YOU ARE PURCHASING ONE FABRIC WALL HANGING, NOT THE ENTIRE COLLECTION OF 8. DRIFTWOOD LOG AND STRING NOT INCLUDED.
This unique wall hanging has a transparent and airy quality. Seaweed is represented in many diverse shades of green and cream to produce a gentle, yet textured waft of colour.
 
It would suit a coastal home or one with a natural theme. The multiple tones of green and cream would complement many home colour schemes. It is long and narrow and would provide a beautiful textured alternative to a painting or print. It could be ideal for adding decoration to any wall or staircase, or adorn a double height space. 

Many different techniques were used to produce this work. Starting with the olive green heat pressings taken from real seaweed, gathered in the tidal Bristol Channel. These were added to a fine transparent fabric which was further layered with coffee dyed organza, to add movement and make some areas more see through with pleats and gathers. I dyed wool with goldenrod, then used it to crocheted into the shape of seaweed. The top right corner features a piece of  embroidered seaweed, then further embellished with beads. I embroidered on water soluble fabric, leaving just the thread behind when dissolved. There are a further two of these embroideries down the left hand side. There is a green heat pressed netting shape laid across the middle to add the look of delicacy but also to give the piece some structure. It is edged with neon yellow cord to add definition. The bottom part of the wall hanging is made to look like draping seaweed which is just clinging on in places. For this element a mix of fabric and cord were used along with crochet chains fabricated from bouclé wool dyed with goldenrod.
 
There are grommets on the top edge so that the hanging can hook over nails on the wall, or as seen here, hung with yarn from a peice of driftwood. ​
 
Approximate measurements:
164cm length
46cm width
 
Materials:
Cotton, organza, polyester netting, wool
 
Cleaning advice:
Spot clean with a damp sponge if dirty
Blow with a hairdryer occasionally to keep dust free
 
Keep away from fire
 
How this Wall Hanging came to be
My collection of seaweed inspired wall hangings took shape over a number of months.
The starting point to my project was discovering a collection of pressed seaweed on postcards (see image on Home page), which had belonged to my great grandfather. Through research I discovered that these postcards were likely from the Victorian era, as collecting and pressing seaweed was a very popular woman’s hobby during this time. The colours of the pressed seaweed survived well, and I was inspired to use them as my colour palette. I wanted to base my project on a coastal theme whilst not being generic and predictable, by choosing seaweed as my subject matter, which is often overlooked for the more appreciated, prettier shells and seaside creatures. I value the fascinating natural textures of seaweed and aspired to show this through my collection.
 
I enjoyed learning new skills such as pressing seaweed, dyeing with seaweed and other natural plant dyes, heat press techniques, using bondaweb, and couching. I also expanded on my existing skills such as crochet, shibori, fabric manipulation, beading, melting plastic to make fabric, water soluble fabric embroidery and machine embroidery. I have always been attracted to dyeing fabric and used seaweed, tea, coffee, madder, goldenrod, walnut leaves, and birch bark to dye fabric and yarns, which I used to decorate my wall hangings. Having previously enjoyed pressing flowers, I taught myself how to press seaweed which enabled me to use actual seaweed in my designs. For example, I made prints using the heat press of pressed seaweed which I appliqued onto my wall hangings.
 
A major part of my project’s ethos was using recycled and scrap materials as well as ensuring the authenticity of my project by using the seaweed itself as much as possible. I aimed to create a unique and sophisticated collection of unconventional coastal wall hangings, which are designed and handmade with reused fabrics and authentic use of the subject they represent.