Smallbeans

Smallbeans This is where design and create things made from fabric and stitch. For your home and your coat. I have also made huge quilts with primary schools!

I’m happy to be quietly starting this art residency today 💜For the last month it’s been this project and my stitching th...
29/05/2026

I’m happy to be quietly starting this art residency today 💜
For the last month it’s been this project and my stitching that has held me together in the long days.
The irony of being inspired by ancient burial sites has not gone in noticed and my intention of finding treasure in dark places is still appropriate.
I’ll be there from around 11-3 today and as the weeks go on I’ll make clearer plans to give more notice.
The staff and the museum and Muir Trust trustees have been amazing in supporting me through this sad time for our family, thank you.
I hope people will come and chat about the work, I’m good at talking about my work and there will be a workshop planned.
More dates to follow, each week might be different, but I will be here until the 12th of July.

24/05/2026

Gosh and blimey. I’ve been wondering what I can possibly post for the first time in 4 weeks. Thank you for the love, comments and new followers. It’s overwhelming. But we are 4 weeks into this new life without Chris who was a maker here for a while in lockdown .cards . I don’t need to say how hard it’s been, but we are ok and working through all that we need to. Lives go on and I’ve got some events coming up so I’d better make a start on the socials to let you know. We had driven from Barmouth to Trefriw to visit the I am a textile maker who loves finding vintage fabrics that ‘speak tree’ and I’ve used the iconic fabrics to make before. There was a large shop and at the back, the weaving shed and water mill. The man demonstrating had gone on a lunch break, so I didn’t speak to him sadly but took lots of photos. I love the magic of the double weaving process. Chris looked at the water wheel, it was a bit too big and fast for me, I’m not a fan of large engine things. Walking back to the car, our lives changed forever.
Back in Milton Keynes and the studio I found my box of vintage welsh blanket offcuts, unbelievably found some placemats that I had bought from eBay in 2021. Giving it no thought at the time, but now know they were made at the mill probably in the 1980’s - I was shocked.
So making some new trees has kept me going in quiet moments, putting together this thinking about what has happened.
We’ve still got so much more to work out, it’s going to be a long process, but this post is the first difficult one to write before my summer events.
The trees will be for sale with some proceeds going to a local charity in Wales, I’ll decide with the lovely Becky from who helped us so much that weekend 💜 look out for updates.

Thank you to our amazing kids who have had to step into proper adulting long before they should have. Evie, Fred and Noah 💚💙💙

Thank you to family and friends, the messages, flowers, hugs and continual support.

Lots of love
Jane 🙏🏼 💜🧵 🌳

Looking forward to next weekend at  …..lots of new trees and quirky clocks to bring along. Hope to see you there in the ...
25/04/2026

Looking forward to next weekend at …..lots of new trees and quirky clocks to bring along.
Hope to see you there in the North.

It’s official!                      Posters, flyers and a press release!         It’s all on their website and links on ...
23/04/2026

It’s official! Posters, flyers and a press release! It’s all on their website and links on mine as well now. I’ve got a busy 10 days ahead still (Saltaire!), but so delighted to be starting at properly in tne first week of May. I hope to see many visitors there, very happy to talk textiles and this wonderful project. Thank you to The Muir Trust.

20/04/2026

Less than 2 weeks before I head up North to the and a lovely day of eco printing with hand embroidery and there are only TWO spaces left! So if you’ve been pondering whether to join me, book it now to avoid disappointment (as they say)
An introduction to the magical world of eco printing and then a relaxing embroidery and embellishment slow stitching afternoon.
Book your space through the website event page.

Then I’m at for 2 days in the Makers Fair, Victoria Halls.
I’m starting my “don’t forget lists” they will be long!

See you soon
Jane xx

When the woad has bolted, but it still gives us dusty pink! Not my woad, a gift from a friend’s allotment. I wonder if t...
18/04/2026

When the woad has bolted, but it still gives us dusty pink! Not my woad, a gift from a friend’s allotment. I wonder if the Saxons ever got pink from their 2nd year plants 🤔 it will be very useful for my embroidery and collages.

Well this hasn’t happened for a long while, I hope you are sitting down….I’ve updated my website! Lots to report on, eve...
14/04/2026

Well this hasn’t happened for a long while, I hope you are sitting down….I’ve updated my website!
Lots to report on, events and workshops coming up in Saltaire and closer to home.
The first look at my upcoming residency, just in case someone comes a cross that and needs to find out who I am and what my plans are…..you know, people who don’t do social media.
it still need tweaking, the ‘blog’ page has got something funny going on with the presentation, but once you click on them they are good to read! If anyone knows why they a double images please let me know 😳🙄
Link to the website in the comments ⬇️
See you soon, I’m heading off to the studio today, lots to get ready for Saltaire!
Jane xx

A lovely pop along to the new space  are developing as an Arts Hub. I’ve visited the Market Hall a few times, but this i...
06/04/2026

A lovely pop along to the new space are developing as an Arts Hub. I’ve visited the Market Hall a few times, but this is their first exhibition WASTE AGE, love it for longer. Brilliant, most of the work has been made especially, some iconic pieces from the Wolverton archives. Did I chat to the spinner? Of course I did! I’ll be meeting up with her again soon. Also, the first time local (but world renowned) artists have exhibited in Wolverton 👏 👏 👏. Oh and fabulous to see the quilt I put together in lockdown, made with over 300 squares stitched by around 80 people. So many happy memories in those strange weeks, where people dropped off finished patches through my letter box and the community and quilt grew day by day. Wonderful to see it in this space! It’s on until the 12th of April, 12-3 every day and then 2.30-6 on Saturday and Sunday. Just go, amazing space, beautiful installations. 💜👏👏👏

Happy Easter! I had good intentions of adding some mini eggs to this collection, but hadn’t got any 3 weeks ago when I t...
03/04/2026

Happy Easter! I had good intentions of adding some mini eggs to this collection, but hadn’t got any 3 weeks ago when I took the photo and now I’ve eaten them 🙄 so you will just have to use your imagination!
Loving the spring colours though and happy figures from sitting under my trees.

**Tagging such an amazing creative studio? Why not, a girl can dream and the trees do look magical.
Have a lovely long weekend and enjoy those buns and eggs.
🐣 🌼 Xx

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Milton Keynes
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