eco-friendly planter mobiles
Created by Karen Whiterod
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balanced_earth_norfolk

Norwich, Norfolk
Sculptural + kinetic works #sustainablymade
@dneastanglia exhibition, Nurture, 19th-24th June 2026
@craftscouncil directory

…and we're open! A hot tiring day setting up on ...and we're open! A hot tiring day setting up on Thursday. I'd nearly run out of va va voom (if I ever had any!) by the time of our preview evening, but good company and conversation does light the spark again. 

It was fun and productive being in the company of my lovely, entertaining and, very efficient, Design Nation East Anglia friends to bring this wonderful exhibition together. 

Arrived at Diss train station two minutes before my train home and with a bridge to cross to the platform, I couldn't see how I'd make it.  But the kindness of strangers happened!  One carried my heavy rucksack (containing a small anvil, hammer and other tools) down the stairs and placed it on the train, while the guard kept the train door open for me. I couldn't have felt more grateful! 

Nurture exhibition runs until 24th June, daily 10 - 5.
Artspace Woodbridge,
64 Thoroughfare
Woodbridge, IP12 1AL 

@dneastanglia
@artspace_woodbridge

@pamelaprint.woventextiles 
@lusummers 
@alexandrawaylett
@artistcaz 
@kateweltonceramics
@hassinakhanglass 
@selinarose_studio
Light illuminated my vessels beautifully yesterday Light illuminated my vessels beautifully yesterday, after a final clean, before packing for our exhibition. 

Set- up day tomorrow and preview evening. 

You are warmly invited to our exhibition opening on 18th June from 4 pm - 8pm. 

Nurture exhibition runs from 19th - 24th June 2026 at Artspace, 64 Thoroughfare, Woodbridge, IP12 1AL  daily 10am - 5pm

I will be exhibiting alongside seven other East Anglian based Design Nation Members. 

@dneastanglia
@artspace_woodbridge

@artistcaz
@pamelaprint.woventextiles
@lusummers 
@kateweltonceramics 
@hassinakhanglass 
@alexandrawaylett 
@selinarose_studio
The elements of my new suspended work are almost c The elements of my new suspended work are almost complete and ready to assemble!  Just had to finish engraving the peacock butterfly (one of the pollinators). 

This and other new work can be seen in 'Nurture', the exhibition opens 19th June through to 24th June, 10 - 5, at Artspace Woodbridge. 

I will be exhibiting alongside seven other East Anglian based Design Nation Members.  Artists work across disciplines including weave, embroidery, ceramics, kiln formed glass, mixed media and textile art.  You are welcome to join us for the exhibition opening on 18th June from 4 - 8 pm. 

Really looking forward to seeing our work together and spending some time with:

@artistcaz 
@hassinakhanglass
@pamelaprint.woventextiles
@selinarose_studio
@lusummers
@alexandrawaylett
@kateweltonceramics

@artspace_woodbridge
@dneastanglia 
@design_nationuk 

#balancedearthnorfolk
#reclaimedwire
#recycledglass
#glassengraving
#peacockbutterfly
These drawings are made as preparation to engrave These drawings are made as preparation to engrave on small glass jars.  The pollinating insects were my first venture into glass engraving.

The white drawings on black paper are diatoms, a type of phytoplankton.  They absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.  They provide 50% of our oxygen.  Isn't that amazing? They are effected by our warming oceans.

I am preparing for Nurture, our exhibition runs from 19th - 24th June 2026 at Artspace, 64 Thoroughfare, Woodbridge, IP12 1AL  daily 10am - 5pm

You are warmly invited to our exhibition opening on 18th June from 4 pm - 8pm.

Eight members of Design Nation East Anglia are exhibiting. @dneastanglia

@artistcaz
@hassinakhanglass 
@pamelaprint.woventextiles 
@selinarose_studio 
@lusummers 
@alexandrawaylett 
@kateweltonceramics
I have been slowly and consistently creating some I have been slowly and consistently creating some new work.  I became determined to utilise small glass jars a couple of years ago.  Ideas have been tried, but didn't work out.  Now I'm glass engraving and using a few textile techniques with wire.

I will be exhibiting this new work with @dneastanglia at Artspace Woodbridge in June.  More on this soon.

#glassengravingart
#knotlessnetting
#wireworking
#diatoms
#balancedearthnorfolk
I've been continuing to explore reuse of small gla I've been continuing to explore reuse of small glass jars.  Using wireworking and glass engraving.

I am exhibiting this work with Design Nation East Anglia in June at Artspace gallery in Woodbridge.

Further details to follow.
I an proud to donate these pieces to the Design-Na I an proud to donate these pieces to the Design-Nation Online Auction, celebrating 25 years of supporting  UK craft and design.  Explore the Auction and place a bid: 

https://uk.givergy.com/design-nationuk/?controller=home

Throughout the 90s, I made dyed nylon and silver jewellery.  During this time, I joined Design Nation when it was founded by Peta Levi.  I rediscovered DN a few years ago.  These jewellery items have been adapted from my original neckpieces.  I decided to redesign each one to become an adjustable neckpiece.

Please explore the Auction with over 80 handmade pieces, including ceramics, glass, textiles, print and jewellery.
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
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
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
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