Fern Studio

31/10/2026

Ordinarily on a bad day or week, when all I can do is hide from light and sound and dose up with codeine to ward off a little of the chronic pain, my mind will occupy itself with something creative. Over the past few years it’s been designing the extension I’d love to build. We don’t own our house so possibly a daft use of brain power but one can dream!
I had a bloody long MRI a few months back and completed the last remaining tasks of socket positioning in the upstairs utility and door placement of the front storage shed so since then I’ve been painting.
In my head….
With the realisation that I’m not sure when or if I’ll be well enough to cast concrete again I’ve had to turn my brain to creative things whilst stuck here this past month.
So I’ve painted more and more. Landscapes mostly. With all sorts of mediums. Trying my hand at abstract mark making and strokes across small paper sheets then large canvases. Layers, colours, marks, textures.
All in my head.
When I’ve been alert enough to look at a screen I’ve watched artists videos and researched methods before taking it back into my mind to work on a piece again.
Madness I hear you say?
well madness for me would be not doing this!
I was spoilt for my birthday with some lovely bits of new art equipment and this week I was well enough, for a couple of hours, to use some of those bits at last.

What things do you occupy your mind with when you’re unwell?

Winsor & Newton, Cotman Watercolour
Rembrandt Soft Pastels
Willow Charcoal Sticks
Caran D’Ache NeoColor
Acrylic paint

22/10/2026

It’s been a while! I had to have a bit of major surgery and that caused the dreaded long covid to resurface full force and with a bang. I’ve been pretty much bed bound, shut in a dark room, for almost a month only attempting to stand long enough to make it to the loo. I’m very slowly recovering but it’s been a tough one.

A dear friend visited yesterday and told me she was glad to see me looking a little better than the previous week when basically I looked like I was dying. We laughed loudly.

This week I’ve finally found a tiny piece of energy to paint. Just one small piece. 20 minutes of creativity. It was actually a bit too much for my body and I ended up completely crashing and bed bound again but it’s a start!
This evening I’m going to attempt to leave the house for an hour in my wheelchair. It’ll be the first time I’ve been outside since my op.
This is the reality of invisible illnesses.
The isolation, loneliness, despair at times that I’ve lost my life completely.
The guilt of the pressure it all puts on my family.
The person they’ve lost.
What was once a wilder social world which has now been reduced to just one room.
Out of sight and out of mind quite literally playing out in my life.
I’m no longer in sight, no longer present in the lives of those I love.

26/07/2026

07/04/2026

🎨Mini Vessel Concrete Casting Workshop🎨

Take a break and try something completely different at the museum.

Join us for a hands-on evening learning the art of concrete casting. You will discover how concrete is mixed, coloured and poured, work with professional silicone moulds, and experiment with pigments to create your own unique mini vessel. Concrete is a surprisingly versatile material, and casting allows for clean lines, subtle textures and beautifully individual results. Each piece cures over time, meaning your finished vessel will be strong, durable and made to last.

All materials and equipment are provided, and no previous experience is needed. This relaxed workshop is perfect for beginners who want to explore a new material and enjoy a creative evening.

Children aged 13+ are welcome when booked with an adult.

Wednesday 29 April, 7–9pm
£29 per person

Led by Beth Fairchild of FERN Studio, a Hitchin-based concrete casting artist known for her sustainable, small-batch homeware. Beth’s work is stocked in over 50 independent retailers across the UK and USA, and her practice is inspired by brutalist architecture and slow-made design.

Places are limited. Book now to secure your spot.

👇Click the link to find out more and book 👇

https://www.ticketsource.com/northhertsmuseum/mini-vessel-concrete-casting-workshop/p-ebonrl

16/03/2026

This is our reality
This is not a dramatisation of PIP assessments.
It took me 3 whole days over a period of 3 weeks, with a dear friend to write my application with me, and gather all my evidence in order to apply for PIP.
I’d put it off for 2 years!
Then came the very long wait to get an assessment date.
Then came the assessment which was done over the phone.
An hour long phone ‘interrogation’ even including extremely intrusive questions about how I manage personal hygiene.
I cried on 2 occasions during the call literally because I felt so demoralised by it, and had to sleep for 48 hours after because I was so exhausted by it. I then had to wait again for the decision!
I was awarded PIP at the basic rate but many many people aren’t.
I now use walking sticks and a wheel chair but the thought of informing them of that, to increase my claim, makes me recoil. I will have to undertake a reassessment in the near future which terrifies me to be honest.
It shouldn’t be like this.
It needs to be changed!

11/03/2026

Pocket Paintings - Barbican edition
8 designs
Original ink and watercolour
Card and gift in one!

08/03/2026

Day 2
Street 3, Pen 102
Looking forward to seeing you all

07/03/2026

Pocket Paintings in all their glory!
Street 3, Pen 102

07/03/2026

Welcome!
Looking forward to meeting lots of wonderful retailers today
You can find me in Street 3, Pen 102.

05/03/2026

Fantastic workshop last night at
Marbled dishes is a new one for 2026 and everyone did really well producing some great colours and patterns. The temperature of the room caused some issues as the concrete set faster than expected. But we persevered and the evening was a fantastic success! Thanks again to all that came along, including my youngest Henry 😊
The next marbled dish workshop at the museum will be in October. Keep an eye out if you’d like to come. Alternatively you can book a private workshop in my studio