Pieces I've finished today

Here are some new knitted brooches I've finished this afternoon, between taking photos of Cuckoo Farm Studios in the sun (I'll share these with you later in the week) and drinking tea on the bench outside my studio (it's so lovely it has to be done!) Remember all of my pieces are available to buy, please get in touch!

Love London

Last week I was in London with friends to see The Tempest at The Globe Theatre and had a lovely day. I love London and here are some of my favourite photos from the day...

It was actually a really warm day despite the ominous looking sky!

I've never been on the London Eye but it's something I'd really like to  see the fantastic views across London. I love  the lights in London at night so I'd also like to go on a night flight on the Eye!

Having been recommended by a friend we had dinner at Wahaca, which is Thomasina  Miers's experimental Mexican  restaurant on the Southbank. The restaurant itself is constructed from Shipping containers and the most popular dishes served here go on the menu at the other Wahaca restaurants. I would very much recommend it!

Beautiful Saint Paul's Cathedral

Inside The Globe- it felt like we were experiencing a lot of history

Behind the Scenes

I just wanted to share with you some behind the scenes images of new pieces taking shape in my studio...

To make my brooches and necklaces I mostly use recycled wool or wool that people have given me, but working where I do it's hard to resist new things and this is how I have found myself with this beautiful Bergere De France yarn! Luberon is actually a 4ply sock yarn, but it works beautifully through my machine and there is a  lovely range of colours. 

All knitted covers for my brooches and necklaces are knitted by me on my knitting machine!

Brooch bases waiting to be embellished!

New pieces that will be on sale in the Jessica Muir Gallery, Long Melford

Don't forget to check out my new Etsy Shop and visit my Facebook page before the end of June for a free UK postage coupon!

New Etsy shop!

I'm excited to tell you that I've just launched my Etsy shop showcasing my new textile jewellery collection! Each piece is lovingly handmade by me in my studio in Colchester. Check it out here! To celebrate the launch of my new collection, visit my Facebook page for free UK shipping until the end of June!

Make Do and Mend, Chelmsford!

I was lucky enough this week to visit the brilliant Make Do and Mend shop and workshop venue in Chelmsford! I am also lucky enough to now have a cabinet space in the shop for Louise Dawson Design jewellery, alongside the work of some very talented Designer Makers.

 It's a lovely shop, and the workshop program is really extensive, ranging from beginners knitting to Book Binding and Screen Printing and lots lots more in between! I think that the local area is so lucky to have a place like this that offers the chance to learn new skills and encourages a return to the ethos of days gone by- creating as much as possible by hand and making things that will last forever. In this age of fast, throwaway fashion, it's a breath of fresh air and I can't wait to book myself up on some workshops and learn something new myself!

I love the quirky decoration in the shop!

As if lovely handmade pieces and workshops weren't enough, you can also buy yarns and haberdashery at Make Do and Mend!

My display

Summer walks and cooking

A few things I've been up to lately...

Making the most of the evening summer sun by the canal

Ok, so I admit it doesn't look very photogenic but it tasted good!

I've also been enjoying trying out some new recipes! I'd seen something similar to this in a magazine recently, so when my Gran gave me some home grown Rhubarb I knew just what I wanted to do with it! It's basically a straight forward Rhubarb crumble, except that you pour custard over the stewed fruit before adding the crumble top and baking. I bought fresh custard but now I know it works I will make custard from scratch. I'm a real pudding person and I can thoroughly recommend trying this one!

Learning to Crochet!

Although I've been knitting since I was five I've never learnt to Crochet, instead using my made up Crochet method, which is joined up chain stitch (great for ethereal effect in my textile hangings but lacking structure for practical use). However, working in the Wool Room at work I've been inspired to learn, especially after discovering Attic 24 (if you love Crochet, colour and craft do check it out, it's a beautiful blog). A lovely friend of mine has been teaching me to Crochet properly and I'm starting my Crochet education with a giant Granny Square made in a combination of Rico Pure Wool DK and Sublime Baby Cashmerino Silk DK- it's going to be a blanket for my niece! I'll keep you updated on the progress as I keep learning! I'd love to incorporate it into a future jewellery collection, there are lots of exciting possibilities!

I love the portability of Crochet- I'ts handy to keep a project in your bag for when you have a spare moment, like on your lunch break on a bench in the sun!

It looks a little wonky but blocking will sort that out!