Helaina Sharpley

Designer-maker Helaina Sharpley produces elegant and original wire-work sculptures. She graduated in Design Crafts from the Herefordshire College of Art in 2006 and now works from her studio in West Yorkshire. Her work is informed by old Edwardian architecture as well as her love of everything related to tea. It wasn’t until Helaina started her degree that she realised she had a strong passion, verging on obsession, for tea. She believes it is a drink for every occasion, from a homely, comforting cuppa, to a proper English afternoon tea. Every tea set, every mug or cup and saucer can tell a different tale. Helaina Sharpley began looking into the Victorian and Edwardian eras, when tea drinking was a refined and elegant occasion. Here, she discovered that the architecture of these times was also an inspiration. Helaina Sharpley’s love of old architecture led her onto creating very linear drawings using pen and ink, to capture the intricate detail of the buildings. This is how she began using iron binding wire as another drawing material. All the pieces she now creates start as pen and ink drawings, to then be translated into 2D /3D wirework, using this malleable material. She hopes her wirework illustrates the fun and elegance of her most loved past time.