Coastal
I live near the coast, and am inspired by beach finds, colours of the sea and sand, and surface design with a nautical and seaside theme.
Beach pebbles set with sterling silver.
With the intention of creating jewellery, I searched for pebbles with a flat back and a cabochon shape.
Repeating pattern drawn from beach seaweed, stones and debris.
Wallpaper, handprinted relief block using household emulsion paints. Design motifs of beach finds, such as seaweed, pebbles, shells, pottery sherds, crabs and string.
Plants and animals
I enjoy the plants and animals which I see around me, which does include the the dogs and ducks of my local park, and the weeds which grow from pavements and drainpipes.
Boutonniere for wearing plants and flowers
Handpainted kiln-fired enamels on copper: brooches designed for wearing plants and flowers, as a boutonniere.
Weeds
Handprinted wrapping paper, of dandelion design, printed with household emulsion on recycled paper.
Springer Joey
Handprinted wrapping paper of spaniel puppy illustrations, printed from stenocut relief block, on recycled paper.
In particular I enjoy birds and birdsong.
Handprinted owl, using lino and letterpress methods, on recycled greyboard.
Copper goldfish brooch, textured and patinated to mottled bright and grey design.
Vintage
I do collect vintage fashion, ephemera, ceramics, illustration, tools and materials, which are an inspiration for print and jewellery. Sometimes just a lovely colour scheme, or a motif, and at other times I use vintage textiles and letterpress directly within print projects.
Pinstripe suit, linocut, handprinted on recycled wrapping paper using household emulsion paints.
After seeing a gorgeous vintage boot, I just had to carve this one.
Posada inspired skeleton doll, handprinted and sewn from collected vintage fabrics.
Sugar mouse - handpainted kiln-fired enamel brooch. Playful reference to vintage sweets.
Hotfoil print, using original vintage letterpress illustrated block
Aeroplane brooch, inspired by vintage letterpress illustrations. Made from sheet copper, oxidised to a lovely charcoal grey finish.
Words and pictures
I admire book illustration, in particular simple expressive linear drawings, and relief printed plates.
Working with combined letterpress and relief printing methods is an exploration of balancing text and image.
Using a variety of vintage metal letterpress, the text for this piece is a list of sounds which crows make.
Vintage metal letterpress
Sometimes just one simple word is enough
Gifting
Giving gifts is such a special thing to do, and can express so much, and I am always very pleased to hear that a purchase from my Etsy store is a gift. The messages which are carried by cards and gifts can be so full of meanings.
Handpainted kiln-fired enamels on copper. Brooches celebrating the women of a family group, in pretty blue and white.