Katie Upton-Roddy

BA (Hons) Artist Designer Maker

As a Maker I am inspired by sustainable materials and design. In a world of limited resources, I feel it is crucial to consider the impact that our making processes will have on the environment. My lighting designs are made using a waste by-product of sheep farming and as a result is a completely biodegradable wool-based material. Sheep’s wool currently has a very low demand and farmers often end up sending it to landfill. My work creates a second life for the low value material, resulting in a high value product, which is environmentally friendly. The forms of my lighting also reflects our environment as they are derived from naturally weathered rocks from the welsh coast.

For some designs I have used steam bent, Welsh timber to engage with traditional skills and contribute to encouraging the use of locally sourced, sustainable materials. My work challenges the issue of the increasing global supply chain of cheaper materials resulting in quality, local timber being used as firewood. My work promotes the connection between designers and locally sourced materials with the view to make quality, high value designs.


Fel Crëwr rwyf wedi fy ysbrydoli gan ddeunyddiau a dyluniad cynaliadwy. Mewn byd o adnoddau cyfyngedig, rwy’n teimlo ei fod yn hollbwysig i ystyried yr effaith y bydd ein prosesau creu’n ei chael ar yr amgylchedd. Mae fy nyluniadau goleuo’n cael eu creu gan ddefnyddio sgil-gynnyrch ffermio defaid ac o ganlyniad i hynny mae’n ddeunydd cwbl fio-ddiraddadwy sy’n seiliedig ar wlân. Ar hyn o bryd mae galw isel iawn am wlân defaid ac yn aml mae ffermwyr yn ei anfon i safleoedd tirlenwi. Mae fy ngwaith yn creu ail fywyd i’r deunydd isel ei werth yma, gan arwain at gynnyrch gwerth uchel sy’n llesol i’r amgylchedd. Mae ffurfiau fy ngoleuo hefyd yn adlewyrchu ein hamgylchedd gan ei bod yn deillio o greigiau wedi’u hindreulio’n naturiol o arfordir Cymru.

Ar gyfer rhai dyluniadau rwyf wedi defnyddio pren o Gymru a blygwyd ag ager er mwyn ystyried sgiliau traddodiadol a chyfrannu at annog y defnydd o ddeunyddiau cynaliadwy o ffynonellau lleol. Mae fy ngwaith yn herio mater y gadwyn gyflenwi fyd-eang gynyddol o ddeunyddiau rhatach gan arwain at ddefnyddio pren lleol o safon fel coed tân. Mae fy ngwaith yn hyrwyddo’r cysylltiad rhwng dylunwyr a deunyddiau o ffynonellau lleol gyda golwg ar greu dyluniadau gwerth uchel o safon.

Other Exhibitors:

Kelly Sorcha Handy

Kelly Sorcha Handy

I am a craftsperson and textile artist, from Eryri. My work is very process-led and I specialise in felting, surface pattern design, and weaving. The main themes of my work are home, identity, and ecology. This project has been an exploration of coping with grief and...

Ella Taylor

Ella Taylor

I am a maker that works with wood and ceramics. For this collection I have created pendant lights and table lamps. These products are presented as exclusive decorative pieces but are also entirely functional. I show the natural beauty of wood by enhancing its grain...

Miranda Vaughan Kett

Miranda Vaughan Kett

‘Like Salmon’ is a contemporary sculpture collection on the theme of nostalgia and longing. The pieces are displayed in the format of a Wunderkammer – making a museum of my own memories. The contents of each vitrine refer to a particular memory from my family’s...

Carla Prinsloo

Carla Prinsloo

We have recently witnessed a steep rise in discussions about mental health, but this is not matched by levels of support provided, I design and make objects that aim to support mental wellness. These objects use light as well as visual patterns and textures designed...

Mary-Morgan Griffiths

Mary-Morgan Griffiths

My art is a manifestation of my special interests and a way to honour and nourish my inner child whilst addressing topics of neurodivergence and mental illness. Inspired by natural phenomena, patterns and textures, my work often has visual and tactile elements to...

Millie Rose Belding

Millie Rose Belding

I am a Welsh artist and designer specialising in Ceramics and Textiles. My work focuses on promoting sustainability in the design and production of a series of decorative homewares. This design series is inspired by traditional Welsh blanket design, it seeks to...