Pewter Live 2010

Each Year the Worshipful company of Pewterers run Pewter Live to promote and encourage designers to use it , this year the Open Category was Sporting Britain, inspired by the London Olympics 2012. The brief was to design and make a gift that could be given to celebrate London and the games.

I designed and made a night light holder entitled 'Olympic Torch' the design has the London skyline cut into it so when the candle is lit you can see the silhouettes of some of London's most recognisable buildings such as London Bridge, houses of parliament etc.

The design won third prize, this years Pewter live was opened by the Lord Mayor and the presentation to all the competition winners was given by Viscount David Linley at The Worshipful Company of Pewterers Hall in London. (Photography at the Hall Georgian Viney Studio 131)

East Grinstead Triathlon Medals

To celebrate the clubs 10th anniversary they wanted to do something special so asked Fleur if she could design and make their anniversary medals in pewter, each one of the 500 competitors was given one of the medals on completion of the event.

Rugby Football Union (RFU)

Special gifts were commissioned by the RFU to present to long serving members of the club a total of ten bowls designed and made by Fleur incorporating the rose emblem associated with the club.

London Torch

London Torch, pewter & ceramic design through to the final of this years Pewter Live Competition, winner to be announced at The Worshipful Company of Pewterers Hall in June.

Pewter Designs and Techniques by Fleur Grenier

Pewter is an age-old craft that is enjoying a revival today. This book celebrates its heritage and qualities by explaining the techniques that have been used for hundreds of years and continue to be used today. The basic techniques involved with working with pewter are explained and how they can be applied to make a range of exciting pieces far beyond the realms of tankards and hip flasks. An essential guide for novice and experienced craftsmen, detailing the processes, of making, decorating and designing with this versatile material.

Topics include:

• Introduction to materials, equipment and tools
• Step-by-step guide to working with pewter
• Inspirational photographs of work from makers around the world
• Ideas to develop your own designs

Publication date 25th January 2010
260 x 215mm, 160 pages with over 200 colour photographs

ISBN 9781847971586
Hardback £19.95

Email: enquiries@crowood.com
www.crowood.com

April 2009

Fleur completed her book on Pewter, which she was commissioned to write by The Crowood Press and will be available to buy late 2009 early 2010. The book is a technical book explaining various pewtersmithing techniques with step-by-step guide and exercises; there are also examples of pewtersmiths work today.

March 2009

Finalist The Worshipful Company of Pewterers 'Open Competition,' with her Blossom Centrepiece, winner to be announced at Pewter Live in June.

March 2009

Fleur became a freeman of The Worshipful Company of Pewterers. The Pewterers Company is one of the oldest Livery companies and one of the few that still has an active involvement in the pewter trade.

February 2009

Fleur got Married! With pewter a prominent theme, pewter centrepieces, cardholders, cake knife, wedding favours, button holes, tiaras and bouquets for the bride and bridesmaids.

Childrens cutlery through to final

Fleurs entry into the Pewter Product of the Year 2007 has been put forward into the final. Run by the Worshipful Company of Pewterers the winner will be announced on June 7th at the Pewter Live event.

Fleur designs unique chain of office

Rustington Parish Council has had its new chain of office made by the acclaimed designer Fleur Grenier.

Fleur, who has a workshop near Angmering said she was more than happy to undertake the work.

The artist who works both in silver and pewter, said: "I was thrilled when Councillor Graham Tyler approached me in Autumn last year and asked me to design a new chain of office for the Rustington Parish Council.

"It was very encouraging to know that the council had the forethought to not only to approach a local craftsperson, but also to ask for a design in my own style rather than a traditional design normally associated with this type of chain.

"The council specified that they would like the new chain to be made in silver.

"I am very proud of the final design and it is great to know that this piece of work will become part of Rustington's history."

Rustington Parish Council chairman, Graham Tyler, said he was delighted with the new chain which was commissioned to replace the previous worn and damaged model.

He said: "The council is delighted to have been able to commission Fleur Grenier, a local craftsperson for its new Chain of Office.

"The fact that Fleur is making a name for herself as an excellent and most competent designer/metalsmith nationally, means that the Chain of Office will not only become a most renowned piece of Civic Regalia in the future, as Fleurs reputation evolves."

Pewter Live competition

The Worshipful Company of Pewterers annually host 'Pewter Live' at Pewterers Hall, London. The aim being to revive interest in the use of pewter in domestic and interior products.

The event ran over several days. As well as the Halls own pewter collection being displayed there were pewtersmiths demonstrating, casting, spinning and soldering techniques.

Also on display were student entries for the Pewter Live competition. In 2005 the company set up a competition for established designers, due to the success of this, the competition was set again in 2006 for 'Pewter Product of the Year Award,' With a 1st prize of £4000 2nd prize £2000 and 3rd prize of £1000.

Fleur entered the competition with images of her work and was invited to submit her actual products to be judged at Pewter Live.

The panel consisted of Sebastian Conran, Director of Conran & Partners, Julia Clarke, Hester Clarke Jewellers, Chris Hudson, Pewterer, Chimo Holdings, Sue Bonham, Fashion Designer, Rhoda Parry, Editor, Country Homes and Interiors, Laila Zollinger, Director Wildshaw Ltd.

On the 7th June Jasper Conran was invited to the Hall to present prizes to the winners. Having made it into the final of the Pewter Live competition with her design for a slate and pewter wine stand and candlesticks and set of serviette rings Fleur was thrilled when the results where announced at The Worshipful Company of Pewterers, no first prize was awarded but there was a joint 2nd of £2000 each.

Leonardo da Vinci grant

In February this year Fleur received a grant from the Leonardo da Vinci Program, funded by the European Union. This project was set up to enable established artists to work with other craftspeople in France.

The grant enables artists to gain new experiences which they can pass onto other artists, students and people in their community.

As Fleur has an interest in tableware she went to work with the company Laguiole en Aubrac, in Espalion in SW France. This company produces traditional and modern knives and tableware that are sold worldwide.

Fleur found the trip inspiring, not only gaining new techniques, but the experience of working in a different cultural environment. Since the trip she has come back excited about how she can incorporate what she has learned into her work.

Craftsman Magazine articles

Articles and pictures of Fleurs work have appeared in the following issues of Craftsman Magazine:

Issue 142 - May 2003

Issue 183 - October 2006

Issue 184 - November 2006

International Design Network Foundation Competition

In 2000, Fleurs talent and work were recognised when she was voted runner-up in the International Design Network Foundation Competition in New York, sponsored by GIFU, a Japanese cutlery manufacturer who are now preparing her work for the wider marketplace.

Click here for pictures of the award ceremony

Click here for information about the GIFU World Design Awards

Exhibitions 2011

BCTF (British Craft Trade Fair) Harrogate (Trade Only)
3rd-5th April
Hall 1, The Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, N. Yorkshire, HG2 8PW

Bilston Craft Gallery - More Than Floral
2nd April to 25th June
Mount Pleasant, Bilston, W. Midlands, WV14 7LU
(Following this the exhibition will be going to Inverness Museum & Art Gallery)

Kemp House, Fiveways Artists Group - Brighton Festival
Every weekend between 7th &30th May
177 Ditchling Rd, Brighton, BN1 6JB

Standen
11th-29th May
Standen National Trust, West Hoathly Rd, E. Grinstead, RH19 4NE
(Closed Mondays & Tuesdays)

Pewter Live - Worshipful Company of Pewterers
7th & 9th June
The Worshipful Company of Pewters, Pewters Hall, Oat Lane, London EC2V 7DE

Parham Craft Fair The Sussex Guild
11th & 12th June
Parham House & Gardens, Storrington, Nr Pulborough, West Sussex RH20 4HS.

Open Workshop
25th&26th June
Mettle Studios, Angmering, BN16 4BD

The Sussex Guild Shop
Open Weekend 16th & 17th June
The North Wing, Southover Grange, Southover Rd, Lewes, E. Sussex Bn7 1TP

Crafts in Action The Sussex Guild
4th - 7th August
Michelham Priory, Upper Dicker, Near Hailsham, E. Sussex, BN27 3OS

Hurstpierpoint College - The Sussex Guild
5th & 6th November
Hurstpierpoint Lane, Hurspierpoint. BN6 9JS

Midhurst Craft Fair - The Sussex Guild
3rd & 4th December
Midhurst Rother Acadamy, North St Midhurst, W. Sussex, GU29 9DT

Open Workshop - Mettle Studios
10th & 11th December
Sat 10am - 5pm & Sun 10am - 4pm