Winter in the Workshop: New works, metalsmithing ,and creative Blossoming in the Spring. Copper at London Craft Week

A long overdue update: Since my last newsletter the seasons have shifted both outside and in my practice. We are now in the midst of Summer!

Phyllon Vessel 2025 Copper & 24k Gold leaf

The winter was marked by a deep immersion in the studio. I spent many hours in focus, punctuated by the ring of my hammer blows. A productive hibernation that birthed my most recent collection of vessels. Most notably, Phyllon Vessel, a piece that held me in its grasp for 3 months, its artichoke form gradually unfurling itself with the rhythm of heat and hammer. See the making of the vessel HERE.

A productive hibernation

Exhibitions & London Craft Week

As spring blossomed, the outward energy of exhibitions and community returned to my life. Phyllon and the new collection made its debut at Future Icons Selects during London Craft Week. I was joined by a selection of incredible craftspeople and artists. It is so wonderful to witness people's reactions and emotions upon encountering your work for the first time. Often, they are fascinated by the process or delighted by the beauty and presence of the object. It is essential to share in this experience in order to move forward and to continue to be motivated to create work.

When Future Icons finished, I headed straight to Cambridge to drop the work off at Fen Ditton Gallery for a celebration of their Copper and Wool Exhibition. I am pleased to share that the work will stay on as part of their summer showcase opening June 26th.

the work will stay on as part of their summer showcase opening June 26th.

Copper and Wool

QEST Training

Rauni and I in the workshop

I have also recently spent two months nestled in the valleys of Eryri for my QEST Emerging Maker training. I spent time with the incredibly skilled silversmith Rauni Higson MBE. It has been wonderful experience. I have spent time refining my self-taught fundamentals, learning what I have been doing right and where I can improve. We are now working towards a final large-scale vessel in silver. I will be heading back to Rauni's workshop in the autumn/spring to start work on this piece.

Workshop Teaching

I have also been keeping busy teaching a few workshops. I taught short workshops at Fire in The Mountain festival. A favourite festival of mine in mid wales, it was so lovely to be able to contribute to the festival, I taught people to make small leaf inspired dishes.

I was astounded at what they achieved in two days and how they understood the task and design challenges.

I also taught a 2-day workshop at Highgrove Traditional Crafts for the King's Foundation Building Arts Programme. It was particularly special to me to teach the Building Arts Programme students, as I took part in the programme a few years ago, and it was pivotal in my life and where I am today, introducing me to metalwork and the world of traditional crafts. We made 4 wall sconces for the dye garden plant drying building made by this year's Building Crafts students. The 4 sconces represent 4 plants in the dye garden and are also engraved in Anglo-Saxon into the stonework of the building: madder, nettle, marigold, and ivy. I was astounded at what they achieved in two days and how they understood the task and design challenges.

I am going to be teaching another workshop for King's Foundation students in July.

Decorex and upcoming plans

I am also thrilled to share that I have been selected to take part in Decorex in October as one of the Making Spaces artisans A wonderful opportunity to share my work to an interior design audience.

I am also working on some exciting collaborations and as always new work is brewing! If you'd like to follow my creative process more closely please follow my instagram where I am posting frequent updates.

I have updated the shop so please do take a look.

Thanks for reading and I hope you have a wonderful summer.