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Five Golden Birds
Five Golden Birds. My latest commission was for a couple who wanted two mosaics to sit inside a couple of outside window recesses. We met in a coffee shop in Glastonbury after they had been to see my exhibition at the Abbey in January, and discussed designs and sizes etc. They were quite into eagles…
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Birds of Omen
‘Birds of omen dark and foul, Night-crow, raven, bat, and owl, Leave the sick man to his dream – All night long he heard your scream’ from an Ancient Gaelic Melody by Sir Walter Scott As early man was fearful of the night it is not surprising that ancient stories depict the owl as a…
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The Silence of Owls
On my monthly trips to Somerset Crafts gallery, I drive the quiet way through the lanes through the Somerset levels. One fresh December morning last year I had to stop as I spotted something quite beautiful through my rear view mirror. A trail of mist was weaving a path across the distant woods. It was…
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The Propagation of Birds
As I was returning from one of my daily walks around the lanes and fields in December last year, full of wonder and awe at the grey skies and the skeletons of trees, I found myself being fascinated by the hedge tops holding on steadfastly to the few remaining leaves from the summer. The light…
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All That We Did To Them Until There Were None
An apocalyptic vision. Man made greed and the subsequent environmental problems that are tipping our fragile eco-system.
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Three Golden birds, Two Nordic Snow Birds and a Brave Robin Redbreast
I’ve made some new birds inspired by winter just for you! The Brave Robin There are several different stories about how the robin got his redbreast. I particularly like an Irish folk tale I found which I’ll attempt to retell… It was a harsh and very cold winter and a boy and…
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Odd Little Flock
Woopee doo! I thought you might like to see my new little fairies and angels. These little oddities came out of the work I made for Glastonbury Abbey. I love how one thing leads to another when you are making things. Working with plastic bones led me to the barbie doll fairies. I also find…
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Bones of Saints
Yes, Yes, I know it is one of the songs on Robert Plant’s new album “Carry Fire” ! However, this time it was synchronicity, I had already made these by the time I heard of his new song! If you don’t understand this connection I have with Robert Plant then check out my last post!…
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The Robert Plant Guardian Bird of Relics
And so to the final one of the six birds! It’s Robert Plant, our wonderful living rock legend! I thought it would be nice to have someone who is still alive as inspiration for a guardian bird. I chose Mr. Plant because of his connections with Glastonbury and the Abbey itself. In 2014 for the…
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Saint Dunstan Guardian Bird of Relics
The penultimate guardian bird of relics made for the Traces Revealed exhibition at Glastonbury Abbey. Born in Baltonsborough near Glastonbury, Saint Dunstan was guided by the Irish monks in the 10th Century A.D at Glastonbury Abbey. Later he became abbot of the Abbey. When he was canonised after his death, his patronage included metalsmiths, goldsmiths,…
