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 tour round the studio
As some of you know, I live and work in Camberwell, where I’m very lucky to be based in a complex of live-work units which is home to a diverse range of artists and makers. My own studio is a large double-height space that allows me to work and teach on the spacious...
My life in nine objects: part I
A lot of my work is inspired by memories, and I see prized objects as memory-holders. Every once in a while I wonder which are the ones I couldn't live without, the ones I would want to save from a fire. Without much premeditation I settled on nine, and today I share...
My own version of wallpaper
In this post I want to share with you my biggest decoupage project to date: creating "wallpaper" from the pages of an old Larousse dictionary for a feature wall I moved house last year, and had been toying with the idea of creating a decoupage "wallpaper" on...
Pound shop transformations: upcycled glass
In recent weeks I showed you how I upcycle simple items from Ikea using just paper and glue. Other places where you can find interesting things to transform are the "pound shops" found in most high streets. I recently started teaching reverse decoupage on glass so I'm...
Ikea furniture hacks: kitchen chair
This is the second of two posts on furniture hacks where I share transformations of simple items from Ikea using just paper and glue. Last time, in the first of my furniture hacks, I showed you how I upcycled a Hemnes bedside table; this time it's different versions...
Ikea furniture hacks: Hemnes table
This is the fourth post of a series where I share transformations of simple items from Ikea using just paper and glue. This time I want to show you the first of two furniture hacks. Ikea furniture is very affordable and even more so if you buy second-hand. There is...
Ikea hacks: Papaja plant pot
This is the third post in my series on Ikea hacks: transformations of simple items from Ikea using just paper and glue. Last time I showed you decoupage using two types of paper on a Malma framed mirror. In this post I’ll show you how to add interest to Papaja plant...
Ikea hacks: Malma mirror
This is the second post on Ikea hacks, where I share how I upcycle simple items from Ikea using just paper and glue. Last time I showed you different decoupage options for a small picture frame, a very easy project for complete beginners. This time I've used a framed...
Ikea hacks: Ribba frames
This is the first of a series where I will share my Ikea hacks: transformations of simple items using just paper and glue. A small Ribba frame (£2.75 for a portrait version and £3.50 for a deep square) is an ideal base for a first decoupage project. In fact, we use...
Camberwell Open Studios
Studios in and around Camberwell will be throwing their doors open to the public on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 June between 11am and 6pm. Here at Empress Mews there will be seven other artists and designers showing and selling work.
Empress Mews is just off Kenbury Street, London SE5 9BT. On-street parking is free after 6.30 on weekdays and all weekend.
If you’re coming by public transport, the nearest bus routes are 35, 45 and 345; nearest train stations Denmark Hill and Loughborough Junction. Brixton underground is just over a mile away.
Is everyone creative?
First of all, let me own up and tell you that the gorgeous picture you see above is not mine: it's a collage on canvas that was created in just one day by a participant in my very first mixed-media workshop. I have been teaching decoupage for a while, which is very...
On the importance of appearances
Click below to read my contribution to the Autumn edition of UK Handmade Magazine. I talk about "the art of display" and what I consider when arranging my work for sale.
Decoupage obsession
I have been using both collage and decoupage in my work for a long time now, but only discovered that there was more to decoupage last year. The turning point came when I was shown how to decoupage the boots you see above, which were scuffed and worn but otherwise fine. So fine in fact that I was bored of wearing them, and while the soles and heels were in really good condition, the leather had lots of creases and looked “tired”. In other words, they were perfect for upcycling! In a few hours, with just paper and glue, I transformed them into this exuberant riot of pink flowers.