News

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.

Did you know I make ceramic pet portraits? I love

Did you know I make ceramic pet portraits? I love making hanging decorations, little figurines and even salt and pepper shakers!

I adored making this pair for @jamesdwilsonart and was thrilled to meet the originals when I delivered them 😻

If you’d like to chat about ordering your own one of a kind creation just drop me a message! Prices start from £25 for a single figure.

I am so excited to be teaching the first part of m

I am so excited to be teaching the first part of my ceramic jewellery course for @claygrovepark this coming weekend!

A quick trip to Devon to my parents’ farm for Easter weekend was just the tonic I needed to recharge my batteries. I can’t wait to explore the forms, textures and colours of nature with you as we make unique ceramic jewellery pieces.

Ceramic Jewellery Short Course with @claygrovepark @groveparkcommunitygroup (booking essential claygpcg@gmail.com )

Saturday 26th April 2pm - 5pm
Saturday 10th May 2pm - 5pm

£80 - includes materials, glazes and firing charges to create a unique jewellery set (earrings, pendant and brooch)

All set up at @groveparkcommunitygroup market - an

All set up at @groveparkcommunitygroup market - and my swift brooch had found its new home!
It’s a lovely day for popping up to the Ringway #EasterMarket #GrovePark #Lewisham #Makersmarket

For as long as I can remember my Mum has looked fo

For as long as I can remember my Mum has looked for the first swallows of summer. They nest in the cow shed of the family farm - swooping through the smallest of holes in the door to access the roof space used by generations. Watching their aerobatic displays and waiting for the first fledglings, and watching them gather on the power lines was the backdrop to all our summers.

They made a natural subject for my Mother’s Day gift this year - a mini embroidery hoop brooch. I painted the sky on a piece of silk salvaged from a damaged pair of trousers from @gracerefugeeaid before sketching a family of swallows with black thread.

Art isn’t just for walls.

#wearableart #swallows #embroideryart

Mini shop update! These brooches make me so happy

Mini shop update!

These brooches make me so happy! I love how the white clay gives the perfect background so the underglazes can really pop. Remember that fizzy feeling inside as a kid when some long awaited treat arrives - like a birthday, or Christmas? That is what it feels like when Lily opens the community kiln at @claygrovepark

Anyway, these beauties have just hit my online shop - you know where to find the link!

Just as an aside, the wooden disc I've photographed them on is actually a custom part my Dad made for my speed weaver I use for darning! I needed one with a deeper groove for thicker fabric, what he made is a work of art - so satisfyingly smooth and beautiful to hold. Made from the old oak frame of my Grandmother's conservatory which he saved when it came down. Every handmade object has a story with it.

#handmade #handcrafted #supportlocalartists

Do you sometimes wake up feeling more energised an

Do you sometimes wake up feeling more energised and excited about future projects than is usual? The sun is shining today and I am getting prepped for the new short course I’m running in a few weeks time with @claygrovepark @groveparkcommunitygroup

I’ll be sharing with you how to capture the beautiful shapes and patterns of nature and accentuate them with underglazes. We’ll be working with my favourite white clay which produces a beautiful lightweight pieces and the most wonderful background for colour work.

This is a two part course suitable for complete beginners and more experienced ceramicists alike - starting with thinking about the shapes and forms you want to use, choosing from a selection of findings (think earring hoops and studs, pendant bails and brooch backs in different designs and colours). I’ll show you how to work with the clay to achieve the smoothest results and clearest imprints - all the necessary tools are provided all you need to bring is a willingness to experiment and play!

The first week (Sat 26th April, 2-5pm) is focussed on learning techniques and making your jewellery, week two (Saturday 10th May 2 - 5pm) will introduce glazing techniques as you work on your mini collection.

The course is £80 for both classes, which includes all the materials needed, and jewellery findings for a complete set of earrings, pendant and brooch.

Places are limited so booking is essential! To book your spot email claygpcg@gmail.com

#ceramicsclass #ceramicjewellery #creativeprocess

I am so excited for all that Spring is bringing! M

I am so excited for all that Spring is bringing! My diary is filling up with events including local markets and teaching courses and workshops.

I’m really grateful to be part of the incredibly supportive #GrovePark #Lewisham community

Thank you so much to @claygrovepark @groveparkcommunitygroup and @groveparkcommunitylibrary for hosting me over the coming months. You can find full details of the markets and courses on my website - you know where to find the link!

Today I took delivery of the pinch bails for the p

Today I took delivery of the pinch bails for the pendants we’ll be making in my upcoming short course and am thrilled with them, I think this might be my new favourite necklace! Both silver plated and gold plated options will be available at the class. We will also have a variety of hypoallergenic stainless steel earring studs and hooks, as well as brooch backs to choose from for you to design your jewellery set - included in the course fee. (Necklace chains not included)

Thank you so much to everyone who has already booked a spot on my short course with @claygrovepark where we will be taking inspiration from nature to make beautiful and unique pieces of jewellery. I can’t wait to meet you!

There are a just a couple of spots left on this first course if you haven’t had a chance to book yet do drop Lily an email (details below)

If you have got any questions about the course please let me know - it will be a relaxed and friendly session suitable for all levels of experience.

It runs over two sessions (you need to attend both)
Saturday April 26th & Saturday May 10th

Cost £40 per session - £80 in total - which includes materials , set of jewellery findings, glazes and kiln firing fees

To book on to course please email claygpcg@gmail.com

@groveparkcommunitygroup

This piece has taken 1 month and 10 days - and str

This piece has taken 1 month and 10 days - and strictly speaking isn’t completely finished as I need to cover the back and make a decision about hanging / framing. But I am SO pleased with how it has turned out and all the different textures. I can’t wait to get the sister piece back from the kiln and see them side by side!

Thank you @claygrovepark for all your support

(If you’re interested in nature inspired ceramics then check out my feed for details of a two part ceramic jewellery course we’re teaching next month!)

#ceramics #embroidery #felting #stagbeetle #hamdmade #ceramicart

I love building up layers of underglazes, and blen

I love building up layers of underglazes, and blending them like watercolours. This is the latest piece in my Woodland Textures series - I’m hoping the partner piece (with the stag beetle) will have come safely through the kiln ready for me to start adding the fabric elements this weekend.

I’ve also started on some mini wearable versions of these ceramic meets yarn craft works - my brain is positively fizzing with ideas and possibilities!

I’ve had a lovely afternoon with the door to the

I’ve had a lovely afternoon with the door to the back garden open, enjoying the sunshine and listening to the birds whilst working on the undercoat glazing on the next piece in my woodland textures series.

I love the freedom with mixing underglazes like watercolour paints.

When this comes back from its next firing I will be looking to see if I need to adjust any of the colours and whether I want to add any gloss highlights. Then I get to play with the textile additions - this piece will include felting, crochet, embroidery, weaving and beads!

#artistpractice #ceramics #mixedmediaartwork @claygrovepark #lewishamartists #workinprogress

New stock now live! I’m so excited to bring you

New stock now live!

I’m so excited to bring you my new series of wearable art (just in time for Mother’s Day!) - now live on my shop - link in bio.

Until the 31st of March you can also get a 10% discount on an order of a greetings card WITH any other type of item - so do check out my ceramics as well! Just use code GiftCard10 at checkout.

Shop update incoming! Here’s a sneaky peek of

Shop update incoming!

Here’s a sneaky peek of my new cards which will be added to my online shop (link in bio) tomorrow - Wednesday 19th March - along with my woodland inspired brooches and pendants.

Each card is an original ink and watercolour illustration.

There will even be a cheeky 10% discount for anyone purchasing a card and a gift item in the same transaction!

#supportindependentartists #buyhandmade

Putting one thing away before I start playing with

Putting one thing away before I start playing with another has never been my style (as my parents, and now my long suffering husband can confirm!) - I work in what might be called creative chaos, but it’s that which sparks my imagination and drive. I love building layers of texture through combining different crafts and techniques.

My current series combines ceramics, needle felting, crochet, embroidery, beadwork, illustration, and found objects.

I find I lose all sense of time surrounded by so many possibilities and combinations.

As with most of my work I predominantly use supplies which I have found or sourced secondhand - either used, or from other artists selling their stash of unused items (my ceramics work necessarily uses new clay - but as any scraps and failures can be reclaimed and reused I can keep waste to a minimum).

Charity shops have proved a treasure trove of inspiration and materials and I am very lucky to be working with @gracerefugeeaid on #LeeHighRoad breathing new life into items destined for the ragbag or rubbish bin- such as unsaleable fabrics, broken jewellery, damaged books and ephemera, as well as purchasing additional items from the shop floor. Supporting them and allowing me to maintain my commitment to pursuing a zero waste practice.

This piece includes beads and seeds, wool and felt all from @gracerefugeeaid

#mixedmediaartwork #natureart #fungi #lewishamartists

Having a lovely Sunday working on a new piece for

Having a lovely Sunday working on a new piece for my series of works inspired by woodland textures.

I found this glorious piece of bark whilst out on a walk and couldn’t wait to work with it - there is no glue involved in my work - it is all hand stitched and felted in place.

Working on the examples for the upcoming two part

Working on the examples for the upcoming two part course I’ll be teaching for @claygrovepark - we’ll be making ceramic jewellery and exploring imprinting natural objects and underglaze techniques.

Dates and booking details will be released soon!

@groveparkcommunitygroup #communityceramicsclass #lewishamartists #lewishammakers #grovepark

So lucky to be part of an amazing creative communi

So lucky to be part of an amazing creative community in #Lewisham

The wonderful @daisyingdesigns makes the most fabulous fabric pouches, earrings and brooches - we saw a makeup pouch in this fantastic otter fabric at one of her Christmas stalls - now Bookdragon ADORES otters but has zero interest in makeup and as much as she was tempted by the pouch couldn’t work out what she would use it for… so Daisy has made a beautiful pencil case for her plus a bonus badge for her blazer and a delightful pair of earrings for me 🥰

Seriously the attention to detail on the pencil case is outstanding, it is beautifully lined and finished. Definitely give her a follow.

Thank you Daisy!

Happy FriYAY!

#lewishamart #supporthandmadeartists #shoplocal #otters #otterlove

I love flowers in the house - I think it is someth

I love flowers in the house - I think it is something inherited from our Grandma who always had flowers in a vase in the lounge and a small bud vase on the windowsill above the kitchen sink.

There’s something wonderful about being given flowers that arrive half closed or in bud, and then watching them open up over the subsequent days.

I was blown away by my birthday bouquet from my big sister - sometimes we feel terribly far apart (a minimum of 5 hours by train) but right now looking at her flowers and remembering our pink and white grandma I know we’re close really. (Helped along by the fact we actually got to grab a cup of tea together next to the train station as she passed through London!)

Very excited to try my new sculpting tools from @s

Very excited to try my new sculpting tools from @scarvapotterysupplies #xiemtoolsusa - a birthday present from my sister 🥰 she sent me a voucher so I could choose exactly what I wanted and I went for these lovely fine loop tools.

Looking forward to using them for the first time tomorrow at @claygrovepark

I couldn’t be without my tablets, but sometimes

I couldn’t be without my tablets, but sometimes nature really is the best medicine.

My head was a little bit squirly today and I could feel my mood plummeting as the afternoon wore on, so once Bookdragon was home from school we decided that a walk in the last of the sunshine was in order. I feel incredibly lucky to have this on our doorstep.

The ponds in our local park were glorious in the sunset and we saw some friendly faces as several of our neighbours had the same plan.

There’s something magical about about coming home to the warm, with tingling cold cheeks after a walk.

Load More Follow on Instagram