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We are getting ready for @designfestbrum and enjoying sorting out our odds and ends.

The theme this year is Change, working in #jewelleryquarter we know that behind closed doors change is happening to metal and gems imported from across the world.

For our own practices we see the changes we make to people by sharing our skills and products.

Book on to our workshop (link on bio) and let’s talk about the change you want too whilst stitching, sourcing and sitting.

#bdf2026

It’s looking like a bumper crop of activity in Analogue District on the first day of @designfestbrum Wednesday 10th June.

The day has a real people, place and purpose feel with talks about the lived environment and how murals, art and ownership can uplift communities and bring belonging.

We are proud to see @thedualworks rounding off the day. They have changed how we work by creating Haddle our multifunctional trike (we’ll be posting more about our fourth team mate again soon).

Do take a look at the whole festival, there are some passionate change makers around every corner.

#changeforgood

It’s about time we re-introduced ourselves, especially as we have some new followers who will be attending our workshop @designfestbrum

First on the row of self portraits is Deborette aka @b18leather - a true believer in learning for life Deb is a multi talented craftsperson and skilled leather worker.

Second on the hall of fame is Tina aka @bytinafrancis - Tina uses a needle to connect, create and care and believes that stitch brings solace

Finally in this line up is Kirsty aka @frillyind - Kirsty creates fabulous zeitgeist jewellery from acrylic and champions art for everyone.

Together we are @qtrmstrs

Starting to sort out our materials for @designfestbrum workshop in June.

Take a look at all the festival has to offer!

Whilst each of us here @qtrmstrs towers are skilled artisans using our craft skills to create art and products, publish books and teach we are also passionate about supporting other makers.

Tiny makers have been the focus of a lot of our work. Our workshop boxes have been used by schools to gain bronze #artsawards , crafting a horse sized horse meant a local preschool learned about caring for animals and each other. A little older we’ve run projects in schools that centre on traditional craft skills.

It’s important to us to share skills, so whilst our @designfestbrum workshop is going to be joyful and change making the skills behind it are based in heritage, heart and hand.

Booking is now open for what is going to be a brilliant festival. (Link in bio)

We are so proud to be part of @bhamdsgn this year, the theme is Change.

We will be running a workshop called “Wasting for a Change” (see what we did there) and will be in the Analogue District. Here’s what to expect :-

How do we change how we look at waste?

At Quartermasters we are all makers and have a lot of scrap that cannot be used for our practices, but of course being makers we can not throw anything away.

We need the room in our studios, we need to change!

Using embroidery hoops, acrylic off cuts, leather, yarns, papers and morejoin us to create your own scrap hoop.

All materials will be provided, as we paint, stick, stitch and draw our way through 90 minutes of spectacular design thinking and adapting as we change our scrap into works of art.
We’ll be storytelling about our own changes, listening to yours and creating a space where we can think about the changes we would like to see.

Having a hoop in your hands is a great way to listen, who knows someone’s story of change may be the answer you have been looking for.

What to bring
We will have lots of scrap materials but if you have some ephemera you would like to include please bring it along.
We will be stitching but no previous experience is necessary
Your change story, don’t worry it could be how you changed a tyre or went gluten free!

What you will leave with
A small scrap hoop full of change inspiration
Confidence to create change from even the smallest scrap

There are so many great events, be sure to take a look, booking opens today.

Pleased to be taking part in @designfestbrum this year. Marking a return for us as whilst we have been involved individually we have not delivered workshops as Quartermaster’s since the heady days of festival 1 @stans_cafe when they were in #jq or festival 2 when we teamed up with @civic_square when they were down in #digbeth !!!

We will be running a workshop on the #analogue zone which is where the makers will be at.

Take a look at the schedule and plan your visit!

#bhamdesign #change

As @qtrmstrs we love working on local projects.

At the start of the year we facilitated workshops for #jqneighbourhoodforum working in partnership with @jq_bid

Our remit was to look at how we navigate the #jewelleryquarter where we feel safe, where we may not walk, what routes we take. It was interesting to learn how people walk around, what way points, what we notice. How people who are only here during the daytime saw places very differently at night.

New residents to the quarter had spoken about not knowing what is here. No place to understand the voluntary groups, how to get involved and how to meet people. So feedback was sought from over100 residents. The result is a new website www.JQNeighbourhood.com , a physical map and these new signs.

#ukspf

This time last year we were supporting the inaugural @birminghamlightfestival with our installation “You light up my life”.

A self funded project that caught the hearts of citizens in Birmingham and beyond. We asked people who or what lights up your life. We had so many responses full of heart and joy.

Everyone who took part had the option of keeping their ingots. A real grass roots community feel to a citywide festival.

Good luck to everyone who is taking part this year and to all visitors that are returning to see the city shining bright.

#jewelleryquarter #youlightupmylife

Quartermasters are torn apart tonight, not through hatred but through love of our community.

We have been running and marketing #jqlates for the last three months and tonight is the #november one. The last one of the year.

Quartermaster Deb of @b18leather will be in Studio 1 the home of leather in #jq visit this tranquil space and see all the fabulous tools and workspace that enable Deb to create leather magic.

Quartermaster Tina @bytinafrancis will be popping up @houseofkholoud inviting oh to stitch with her, see the first half of 2026 workshops and prompts and displaying some rather nice tapestry pieces.

Quartermaster Kirsty of @frillyind is on a side mission down south so will be absent with leave not without! You. An still see examples of acrylic red though as Tina will no doubt be sporting some wares.

We’ve worked hard on this, it’s difficult when larger organisations and smaller independents get together, so if you are visiting try and and see us all!! We will be very grateful!

Follow @jqcommonroom for more details on their lovely grid or check out the JQCommonRoom website

#craftbuildscommunity #hyperlocal

We may be biased of course but all of us use leather goods from Deb, owner of @b18leather

We all believe in life long education whether self propelled or within the system. Deb has been honing skills recently and is the recipient of a #jqmicrogrant to buy new tools that will add to the tradition of leather making in the midlands.

We are split across different points of the jewellery quarter for November lates so be sure to visit us all!

#jqlates

It might feel like we’ve been quiet on these squares lately but that’s because we’ve been running #jqlates for @jqcommonroom and building November lates to be a really exciting event.

We are proud of the line up, so now we just need you all to turn up!

If you want to see our friendly faces then @bytinafrancis will be popping up @houseofkholoud with stitch innovation and @b18leather will be opening the doors of their studio.

Check the @jqcommonroom website for details on who is opening. There really is something for everyone!!

#jqlates