Originally from England, I have lived in several countries including Thailand and Japan, and settled in Australia some years ago. I have been stitching, creating and playing with fibres from being a small child. However, these days I find myself immersed in print-making and creative artists books and enjoy the constant challenge these bring me.
My primary interest lies in colour, design, composition and construction of unique art pieces. My skills include a wide array of both traditional and contemporary hand stitching, building dimensional structures, creative backgrounds, journal making and a range of print-making techniques.
One of my main focuses is to continue to learn and evolve my skills in new creative areas, and I enjoy opportunities to attend seminars, workshops and exhibitions to widen my knowledge base. Formal studying has been a continual part of my adult life as it provides a framework for self-improvement and advancement in my chosen field.
TactualTextiles 
Hello Claire, I am a fellow OCA student and have just enjoyed browsing through your blog. Your work is admirable and exciting and I am looking forward to following your progress through the course.
Hi Penny, thanks for the comment. You’ll already have realised that I look at your blog from time to time. Your work is very good but, from your recent posts. it looks like you’re having a hard time right now. In one of your posts you’ve questioned if you have what it takes for the course. Can your tutor help motivate you and get you back on track?
Hi Claire
I dipped into your blog (again) expecting to be just a few minutes. Two hours later I was still enjoying it. I envy the amount of resources you have at your disposal but most of all I admire your creativity and skill. Thanks for the chance to look at your work.
Thanks very much for your kind comments Irene. I’m really enjoying the courses I’m doing and that feeds my unthusiasm for all things textile. It helps to give a focus and direction to some of my creative thinking. Do you have a blog?
Hi Clare I am also an OCA student, I have signed up to follow your blog and wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your posts. You are ahead of me in the course – I am currently working away at the screen printing project. It’s motivating for me to see what you’re doing!
Hi Joanna, thanks for the comment and I’m glad you like the stuff I post. I’m really enjoying the course and the screen printing part was fun. It’s always motivating (and sometimes a bit daunting) to look at other students blogs and see what they are doing. Makes it seem a bit less remote somehow.
What I find fascinating is the range of ideas that people have and the originality of their interests. I really likes your idea of researching totems, for example. It’s also fun to try out new methods – I had never done weaving before starting my studies with OCA and I discovered how rewarding it is. Good luck with your work and Happy Christmas from here in Scotland!
Hi Claire
I have just found your blog – through the OCA fb group and am enjoying it hugely. I am from UK and have also loved in Thailand and Japan and other countries so found it interesting that you have too! I am an OCA student and have completed ACA and currently on Printmaking 1, but I am very slow!
Warm wishes
Amanda
Great to hear from you Amanda. I’m also painfully slow getting through this printmaking course. Enjoying it though. It’s all very new to me and every step seems to need an inordinate amount of thinking and planning before even getting to the print stage.
Glad you’re enjoying my blog. I try to post about once a week if possible.
Good luck with the course and keep in touch.
Regards, Claire.
Hi claire – do you know where to sourse the silk parachute shopping bags – I’ve just lost mine and I’m bereft!
Hi Sam, I got mine from a craft market so I can’t help you there. However a simple google search brought up http://www.ecosilkbags.com.au/. Hope that helps.
Hi Claire – is this silk the same as parachute fabric. Still can’t actually find an outlet – perhaps I’m being a bit stupid!
Hi Sam, I put a link to the type of bag I have in my previous reply. It’s on-line so you can mail order. You’ll need to ask them if it is parachute silk.
Thanks so much Claire!