brooch-Making Tutor
I have been interested in all things crafty since I was a little girl when I would cut up my jeans to make dolls clothes and bags (much to the annoyance of my mum!)I am a all round crafter, knitter, sewer and jewellery maker! I love Charity shops, The sea, Smell of old books, Lighthouses, Dancing, Musicals, Tea, French things, Old photos, Travelling, and Capes.

Naia Sibbald 

I'm a student studying art. I love art and fashion, taking inspiration from artists who think outside of the box. A couple of artists who inspire me are: Alexander McQueen with his quirky gowns and Juliana Santacruz Herrera. I have previous work experience in an advertisement company, where i experimented outside my comfort zone, in a different aspect of art, dealing with graphic design. I love to spend my spare time out with my friends and my fave artists are: Rihanna and Beyonce.