This is such a lovely post. It has made me very emotional. I am literally crying. No idea why! I have three of your beach find boxes, and use them in projects, but also around the garden as reminders of 52 stitched stories, a very special time x
Oh how I wish I lived near a beach where I could collect things regularly. It’s such a special way to spend time and to connect with the past, with nature, with yourself. I do, however, collect small items, mostly nature items, that I find laying on the ground. I gather then and carry them home. Memories. Pieces of magic. Tiny symbols of a certain time and space.
Thank you for sharing and inspiring as always, dear Fiona. xx
That sounds like me too - living in the Peak District I’m about as far away from the sea as you can possibly be! But there are small wonders all around us just waiting to be found.
I absolutely love this and your work makes my heart sing 💕 I’ve copied out the quote about art washing away the dust of life, and I’ve also made a note of your idea that ‘you begin the story of the collection of scraps and fragments, and the recipient finishes it’. A few years ago I made up colour-themed ‘creativity packs’ from all my recycled fabrics and salvaged beads (from broken necklaces etc). They were so popular! I’ve been meaning to get some more made up for ages, before the fabric stash overwhelms me, so if you don’t mind I think I’ll borrow your idea of ‘story’: the story starting in the past life of the cloth before it came to me, and it’s for the recipient to finish.
Also (!) - do I collect beach fragments?! Do I?! It’s a compulsion! I have tubs and jars of sea glass and shells, particularly those broken limpet shells because, as you’ve shown so beautifully in your work, they’re ideal for stitching down or making what I call ‘dingle dangles’! Stitching Celtic seascapes is a favourite for me too - it’s the colours that get me: the brilliant white sand, the blue and greens, the bleached shells and windswept grasses. Sadly nothing like the coast near me, but I’m off to Brittany again twice this year so I’m totally up for the summer ‘beach finds’ book theme. Yes please 🙌
This was such a lovely post. I love searching for seaglass, pottery, shells, and interesting pebbles on the beach (I live in Perthshire, so Fife beaches are easily accessible). I have never thought of using them to spark creativity though. It's such a great idea. Thank you. xox
Also went and looked at your Etsy store, and added some things to my wishlist for payday. 😁💜 I love your little journals and books, they're all so beautiful.
This stirred something in my sea-loving heart today. Coincidentally, a gift from one of my best friends arrived via international post yesterday and one of the many magical things included was a pouch of beach treasures -- such as seaglass and seashells and tiny piece of driftwood. I've been sitting with it ever since, wondering how I will use this magical collection of mermaid's treasure and absolutely love your idea of turning sea glass into meditation prompts. Beautiful. I look forward to watching your creative journey unfold this year. I have a feeling it'll be a wondrous and abundant year.
I've enjoyed this post a lot! I think the perspective of viewing a beach as a place filled with numerous unique treasures, as opposed to "just a beach", can be such a great source of happiness, and it is wonderful that you share this with others through your art.
This is such a lovely post. It has made me very emotional. I am literally crying. No idea why! I have three of your beach find boxes, and use them in projects, but also around the garden as reminders of 52 stitched stories, a very special time x
Sorry I made I made you cry Helen but I too find beach finds an emotional journey. Sending love xx
Oh how I wish I lived near a beach where I could collect things regularly. It’s such a special way to spend time and to connect with the past, with nature, with yourself. I do, however, collect small items, mostly nature items, that I find laying on the ground. I gather then and carry them home. Memories. Pieces of magic. Tiny symbols of a certain time and space.
Thank you for sharing and inspiring as always, dear Fiona. xx
You should see my pockets after any walk in nature! xx
That sounds like me too - living in the Peak District I’m about as far away from the sea as you can possibly be! But there are small wonders all around us just waiting to be found.
We used to live in Bakewell so know what you mean. Stunning part of the world x
I absolutely love this and your work makes my heart sing 💕 I’ve copied out the quote about art washing away the dust of life, and I’ve also made a note of your idea that ‘you begin the story of the collection of scraps and fragments, and the recipient finishes it’. A few years ago I made up colour-themed ‘creativity packs’ from all my recycled fabrics and salvaged beads (from broken necklaces etc). They were so popular! I’ve been meaning to get some more made up for ages, before the fabric stash overwhelms me, so if you don’t mind I think I’ll borrow your idea of ‘story’: the story starting in the past life of the cloth before it came to me, and it’s for the recipient to finish.
Also (!) - do I collect beach fragments?! Do I?! It’s a compulsion! I have tubs and jars of sea glass and shells, particularly those broken limpet shells because, as you’ve shown so beautifully in your work, they’re ideal for stitching down or making what I call ‘dingle dangles’! Stitching Celtic seascapes is a favourite for me too - it’s the colours that get me: the brilliant white sand, the blue and greens, the bleached shells and windswept grasses. Sadly nothing like the coast near me, but I’m off to Brittany again twice this year so I’m totally up for the summer ‘beach finds’ book theme. Yes please 🙌
Fabulous, all of the above. Sometimes artists wander along very similar paths and I think that idea fits us perfectly. x
This was such a lovely post. I love searching for seaglass, pottery, shells, and interesting pebbles on the beach (I live in Perthshire, so Fife beaches are easily accessible). I have never thought of using them to spark creativity though. It's such a great idea. Thank you. xox
Pleased it was useful.
Also went and looked at your Etsy store, and added some things to my wishlist for payday. 😁💜 I love your little journals and books, they're all so beautiful.
So joyous to hear how these objects influence your creative work - not just the objects themselves, but the colours and textures you draw from them ✨🌿
I love beach finds, and have a random collection of sea glass, sea pottery, shells, bits of driftwood, stones...
I have variously used them for pictures, hanging mobiles, buttons, hangings, candleholders, mirror-surrounds...
Just as well I live by the sea😊
Super, we are lucky x
This stirred something in my sea-loving heart today. Coincidentally, a gift from one of my best friends arrived via international post yesterday and one of the many magical things included was a pouch of beach treasures -- such as seaglass and seashells and tiny piece of driftwood. I've been sitting with it ever since, wondering how I will use this magical collection of mermaid's treasure and absolutely love your idea of turning sea glass into meditation prompts. Beautiful. I look forward to watching your creative journey unfold this year. I have a feeling it'll be a wondrous and abundant year.
Thank you Caitlin. I am glad it sparked something. Have a wonderful year x
I've enjoyed this post a lot! I think the perspective of viewing a beach as a place filled with numerous unique treasures, as opposed to "just a beach", can be such a great source of happiness, and it is wonderful that you share this with others through your art.
Thank you Hannah I am gl as it was useful x