Back to my roots

I'm currently looking through images of my work right through from when I graduated nearly five years ago, up to today (can't believe it's been five years!). I want to create a photo timeline with them for the Open Studios weekend to show the journey of my work so far. To be honest it's as much for my own reference as my visitors- I want to look back to my roots and re-affirm the philosophies of my work!

So this is where it all started! For my graduate collection I made three knitted hangings (each about three metres long) based on the theme of Make Do and Mend, combining knit with unexpected recycled materials, including glass, meat hooks, plastic food packaging and household paint, to name just a few. My aim was to utilise these unwanted materials and re-purpose them into something beautiful, and this is a philosophy I still work to now.

Knitted hanging embellished with recycled materials

This may look familiar- I embellished one hanging with strings of knit covered beads
embellished with recycled materials. I took this idea forward and developed my first collection of necklaces!

I collected glass bowls, jugs etc from charity shops and broke them into pieces with a hammer 

(very therapeutic!) I attached washers and wool and then hooked these onto my knitting machine, actually knitting them into the piece 

I'll share more images from my creative journey with you as I continue in my retrospective endeavor! 

Open Studios time!

I'm currently getting ready for Open Studios weekend at Cuckoo Farm Studios on the 7th and 8th September. There will be around thirty of us Opening our doors for the weekend and it's a great opportunity to see how Artists of varying disciplines work and to buy or commission unique pieces of art and craft work. There will also be exhibitions and events taking place in the grounds and the all important tea and cake stall! Find out more here. Hope to see you there!

Cake Therapy!

 Aside from my craft work cooking is my therapy. Just wanted to share a few pics...

Pineapple and Lime cake from Gizzi Erskine's book Kitchen Magic

Fresh cream and Strawberry Victoria Sponge from Jamie Oliver's Cook With Jamie Book. My favourite chef, love Jamie!

Banana and homemade toffee sauce cake from The Great British Bake Off.
Lovely cake but a mistake to make it on a hot day, the sauce wouldn't set! 

Necklaces now available on Etsy!

I've just added some of my handmade knitted necklaces to my Etsy shop! Each one is handmade by me and hand embellished with recycled fabric pieces. They look great dressed up or down and are ideal if you are looking a truly unique piece of jewellery. I can make these necklaces in any colour, please get in touch if you would like to make a custom order!

Photos by Hammonds Photography Studio

Afternoon in the sun

I'm really making the most of the sun and spent the afternoon outside making necklaces today. As you can see, come rain or shine I always work with a cup of tea! The Raspberries I was snacking on were my first from the garden this year.

I'm aiming to add some necklaces to my Etsy shop soon, watch this space!

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