About me

Although I worked for many years as a research scientist I have always spent my spare time making things. So when I had to take early retirement due to ill health, I took the opportunity to sign up for a foundation degree in Contemporary Ceramic Practice and then to set up my own ceramics studio in Newcastle.  Several years on I now have work displayed in several galleries in the North of England and the Scottish Borders.   

Ceramics

I gain a lot of my ideas and inspiration from looking at the natural world especially all things marine. Traditional African pottery and textiles are also top of my list. My marine inspired work includes a series of large exuberant barium blue bowls that attempt to capture and convey the energy and movement of the sea. I am currently working on a series of smaller seaside baskets. made in porcelain paper clay. Click on the OCEAN link for more details. My KUBA series of pots was inspired by the decorative patterns used in traditional African textiles and pottery and explores the use of layers of differently patterned clays inset into my pots, Click the KUBA link to see more. The KILIM series, combines the use of incised patterns with different glazes. In many ways my kilim series brings me back full circle to  the exploration of patterns and colour and just having fun with clay. Click the KILIM link to see more. I also make a range of large stoneware planters designed to survive our cold winters without cracking or flaking which terracotta planters tend to do. I love to plant these up with alpine species and sell them when in full bloom but they are also available and easier to post if they are purchased empty. To see more click PLANTERS.

 Jewellery

I first became interested in beads whilst on holiday in Africa where fabulous bead work abounds. I realised that threading beads requires dexterity and therefore challenged the tremor developing in my hand due to Parkinson’s Disease. So I started out making jewellery just for myself but this rapidly snowballed to include my friends and colleagues and eventually to a wider audience through craft fairs and galleries. Click the KROBO link to see examples of my work based on African Krobo beads. Click CZECH to see my collection using pressed crystal glass beads. For more querky one off pieces click the FUNKY link. To browse items available for purchase through my shop please follow the SHOP link at the top of the page.  

Textiles

Before beads came clay and before clay, was fabric. My mum was a trained taylor so she was always sewing, So it came naturally to me to sew too. I made my own clothes or customised shop-bought clothes; adding outrageous flares to bell bottom trousers, patching jeans with dozens of different tartan fabrics (well it was the 1960’s and 70’s)!. Although I gave up dress making in my late teens I have continued to use skills passed on by my Mum to make soft furnishing such a personalised cushion covers, my tote bags which have become quite popular. Click CUSHIONs or TOTES to see examples of my work.