The Maker’s Journal

As the seasons change and the air grows cooler, I find myself spending more time indoors and in the studio. Life slows down, the temperature drops, and there is a quiet comfort in huddling under a blanket with a hot cup of cocoa or coffee in hand. The world outside seems to soften, its edges less sharp, and in that gentle stillness, my thoughts come alive. Ideas, questions, and memories drift thro...

There’s a quiet truth in Dr. Nawal El Saadawi’s words: “The pleasure of creativity can erase any pain.”I’ve felt that truth many times in my studio, standing over a printing table or guiding students through a lampshade class. Creativity has a way of grounding us when life feels uncertain. It doesn’t erase hardship in a literal sense, but it transforms how we move through it.I’ve had seasons when ...

Teaching lampshade making and printmaking has been one of the most rewarding parts of my creative life. From the very beginning, I realised there was something about sharing knowledge and seeing someone else’s excitement that truly energises me. I am passionate about making, but teaching adds a whole new layer of meaning. It’s not just about showing a technique; it’s about helping someone find the...

Mistakes are an inevitable part of any creative journey. When I first started running my studio and developing my own designs, I worried a lot about getting everything right. Over time, I’ve come to see mistakes not as failures but as opportunities to learn and grow. Each misstep teaches something new — whether it’s a technique, a way to solve a problem, or a fresh perspective on a project.I have ...

A creative life is full of highs and lows. Some days, ideas flow effortlessly, and the work seems to unfold naturally. Other days, progress is slow, inspiration feels distant, and frustration creeps in. I have found these moments particularly challenging at times, especially because as a maker and teacher, I wear so many hats. I am creating, teaching, managing the studio, running the business, res...

Reflection has become a central part of my creative practice. After a day in the studio, whether teaching or making, I often take time to think about what worked, what challenged me, and what ideas are forming for the future. Reflection helps me see patterns, understand my own process, and notice growth that might be invisible in the moment.I encourage my students to keep notes, sketches, or photo...

Learning to let go has been one of the hardest but most rewarding lessons in my creative life. When I first began teaching and making, I was attached to every detail. I wanted everything to be precise and as I imagined. Over time, I realised that holding too tightly often blocked creativity and made the process feel stressful.Letting go doesn’t mean giving up. It means trusting the journey and emb...

I have always been drawn to the process of making. Whether it’s hand-stitching a lampshade or carving a linocut, there is a calm satisfaction in being fully present with the work. When I first started teaching, I noticed some students worried too much about the final outcome. I often remind them, and myself, that perfection is not the goal.Over the years, I’ve learned that mistakes and unexpected ...

Inspiration doesn’t always strike in a dramatic or obvious way. Some of my most creative ideas have come from quiet moments — walking through a garden, noticing a pattern in a piece of fabric, or listening to the rhythm of life around me. Even after years of making, I still find myself jotting down ideas on scraps of paper, sketching in the margins of notebooks, or photographing textures that catc...

I’ve spent years teaching creative courses, and one of the most rewarding things is seeing the transformation in my students from day one to the final day. On that first day, there’s a spark of curiosity: “I wonder what I can create?” By the last day, that spark has grown into confidence, skill, and something completely new.I watch them discover patience they didn’t know they had, carefully shapin...