Polygonum / Pink Clover

Another self-seeder that found it's way into the garden last year. A pink clover, they can spread quite fast and take over if left...but they are so pretty I decided to keep them where they had settled and will let them go where they like for a while...

Old Tests

I like to store old test pieces, even ones that didn't make it any further than trying an idea or playing to see what happens. "Playing" with materials is an important part of how I work and I like to look back on these test pieces after a period of time, weeks, months or years. Sometimes I surprise myself or I only notice connections in my thinking after time has elapsed.

I found some old test pieces from 2002-ish when I was focusing on wood with metals. It was good to see them again and feel the surfaces. Thought I would share them, so different from my work but I think there is a small connection in the feel of them.

The Back

I have been stitching my latest test pieces onto a sheet of felt, in small clusters to see how they work together and to design from. It's also a good way to store them as they have grown in number! I noticed afterwards how beautiful the back was. Thought I would share this with you.

I enjoyed seeing what had been created underneath without me noticing!

Leaf peeping

A few leaves collected while leaf peeping...no sign of the ash dieback on my wanders locally. When the leaves fall it makes me realise how many types of trees there are in my surroundings.

View from the desk

A few things I am looking at, at the moment. A view from my desk.

Physalis alkekengi

These Chinese lanterns/Winter Cherry, have just turned up in my garden this year! I can't remember planting any seeds so these beauties must have self-seeded themselves by the pond. I could not have designed a better spot for them, self seeded plants always know where to go...

I can't wait for spring, to see their orange and yellow coats turn to golden mesh, revealing the red fruit inside!

Happy Halloween

Brand: Emerging design talent @ Birmingham's School of Jewellery.

"The new mark on contemporary Jewellery. Second year students from the world famous School of Jewellery, Birmingham, have formed an exciting new company of emerging designers."

“Brand” is a collective of inspired young jewellers from across the globe. Stimulated by this they have initiated their own brief. With ideas developing from their concerns with identity, collaboration and collisions of worlds. They are a multicultural, multi-styled and multi-skilled company, who have been nurtured by some of the world’s leading contemporary jewellers."

"By creating diverse, unique and challenging contemporary pieces, “Brand” are targeting the trend savvy, the art enthusiast and the design minded. With their passion for creative innovation, they are making their mark on the world of contemporary jewellery."

"To celebrate the completion of thirty-eight individual collections “Brand” will be hosting an exhibition and selling event on the 20th of November at The Vaults in the Jewellery Quarter. Please join them at one of their further selling events during the run up to Christmas. Event details will be confirmed and publicised on their website. Work is also available on a commission basis."

You can read and see more about this exciting new project on Facebook, Twitter and their Blog, which is particularly interesting as it tracks their works in progress and how their work is evolving.

An Autumn Event and Knit Bombing @ Manor Park

This weekend I took part in a Knit bombing and craft event at Manor Park. It was so good to see the communal green space being used by locals and people sharing skills and selling produce/work. The event was set up by Laura Lewis a local resident and visual merchandising Wiz / Lecturer, She teamed up with a local cafe in the park to promote and organise it all.

Sally Pharo, Director at Dilly Knit was there with her work and she also produced a lot of the knit and baubles for the knit bomb event.

I also met some of the people from Quaggy Waterways Action Group who are working to restore the waterways in the area. It was really interesting to hear about all the work they had done so far on urban spaces, there is so much wildlife in the area too.

I made a few one-off cakes and cactus...not normally what I make and it was really fun to be involved with. It was also British Wool week, so nice to contriubute to the awareness and celebrate something the UK does very well. All my yarns were from Yorkshire!

Paula Lindblom's collaborative project with Eva Zethraeus

"Since November 2011 ceramist Eva Zethraeus and jewelry artist Paula Lindblom have had an experimental collaboration."

"Eva Zethraeus ceramic twigs are unique and have become jewelry that Paula Lindblom has worked on with her humour and characteristic materials creating a combination of their aesthetics." Välkommen – welcome to Sintra Konsthantverk and the window exhibition 22/9 -16/10 2012

Highlights from the Pitt Rivers

I always enjoy my trips to Oxford and come back home with a big stash of photos, itching to draw, think and test ideas. My last visit in late summer was the first time I have been since the Pitt Rivers and Ashmolean had re-designed their displays. The Pitt Rivers upper floors were open again. In the same building you can also visit the Museum of Natural History. I thought I would share some of my favourite objects from this visit.

Carving

Again at the Ashmolean Museum, this Viking wood carving was something I had not noticed there before. Such beautiful carvings and what looks like stylised oak leaves. It was presented in the same room as other objects from that time and area. I have added a few detailed photos so you can see some of the leaves closer up. I can't wait to go back there again. So much to see and take in.