My Summer of learning part II: Verre Églomisé and Oil Gilding
My previous post was about learning to make cyanotype prints in a day; this time I want to tell you about something that took me a while longer to learn. I had been intrigued by Verre Églomisé (the technique of gilding onto glass to produce a mirror finish) for a...
My Summer of learning part I: Cyanotype Workshop
This Summer I have had the opportunity to learn some things that had been on my wish list for a long time: the first one of these was creating cyanotype prints in the company of four other eager learners and under the guidance of artist Helen Dixon at Bainbridge Print...
A visit to Casa Azul part II: Frida Kalho’s ex-votos
This is the second post of a short series on my recent visit to Casa Azul, the building in Coyoacán that was Frida Kalho's home from birth till death. Last week I wrote about Frida's studio; this time I want to show you some of her ex-votos. The term ex-voto comes...
Collecting images – still life
This is a mostly visual post, where I just want to share some images with you. I recently spent a few days in a very beautiful country house, and was captivated by some of the objects found in and around different rooms, as I felt these reflected the stillness of the...
Josef Frank at The Fashion & Textile Museum
On a grey February day, the unabashed colours and energetic shapes that characterise Josef Frank's patterns provided a welcome contrast with the outside, and it was a pleasure to walk into the Fashion and Textile Museum to visit this compact showcase of Frank's...
Spotlight interview on Gift Shop Hub
One of my intentions for the year is to gain more exposure for my work, so I was very pleased that before January was even over I had been featured by a lovely independent blog that offers resources for independent shops, small businesses and artists. You can read my...
Shoe decoupage: an advanced tutorial
In this post I will show you how to transform a plain pair of shoes into your own unique creation using just paint, paper and glue. Shoe decoupage is an advanced technique and this project will take you 4-6 hours. Tools and materials: An old pair of shoes: leather or...
A few pages from my sketchbooks
My sketchbooks are where I play and try out ideas that may later find their way into my work. I often refer back to them no matter how long ago they were completed, and always find some inspiration - or even surprises and insights. The pages you can see here come from...
On the sources and uses of inspiration
I am often asked how I use my inspiration. This partly depends where I am or what time of the day it is - I often get flashes of inspiration just as I’m about to fall asleep, or in my dreams! When that happens, I know I’ll remember them when I wake up and they’ll be a...
Transform a Bekvam stool: decoupage tutorial
In this post I will show you how to transform a wooden Bekvam stool from Ikea into your own unique creation using just paint, paper and glue. This is a very easy project that can be done in an afternoon. Here is what you'll need:Bekvam stool, £13A tester pot of...
Camberwell Open Studios
On Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 December seven collective studios in West Camberwell will be opening their doors to to art lovers, collectors and gift seekers. Here at 6 Empress Mews, my studio and home since last year, you will find new jewellery, decoupaged glass...
Cecile Jeffrey and friends: Open House Sale
My friend Cecile Jeffrey, knitwear designer extraordinaire, is celebrating her 30 years in the fashion business with a 30% Open House Sale on 28 and 29 October. I am delighted to have been invited to join her in this event, where I will also have big savings to share...
My life in nine objects: part III
This is my third and final post about prized objects: the ones I couldn't live without and would want to save from a fire. It was quite difficult to choose these three knowing they were the last ones; I kept telling myself they are just the last ones for now... The...
My life in nine objects: part II
In last week's post I wrote about the first three objects I wouldn't want to lose, the ones I would save from a fire. Today I share with you another three of my prized posessions: things I love for their intrinsic qualities and also as memory-holders. The first one is...