Ramtopsrac Creations

Advance notice: Sabbatical-ish Creative Break starting 30th September.

Efforts to make more space in my life for creativity and learning interesting artistic techniques to help me express my interests in the natural world and the Christian faith have proved… frustratingly difficult to achieve.

So, in a radical move, I’ve taken advice and will be taking a sabbatical-ish break from parish ministry for about three months from September 30th. I’ve tried to explain this and why I’m calling it ‘sabbatical-ish’ a blog post: https://ramtopsrac.wordpress.com/2024/08/18/forthcoming-sabbatical-ish-creative-space/

Plans include sneaking off to a workshop in the Fens just before I officially go off, a trip to Lindisfarne, and some self-care, but I’m also looking for other opportunities to develop my range of creative/nature/faith based art skills.

I am REALLY looking forward to making the most of this opportunity to prioritise me just a little bit more than comes naturally… and creating more pretty things. Watch this space! Literally!

-care

Forthcoming sabbatical-ish creative space We are all familiar with how the seasons turn: recently perhaps we’ve had at least two or three in a single day! It can be a tad tricky when you need to wear suncream and wellies, and you end up ca…

Glad to be a small part of keeping this heritage skill alive. Thanks to Rough Around the Hedges for making me aware of button making being featured by this important national organisation.

A lovely evening .studio in Petersfield for the private viewing of their latest exhibition “Surge: A Wave of Art”. Privileged to be among such a lovely group of artists, including this lady from London I’m pictured with as I explain how I have adapted the heritage craft of Dorset Button making.

The exhibition is on until 27th July, and there are a wide range of media among the exhibits; so nice not to be the only textile artist!

Thanks for the opportunity to exhibit Sarah Jane; much appreciated.





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I love a little challenge!

These little earrings are all packed up to go in the post tomorrow to

When Louise was teaching my friend and I frame basketry a few weeks ago (for the result of that, see last photo) she asked if I had made Tree Of Life earrings. The answer was no, but I’d love to try… and these are the result! I’ve used green coloured hypoallergenic niobium findings from

These are going straight to Louise, but I will be making more over the next few weeks. Please let me know if you are interested in a pair.

This morning I dropped off my pieces ready for the “Surge: Wave of Art” exhibition .studio next month in Petersfield. Sarah-Jane’s lovely mum was there to collect them, and it was also lovely to briefly meet Jess and her family team who opened a pop-up shop this morning in the exhibition space (until Sunday)!

Petersfield was glorious in the sunshine; the market was busy, and I finally found some footwear that’s comfortable around my little toe, which I broke two weeks ago!

There’s more info and images in my latest blog article: https://ramtopsrac.wordpress.com/2024/06/26/feeling-the-surge-exhibitor-news/

Looking forward to returning to Sage and Salt for the Private View next week; if you fancy joining me, please get in touch.




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Really rather chuffed to have two pieces of recent work accepted for exhibition Sage and Salt Studio

The exhibition is titled “Surge: A Wave of Art” so given my propensity for ‘creating waves’, I just had to have a go, and am so pleased that they fitted her brief.

Sarah-Jane who runs this award-winning new studio shop in Petersfield is a fellow beachcomber, one of the many things we chatted about when we first met in January. Through her beautiful shop stuffed full of beautiful things is the space into which she curates FREE exhibitions, from an even wider range of creatives from around the region; I’m honoured that I will be one of them in July.

Full details of the exhibition are in the images above, along with a peak of one of my two pieces that will be on display and for sale.





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Here’s something different, and a plug for Tom’s Studio Lumos pens. Yes I was suckered by an advert last month, but it was soooooo worth it!

I treated myself to a and used it in the creative processes that went into, and worked out from, the I prepared and led earlier this month …. and I can categorically say that it is an utter joy to use.

The photos show the great packaging, but Tom cemented this instant hit by including a - it is a longstanding joke among close friends that I will be first to make tea after Armageddon!!

I used my own purple ink in the 0.5 writing nib, wondering how long the little ink reservoirs would last; only to find as I prepped the first draft of my session notes, it just kept going, and going,… and going! ALL those pages of hand-written notes are double-sided (a process I prefer at the early stage of a project such as this because it enables a stronger sense of and than typing).

I also popped some of the free black ink Tom supplied in the reservoir for the other half which I gave a 0.8 fineliner This is equally delightful and I’ve used it in creating the attached ribbon of key words and images that threaded their way through the quiet day on the theme of (something I finally completed this evening).

So, I think you can safely say I and I am really looking forward to it continuing to help the gradual release of new forms of creativity in my life. Thanks Tom and team!

Finally managed a small shop update - earrings with silk threads and hypoallergenic niobium findings, a flower-posy pendant necklace, and a new scarf-ring to both inspire the sunshine and keep you warm on these chilly spring days. https://ramtopsrac-creations.sumupstore.com/product/delicate-flower-earrings

I’m about to settle down and make some sunflower earrings, after I got stopped by a shop assistant this morning and asked about the pair I was wearing!

“Seagrass and Seahorses”

Really delighted that I managed to complete my latest piece in Holy Week, and that it found its forever home without making it to my online store! I just happened to know someone who, months ago had asked me to do a seahorse piece 😉

Various ‘tippets and snippets’ including some inherited velvet ribbons, up-cycled ribbon off a chocolate box, art yarn from and seahorse charms from





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Tonight has been mostly about applying ... and yes, I love my quirky work tray, that reminds me to keep going forward, and not to freeze 'like a rabbit in the headlights'
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Finally had a couple of hours time and energy to (nearly) finish this piece, that’s been struggling against the tides of Lent. Hoping I can find enough rest in Holy Week to back it with felt. Other half-finished items may have to wait for our Easter break with friends who want me to take my craft stuff… could make for interesting packing 😉

Sometimes things don’t work out, but at least you tried.

Sadly there was little interest (except from one friend) in my Seashore Pendant Workshop .studio in . It’s fairly unsurprising as I’ve not managed to find time to put together a collection of wallhangings to exhibit there, and most people won’t therefore have much clue about my quirky take on No blame to the lovely and please do support the gallery if you’re nearby - it’s full of wonderful treasures https://www.sageandsaltstudio.co.uk/

I hope to try again with something locally to where I live and minister (where perhaps I’m marginally better known) in soon, as I’ve not given up on the idea completely.

So, I need to focus on making things, and as you can see I do have a few to settle down and embellish; realistically probably next week.

There are already some lovely things in my own little store if you’re struggling for gifts, but many of these new items will also find their way there just as soon as I can finish them https://ramtopsrac-creations.sumupstore.com/

I’m also thinking that perhaps people don’t wear big pendant much these days, and whilst I love making them, perhaps , and especially are more popular?! What are your thoughts on what styles of jewellery sells well?

I took some time to reflect yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed the sound of competing for territory (I’ll try and add that video later), and the early spring blossom that brightened up another dull day, so I’m sharing that with you too.

Exciting news: I'm running a workshop on Wed 6th March .studio in Petersfield.

It was lovely to meet recently at her fabulous new studio, and to be invited to run one of her increasingly popular workshops. I am really looking forward to it.

In this morning workshop we will be making pendant necklaces based on the tradition of Dorset Button making and the theme of the seashore.

If you're interested in booking, visit her online shop here: https://www.sageandsaltstudio.co.uk/product-page/seashore-pendant-workshop

If you want to know more about this workshop and the background to what I do, there's plenty of information on my blog here: https://ramtopsrac.wordpress.com/2024/01/28/seashore-pendant-workshop-6th-march-2024/

I will be creating some stock for the .studio soon, but in the meantime do pay Sarah-Jane a visit - she's attracted a diverse and talented group of artisans creating wonderful art!

Spent this blustery evening packing orders!
Delighted that this scarf ring has found an appreciative home, and to complete a commission for a set of liturgical earrings. They’ll be off to the post-office tomorrow - if we’ve not all been blown away by then!

Here’s a couple more completed pairs of earrings, featuring the gorgous laceweight silk threads from that I’ve fallen in love with.

The delicate little purple and lime green flowers, on lovely ‘rings’ from Their findings are a new hypoalergenic discovery for me: some niobium ones from These great little finds are fab for those of us with sensitive skin that reacts to many alloys, with the added bonus that they come in a range of fab colours (of which I initially only got a few, silly me!)

I’ve also made a second pair of bumblebee earrings - this time to accompany the flowers into my little online shop. These are on alloy findings, so for the harder-skinned among us. Next time I’m ordering niobium I’ll make sure I get some gold coloured ones!

My shop is https://ramtopsrac-creations.sumupstore.com/

I’m currently working on orders for a bumblebee necklace for which the recipient has provided a stunning little brooch embelishment, and a set of liturgical earrings.

There’s some exciting workshop news lurking in the wings too so plenty to keep me busy alongside my ministry commitments.

Some completed commission pieces for a friend using the lace-weight silk embroidery thread from The first pair (last photo) went off with her when she stayed last week, the rest I finished tonight.

Interestingly my friend is allergic to Silver, so initially I used surgical steel hooks, but I’ve recently discovered Niobium with its multicoloured, hypoallergenic properties, so I found turquoise and gold niobium findings to match one pair, so she can try them out.

Also, this is me christening the new light box that arrived yesterday. The first pair were photographed in haste on black material in the time honoured technique of Graham holding the torch on his phone to give better light (last photo). The other two pairs I used the light box. I think the light box is fab, but the black background sheet marks at the slightest touch of metal, so I may end up using the material as a background in the light box?!

Any thoughts or advice from light box users welcome?!

We no longer take our tree and lights down on 12th night. The light in the darkness does not go out, and, liturgically speaking at least, Christmas season isn't over until Candlemas in early Feb. This is the fourth year we've kept this new tradition - you can guess why it started 4 years ago, and whilst the cause of the darkness in our lives may change, the need for the light remains.

Just before Christmas I hauled the crochet hooks out of hiding, and after a dry run (the little one) rumaged among the art yarns and accumulated beads, and created some rather rustic impromptu Christmas Tree gifts for family. I also had some short run mini light sets, so into the last tree I wove them and then made a tiny heath-robinson pouchat the back for the battery pack. Something to perhaps return to and 'perfect' another year.

Photocreds mostly me, late in the evening, but include the lovely Marion who received both the proto-type and the one with lights.

Happy Epiphany all: keep journeying towards the light.

The busiest place in the house is currently my lap! These embroidery silks are just soooo gorgeous, I can't stop making stuff!

And yes, I've taken to repurposing champagne corks!

Looking at tomorrow's forecast suggests it will be in an indoors sort of day, so these should get finished and made up into earrings, including some on Surgical Steel findings for for a friend who is allergic to Silver.

I also need to sort some stash/floof out for some rather bigger projects I want to take forward.
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Here’s a couple more of the new designs of Dorset Button earrings I created for family and friends this Christmas. Both are made with shaped rings from based at the Fairground Craft Centre at Weyhill off the A303. These are just also made with some of gorgeous colour-ways of hand-dyed, lace-weight embroidery silk from which I’ve fallen in love with.

More have already been commissioned by another friend who saw them in form, but I will also try and repeat in various colourways for a shop update in the New Year. In the meantime, I’m very happy to take orders… I’ll do a post with all the colour options in the next few days.
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We’ve finally celebrated Christmas Pt 2 so the last of my prototype creations have been unwrapped, which means I can show you all.

So, here is my attempt at a pair of Santa earings that (thankfully) were met with delight by my mother-in-law. I even remembered to take process photos, so you can see that there are two Dorset Buttons used - sort of; one set within the other.

The beading is a mixture of upcycled bits, and some tiny seed beads - which make them slightly heavier than my usual style, but apparently they’re very comfortable to wear on their Sterling Silver findings.

I might make one or two pairs for next year, but I think they’ll be ‘special commission’ pieces so get your orders in early 😉

Most of my recent makes are Christmas presents for people, so I can't show you, at least not yet.

However I finished these little bees on honeycomb-coloured silk recently, and finally mounted them on earrings today - before promptly selling them to someone I know who has a thing about bees!

The gorgeous hand-dyed, silk embroidery thread I used is more from the lace-weight range

I've been playing with some stunning lace-weight, hand-died silk from and created some delightful little cabuchons for hair grips. I've just popped them up in the shop https://ramtopsrac-creations.sumupstore.com/product/hair-grips-fine-silk-cabochon-detail

I will be working on some earrings in these and other gorgeous course in their range, when time allows. In the meantime I have reduced the prices on some stock. If you're looking for a pre-Christmas hand-made bargain, take a look around https://ramtopsrac-creations.sumupstore.com/






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New small wave completed which I’ve christened the ‘Starfish Wave’. It’s just 10cm in diameter!

This will be available at Charles Kingsley’s School Fair this Friday 1st December, or if not sold then, online thereafter.
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I finished a Snowman Christmas Decoration tonight, and some more snowmen earrings. Those of you waiting for orders to be fulfilled will hopefully have them by the end of next week.

I’ll be at the Christmas Fayre at St. Barnabas Church, Darby Green tomorrow raising funds for Spring Pre-school and the church. If you’re anywhere near Yateley or Sandhurst do drop in and say hello. There will be warm welcome.

Some zip tags and cross earrings that (if not sold before) will be available at St. Barnabas Church, Darby Green near Yateley (on the Hants/Surrey/Berks border) this coming Saturday.

All made using traditional Dorset Button techniques using cotton or wool. Earrings are all with Stirling Silver findings.

These items are also available in my Sum Up store https://ramtopsrac-creations.sumupstore.com/

I’ve actually managed to finish off a few seasonal bits for a little crafty gig at one of the churches I serve, which is happening in 10 days time.

All these are using Dorset Button techniques and combinations and the angels are a riff on one of Jen Best’s patterns. There’s a few other bits coming along too, hopefully - time permitting.

Home (for one night) so a chance to list that latest wallhanging I talked about earlier in the week.

My ‘Sparkling Strandline’ wallhanging has sparkling waves coming into the strand-line on the shore. It’s made with up-cycled jewellery (including mirrored beads), seashells, beads, art-yarns and other fibres like recycled sari-silk, plus handmade twine from garden fibres. It’s about 21cm in diameter and listed here in my Sum Up Shop https://ramtopsrac-creations.sumupstore.com/product/sparkling-standline

If it doesn’t sell online, it will be available at the Christmas Fair, St. Barnabas Church, Darby Green on Sat 18th November 2023

I’ve finished a thing!

Yup, I’ve actually managed to complete a new seashore piece, once again based on the techniques of Dorset Button making though you will barely be able to tell because it’s embellished with assorted seashells, a little twist of handmade phormium tenax twine, various up-cycled bits and and sparkly beads.

I’m taking a little break with friends and so I’m not home to do the full reveal and listing in my SumUp Shop, so that will have to wait a week or so longer. I’m also very excited as I’m getting a new smart-phone very soon, so I won’t have to rely on Graham for crisp images too much longer - though I’m sure I’ll still need his help!