Journal

The Magnolia tree at Lastingham Grange is finally in full bloom. She is stunning.

Bertie & Tom, the magnificent hosts at the Grange have been very welcoming as I take time to photograph and draw the blooms, whilst of course enjoying tea on the sunny terrace.

Work on the first limited edition bowl of 2026 is almost finished.

Stephen has made the bowls in a deep warm pink glass and the design is almost settled ready for launch on April 30th.

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Our first design of 2026 is in the planning stages.

Bowls made, art work to finalise.

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Our new Bowl will be launched this Thursday at 6pm.

If you are on the mailing list, look out for the special invitation.........

This spring, the Hazel Catkins have been spectacular, with thousands of blooms swaying in the breeze along the roadsides and hedgerows of the North York Moors. Catkins are the male flowers of the hazel tree, and each tail is made up of hundreds of tiny individual flowers, bursting with yellow pollen.

Since insects are scarce at this time of year, the hazel tree relies on the wind to pollinate its flowers, carrying pollen on the breeze to help produce those wonderful hazelnuts in autumn.

The name Catkin comes from the Dutch word katteken, meaning "kitten," as the flowers resemble fluffy kitten tails. They’re also known as lamb’s tails, a name more closely linked to the arrival of spring.

The flowers of the wild garlic are delightful and very busy, like a firework bust of white petals and delicate yellow stamen a top a sturdy stem. The wind has been cold and strong and the stems withstand the worst the weather throws at them.

The colour I've chosen  for the body of the bowl is very subtle, which I hope brings out the delicate nature of these blooms, and the rim is a nod to the sea of green leaves from whence the blooms rise... like stars in a night sky.

I've been patiently waiting for this flower to open. The buds remain tightly closed as the weather remains cold up here in Rosedale.

Just this weekend a few brave blooms appeared and work has begun to transcribe their form and physical essence onto a bowl.

Their 'other' essence is much lauded by chefs and in many recipes... I am surprised that even the pollen packs a generous aromatic punch.

Bringing holly indoors for Christmas is believed to ensure a year of good luck!

Ilex Verticillata or Winterberry is a species of holly, native to Canada and the US.

The bare branches covered in berries make irresistible floral arrangements and our studio is brightened by them over the Christmas period.

It’s the one time of year when a lot of us still practice a few folk customs.

To profit from the power of holly, Celts would hang sprigs in their windows and over the door to keep witches and evil spirits away.

Since it was well known that only good people could enter a house protected that way, it became a symbol of hospitality.

In days gone by a bunch of holly was placed in the stable or cow shed on Christmas Eve to bring luck and favour the animals; custom has it that cattle will thrive and sheep produce twins if holly is hung where they can see it.

This year the hedgerows of the wet, acid soil in the Dale beam with colour and it seems appropriate to celebrate this abundance.

Our fourth limited edition of 2023.