LIBBY Jubb and Kerry J Stoker are two of the award-winning Ilkley artists who will be selling their work at the Ilkley Arts Christmas Fair at the Back Nelson Road Studio this evening, Thursday, December 8 (5.30pm to 8pm), Friday, December 9 and Saturday, December 10 (10am to 5pm).

A skiing accident gave Libby an unexpected break in more ways than one. Having just moved to Ilkley after working in Brussels and a career in lecturing and community work, her convalescence gave her the time to explore new ideas. Libby loved art and design and she took up jewellery making at Bradford and Craven College in 2002. She said: “I was instantly hooked on creating something beautiful out of silver sheet and wire and after successfully selling my early college pieces at exhibitions and small craft fairs, I decided to set up a home jewellery workshop and turn a hobby into what is now a successful business.” It was definitely a case of ‘every cloud has a silver lining’!

“I was delighted to be selected for a ‘Country Living’ People’s Choice Award last Christmas for Bird Story, my jewellery depicting the robins that visit my garden,” said Libby, who is inspired by the nature in Ilkley and the surrounding moorland landscape. Her latest collection was created after a three-year volunteering project on Ilkley Moor to collect information on the 4,000 years-old cup and ring motifs and she has designed silver pieces with a rock like texture. “I also enjoy making jewellery that has a special meaning for the wearer so I personalise by hand stamping and adding birthstones to bracelets and necklaces,” she added. Her sterling silver crochet wire jewellery with fresh water pearls and semi-precious stones includes a unique range of cuffs, necklaces, pendants and earrings ideal for wearing at special occasions. All her jewellery is handmade in her home workshop and she starts to work on her Christmas gifts in the middle of summer. She regularly accepts commissions. She recently made a tie pin for the Ilkley BlueBelles WI to give to TV presenter, gardener and author Alan Titchmarsh who was made an honorary BlueBelle.

Libby also runs jewellery workshops for beginners at the new Ilkley Arts Studio. "It is very satisfying to help people learn new skills and make something. Further information on my classes for the new year are available on my website www.libbyjubbjewellery.co.uk.”

Kerry J Stoker drew, painted, printed and created all manner of things throughout her life and cannot remember wanting to do anything else. After studying Fine Art at Reading University, Kerry was employed in a variety of jobs from chicken plucking to managing an art gallery and interior design studio in Knaresborough. She then obtained a PGCE and taught until she moved to Ilkley in 1987 and began to paint again.

"The first painting I sold was a watercolour of a cabbage!", said Kerry. "I was exhibiting at the King's Hall and this sale marked an exciting and significant moment, reinvigorating my artistic ambition." However, needing to earn a steady salary, she became Art Co-ordinator at Westville House School for ten years, leaving in 2009 to focus again on her own work.

"The Yorkshire landscape is truly awesome and informs both my free flowing abstract, and my representational, paintings," said Kerry. "Gardens and still life, along with quiet interiors I find equally fascinating and a wide range of skills and techniques are required for my varied subject matter and styles, mainly executed in acrylic or oil."

Selling such different paintings in equal quantities, Kerry feels that her work "remains fresh and, due to self-imposed challenges, is constantly evolving". I sometimes surprise myself at the outcome! Some collectors of my work choose a mix of styles, giving me good reason to continue experimenting," she said.

Kerry has exhibited widely including every Ilkley Art Trail since it began in 2011. She was selected to show with Art for Youth London at the Royal College of Art, was shortlisted for the Royal Society of Oil Painters at the Mall Galleries, London and has exhibited at the Saltaire Arts Trail.

Her paintings are hung and are for sale in the beautiful offices of Harrison Robinson estate agents, who are enthusiastic supporters of local artists, as is The Wells Practice, where her work is often displayed.

Kerry is delighted to be included on the website http://www.notjusthockney.info/stoker-kerry/ which lists and offers information about professional artists within the Bradford Metropolitan District and her work will be shown on the Big Screen in Centenary Square, Bradford next summer as part of Bradford Unesco City of Film.

Kerry regularly receives commissions and has had many interesting and memorable requests ranging from large abstract works to murals to fine detailed representational paintings and states, "I love it all."

Further information can be found at https://www.kerryjstoker.co.uk/

The Christmas Arts Fair at the Ilkley Arts Studio in Nelson Road, Ilkley, from today until Saturday will sell a range of work including ceramics as well as paintings and jewellery. Prices from £2.50 upwards.