What’s new?

It’s been a busy couple of months of workshops and I had some lovely feedback: ‘The crochet day with Katy was excellent, perfect group size and plenty of opportunities to get individual help. I was delighted with what I achieved in one day and came away with the practical skills to continue my own crochet work.’ and ‘Katy was a really kind, funny and skilful tutor.’
Awhh, thanks guys. More crochet workshops in the autumn as I juggle everything. The next Meet Make Mend darning session with Kat Child at the Trinity Rooms will be Monday 11 March. Might see you there.


In
telligent Hands: Why making is a skill for life has been shortlisted for an award for indie publishers by Book Brunch. The announcement will be at the London Book Fair on 12 March and I’ve already booked my train ticket. It’s a long shot or course, but it’s great to be recognised 😊 Meanwhile, Intelligent Hands will be available in the USA from IPG books from today, 27 February.

The next excitement at Quickthorn is Rag Manifesto: Making, Folklore and Community by Rachael Matthews. We await delivery of the actual books while we recover from the work of getting it to print. The publication date is 1 March and it’s available to preorder now.

Reviews for Intelligent Hands

The book that I have co-written with Charlotte Abrahams, Intelligent Hands: Why making is a skill for life has had a great reception. We’re featured as one of the ‘Best of the Books’ in the 50 Anniversary edition of Crafts. We also have a full page spread in Embroidery Magazine. Our next event is at Lansdown Gallery this weekend as part of the Stroud Craft Show, were we’ll be selling the books. Join us for a darning session on Sunday morning. Book here. We’ll also be at Trinity Rooms next week as Stroud as part of the Stroud Book Festival, where books will be available. Charlotte and I will be talking to printmaker Sue Brown, featured in the book, and blacksmith Arian Leljak, to talk about the importance of craft skills in community and education. Come and join the conversation. Tickets are going fast!

Intelligent Hands: Why making is a skill for life

I’ve been writing a book with co-author Charlotte Abrahams, that will be out this autumn, published by Quickthorn.

Recent years have seen a decline in craft and creative education in schools and a shift from practical to theoretical learning models in higher education. Young people are leaving school with no idea that craft-based careers are even possible, and graduates of craft-based degree courses are entering the workplace with so few hand skills that their employers must train them from scratch. 

The cover of our new book features the intelligent hands
of Mosaic artist Cleo Mussi, photo by Carmel King

The book includes the personal stories of ten people who have discovered that working with their hands has improved their quality of life. Through the three sections of the book, we look at how physical labouring became separated from academic study, how we became divorced from the materials that surround us and the important role that the crafts and creativity play in education, not just for the lower streams, but for everyone. In short, how making is a skill for life. 

News for a New Year

I have a lot of workshops coming up. Find more details about booking and content plus booking links on the workshop page

  • Modular crochet, West Dean College, Sussex: Fri 27–Sun29 Jan
  • Beginners Crochet, Victoria Works, Chalford, Glos: Sat 4 Feb
  • Rag rugs, Lewis & Wood, Woodchester, Glos: Sat 18 Feb
  • Visible darning at Prema Arts, Uley, Glos: Sat 4th Mar 11am–4pm
  • Next steps crochet, Victoria Works, Chalford, Glos: 22 April

Quickthorn books

I’ve been a little quiet recently. Did I mention that I started my own publishing company Quickthorn Ltd? It’s just yours truly trying to navigate the whole thing, so it would be really helpful if you followed @quickthornbooks on the various media channels. I’m committed do doing everything I can to manage our carbon footprint, from the solar panels that heat my office to printing in the UK. Did you know most books are printed in the Far East? The heaviest cost is the transportation of all those pallets around the world. Ours are printed down the road in Exeter or recently in South Wales, so not that far to come. I hope you’ll find something you are tempted by or that is useful to you.

There are some exciting books, Finding Quiet Strength: emotional intelligence, embodied awareness, is already out, published in July 22. The next book published in October is When Words are Not Enough: creative responses to grief, not a comedy but a beautiful and hopeful book.

Launching this November is Celia Pym’s first book, On Mending: Stories of damage and repair. Beautiful photography and moving tales of some of the interesting people Celia has met on her mending travels.

There are more exciting crafty titles to come so sign up to the newsletter for offers, events and updates (not too often).