I began Wearable Whatknots in 2022, on a summer holiday where all I wanted to do to wind down after a busy time at work was to sit on a blustery beach on the North Yorkshire coast and get crafty with embroidery threads and recycled cotton yarns whilst my kids played in rock pools and looked for fossils in the cliffs. I made rather a lot of necklaces that week!
I love making (and wearing) colourful, chunky yet lightweight jewellery, and initially made items for myself and friends. After a few requests to make items as presents I started my Etsy shop, began selling at craft fairs and in early 2023 the wonderful Spirals in Hebden Bridge became my first high street presence. You can also buy Wearable Whatknots at Innovation in Hebden Bridge Mill.
Click on the image below to visit my Etsy shop to view my range of necklaces, bracelets, bangles, earrings and keyrings.
In February 2023 I began experimenting with cyanotypes using pressed plants and flowers found on local walks or growing in my tiny garden and yard, and soon after my other making brand, Calder Valley Cyanotypes, was born. Initially restricted to making small cards, I now enjoying making botanical compositions up to A3 size. I sell my original work mounted and framed (via print fairs and Open Studios events) and also unframed, where I list originals for sale on Etsy, which start at bookmark and postcard size. I have a range of greetings cards and postcards for sale too.
In 2025 I expanded my range of products and now sell A5 and A6 cyanotype notebooks, greeting card and postcard packs, and giclée prints in a range of sizes. A number of shops local to Hebden Bridge sell my greetings cards. Innovation in Hebden Bridge Mill stocks my full range of prints, notebooks, cards and postcards.
I keep my photogram process as natural as possible, so use only the sun’s light to expose the image and don’t force my prints by developing with peroxide – just water. I also use recycled papers wherever possible and always in my professionally printed greetings card ranges. Click on the image below to shop originals, cards and prints, via Etsy.
Of course in the Pennine hills in West Yorkshire it is not always possible to have the sunshine when you want and need it, so when the sun is hiding I make my jewellery collections from my lounge, or in the case of ceramic necklaces, pendants and earrings, from Northlight Art Studio where I take a weekly ceramics class. I then finish the jewellery at home.
You can shop my ceramic earrings and necklaces by clicking on the picture below.
