Estelle Manson Polymer Clay & Resin Jewellery
Artist 2
Estelle specialises in unique handmade jewellery/accessories made from Polymer Clay & Epoxy resin especially earrings.
Welcome to Arran Open Studios 2026
Here you will find details of all the studios and artists/makers taking part in this year’s event.
Using the interactive map or the online version of the event programme (see buttons above) you can explore the range of techniques, artists and venues on offer this summer.
Here is a reminder of the key dates:
Preview Exhibition, Brodick Hall, Friday 10th – Monday 13th July 2026
The Arran Open Studios Weekend, Friday 14th – Monday 17th August 2026
Some of the studios are also open at other times throughout the year. These studios are marked in the list of artists tab with a wee calendar icon, 
on the Artists Page. Please do make sure to check with each artist before visiting as hours and dates may well vary by season.
If you are an artist or maker on the island who has not taken part this time and would like to discuss taking part in the Open Studios for 2027, please do get in touch. We would love to hear from you!
Arran Open Studios on Instagram
Next up and coming soon in our social media takeover will be studio 19 Raine Clarke- underwing studio.
#arranopenstudios26
Be sure to visit Arran Gift box in Brodick village and now at Home Farm .
Thanks Shiona for supporting us again this year. It’s much appreciated. 👏👏👏
Island Porcelain Studio number 4.
Individual, ornamental figures depicting the wonderful array of wild-life surrounding the Arran coastlines and hills. Our pieces make unique keepsakes or gifts for friends or loved ones of any age.
Alison Barr- Spinner and weaver.
Studio number 3. Handspun merino and silk scarves and handwoven, hand sewn tweed bags.
OOPS- WE MISSED ONE OF JULIA’S POSTS SO HERE IS HER PENULTIMATE POST. IT WAS TOO GOOD NOT TO POST THESE LOVELY IMAGES.
Julia Bovee - Open Studio No. 15
I really enjoy weaving in the landscape with materials that I find as I walk, it helps me connect to the place that I am in and makes me look deeper into the plants that surround me. I have been gathering and drying “local” fibres over the past couple of years and hope to start creating some pieces of work that are very much rooted in the environment that I see and experience every day. Incorporating natural, found materials is an important part of my process and I’m never happier than beachcombing for treasures that speak to me, wood, bone, shell they all play a part in inspiring me.
#wheatweaver #wheatweaverofauchencairn
#openstudioscotland
#arranopenstudios26
Julia Bovee - Open Studio No. 15
To finish off this week I thought I would just share some images of both traditional and contemporary work. If you want to learn more or just fancy a nosey and a blether do come and visit during the open studios weekend I’ll be open 10am-4pm Fri-Mon.
Julia Bovee - Open Studio No. 15
Anchor commission - Fisherman’s Museum. Hastings, Sussex
When I start a new contemporary piece I will often draw the basic design first and then make a paper pattern to help with proportions. I then have to think about how I can get all the pieces to connect securely and whether it is possible to make what I have designed!
Sometimes I use wire to help with structure and support. If I feel I need to I will use some sort of former that can be removed as I work the piece. Other times I may create a core from straw to weave around that remains inside the work. It really can just be trial and error to see what works. The anchor was quite a large piece that needed good internal support to allow it to keep its shape and be self-supporting as it was not going to be mounted.
#arranopenstudios26
#openstudioscotland
Julia Bovee - Open Studio No. 15
I generally weave with a heritage variety of wheat/straw called Maris Widgeon. Most commercially grown wheat is grown for the heads and for weaving you want a long stem so heritage varieties provide this. I normally purchase my straw from a grower in Staffordshire and fill my van once a year when I travel south, I generally purchase between 20-25 sheaths. Before I can start weaving the straw has to be striped and graded, this takes many hours. It is then stored in laundry bags or plastic boxes as it needs to be kept dry and away from pests.
Once I’ve decided what I want to make I try to estimate how many stems of what thickness I might need, these then need soaking in a trough of water for about an hour and then covering in a damp towel. You have about 24 hours to use these straws before they start to discolour.
#wheatweaverofauchencairn
#wheatweaversofinstagram
#arrantheartsisland
#arranopenstudios26
Julia Bovee - Studio No 15
I’m Julia a straw weaver working from my studio in Auchencairn, just outside of Whiting Bay, and I’ll be taking over the Open Studios social media this week.
I’m a maker of traditional and contemporary straw work influenced by folklore, nature and the wheel of the year. I’m heavily influenced by ritual celebrations in British and world culture. Archeology and environment also play an increasing part in my practice.
This week I’ll be giving you a window into my world.
#arranopenstudios26
#openstudiosscotland
#arrantheartsisland
#wheatweaverofauchencairn
Good morning folks! Wow, no rain at the moment! That is a good morning!
Today I’m sharing some of my still life paintings. When I started my watercolour painting course with London Art College I thought that still life would be the last thing I would like to paint, but surprisingly I rather enjoy it now. I collect items to paint, arrange them, rearrange a few times more, take a photo, study the photo and rearrange at least once more before actually painting.
No captions needed to these photos….
Tomorrow the last post (sob) from me. I will round up by presenting my two favourite paintings + one portrait drawing. Oh, and one very, very old photo!
Enjoy! 😜
Iris
It’s great to have some of our participants take over our social media to showcase their work. We hope you are enjoying it.
A slight interruption to Iris’s takeover to introduce Estelle Manson Studio 2 and new to our event this year.
Estelle specialises in unique handmade jewellery/accessories made from Polymer Clay & Epoxy resin especially earrings.
#arranopenstudios26
#openstudiosscotland
#polymerjewellery
#arranopenstudios