Hi friends, Here is one of my latest mosaics – a small one of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, where I ran some mosaic workshops a couple of years ago. I feel rather attached to it, having had the privilege of going right into that dome to see the mosaics close up. This mosaic was […] Read more...
Newness…
A new month…and I love April! Yesterday at our allotment, we were greeted by fruit trees in blossom. We bought home some branches from our damson trees and made our Easter tree this morning… It has been a season of teaching mosaic art – the most I have ever done and loving it! I have […] Read more...
Mosaic gatherings
It was this little idea that I had many months ago, to gather students I have met through my Glittering Shards mosaic workshops and classes. There have been many, and all so lovely. Some students have returned again and again and, really, they have become friends. There is something about sharing this creative journey that […] Read more...
Therapuetic mosaics – an invitation to you…
I have mused for years about why mosaic making is so therapeutic an art form. Having recently undertaken the process of applying for a Masters in the Neuroscience of Mindfulness (with research on the role of creative making), I took some time to organise my thoughts on the subject. The reasons are likely to be […] Read more...
News…on mosaics, art, mindfulness and neuroscience…(phew!)
Hi folks Excuse the little blog silence – half-term holidays kicked in and those quiet moments for blog writing have been filled with the sound of squeaky recorders, giggling (yes, a little fighting), singing, funny shows (yesterday was Spoon Man meets Rolling Pin Man!) and some trips into the center of London. We even managed […] Read more...
A light in the dark…
On this most beautiful of nights, sending you all warmth and goodness over this strange and wonderful cyberspace. Take a moment, if you can, to watch this You Tube video which has the words of one of my favourite writers, John O’Donohue – Bennacht (celtic for blessing) and a beautiful song, O Night Divine. The […] Read more...
Home made advent…
Take some fairy lights and dark material… …add some nativity figures… …some stones and sticks…. ….some angels and hand made stars (24 of them to be precise)…. …and some very excited children! Put them all together and you have created Mary’s walk… 24 stars on the path – one for each day of advent. […] Read more...
My mosaic studio…
For the last 7 years, this has been my creative haven, my workplace, a learning space for hundreds of students, a refuge of relaxation away from daily stresses and demands, and a wonderful room where the children and I craft together. It has gone through so many changes, adapting this small space to make it […] Read more...
Mosaics, art and the brain…my journey so far.
Ok folks…look above and you will see that there are two new tabs on the main menu of Glittering Shards. Firstly, “Art & the Brain” will be the place where my evolving research on the connection between art/making with your hands and neuroscience will sit (see more below). Secondly, the “Online Resources“ will, over the […] Read more...
The post summer glow…
The summer has come and gone. For me, it was a time for a slower pace, for family, relaxation, a bit of house sorting (and some studio re-jigging too!). And time away from web sites and blogs (did you notice?!) The lovely glow of autumn is replacing the intensity of the summer sun and […] Read more...