Journal

Migration of the Painted Lady Butterfly

Migration of the Painted Lady Butterfly

These painted lady butterflies are soon to arrive in the UK and their migration story is truly amazing. I read about it recently in Lia Leendertz's Almanac, here's the excerpt: "High above our heads, great clouds of painted lady butterflies are arriving on summer...

Nests and Baskets

Nests and Baskets

It was made and laid last spring, during the first lockdown, in a town centre shrub, barely concealed, and less than half a metre from the ground. It was a time when there were few humans (or their dogs) on the streets, and would have been a good location... but then...

Making an Oak Swill

Making an Oak Swill

One of the first things you notice about Owen Jones, apart from his friendly, relaxed demeanor, is his hands: huge and work-worn. They've definitely seen some years of graft. I'm at his workshop in Cumbria, to make an oak swill. This is a traditional split wood basket...

Archaeologists Making Baskets

Archaeologists Making Baskets

A crisp cold November morning and I'm meeting a group of archaeologists at Fort Cumberland in Portsmouth for a day of basketmaking. During our discussions and through the making itself, a couple of very interesting revelations happen over the day, which make...

Fibre & Clay in the Wild

Fibre & Clay in the Wild

In conversation with No Serial Number Magazine, a publication which explores environmental sustainability through traditional crafts and innovative design. We discuss my practice: my relationship to the landscape where I forage my materials, and about coping with the...

Looped Cordage: Netted Bags

Looped Cordage: Netted Bags

After a day of making cordage from foraged plant fibres, my grubby fingernails show evidence of all the separating and scraping. Once you're committed to the steady, repetitive nature of prepping and twining cordage, it's a deeply satisfying process. So much so that...

Forage of the Month

Forage of the Month – September

Forage of the Month – September

Fruit Leather Fruit leather is a really popular snack and easy to carry around with you. It's basically thin, pliable sheets of dehydrated fruit puree with a flexible consistency (like leather). But don't buy it in the shops because it's incredibly simple to make your...

Forage of the Month- July

Forage of the Month- July

Nettle Seeds Nettle seeds ready to harvest Nettles are a truly amazing plant. I recently found out about the 'super food' that is nettle seeds, and have been making the most of the nettle patch at the end of the garden ever since. Full of fantastic nutritional and...

Forage of the Month- June

Forage of the Month- June

Elderflower Fritters Pick your elderflowers on a calm, sunny day when the buds are freshly open, before the petals brown around the edges. This is when they're most flavoursome. Lightly shake them to release any small insects, then snip off the larger stalks. You'll...