The west coast of Lundy is a place of drama and contrast. Here, high rugged granite cliffs rise steeply from the Atlantic, shaped relentlessly by wind, salt, and weather. It is a coastline that feels raw and elemental. It is loved by seabirds. Rock climbers also seek it out to test themselves against the island’s formidable cliffs.

Yet clinging to these sheer rock faces is something unexpectedly delicate: sea thrift.

Late Spring, the appearance of sea thrift feels like a quiet celebration. Its soft pink pom-pom flowers dot the cliff edges. They offer a striking contrast to the greys and browns of the granite. The flowers also contrast with the deep blues of the sea below. It is a plant perfectly adapted to this exposed landscape, thriving where very little else can survive. For me, sea thrift is one of the clearest signs of the seasons changing.

When I am weaving, my inspiration almost always comes from the landscape around me. Living and working on Lundy means that the island inevitably finds its way into my creative practice. Sea thrift is a significant presence on the west coast. Responding to it through making felt natural.

This small woven piece began as a way of paying attention — to colours, texture, and place. I wanted to capture the relationship between fragility and resilience that sea thrift embodies so well. Like the plant itself, the weave is small and understated, but rooted in the wider landscape of the island.

A Mini Weave Inspired by Lundy

I made this piece on a handmade cardboard loom, enjoying the simplicity and slowness of the process. The materials are modest so i can sit weaving it in the landscape.

The pink and green threads echo the sea thrift in bloom. The blue fringe is a subtle nod to the surrounding Atlantic. It is always there and always shapes life on the island. I chose a piece of driftwood found on Lundy. I used it to hang the weave. This grounded the work physically and symbolically in the island itself.

I love the way the colours sit together: soft yet vivid, delicate yet strong. Much like sea thrift clinging to the cliffs, the weave feels held in tension between exposure and shelter.

Making as a Way of Paying Attention

This small woven piece is not just about representation, but about noticing. Working with my hands helps me slow down. I observe the details of the landscape. I notice the plants that survive here. I see the colours that repeat themselves across rock, sea, and sky. I appreciate the quiet rhythms of seasonal change.

On Lundy, creativity often grows directly out of place. Sea thrift has a brilliant summer presence. It reminds us that even in the most rugged environments, beauty persists. Sometimes it’s the smallest things that leave the strongest impression.

When I am weaving my inspiration comes from the landscape. Sea thrift is a significant presence on the island. I wanted to represent this in a mini weave. I produced this on a hand made cardboard loom and used some driftwood to hang it from. I adore the effect the contrasting colours of the pink and green make. The blue in the fringe is a hint of the sea.