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Spring is here- so when’s the rain going to stop?

 

Hi there,

It’s been a while!

 

For those of you that already know me, I like to keep busy, and the past few months have been no different! Here’s a bit of a round-up of what I’ve been up to -and what’s next.

 

My daughter had a raft of degree auditions early this year, resulting in lots of offers. She has decided to accept an offer at London Contemporary Dance School at The Place in Kings Cross. We’re all super excited for the next part of her journey and looking forward to being able to get up to London to see her perform in the future. She just needs to find somewhere to live, as they don’t have halls!!! Eek!

 

My dad turned 80, and we had a wonderful day celebrating at the Butt and Oyster at Pin Mill Lock in Suffolk. I thoroughly recommend a visit to the area and the pub if you are up that way or fancy a day out. The estuary changes very quickly with the tide and the ‘boat graveyard’ is a favourite of professional & amateur photographers alike.

 

Since early April I’ve been on a mission to visit some places from my long wish list; Cambridge botanical gardens followed by Oxford’s (to see if its just the boat race they lose at!!) Both were beautiful for different reasons, but obviously I’m going to favour Oxford as I was visiting my son, Stan who is in his 3rd year studying Earth Sciences there. The time has flown by so quickly, he has one year left of his course and I’m sure that is going to flash by just as fast as the last few! Can you tell which of the photos below belong to Cambridge and which to Oxford?





Leigh Supplier La Luna Boutique



I have been supplying La Luna Boutique in Leigh for a while now. In March their owner Ellie, took us local artist suppliers to a new level ,and we now are featured as her local suppliers on her website, so our work can reach beyond locally. I was delighted to sell a piece in the first week online, which coincided with her boutique’s 5th year ‘birthday’ celebrations. Congratulations and good luck to Ellie with your next 5! Check out her website here:



My creative work

I’ve started a new exploration and am (very slowly!) creating a new series of mosaics exploring our waterways and inlets. I have completed two pieces so far, it has taken a long time! I plan to exhibit them at the Old Leigh Artist Market on Bank holiday Monday 6th May.

I hope to have started a 3rd by then so I can work on it live, fingers crossed. Here’s a sneak peak of the work in progress!




My New Website




The website is now fully functioning -the knowledge and design skills of the wonderful Jo at Equilibrium Creative have got it looking and working far better. We are just ironing out the little blips that these things throw at us, like strange Americanisms in the wording.

 

I have scheduled lots of dates, even extending into 2025 for some of the Advanced and Intermediate classes. There are quite a number of beginners mosaics from 2-hour butterfly/heart workshops, Mosaic a mirror in a day, to longer 3 week courses to give a full introduction.


Please visit the site (link above) and take a look at what’s coming up. Here are some pics from a recent mosaic mirror in a day workshop…so colourful and individual.


Classes in the studio are busy, with my intermediate and advanced students pushing their own projects forward (see pictures below). The month of May is going to feature a lot of stained glass with a number of one day workshops.

I’ve decided the way this will work best is to run a block over a month, twice a year in Spring and Autumn. May is nearly full, so if this is something you fancy trying, take a look on the workshop page of my website as the dates are already there from late September.






RHS Hyde Hall Mosaic Workshops




It really doesn’t matter what time of year it is, at RHS Hyde Hall its always stunning. My always popular mosaic heart workshop went well (see the pictures below.) To keep things fresh, this workshop won’t be offered next year; they have asked me to link the theme to the gardens more so there will be a butterfly & moth workshop instead, with dates tbc.

 

My next workshop at Hyde Hall  in August is already fully booked and the Mini Christmas decorations on 22nd November has just gone ‘live’ on their booking system, click the link above for more information or to book.




Meet The Makers - Hadleigh Fire Station



In March, the 2nd year photography students at UPS College, where I work, organised an exhibition of portraits of local designers and makers, curated by their amazing tutor, Amy from https://www.instagram.com/pickleandsquish/ 

It was fun to be photographed & interviewed by the students and although I liked all of the photos exhibited, I particularly love this one ( below) with my mosaic materials in my hands.




The staff and students worked really hard and for long hours to get this show together at Hadleigh Fire Station (Hofs for short) - a huge well done to them all, what great work experience and employability skills.








Now in its second year, Southend Portrait artist of the year is a fabulous event organised by Andy Downes and Stacie @ Mermaid on Sea (you might know her from her former shop in Leigh - Rockamilly?)

 

It’s great opportunity to see talented local artists working live with a live sitter. Food and refreshments are available while you watch their interpretation come to life! There are heats coming up at Twenty-One Gallery (near the pier) on the 12th of May and 2nd of June, with the final on the 9th June.



Finally, I just wanted to thank you all for your continued support with my small business, from your word-of-mouth to sharing my posts on socials, attending my workshops and classes to buying my mosaics, I am truly grateful for all you do.

 

Just one final reminder to try and get down to Old Leigh for The Artists Market on the 6th May, and pleeease bring the nice weather with you!

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