"Jack of all trades
Master of none

But often times better

Than master of one"

As an exhibiting artist with over 25 years teaching experience I provide gentle guidance to develop creativity and teach new artistic skills.  I can work with individuals, small groups, whole schools or organisations and have taught age ranges from 4 to 100! 

 

I can offer group and drop-in workshops in a range of areas including - 

  • Slow stitch for creative calm
  • Mono printing - gelli plate, cyanotype
  • Artist's books - paper folded books/greeting cards 
  • Zines
  • Basketry - twined, coiled, assembled
  • Yarn bombing
  • Working with waste materials
  • 3D textiles

Please get in touch if you are interested in arranging a workshop or want to find out more

Drop in workshops at Deepdale Hygge and Folk Festivals

Attended by festival goers from tiny tots to older folk, my workshops at Deepdale are a highlight of my year.  I love to encourage and facilitate crafting and have run yarn bombing, crochet, collage and weaving workshops over the years.

Sustainable Sculpture 

(Images and staff/student quotes from Cromer Suffield Infant School)

Over two days I worked with all 150 infant school pupils to create a tactile, vibrant, abstract sculpture from waste materials.  The children were encouraged to identify the different materials, think about where they came from and where they usually end up (“in the dump”).

The project was child led.  Each individual making choices about which materials to use, how to order them and where to tie them to the frame to create their collaborative artwork. 

We talked about abstract art and how the person looking decides what they.  The children saw all sorts of interesting things in their sculpture, “mermaid’s hair”, “seaweed”, “aliens and robots”, “tentacles”, “jellyfish”, “a big bushy beard” and “a fishing net that has caught all the bits of rubbish from the sea”.

Staff commented on how accessible the activity was, allowing all children to participate. 

Cyanotype 

Some fun small group workshops previously run in my home studio. Cyanotype printing uses papers and fabric previously prepared with a special chemical solution which reacts with UV rays from the sun.  Items arranged on the paper prior to exposure block the UV resulting in an early form of photographic print.  The prints have the characteristic cyanotype blue but can be toned (with tea and other substances) to create alternate effects.

NB although prints can be made in overcast conditions they take a lot longer than on sunny days so I prepare additional related activities in case of bad weather.

Gelli plate printing

Learn how to use the gelli plate method 
Gelli printing doesn’t require a press and is therefore an accessible method for making prints at home. You can use a wide range of materials and techniques to make prints. All equipment will be provided on the day and you will be given information on where to
buy your own plates if you would like to continue your printing journey after the workshop.
Vegan friendly – although historically made using animal gelatine the commercially available
plates used in the workshop are made from a non-toxic, synthetic gelatine.