THE Courtyard's auditorium will be transformed as 59 contemporary craft designer makers move in for the 22nd outing of Hereford Contemporary Craft Fair, which this year runs from Friday, November 13 to Sunday, November 15.

Among the work on display from national and regional makers will be jewellery, textiles, furniture, ceramics, glass, stone carving, basketry, fashion and accessories and metalwork and Ben Esthop, winner of Best Product last year, returns with his exquisite classic hardwoods and dynamic resin turned vessels.

Harriet Frances Stiles, a former Hereford College of Arts student has been given this year’s New Exhibitor Award. A freelance embellishment and embroidery designer, Harriet runs a practice developing a range of jewellery, combining metal and silversmithing with stitch. Traditional goldwork, raised work and silk shading are modernised and used alongside beading, leather and suede to create luxuriously tactile adornments.

“The collection of magnetic and pin brooches, rings, earrings, necklaces and pendants are inspired by my fascination with colour, flora and fauna and are reactive to ultraviolet lighting,” says Harriet.

“I create bespoke and immensely personal pieces, which demands that I work closely with clients to fulfil their requirements and in some cases bring their nascent ideas to life. “Commissions have included monogramming, brooch and necklace design, embroidered adornments and numerous alterations.

“The ability to rejuvenate an outfit, create a contemporary look and re-style and update previously loved garments through a piece of handcrafted embroidery is part of my ethos.”

On leaving HCA, Harriet went on to achieve a first class degree in Hand Embroidery from the Royal School of Needlwork, where she also received awards as top student and best final project. She is the current Embroiderers’ Guild Scholar, experienced at designing and developing innovative needlework. Harriet has worked for the Royal School of Needlework, Hand and Lock, Jasper Conran, Giles Deacon and Mary Katranzou.

“Wanting to pursue a career in embroidery,” she explains, “jewellery seemed a great way to commercialise this passion, so I interned as a production assistant with jewellery company Akong London and later swapped skills with a local jeweller to become a confident silversmith. My new collection is a fusion of the skills I’ve acquired through these experiences.”

Harriet came to hand embroidery through doing an A level in textiles at Hereford Sixth Form: “I wanted to do textiles but it seemed as if everyone was taking that route and I wanted to carve out a niche for myself. That was when I tried hand embroidery and found that I liked how it took so long and how you needed to be so precise. After that, I’d include embroidery in every project I did.

“But then I realised that embroidery was already in the family though it had skipped a generation. On the walls at my grandmother’s house were bit tapestries, including one of Tutankhamun which she’d done, and seat covers in crewel work that she’d made in the 70s. Further back, there were embroideries my great grandparents had brought back from China – I have them all now!”

Going to work for Hand and Lock, a leading embroidery company in London, showed Harriet where her passion lay. “I loved working for them, but it made me realise that part of what I love about what I do is the design. The creativity is so much of what I do.”

Harriet was delighted to learn that she’d been chosen as this year’s new exhibitor award winner. “I applied for the Craft Fair because I wanted what I do to be in Hereford, and I was expecting to pay for the stand, so it was great to discover that part of the prize was a free stand at the fair.”

Although she’s currently working part time in Hereford as she launches her business, she believes that the best opportunities lie in London. “There are a lot more freelance opportunities in London, and while it’s possible to have meetings with clients via Skype it’s not the same as sitting down together.

“I’m lucky to have family in London and Hereford who are happy for me to come and go between them.”

That flexibility allows her the freedom to seize any opportunity that comes her way, but Harriet says she’s learned that planning too rigidly can be the biggest enemy to success. “I say yes to everything – it’s why I’m so busy.”

Hereford Contemporary Craft Fair runs at The Courtyard from Friday, November 12 to Sunday, November 15. 10am to 5.30pm, Friday and Saturday, 10am to 5pm, Sunday.