Community Arts and Crafts.

In addition to sharing my work as a creator of things, through this blog I aim to share ideas for community artists and those who promote arts and crafts to others. I've recently competed a DTLLS qualification (Diploma to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector) at Hereford college of Technology which qualifies me to teach adults (14+).

At present I am exploring my career options, however I have become involved in teaching a number of arts and crafts sessions to the elderly, some in Hereford and some more local to the area in which I live. Within this blog I will not discuss individual events or people as I believe this to be unethical without consent from those involved. However I would like to share some of the projects I have completed with these groups, and maybe create discussion about how to make arts and crafts accessible for those who may have physical difficulties.

The bunting in the image above was created as part of a group project with 15 adults. Each individual was given two triangular pieces of card which I have cut out before the session. They were then asked to embellish them using a variety of materials provided by me, until at the end of the session they could be stapled onto a long piece of ribbon and hung in the room.

I think this project was successful because each person could contribute, but there was no pressure to design and execute a whole design or final piece alone. Everything I do in these situations is controlled by a tight budget , therefore I find old greetings cards particularly useful for imagery. The sentiments can also be saved to add to Christmas/birthday cards later in the year.

I also have a reference book filled with royalty-free Victorian imagery (see Dover pictorial archives) which I was able to photocopy material from. This was useful because the pictures were brightly coloured and interesting, but avoided being childish.

Birds of Paradise.

A couple of years ago I entered a wrapping paper competition run by Frinton Press. I based my design on birds of paradise, a subject which I've always been intrigued by. I recommend that you look up the 'Life of Birds', narrated by David Attenborough. One episode of this series focuses on the wide variety of 'paradise' birds and the quirks which make up their species.


Recently I've revisited a crochet pattern designed by Lucy of Attic 24 to create my own 'birds of paradise'. Although I am writing this post in July, I am already thinking these would look great on a colourful, non-traditional christmas tree. I am considering selling these in the future, hence the production line. Any advice how or where?

-Crochet Update-

I have been crocheting for about two and a half years now. I find it much easier than knitting as I like being about to zig zag around a pattern without involving mutliple needles. At the moment I am working my way through Sarah London's 'Wool-eater blanket'. Originally I had my heart set on a full sized blanket for a bed, however I am increasingly leaning towards a large cusion cover (A couple pf years ago I bought 2 50x50 cusion forms from IKEA which are still naked). I start to get impatient as my crochet projects grow bigger, I think I just want to see them finished so that I can start something new.


I am also part way through a 'Granny-stripe' blanket. Again, I like making it, but slowly it's turned into the WIP I feel guily about not completing (2 years and counting...). I joke that my family is lucky we weren't aound 100 years ago and depending on my crocheting for warmth, I think we would have frozen to death by now.



As you can see, I like bright colours! So far the blanket is the width of a double bed, but I've only managed about 3 repeats of the 12 colours I chose, therefore it's a modest coverlet size. The wool is Robin DK, inexpensive, but not as static and squeaky as some wool I've found.

I am determined to make this bigger so it will cover a double duvet. In a way I see these projects as heirloom pieces, I love the idea of looking back at making them in 10 years times and passing them on to future generations (although that may sound a little grandiose at the moment...).

Hexy love.

I feel a bit odd beginning this blog by explaining that my community art teaching seems to be winding down until September. However I am tentatively planning ideas for the evening classes I hope to run at Hereford college of Arts over the next academic year. Numbers permitting I hope to deliver both 'Sewing for the Home' and 'Crochet' courses over 8-10 week periods.

In preparation for 'Sewing for the Home' I have discovered patchwork quilting! This is something I have always wanted to do and at the moment I feel I finally have the time. I have started off looking at pieced hexagons, or hexies. Although they are time consuming, I'm already in love and can't wait to see the finished piece. Find a sneak peek below!


I plan to post a tutorial at some point, however in the mean time many other guides can be found by searching Google (e.g. Fat quarterly)