Preston to Pitlochry

With a brief visit to one of the girls houses in Chorley, four of the Bishopsland gang including myself headed up to Pitlochry for a week of creative hand engraving with Malcolm Appleby.

It was a pretty full on week, with the amazing opportunity to work with Malcolm Monday-Friday. Watching him at work was an amazing experience and getting to see the wanders in his workshop was a great inspiration. As were the surroundings......

Hopefully the results (after a lot of practice!) will begin to show in my new work.

http://www.craftscotland.org/profile/218/malcolm-appleby/

Pitt Rivers trip

A few photos from my trip to Pitt Rivers a few weeks ago. I was looking for inspiration for a large piece I am designing. Particularly interested in protective amulets and how they are carried/ attached to the body. Had a great tour from one of the guides there, showing us frogs with nails through and shrunken heads.

Thorn spring forceps.

Shoulder slung charm amulet.

Kingfisher feather inlay necklace.

Bone and shell large necklace

Pitt Rivers Museum, from the first floor.

A selection of brooches and amultes, two part brooches with hanging chain in between.

Design time.

I've been knuckling down this week, taking a look at where my work is at and how this is going to inform my new collection. I'm going through my research and taking a trip to Pitt Rivers tomorrow for some much needed inspiration will hopefully solve a few problems I'm having!

This is a bit of a Fiona mood board, as it stands right now......