
Joy in making
Last week I met a designer who seemed to have done everything in her long career. Over an in-depth talk about work, I learnt that sometimes you just have to do things for pleasure, get back to the exploration of material and making and see if people like the results. That way you remember who you are and meet new faces along the way. So, this weekend I stopped thinking in my usual work brain and spent a few hours making something fun in the form of a Christmas wreath decorati

Sutton House
One of the things I find most inspiring is looking at decorative artefacts in museums and houses. As a result, visiting National Trust properties has become my activity of choice when a rare weekend is available. I go with a friend who is also a designer and we always end up having long chats with the volunteers about their favourite bits of the display. I am always touched by their knowledge, enthusiasm and the fact that they are volunteering their time to encourage the lear