eco-friendly planter mobiles
Created by Karen Whiterod
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balanced_earth_norfolk

Norwich, Norfolk
Sculptural + kinetic works #sustainablymade + #houseplants
@craftscouncil directory
@blue_patch

This is the last weekend of Wighton25: Site/Sight, This is the last weekend of Wighton25: Site/Sight, closing on Sunday at 5pm.

This is Symbiosis Balanced filmed at home before hanging in the exhibition.  Checking how it looked and moved.  The sunlight and shadows were rather lovely.

Of course the symbiosis theme only makes sense with the relevant plant cuttings for the insects.  These are in place for the exhibition.

Visitors have really enjoyed exploring and spending time with the artists' works.

@northnorfolkexhibitionproject

#wighton25 
#contemporaryart
#kineticsculpture 
#symbiosis 
#wireweaving 
#glassengraving
#pollinators 
#simplethingsmadebeautiful 
#balancedearthnorfolk
I was on invigilating duty yesterday at Wighton25: I was on invigilating duty yesterday at Wighton25: Site/Sight exhibition.  I decided to raise my sculpture as well as refresh the cuttings from the churchyard.  The new height is so much better!

I was pleased to see some of the real life insects, which feature in my engravings on glass, in the churchyard.

The glass jars are engraved with:

Peacock butterfly
Painted Lady butterfly 
Cinnabar moth
Elephant Hawkmoth
Red tailed bumblebee
Garden bumblebee
Heineken fly
Common banded hoverfly
Black and yellow longhorn beetle
Bloody-nosed beetle

The exhibition is open until 3rd August, 10 - 5pm.  Free admission.  Organised by North Norfolk Exhibition Project.

@northnorfolkexhibitionproject 

#balancedearthnorfolk 
#wighton25 
#norfolkartist 
#artinnorfolk 
#kineticsculpture
#symbiosis 
#artinchurches 
#northnorfolk
#wildflowers
#pollinatinginsects
My walk through All Saints Church at Wighton colle My walk through All Saints Church at Wighton collecting cuttings.  I researched the plants which would be flowering in July and matched each to the insect depending upon it.  Engraving this insect onto the vessel holding the relevant cutting.

Due to the hot weather, the plants have flowered early and some, like the wallflower, have gone to seed.  I've remained with my intended plants, even if their flowers are faded or non-existent.  This conveys our changing climate with extremes of weather and how this could effect some insects, when out-of-sync with the flowering plant, which they depend upon.

Wighton25: Site/Sight

All Saints Church, Kirkgate Lane, Wighton, NR23 1AL

Open daily 10 - 5, free admission

Until 3rd August

Organised by North Norfolk Exhibition Project

@northnorfolkexhibitionproject

#balancedearthnorfolk 
#Wighton25
#symbiosis
#pollinatinginsects 
#wildflowerseason
#ccmakers 
#dneastanglia
Symphasis Balanced, my latest sculpture is being e Symphasis Balanced, my latest sculpture is being exhibited at Wighton25: Site/Sight until 3rd August.  Organised by North Norfolk Exhibition Project and taking place at All Saints Church, Kirkpatrick Lane, Wighton, NR23 1AL.

Please scroll through to the final image for info about my sculpture.  Though I will introduce the engravings and insects in future posts.  Also about my materials.

@northnorfolkexhibitionproject 

#wighton25 
#kineticsculpture 
#wireweaving 
#glassengraving 
#copperwirework 
#recycledmaterials 
#artforinteriordesigners 
#artforthehomeandsoul
A little preview of my sculpture for Wighton25: Si A little preview of my sculpture for Wighton25: Site/Sight, quickly videoed at home.  More about this to come, once it is hanging in Wighton Church, complete with the relevant plants.

@northnorfolkexhibitionproject 

#wighton25 
#balancedearthnorfolk 
#craftsayssomething 
#kineticsculpture 
#symbiosis 
#dneastanglia
Two further pollinating insects to engrave on glas Two further pollinating insects to engrave on glass jars, then I can join all my elements together.  It's exciting to finally suspend a new sculpture for the first time.  Will it surpass my drawing and imagining of how it will look?

Hanging on Friday at Wighton Church.  Wighton25: Site/Sight opens 3rd July.  Details in last image (though only half of the poster!)

@northnorfolkexhibitionproject

#wighton25 
#northnorfolkexhibitionproject 
#suspendedsculpture
#symbiosis
#kinetic
#recycledmaterials
#norfolkartist
Last week was a fabulous week! Beginning with do Last week was a fabulous week! 

Beginning with dog-sitting.  Freya was a gorgeous companion, she was also a great prompt for walking and ball-throwing!

Then off to Farnham for the Design Nation Craft Study Day.  Alongside three of my fellow exhibitors, @joannelambstudio and @rosalindstoddart, in "What is Precious?", talking at New Ashgate Gallery.  Visiting the Craft Study Centre to see their archive and collection, also the 62 group textile exhibition.  Then to UCA to give a presentation about our work and ethos to the study day group.
Images of the day by @design_nationuk

On Saturday, I sang in a summer concert with "The Tuesdays" a capella group in Loddon.  A harmonious end to the week!

I'm mostly working alone, so being in sociable-mode was unusual for me.  Last image is my work in progress for Wighton25:Site/Sight exhibition opening at the beginning of July.

@craftsstudycentre 
@newashgate 

#balancedearthnorfolk 
#farnhamworldcrafttown 
#shunarendel 
#wighton25
Reposting from @design_nationuk @newashgate and @c Reposting from @design_nationuk @newashgate and @craftsstudycentre about the Design Nation Study Day linked to "What Is Precious?" exhibition.

Looking forward to participating in this day in Farnham alongside two fellow exhibitors, @joannelambstudio and @rosalindstoddart

Booking essential.
I'm reposting a video tour from @newashgate of cur I'm reposting a video tour from @newashgate of current exhibitions.  It is a large and beautiful gallery, not all the work is included here, the exhibitions are open until 28th June.

I'm delighted to have my work included in this @design_nationuk showcase, "What is Precious?"

I use a variety of unwanted materials in my work.  With a jewellery and silversmithing education, I bring these techniques into my materials' reuse approach.  My fascination with suspending sculptural forms began 25 years ago, once I had stopped making jewellery.  Or maybe, it is an extension of making earrings! 😁

#balancedearthnorfolk 
#sustainabledesign 
#newashgategallery 
#summerexhibition 
#farnhamworldcrafttown
#designnation
#dneastanglia
#contemporarycraft
#supportmakers
#norfolkartist
So much time has passed since my last post, that I So much time has passed since my last post, that I hesitated about how to do it!  I've been working on a new idea to repurpose small glass jars.  Experimenting with techniques, endeavouring to recycle materials, if that is possible.

My first vase has been incorporated into Skylark (continuing to use names of bird species on the BTO/RSPB red list). This is being exhibited in "What is Precious?" , the Design Nation showcase, at the New Ashgate Gallery.  Details of the private view on Friday 2nd May are in the last image.

@newashgate 
@design_nationuk
I visited Collect Art Fair at Somerset House yeste I visited Collect Art Fair at Somerset House yesterday.  A fabulous day in the company of a friend, I hadn't seen for several years.

This is a small selection of amazing and intriguing work in a variety of materials and approaches.  I wasn't able to visit every gallery space due to pain issues, so I have to prioritise.  We attended two fascinating talks in the lecture theatre.

@collectartfair 
@somersethouse 

Darren Appiagyei
Claire Ireland
Wanbing Huang
Kye-Yon Son
Dr Heike Brachlow
Daniel Mirchev
Valéria Nascimento
Kyeok Kim
Just before catching flu, I finally did a new blog Just before catching flu, I finally did a new blogpost and posted it on my website.  It's the story of my jewellery-making in the 1990s and finding some of my pieces squirreled away!

I've been looking back at press cuttings, publicity fliers for exhibitions here, in Europe and USA.  Including a fascinating experience of having a make-up artist, prepare me for a photoshoot, wearing my jewellery, with LivingEtc.  I was sent these photos (in video), but they weren't printed in the magazine, can't recall why.

I'm about to embark on new work, developing skills and delicious experimenting.  But before that I thought I'd bring some of that jewellery into the light of day again.  I discovered a method to transform some of my original neckpieces into adjustable necklaces.  They are comfortable to wear and an individual style.

I will post when they are available in my online shop.  I'm frustratingly slow as still not recovered from flu.  I have a mailing list sign-up on my website, subscribers will be the first to know when the shop is updated.  Although my jewellery is my long-ago past, I'm still pleased with the work I made.  My nylon jewellery was very innovative.

#balancedearthnorfolk 
#karenwhiterodjewellery
#colourfuljewellery
#nylonjewellery
#contemporaryjewellery
#textilejewellery
#artjewellery
Following my previous reel with suspended pieces a Following my previous reel with suspended pieces and floating flowers, here are my pieces with sea-sculpted bricks, most definitely anchored to the surface.

These are also available in my online shop, there are gift vouchers too.  Link in my profile.

#balancedearthnorfolk 
#sustainabledesign 
#craftsayssomething 
#aconsideredhome 
#wabisabistyle 
#interiorrewilding
These are my suspended designs available in my onl These are my suspended designs available in my online shop.  Who doesn't like to see "floating" flowers?

I have a complete fascination with making suspended work, making my first suspended sculpture back in 2008 (at a guess). The delicate movement and seeing a group of suspended forms seemingly dancing in space... beautiful!

#christmasgift
#sustainabledesign 
#aconsideredhome 
#wabisabistyle 
#flowermagic
#balancedearthnorfolk
I'm a little behind with my online shop! Thought I'm a little behind with my online shop!  Thought I'd introduce some of the pieces in separate posts.  These are the Dotterel vases.

There's a link to my shop in my profile.  I have made all the designs from sustainable and found materials.

#balancedearthnorfolk 
#sustainabledesign 
#craftsayssomething 
#aconsideredhome 
#wabisabistyle
My online shop is currently closed, while I'm upda My online shop is currently closed, while I'm updating it. Thought I'd show you a little preview of some of the pieces, you will find, if you care to visit. 

I'm aiming for early next week. 

#handmadechristmasgiftsuk
#festivegiftideas
#ikebanavases
#wabisabistyle
#interiorstyling
#bringnaturehome
#biophillicdesign
#circulardesign
I was interviewed by Hayley Banks from Design Nati I was interviewed by Hayley Banks from Design Nation last month, just before the "What is Precious?" Showcase at the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair. 

The interview was recorded.  There is a link to the recording on Linktree in my bio.

I discuss how Balanced-Earth is a creative evolution from my previous work as a jeweller and environmental workshop facilitator (aka Footprint Arts). Also how the ethos of Balanced-Earth connects to the theme of "What is Precious?"

Previous selected jewellery images, sculpture images and community arts projects can be found in the "About" section of my website (link in bio).

#sustainabledesign
#craftsayssomething
#designnationuk
#GNCCF24
#dneastanglia
#designforplanet
#climatecreatives
#balancedearthnorfolk
#circulardesign
#wabisabistyle
#bluepatch
#ccmakers
Home from a couple of days at the coast with antib Home from a couple of days at the coast with antibiotics to rid myself of the chest infection following a cold.  Unfortunately the cold started on my first day at #GNCCF24.  It was great to have the support of my new friends from our Design Nation Showcase group.

I had a short walk on the beach with no intention to collect, thought hauling a bag of bricks up the cliff path was not a good idea!  Work in progress to protect Mundesley cliffs from erosion.  Lots of change happening since my last visit.

Saw this amazing community of limpets and the sculpting work of the sea.

Couldn't resist two bricks!

#balancedearthnorfolk
#coastalerosion
#norfolkbeach 
#seadefences 
#limpets
An introduction to our Design Nation Showcase, "Wh An introduction to our Design Nation Showcase, "What is Precious?" at the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair.

If you are visiting, call into the Superintendent's Flat, upstairs in room 2.

@great_northern_events 
@design_nationuk 

#gnccf24 
#craftsayssomething 
#sustainabledesign 
#balancedearthnorfolk 
#designnationuk 
#balancedearthnorfolk 
#manchesterculture
#manchesterwhatson
#interiordesign 
#victoriabaths
#wabisabistyle
#climatecreatives
#designforplanet
Eight of us are taking part in the Design Nation S Eight of us are taking part in the Design Nation Showcase, "What is Precious?" at the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair.  Information about each of us and the exhibition can be found on the GNCCF website.
@great_northern_events
@design_nationuk

We are on the first floor in room 2 - Superintendent's flat, Victoria Baths, Manchester.  17th - 20th October

Excited to see all our work together!

@kirsty_adams_ceramics
@rosalindstoddart
@nerissact 
@su_france_designs 
@darrenballtextiles 
@jademellorjewellery 
@carolinebrogden 

#gnccf24 
#craftsayssomething 
#contemporarycraftfair 
#whatsonmanchester 
#sustainabledesign 
#aconsideredhome
#artforthehome 
#climatecreatives
#designforplanet
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