Celtic Knotting

Chinese knotting is a folk art dating back thousands of years as evidenced in old paintings and sculptures. Objects made of decorative knotting were either used by themselves such as bracelets, or else used to enhance other ornamental objects such as sachets or fans. Celtic knotting uses a similar technique and is often combined with nautical knots. Originally only one string was used to create a Chinese knot structure but I use several strands to produce a stunning effect when mixed with the glass beads. Whilst many of the beads are of Indian or Chinese origin, others are found locally or produced by English glassmakers. Very often a necklace is inspired by the colour and form of a single bead.

Most of the beads used are handmade and are therefore subject to slight variations in colour, so that no two items can be identical. Beads can also include slight flaws in the glass, air bubbles etc., but this just adds to their appeal.