Northants and Rutland Open Studios 2024 Discover Hub

My exhibition at Rushden Lakes has been extended to the end of October. Have really enjoyed painting these using fluid art techniques - very messy but very rewarding when the paint eventually does what you want it to! 

I also have some of my hand painted vases and coasters for sale there. These are all painted using fluid art techniques.

If you're out shopping at Rushden Lakes please do pop in, the Discover Northamptonshire Hub is next to the cinema at the far end of the shopping centre.

Northants and Rutland Open Studios 2024 - Jeyes of Earls Barton

This year I am taking part in Northants and Rutland Open Studios 2024. I am exhibiting with 4 other talented artists at Jeyes in Earls Barton. I have some of my silversmithed, wire -wrapped and polymer clay jewellery on display, as well as polymer clay sculptures and clocks. You can also see paintings from the other artists, some unusual and quirky ceramic pots and figurines and textile art.  If you haven't been to Jeyes it's well worth a visit. They have rooms full of memorabilia of Northampton shoemaking (including a really fun exhibition of boots from the show Kinky Boots). You can get afternoon tea in the conservatory.

Latest Silversmithed Jewellery

Am loving working in my home studio experimenting in jewellery design. I took a basic silversmithing course 2 years ago and have been practising and honing my skills ever since - when I find time between fluid art painting, sewing, learning to airbrush, learning Spanish and re-learning how to play the piano (something I took up a few years ago but had let lapse). Very glad to be retired and to have time for all this! Anyway, I have decided to participate in this year's Northants and Rutland Open Studios so am busy making jewellery and painting for that.

I love to use sterling silver and precious stones in my jewellery, I think the way the silver sets off the sparkle in the stones is beautiful, every piece gives me more ideas for the next ones. There are so many different techniques that can be used to make beautiful pieces, I an currently learning how to flush set stones - not easy but worth the effort. Another technique I really like is to inset crushed lab-grown opals in sterling silver, the opal really glows against the silver.

I will have an exhibition of paintings at Discover Northants Hub at Rushden Lakes and glass cabinets for jewellery and some of my polymer clay sculptures at Jeyes of Earls Barton.