It’s been an incredible 12 months and over the last few weeks I have experienced some real highs and it somehow feels like my work has turned a corner and I’m on the right path.
This reflection was prompted after realising that it had been a year since disaster struck my finger, crushing it under a machine and breaking the bone. I can clearly remember thinking that my chance to show at Chelsea Flower Show were over before it had even began.
Getting to Chelsea had been my aim since graduating from University four years ago, and after a bumpy start I suceeded in securing funding to enable me to show my work at the Chelsea Flower Show 2010. It was a such an emotional journey with lots of family and friends helping out along the way, but I managed it, even after crushing my finger. I managed to show my work, which was finished off using only one hand and my chin as I had lost the use of my hand whilst it was healing, I even met Alan Titchmarch which was so exciting.
Once Chelsea 2010 was over I was hooked, I was determined that I would try to show my work again in 2011. The challenge was set, to secure enough commissions and sales over the next year to be able to afford to exhibit again.
The first commission came from Davis & White landscape architects to design a sculpture for the National Trusts Lyme Park, then an urban sculpture commission for Heanor Town centre which is the place of my birth, then third came a sculpture project to create sculptures taking inspiration from Bolsover Castle.
With my funds in place, back in September I posted off my application form for Chelsea 2011 with my mended fingers crossed. When my allocation arrived in the post in January I had such a shock, I had been offered a space to show on Southern Road which is situated towards the main entrance of the show ground. Of course I accepted the space and was up for the challenge of taking my design for a stand in Ranleigh Gardens to the new spot on Southern Road.
The next big event came last week, just as I was packing my bags for a weekend away with my husband for our wedding anniversary, I thought I would quickly check my emails and saw that my sculpture Fallen Eggs had been shortlisted for Chelsea Product of the Year.
So with a new stand at this years show, three commissions under my belt and shortlisted sculpture, it makes me wonder what this years Chelsea will bring, will I get to meet one of my favourite garden designers Mr D.Gavin? who knows whats round the corner, well less than four weeks to go so we’ll have to wait and see!
