SALLY KING casts her eye over a collection of modern treasures created by talented Essex crafts people.

Craftsmen and women from all over Essex have been planing, sawing, painting, etching and sewing to produce a beautiful array of arts which are on display at the Beecroft Gallery, Southend.

The trouble with this sort of exhibition is that when you get in there and start looking around, the temptation to pick it all up and take it home with you is enough to give the average bank manager a funny turn.

The most expensive item on show costs a mere £1,880, a snip for a large cabinet crafted by Tom Luxmore in oak and chestnut with Lebanon cedar and hand-forged iron catches.

If that's a bit beyond you personal overdraft limit this week, then consider a marbled tile by Philip Smith costing just £4, or a tiny painting, dwarfed by its frame, for just £15.

Lovers of wood will swoon at the work of wood turner Tom Pockley, who makes exquisite bowls and vases from lovely woods like silver birch, mulberry and fig.

A selection of his work can be seen starting with a tiny cherry flared vase, four inches tall to a large holme oak form. All of them are beautifully created and just longing to be picked up and treasured.

Billericay potter Harvey Bradley is displaying his stoneware work in the exhibition. The rounded edges and unusual mix of rough and shinely glazed finish on the pots make them attractive to the eye while still maintaining a utilitarian and useful look.

Nick and Kathleen Abbott are greenwood workers and chairmakers. They have produced two loveseats for the exhibition, one for inside, the other out. Both are delightful in their rustic simplicity.

Working through the exhibits is a positive pleasure as you glance at the beautiful fabrics employed by Patience Beaumont, enjoy more wood, this time tended by the hands of Andrew Beckworth and Shaun Clifford, delight at the machine embroidery of Joy Clucas or enjoy the unusual skill of glass engraver Bert Collis.

Bert's glassware depicts scenes across the county like Writtle Green, and subjects of hobbies like a football match or vintage planes involved in a dog fight.

Jewellery hasn't been forgotten with works by Veronica Shaw, and there is a range of glasswork by Pascale Penfold.

So take your dreams of a lottery win and your ideal home to the Beechcroft Gallery, and enjoy gazing at the wealth of beautiful things that maybe, just maybe, exactly what you want for your very own.

The exhibition at the Beecroft Gallery, Station Road, Westcliff runs until October 2. The gallery opens at 9.30am until 5pm and is closed between 1pm and 2pm.

The Essex Craft Society was formed to promote, exhibit and help sell work produced by the crafts people of Essex.

To become as member, craftsmen and women must have their worked judged worthy by a panel, but once a member they are able to sell work at the exhibitions mounted by the society, be entered in to a craft directory and be able to lecture and demonstrate at events organised by the society.

Associate members can exhibit and sell their work and be entered in the associate section of the directory. Contact the society's secretary on 01787 222937.

New members are being sought by Billericay Choral Society as they start to prepare for the Five Choirs Festival in November.

The society, who meet in the Mayflower Hall, Chapel Street, Billericay each Tuesday plan to present Elija for the festival and the Messiah and carols for Christmas.

Their plans for next year include Verdi's Requiem for the Essex Musical Association Concert in Thaxted in May.

Ring Patricia Parkin on 01277 653338 for details, or just turn up to a rehearsal, starting at 8pm.

Pot-bellied but proud - Potter Pam Schomberg created this enchanting pot bellied pot with frilled collar

Pictures: STEPHEN LLOYD

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.