Just got me a signed copy of Tilleke Shwarz new book 'New Potatoes'. Inspiring.

Luminous threads and mark making

There is something that excites me about fluorescent colours, none more so when its an accent in something fragile like textiles, as oppose to the luminous nature of a retro plastic visor or this new trend for eye popping neon satchels. Which, don't get me wrong now I L.O.V.E!

When it comes to 2D work, I prefer restraint in the use colour. Take Claire Heathcote's large scale embroidered portraits. Worked by hand with a combination of applique, screen printing and machine embroidery technics, alongside a selective colour palette, Heatcote's use of pattern and dynamic composition culminate in a bold, confident style. The stylised details of the sitters' clothing and hair is something I'm specifically drawn to. As individual components they can be seen as quite abstract, but viewed as a whole, the texture gives depth and a tactile quality, which provides something more tangible for the viewer to relate to.

Hannah, 2005-06, hand stitched and machine embroidered, applqiue and screen print (130 x 110 cm)

'I think it has a calm, thoughtful quality with a feeling that my subjects are caught mid-motion and I think the use of thread tends to lend the work this transitory effect that perhaps a line drawing or painting might not possess to the same extent.'

Portrait of the Artist by Sue Pricahrd - Embroidery May/June 2007 (pg. 23)

David, 2005, hand stitched on felt (90 x 76 cm)

I find the contrast between blocks of colour, repeatative kinetic pattern and bare fabric so satisfying.

Another contemporary practitioner whose work shows great exploration whilst staying true to their own visual discernment is that of Helen Carnac a maker, curator and academic who works in metal, with a preoccupation for pattern, and mark making, together with process lead experimentation.


Carnac has a strong appreciation for material qualities, this is clear by her working process. Carnac also draws influence from her imediate urban and natural environment.

Some of my favourite pieces show thread being Incorporated into enameled metal together with these examples of her paper Marquette's with stitched details, and cut outs.

Cluster 3 brooch

Trade Secrets Episode 2: Helen Carnac on approaches to practice from Artquest London on Vimeo.

On the Kent coast

This weekend I visited a few places along Kent's east coast, and came across a beautiful shop in Margate's Old Town called Blackbird, owned by textiles artist Maxine Sutton.

Margory 2008, Flower/back 2008, Cowtree/Tufty 2008 screen printed, embellished and embroidered tea-cosy

If you ever get a chance to visit go next door to The Greedy Cow deli, (which serves amazing homemade burgers), and like the Blackbird boutique it also celebrates the old and the new with it's eclectic interior and contemporary artists work on the walls.

I couldn't afford any of Maxine Sutton's framed pieces but was able to buy a screen printed cushion I'll take a snap of soon to share.

Sad Bird 2009, Hungry Bear (detail) 2009 screenprinted, needlepunched and emroidered textile

Riffling through Sutton's achieve images I am reminded of an old course mate at Brighton who's work is inspired by folk style imagery, and bold yet selective use of pattern. www.silviakceramics.co.uk

colours of summer

I first saw Zoe Murphy's work at what must have been the 2008 New Designer's Exhibition, together with printed textiles, she recycle's vintage furniture - rejuvinating it with strong blasts of colour and contemporary etched graphics.


Now in August and a long awaited cycling trip to Kent's coast looming, for me Zoe Murphy's work reminds me of that fresh optimism crazy summer days with friends can bring.

linen envy

Working in the Linens section at a department store, being a lover of textiles & surface print, and mad for colour, it's becoming hard not to spend my pay cheque on our own products.

This Australian company Kas have some really punchy designs and they're youthful unlike some of the fussier florals we stock from the longer standing brands. The strip of machine embroidery running off centre caught my eye, that and the pintuck detailing used to balance it out. Gonna get me some fuchsia pink indian cotton to make a quilted bed runner from - I like it loud.

gifts and precious hand-me-downs

Growing up in a creative household I've always collected and cluttered, sometimes things get pretty busy because of it. It's taken a focused few years to learn to be a bit more selective in what I choose to hang on to.

99p shop - Brighton - this place matt used to be tucked inside my room if ever i left it out

in communal areas of my old student house, it's kitsch-ness offended people

Peacock candle a friend bought back from a trip to India on a antique Coalport saucer bought in Lyme Regis

Underglaze pencil doodles two slipcast cups with yellow stain

I'm not the kind of girl to swoon over flowers, but when a friend had dug up this plastic daffodil and pearlescent vase to pot it in for me I was over the moon, here it sits with a Mac Donald's Happy Meal Barbie, and an old test tile of cocktail swords

I get rather sentimental over certain material possessions. I'd like to say it's because of the people or places I acquired them from, and that does become part of their story, but really it comes down to an impulsive towards their colour or texture that satisfies me. Old and worn, shiny and new, mass produced 99p shop finds are as dear as a one-off handmade present.

If it's not distinct enough to display in its own right, it'll be sorted by colour, boxed up, and kept safe for later.

Huw Griffith

Whilst looking up antique mirrors I've just stumbled upon a Designer whose work I really enjoyed, his name Huw Griffith, have a nosey around his website. www.huwgriffith.com

Huw reworks found antiques, I'm curious as to what techniques he uses to layer his surface prints and images, but it's just up my street.

tea in Lyme Regis

At the Easter break I caught a few days in Lyme Regis and totally fell in love with the vintage (and faux vintage) shops they had their. The highlight was stumbling upon this wonderful establishment - The Mill Tea & Dining Room - we stopped to have morning tea and after seeing the electric collection of tea cups on display, returned that evening for one of the tastiest most satisfying meals I've ever had in a restaurant.

If your in the area The Mill Tea & Dining room is defiantly recommended (yes it is pricey but the experience is so worth it).

check out their website

glaze tests

Yes, it is geeky to get excited about glaze tests but check these bad boys out...