Studio blog: Inktober 2024 – week 2 round up
Week two of my Inktober project saw a lot of crafting tools and a couple of days out. See my week one blog to read a bit more about the project.
Studio blog: Inktober 2024 – week 1 round up
I am currently taking part in the annual Inktober challenge, where participants are encouraged to create a sketch using ink every day during October. There are ‘official’ prompts given out by the organisers if you are stuck for ideas, but I have decided to go my own way and concentrate on what I would like…
Studio blog: Loose Celtic knotwork play
If you have seen my traditional Celtic knotwork then you will know that it is created using geometry and grids, and drawn in pencil, and is quite precise in nature. Recently I have been craving a bit more looseness and so I decided to use one of my many hand made sketchbooks to play around…
New artwork: metal embossed hand bound books
Recently I’ve really been enjoying making these metal embossed sketchbooks. Those with my Celtic designs on I made as sample pieces for my workshop with Birtley craft group, you can see all their amazing sketchbooks here. I recently spent a fantastic long weekend away with a group of amazing ladies, for each of whom I…
Studio blog: metal embossed monogram
This metal embossed monogram is a prototype for an upcoming workshop that I will be running for an outside group. I liked having a bit of fun with my metal embossing and Celtic knotwork, with added colour using both acrylic and alcohol ink pens. Have a look through the photos in the carousel to see…
Studio blog: metal embossed clock
Back in November last year I finished my first metal embossed clock prototype, created in copper, which you can read about in this blog post. The clock shown here has been created in aluminium and has a few improvements on the first one. The photos above show the process from my initial drawing of the…
Studio blog: Hand made metal embossed journal with Japanese stab binding
A couple of weeks ago I finished this prototype for an upcoming full day workshop. This is a bespoke workshop for a craft group and on it everyone will learn how to create this Japanese stab bound journal and then metal emboss the front cover. There’s a quick video below showing you the book ‘in…
Merry Christmas! 2023 round up
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me this year, it has been an amazing year, delivering 107 workshops both in my studio and to organisations around north east England. As well as my studio workshops, I have also delivered workshops for Durham County Council‘s Thrive programme, Breathing Space in Witton Gilbert, Creative…
Studio blog: Bishop Auckland Town Hall Open Art Exhibition
Last night was opening night at the Open Exhibition at Bishop Auckland Town Hall. I was over the moon to have three of my Celtic knotwork pieces selected for the exhibition. The exhibition is on until 17th February, so if you’re in the area do go along and see it. There are so many fantastic…
Studio blog: copper embossed clock
I’ve just put the finishing touches to this copper embossed clock and I’m really pleased with how it turned out. The Celtic design is an old one of mine that was part of my symbol mandala series, which is in my first book. It originally had a sun design in the centre, but I took…
Video tutorial: sycamore leaf reduction lino print
Last month I wrote about completing this three colour reduction lino print of a sycamore leaf, and mentioned that I had videoed the whole process (see the blog here). I’ve now had chance to edit the video, and the full tutorial is now posted below. This tutorial is suitable for those who have been carving…
Studio blog: Metal embossed hanger
I’m always happy when I can combine my different artistic loves, so this metal embossed hanger commission with a Celtic knotwork design was a perfect project! The photos above take you through the process of making the hanger. I drafted out my design on to tracing paper first. The tracing paper helped me to get…