Smallbeans

Smallbeans This is where design and create things made from fabric and stitch. For your home and your coat. I have also made huge quilts with primary schools!

12/07/2026

I’m not sure what Part 2 will look like yet, but I think there will be more. I have loved this residency, I had no idea when I won the place back in February how my life or this work would pan out, but I’ve managed against quite a few odds and I’m so happy with the outcome. Thanks to the great Team at Discover Bucks Museum and The Muir Trust for their support and understanding. So many lovely visitors and conversations, thank you to all my stitching friends who called in to see me.
I’ve got so many loose ends I need to continue to stitch……this is the beginning of a new obsession and hopefully new ‘About Place’ projects. Discover Bucks Museum

Focus on a new piece of work this week for the Discover Bucks Museum residency. My interpretation of the an excavation...
10/07/2026

Focus on a new piece of work this week for the Discover Bucks Museum residency. My interpretation of the an excavation which took place in South Bucks during 1883. When it was originally discovered they presumed the treasures were Viking, but since have been re classified as Saxon. Incredible craftsmanship, you would not believe it! In fact the most important Saxon discovery until Sutton Hoo was discovered in the 1939’s! I visited the site a couple of weeks ago and met head gardner Phil. He took me round the site and gave permission to ‘prune’ a few sprigs from the lovely trees. I’ve printed a very long narrow length of vintage cotton this week. Wanting to illustrate the Mound as it might have looked pre 1800’s with an old yew tree growing on top. I’ve couched some hand dyed silk threads to represent soil (some see a map not unlike the Thames that runs close to Taplow) I’ve also included some golden beads to represent the treasures found in the tomb. I’ve loved putting this together and am delighted with the result. Excited to talk about this project tomorrow in the museum at 2pm. Book tickets on the museum website, link in their bio. Discover Bucks Museum

It’s been 10 weeks since Chris died, we talk about him every day (of course we do 💜) The subject of my residency has not...
06/07/2026

It’s been 10 weeks since Chris died, we talk about him every day (of course we do 💜)
The subject of my residency has not gone unnoticed, the irony. Looking at Saxon burial grounds and treasures found in Buckinghamshire. I’ve been stitching this one at home watching the football and tennis, thinking h should be sat on the other sofa watching as well.
This is the last offical week of my time at Discover Bucks Museum I’ll be there Wednesday-Saturday 10ish to 3 (4 on Saturday) and then taking about the project on Saturday at 2pm. This piece represents the burial sites near Wendover, in Saxon times. I’m imagining a woodland of beech trees, iconic to the area. ‘Buckinghamshire is thought to be derived from the Saxon word meaning ‘boc’ meaning ‘beech’ after the beech woods abundant on the slopes of the Chilterns’
The original green burial site.
Time to gather my thoughts…..

I’m starting in the studio early today, trying to ‘beat the heat’ But then heading off to Discover Bucks Museum for anot...
26/06/2026

I’m starting in the studio early today, trying to ‘beat the heat’ But then heading off to Discover Bucks Museum for another day creating artwork inspired by their current exhibition ‘The Saxons’. Playing with oak gall ink, iron water and hand embroidery. But it’s about the eco printing ‘about place’ with leaves I gathered on Monday in Wendover and Taplow. Here are the dates for the last two weeks of the residency, generously supported by The Muir Trust. I’ll be giving a workshop on the 4th of July and then a talk about the project on the 11th. Do come along if you are able, I’d love to see you here. embroidery

Feeling creative?Come and learn about the ancient ink made from Oak Galls with our Muir Trust artist in residence, Jane ...
23/06/2026

Feeling creative?

Come and learn about the ancient ink made from Oak Galls with our Muir Trust artist in residence, Jane Charles, then use the inks to decorate and illustrate a small folded book.

Creating lightfast ink from oak galls is magical, it was used to illustrate the Lindisfarne Gospels and the Magna Carta. Working with the ink, we will be creating patterns and illustrations inspired by Jane’s residency at the museum, using iron water as a modifier to change the colour. The little sculptural book can be formed in a number of ways, notated and stitched into. Representing the layers of soil with golden treasures to be found, inspired by the Saxon burial sites themselves. All materials provided.

Workshop time: 12pm - 3pm

Discover more 👇👇
https://www.discoverbucksmuseum.org/whats-on/oak-gall-ink-workshop/

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Milton Keynes
MK130

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