Kati Nulpponen

In Mourning Dress, 2006 cotton, silver, nylon, satin (crochet)

16x55x4.5cm photograph by Jaan Seitsara.

Kati Nulpponen is also part of Amazing Animal and was showing work at Collect with Galleria Norsu.

Mervi Kurvinen

The Grandmother, 2006 ceramics, silver, pearls,

hand-painted miniature (Tarja Hasa) 15x6cm

Mervi Kurvinen, also part of Galleria Norsu and Amazing Animal.

Maria Nuutinen

The Best Days of My Life (pincushions), 2005, cotton wool, elastic band, fabric, pins, plaster, plastic, printed fabric - dimensions variable
The Best Days of My Life 2005 (detail).

I first saw the work of Maria Nuutinen in an obscure (in the UK!) and inspiring design publication which I found at Borders in London last year called Metalsmith, so I was very excited to see her work at Collect with Galleria Norsu, a gallery from Helsinki dedicated to Nordic contemporary craft. Nuutinen is part of Amazing Animal with 2 other artists, Mervi Kurvinen and Kati Nulpponen.

Asa Lockner

Asa Lockner was also represented by Konsthantverkarna at Collect. Lockner is part of a group called Made By.

Marten Medbo

Velvet series by Marten Medbo.

Marten Medbo was showing his Velvet Series at Collect. I was immediately drawn to these strange creaures which looked like they were made of felt - soft and strange. They were actually very hard and cold to the touch and were made of ceramic. Marten was represented by a gallery from Stockholm called Konsthantverkanrna which translates as The Craftspeople. The gallery is Sweden's oldest and largest craft co-operative with a membership of over 160 artists. It was their first time at Collect and their collection was really good.

Galerie Rob Koudijs

Natalya Pinchuk Growth Series, brooch, 2007 copper, enamel, wool and plastic.

Galerie Rob Koudijs from Amsterdam represent 2 artists whose work I love, Natalya Pinchuk and Sebastian Buescher. They had some wonderful examples of their work at Collect. Have a look at their website for lots more inspiring artists.