Michelle Martin

Red Route

My creative journey began in jewellery making, using genuine gemstones and wirework to create individual, one-off pieces of wearable art. The 'NorthStone' or Smokey Quartz is my talisman, the national gemstone of Scotland and the first gemstone I bought for myself. Mixed Media came calling in 2018 through a chance meeting and a discussion on how to sculpt with fabric, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Behind the Scenes
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About My Practice

I opened my studio in Cummertrees in July 2023 after years of hiring venues to offer creative workshops in mixed media, fabric sculpting and jewellery making. Alongside this, I have developed a small range of quirky sculptures for sale – mythical creatures and character animals such as dragons and dressed foxes. I use recycled and natural materials wherever possible, such as cardboard tubes or discarded bottles in order to create the basic armature before adding more detailed features.

Tools & Materials

My studio is where the fun happens! It is a fully self-contained wooden cabin situated on the farm, where I can switch off and enjoy the creative process. Whether I’m running workshops or designing a new sculpture, it is a comfortable relaxed space with lots of inspiration dotted around.
For what I create, basic tools are all that is required. A paintbrush, your hands and your imagination can take you just about anywhere with the products I use! I work with a water-based, non-toxic, environmentally friendly paint made from a natural polymer. The paint acts as a glue, absorbs into natural fibres, hardens materials and makes them weatherproof. Some of my jewellery making tools also come in very handy for cutting and shaping wire for armatures or for decorative additions to sculptures.