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All the latest news and creative projects from Cotton & Cogs

cotton_and_cogs

Artist - loves all things hand crafted.
Mixed media artwork. Ceramics. Embroidery, crochet & knitting.
Steampunk inspired jewellery and accessories.

The prompt today was “Make art from your day job

The prompt today was “Make art from your day job” - I am very lucky in that my “day job” on a Wednesday IS making art! I’ve spent much of today busy underglazing some customer orders ready to take to the @groveparkcommunitygroup @claygrovepark community kiln on Friday.

This afternoon though I have been working on a personal project for BookDragon. I’ve called it The Sweetest Dreams.

A small ceramic box in the form of a mother otter lying with her baby asleep resting on top of her. We’ve always loved otters, and when she was still preschool we spent ages playing otter families! As she learned to swim we played otters at the pool with her diving for “clams” before lying on her back and pretending to hammer them open on her tummy: and of course she used to love lying on me whilst I floated.

So this piece is to remind us of those precious times. It’s not finished yet - when it comes back from the kiln it will get some gloss highlights.

#30works30days @artquestlondon #ceramics #otterlove

Portrait of SleepyDog I’m very lucky to have a

Portrait of SleepyDog

I’m very lucky to have a dog …. On Tuesdays from 8am - 2pm. The perfect amount of time for me!

SleepyDog isn’t asleep all the time, we have lovely walks and cuddles, but he happily dozes next to me while I work. He is excellent company and stress relief.

I’ve been working on a few pictures of him over recent weeks - trying to capture his expression and shine of his coat using only a 4B pencil and a smudge stick.

Really enjoying exploring this medium more - thinking of adding pencil portraits to my pet portrait options.

#petportrait #dogportrait #pencilportrait #blacklabrador #dogsofinstagram

The prompt for today’s #30works30days from @artq

The prompt for today’s #30works30days from @artquestlondon was “Make your work in the dark”

Perhaps a rather too literal interpretation but I’ve enjoyed todays pencil drawings - I started by shading solid grey squares blending to an even texture before working more layers also in pencil to form two cat portraits. Just a few highlights were added with an eraser.

I don’t often give my work titles, but as it is required for submission to the project these two have been called “The Night Shift”

And now I shall wake up the sleepy dog and head out for a walk.

#dailycreativity #dailysketch #creativityforwellbeing #artchallenge

Onko kissa täydellinen lemmikkiä? Sometimes Duo

Onko kissa täydellinen lemmikkiä?

Sometimes Duolingo has the best phrases!

Little pencil sketches of cheeky kittens

Todays prompt for @artquestlondon #30works30days w

Todays prompt for @artquestlondon #30works30days was “Reuse recycle reclaim”.

You’d think that would be easy for me as it underpins much of my work and my commitment to buying as little as possible new.

But with so much going on in our lives at the moment I’ve been feeling overwhelmed and came close to not sitting down to create anything for today. But when wallowing on the sofa having done bedtime, typed up a risk assessment for a new project, and caught up on my emails - I was feeling pretty empty.

Deciding to take some time for art because it was something I wanted to do for myself was the perfect tonic.

I’ve called it “…and still the sun rises”

More than ever I need to remember that however tough the slog, however painful the reality of a particular moment, still the sun will come again.

This little collage is made only from things without arms reach - a foil wrapper Bookdragon let drop on the floor, a plant catalogue destined for paper recycling, and my pens and pencils.

Maybe not my finest work, but definitely a triumph for me over my personal inner fog today.

#creativityfound #creativityforwellbeing #artformentalhealth

Todays prompt for @artquestlondon #30works30days w

Todays prompt for @artquestlondon #30works30days was Be over the Top, and as it happens I was on duty to take BookDragon to the @castellersoflondon rehearsal which was just the perfect inspiration as well as being a good opportunity to practise fast pose life drawing!

Here are some of my very quick sketches which I have titled “Enxaneta Up!” A call which is often BookDragon’s signal to start climbing to the very top of the human tower.

Sleepy dog woke up so we went for a walk. #penci

Sleepy dog woke up so we went for a walk.

#pencilsketch #dogportrait #labrador #dailysketchbook

It’s been a rather difficult time this past week

It’s been a rather difficult time this past week - so I am very grateful to be spending today with a sleepy dog and my sketchbook.

How lucky am I!? I came across @millarandrose1 in

How lucky am I!?

I came across @millarandrose1 in @greenwichmarket the other week and fell in love with her stall! Couldn’t resist getting myself a teapot cosy, and a gorgeous teddy bear as a gift for a friend. But my favourite thing on the stall was her “prices have been prehaggled for your shopping convenience” lavender bag!
Just perfect! 🤭

Unfortunately it wasn’t for sale… But look what just arrived in today’s post! 🥰

fellow craft stall holders will know how much we need these!

Thank you so much Angie for such a wonderful gift. They smell divine and I can’t wait to hang them at my next event!

The crafter and market community is one of the most friendly and supportive I have ever known. I feel so lucky with the people I meet.

If you’re in Greenwich Market do keep an eye out for Angie of @millarandrose1 - she really has the most gorgeous stall of beautifully made items. My teapot is a cosy ball of sunshine which makes me smile everyday.

#supportindependentartists #greenwichmarket #craftingcommunity #buyhandmade #shoplocal #shopsmall

First embroidered pet portrait of 2025! How gorge

First embroidered pet portrait of 2025!

How gorgeous is this yawn!? I was lucky enough to snuggle this furball over Christmas and feel very honoured to be asked to embroider her, though I was a little nervous when shown the preferred pose!

As always I start with sketching the photo, and use that sketch to baste an outline - sketching in thread I suppose! I can now remove the paper and start work in earnest.

#petportrait #embroideryart #embroideredpetportrait #tuxedocat #catsofinstagram #catportraits

A few days later than initially planned and my onl

A few days later than initially planned and my online shop is open again!

I’m slowly adding some new stock, starting with these little cruet sets - why not add a little whimsy to your table!?

If you don’t see a set that tickles your fancy I do LOVE making custom sets so just drop me a message 🙂

#supportsmallbusiness #handmadegifts #handcrafted #handmadewithlove

Two weeks in and I am keeping my resolution! Buy

Two weeks in and I am keeping my resolution!

Buy the art you love if you can 😍

I feel like I should have done a proper unboxing video my parcel from @soleraldn arrived obviously sent with so much care.

I ADORE my willow pattern bird necklace - lovingly made from broken vintage ceramics.

This piece means a lot to me - my grandma loved willow pattern design- she had a collection of plates and platters on permenant display, and her afternoon tea tray was always lined with a willow pattern tray cloth. My mum now has the plates on display in her house.

Although not made from the family china (thankfully not broken!) I love that I have a wearable connection / reminder of home. And that it has been made by a lovely local artist who I was fortunate to meet at @gaff_ldn makes it even better!

So if you’re looking for a unique handmade gift made with integrity by a real person I highly recommend following @soleraldn and checking out her Etsy shop as well.

The back of her her labels say
“This little piece of jewellery is handmade with 💛 and I hope it brings you JOY”

Well they certainly do here!

#buyart #buyhandmade #supportlocalartists #lewishamartists

Exciting times! After lots of interesting chats a

Exciting times!

After lots of interesting chats and encouragement I am finally taking the plunge and planning some workshops / classes.

I've been busy today working on my initial plan - for a 3 hour (with tea and cake break!) introduction to mixed media collages.

What do you think!?

I must admit I am also really drawn to the idea of running a course of weekly shorter sessions - to give participants the chance to collect materials and work on designs and ideas at home, then coming together to work on them using a selection of my supplies, and with the opportunity to get support, and eat cake and drink tea whilst chatting!

Watch this space over the coming months for updates.

And if this is something you would like to join drop me a message to register your interest.

If you know of / run a venue that would be interested in hosting these classes please let me know!

#ArtClasses #ArtWorkshop #MixedMediaArt #Embroidery #LewishamArtists #GrovePark #Lewisham

Happy days back at my work table - I’ve been bus

Happy days back at my work table - I’ve been busy with customer orders today with customer pet portraits.

These little fellas will dry out slowly over the coming days before I can take them to @claygrovepark to be fired in the community kiln at @groveparkcommunitygroup - then the fun of glazing can start!

My order books are open again - just drop me a message or via my website if you’d like to know more.

#ceramicart #petportraits #buyart #lewishamartists

Love this photo which was forwarded to me earlier

Love this photo which was forwarded to me earlier today…. is there anything better than knowing your work has found a happy home and is appreciated!?

My customer forwarded this to me after they were sent it by the person they gifted the hanging plaque and heart card to 🥰

I’m so grateful they shared it with me - it’s made my day!

Happy New Year! I’m not normally a fan of New

Happy New Year!

I’m not normally a fan of New Year’s Resolutions - I love the idea of a fresh start and something to prompt you to take action but that you should do that as and when you feel a genuine urge to do so, not just because of a calendar date.

That said Bookdragon and I did make one resolution, which to be honest we started at the end of last year - buy the art you love whenever you can afford to. And remember the difference between something being costly (and worth it!) and expensive (costs a lot but not worth it / inferior quality)

My first purchase of 2025 just arrived and I am beyond thrilled with my @redal.uk prints! We had a hard time narrowing down which to get but I am so happy with our choice and can’t wait to get them framed!

Bookdragon has started saving so she can buy some @davidmbird prints 🥰

#buyartfromartists #buyart

First make of 2025 This #fungi collage uses water

First make of 2025

This #fungi collage uses water colour pencils, needle felting, salvaged threads, crochet, embroidery, semi precious stone chips, and seeds.

#woodland #mushrooms #yarnart #handmadewithlove

Happy New Year! Working on my first piece of 2025

Happy New Year!

Working on my first piece of 2025 - and it has already been spoken for … by Bookdragon, so much for getting a start on a shop restock!

Ever since she was tiny we’ve loved nature walks and looking for the beautiful miniature worlds all around us. We’re big fans of the incredible photography of @redal.uk and the juxtaposition of the tiny fungi against the huge trees in the background so this is a subject we are both drawn to.

So when I was gifted the yarn stash of a family member after Christmas and discovered a wool with just the most incredible texture and colouring both Bookdragon and I said “it’s like moss!” I knew I wanted to use it in a woodland collage.

So far I’ve used the yarn with Freeform crochet to create the moss growing on the needle felted bark - the brown of the bark at the front is actually carded from offcuts of Hand-spun natural wool. The mushroom used toy stuffing for the base - its gills were crocheted with a scrap of grey wool which I needle felted in place and then finished with the wool roving I bought many years ago and had been languishing at the back of the airing cupboard until the end of last year!

I am currently adding embroidered and beaded details and building up the needle felted layers.

I have the feeling this might be the first of several in a series - the contrasting textures are just so satisfying to work with - and I am thinking of other elements which could be incorporated in the future - I could make ceramic snail shells, or use glass beads as rain drops. I love it when I feel the ideas fizzling away!

I have a few projects in the pipeline, as well as some commissions for pet portraits so watch this space!

It’s Christmas Eve - so after a splendid afterno

It’s Christmas Eve - so after a splendid afternoon with friends and enjoying Finnish treats, there is just one thing left… our Christmas Eve gift - new pyjamas and new books.

Books are always a wonderful thing - but there is something extra special about the Christmas Eve ones.

Huge thank you to @booknookhove for making sure we had the magic of signed @chris_riddell King Alfred and the Ice Coffin and @anabooks & @chris_riddell Heroes and Villains - she’s a very happy BookDragon tonight!

Third year of making plastic free Christmas cracke

Third year of making plastic free Christmas crackers - BookDragon is in charge of decorating the craft card crackers and I make personalised cracker gifts - here is Jamie Cat modelling the Christmas Dormouse for our friend Anne 🥰

Christmas film on in the background while we work - I love this afternoon and so grateful BookDragon loves our homemade Christmas traditions.

#handmadechristmas #plasticfreechristmas

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