Clare Wilkes
@clareewilkes.bsky.social
Enthusiastic about sustainability, science and sewing, and bell ringing too
She/her
Occasional blogger: periodically.blog
She/her
Occasional blogger: periodically.blog
Pinned
Clare Wilkes
@clareewilkes.bsky.social
· Mar 28
And it's finished! Just in time for my @camunifestivals workshop this weekend
The quilt shows twelve lovely flowers that you might find in your garden or in the wild, each surrounded by the colour of its pollen. Who'd have thought there were so many different pollen colours!
#sciart #bee #embroidery
The quilt shows twelve lovely flowers that you might find in your garden or in the wild, each surrounded by the colour of its pollen. Who'd have thought there were so many different pollen colours!
#sciart #bee #embroidery
That's the hanging sleeve stitched to the back of my quilt for display at the Festival of Quilts at the NEC in a few weeks' - hoping I've followed the instructions correctly! #quilting
July 4, 2025 at 12:53 PM
That's the hanging sleeve stitched to the back of my quilt for display at the Festival of Quilts at the NEC in a few weeks' - hoping I've followed the instructions correctly! #quilting
Another banner... this is to advertise mending workshops a couple of us are running at work and illustrates that mending can be visible or invisible. As always nothing new used - base cloth is a doll's cot blanket my Gran made, letters are from scraps. Machine and hand sewn
#mending #visiblemending
#mending #visiblemending
June 20, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Another banner... this is to advertise mending workshops a couple of us are running at work and illustrates that mending can be visible or invisible. As always nothing new used - base cloth is a doll's cot blanket my Gran made, letters are from scraps. Machine and hand sewn
#mending #visiblemending
#mending #visiblemending
Today is 200 years since Faraday's discovery of benzene! I made these hexies for a maths community quilt (with the maths being in the bond lengths of single and double bonds and the aromatic structure). I don't believe ever got made, so it's nice to have an opportunity to post a picture of them! 🐡
June 17, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Today is 200 years since Faraday's discovery of benzene! I made these hexies for a maths community quilt (with the maths being in the bond lengths of single and double bonds and the aromatic structure). I don't believe ever got made, so it's nice to have an opportunity to post a picture of them! 🐡
May's temperatures (at last). Another warm month - warmer than the last two years as you can see from the orange colours, though chillier nights (more purple) - I'm guessing that's because of the clear skies and lack of rain. #temperatureembroidery
#sciart
#sciart
June 16, 2025 at 7:10 AM
May's temperatures (at last). Another warm month - warmer than the last two years as you can see from the orange colours, though chillier nights (more purple) - I'm guessing that's because of the clear skies and lack of rain. #temperatureembroidery
#sciart
#sciart
My second banner. Posting for Cambridge Pride today, and in support of all those affected by the Supreme Court ruling.
No new materials used - just leftovers and an old pillowcase.
No new materials used - just leftovers and an old pillowcase.
June 14, 2025 at 9:45 PM
My second banner. Posting for Cambridge Pride today, and in support of all those affected by the Supreme Court ruling.
No new materials used - just leftovers and an old pillowcase.
No new materials used - just leftovers and an old pillowcase.
Reposted by Clare Wilkes
The UK AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on display in London from 12 June in the Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall. It’s a thought-provoking tribute and reminder of the power of community and compassion.
I hope Londoners get a chance to visit and reflect on this moving exhibition ⤵️
I hope Londoners get a chance to visit and reflect on this moving exhibition ⤵️
UK AIDS Memorial Quilt | Tate Modern
www.tate.org.uk
June 13, 2025 at 2:07 PM
The UK AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on display in London from 12 June in the Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall. It’s a thought-provoking tribute and reminder of the power of community and compassion.
I hope Londoners get a chance to visit and reflect on this moving exhibition ⤵️
I hope Londoners get a chance to visit and reflect on this moving exhibition ⤵️
🐡 Today is World Oceans Day. The take-home message from Attenborough's Ocean film is that if we protect at least 30% of the oceans, esp. by banning bottom trawling, marine wildlife and fish stocks will recover in a much wider area - it's not too late just yet! Please share this banner and...
June 8, 2025 at 9:53 PM
🐡 Today is World Oceans Day. The take-home message from Attenborough's Ocean film is that if we protect at least 30% of the oceans, esp. by banning bottom trawling, marine wildlife and fish stocks will recover in a much wider area - it's not too late just yet! Please share this banner and...
Reposted by Clare Wilkes
Some Sunday morning reading: One of my friends has recently started writing about the chemistry behind acrylic paints, starting with phthalocyanine blue: open.substack.com/pub/devonpai...
#ChemSky 🧪
#ChemSky 🧪
The Science of Acrylic Paint- Phthalocyanine Blue
As the Director of Science at a local Secondary School, and as an artist using acrylic paints, I often find myself thinking about the different chemical compositions of my paint and how they were crea...
open.substack.com
June 8, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Some Sunday morning reading: One of my friends has recently started writing about the chemistry behind acrylic paints, starting with phthalocyanine blue: open.substack.com/pub/devonpai...
#ChemSky 🧪
#ChemSky 🧪
A rainbow over Glen Coe last Friday
June 1, 2025 at 1:49 PM
A rainbow over Glen Coe last Friday
Found this little snow bunting singing away on top of Ben Nevis last week
June 1, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Found this little snow bunting singing away on top of Ben Nevis last week
Reposted by Clare Wilkes
Today is National Biscuit Day, and it’s about time that I populated this account with biscuit (cookie) sets from the past few years. Here are some of my favourites. 🧵
First up, a set inspired by the delicious designs of William Morris and John Henry Dearle.
First up, a set inspired by the delicious designs of William Morris and John Henry Dearle.
May 29, 2025 at 7:05 AM
Today is National Biscuit Day, and it’s about time that I populated this account with biscuit (cookie) sets from the past few years. Here are some of my favourites. 🧵
First up, a set inspired by the delicious designs of William Morris and John Henry Dearle.
First up, a set inspired by the delicious designs of William Morris and John Henry Dearle.
That was a good stash-buster! Some of these will be on sale on Parker's Piece this Tuesday as part of Hills Rd VI Form social action week, in aid of Mind, and others will be sold by Winter Comfort at Cambridge Pride in June.
May 18, 2025 at 12:52 PM
That was a good stash-buster! Some of these will be on sale on Parker's Piece this Tuesday as part of Hills Rd VI Form social action week, in aid of Mind, and others will be sold by Winter Comfort at Cambridge Pride in June.
Lovely to visit my old primary school in Suffolk for its 150th. A reminder of all the needlework we did, and the dreaded nature diaries; we had to record sthg every morning & I clearly remember making up a one-legged robin in desperation 🤣. But we did leave with a good awareness of the natural world
May 10, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Lovely to visit my old primary school in Suffolk for its 150th. A reminder of all the needlework we did, and the dreaded nature diaries; we had to record sthg every morning & I clearly remember making up a one-legged robin in desperation 🤣. But we did leave with a good awareness of the natural world
Reposted by Clare Wilkes
100,000 signatures to ban fossil fuel ads and sponsorships — thank you to everyone who signed ! Now onwards to a debate . . . govpetition.uk/700024
May 9, 2025 at 9:02 AM
100,000 signatures to ban fossil fuel ads and sponsorships — thank you to everyone who signed ! Now onwards to a debate . . . govpetition.uk/700024
I was fortunate to see David Attenborough's new film Ocean yesterday. It's hard-hitting but ultimately hopeful, IF governments act together to protect our oceans. Pls email our gov to urge their action act.for-the-ocean.org/act/protect-... (and see the film on a big screen - sea life is amazing!)
May 7, 2025 at 3:35 PM
I was fortunate to see David Attenborough's new film Ocean yesterday. It's hard-hitting but ultimately hopeful, IF governments act together to protect our oceans. Pls email our gov to urge their action act.for-the-ocean.org/act/protect-... (and see the film on a big screen - sea life is amazing!)
Reposted by Clare Wilkes
Here in the UK, following a warm, dry and sunny March, we have had the sunniest April on record and 3rd warmest April. Here is a #dataviz with the summary of the weather/climate for the last year.
May 1, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Here in the UK, following a warm, dry and sunny March, we have had the sunniest April on record and 3rd warmest April. Here is a #dataviz with the summary of the weather/climate for the last year.
A warmer April than we've had for some years: temps reaching 25°C today and three periods topping 20°. Night time temps stayed cool on account of clear skies. Less yellow and orange in '24 and esp '23 shows they were both cooler, with the start of April '22 (scarf) being distinctly nippy (blue) 🐡
April 30, 2025 at 3:56 PM
A warmer April than we've had for some years: temps reaching 25°C today and three periods topping 20°. Night time temps stayed cool on account of clear skies. Less yellow and orange in '24 and esp '23 shows they were both cooler, with the start of April '22 (scarf) being distinctly nippy (blue) 🐡
Reposted by Clare Wilkes
If you'd like to write to the Prime Minister's office about the Supreme Court ruling, you can do so here - contact.no10.gov.uk - 1000 character limit. I have just done so!
Contact Number 10
GOV.UK - The best place to find government services and information
contact.no10.gov.uk
April 25, 2025 at 9:47 AM
If you'd like to write to the Prime Minister's office about the Supreme Court ruling, you can do so here - contact.no10.gov.uk - 1000 character limit. I have just done so!
Reposted by Clare Wilkes
This is *really* important: the reason electricity prices are high is the high cost of gas & that market rate is set by gas prices. One of the loudest calls at Everything Electric last week was to decouple from gas prices, so we benefit from cheaper renewables.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Why the UK’s electricity costs are so high – and what can be done about it
From nationalising gas plants to boosting renewables, how soaring prices could be tackled
www.theguardian.com
April 20, 2025 at 5:25 PM
This is *really* important: the reason electricity prices are high is the high cost of gas & that market rate is set by gas prices. One of the loudest calls at Everything Electric last week was to decouple from gas prices, so we benefit from cheaper renewables.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by Clare Wilkes
Writetothem.com
I have written to all my MLAs and my MP about the Supreme Court judgement and its implications. It’s worth doing. Go and speak to them as well if you can.
I have written to all my MLAs and my MP about the Supreme Court judgement and its implications. It’s worth doing. Go and speak to them as well if you can.
WriteToThem
WriteToThem is a website which provides an easy way to contact MPs, councillors and other elected representatives.
Writetothem.com
April 18, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Writetothem.com
I have written to all my MLAs and my MP about the Supreme Court judgement and its implications. It’s worth doing. Go and speak to them as well if you can.
I have written to all my MLAs and my MP about the Supreme Court judgement and its implications. It’s worth doing. Go and speak to them as well if you can.
Reposted by Clare Wilkes
We’re looking to help fund projects that tackle inequality or highlight the lived experiences of underrepresented groups in chemistry.
Apply by 5 May for up to £5,000 to bring your inclusion and diversity project to life: buff.ly/LpxjBOU
#ChemSky
Apply by 5 May for up to £5,000 to bring your inclusion and diversity project to life: buff.ly/LpxjBOU
#ChemSky
April 15, 2025 at 3:03 PM
We’re looking to help fund projects that tackle inequality or highlight the lived experiences of underrepresented groups in chemistry.
Apply by 5 May for up to £5,000 to bring your inclusion and diversity project to life: buff.ly/LpxjBOU
#ChemSky
Apply by 5 May for up to £5,000 to bring your inclusion and diversity project to life: buff.ly/LpxjBOU
#ChemSky
It's been a busy fortnight, co-organising a conference, running a sewing workshop, not to mention finding myself on stage with Ed Sheeran (more on that later!) But here are March temp highs and lows. As you can see from the citrine yellow it was an unusually warm March with two spells >18°C... 1/5
April 5, 2025 at 4:29 PM
It's been a busy fortnight, co-organising a conference, running a sewing workshop, not to mention finding myself on stage with Ed Sheeran (more on that later!) But here are March temp highs and lows. As you can see from the citrine yellow it was an unusually warm March with two spells >18°C... 1/5
Reposted by Clare Wilkes
Spring reminder, as people start to think about gardening: NEVER buy compost with peat it in (inexplicably still on sale). If it does not say "peat free" in big letters, do not buy it. Peat is incredibly valuable in peat bogs, for rare biodiversity and as a carbon store. Don't put it on your garden!
April 5, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Spring reminder, as people start to think about gardening: NEVER buy compost with peat it in (inexplicably still on sale). If it does not say "peat free" in big letters, do not buy it. Peat is incredibly valuable in peat bogs, for rare biodiversity and as a carbon store. Don't put it on your garden!
Reposted by Clare Wilkes
Working on a new print about the future of pollination featuring wild native bees for
for Manufactured Ecosystems. 🧪🐡 🐝
The future of pollination is a huge global concept to tackle artistically. There are issues worldwide, but they’re all local: specific species, specific stresses on ecosystems, 🧵
for Manufactured Ecosystems. 🧪🐡 🐝
The future of pollination is a huge global concept to tackle artistically. There are issues worldwide, but they’re all local: specific species, specific stresses on ecosystems, 🧵
April 5, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Working on a new print about the future of pollination featuring wild native bees for
for Manufactured Ecosystems. 🧪🐡 🐝
The future of pollination is a huge global concept to tackle artistically. There are issues worldwide, but they’re all local: specific species, specific stresses on ecosystems, 🧵
for Manufactured Ecosystems. 🧪🐡 🐝
The future of pollination is a huge global concept to tackle artistically. There are issues worldwide, but they’re all local: specific species, specific stresses on ecosystems, 🧵
Reposted by Clare Wilkes
Historian @emilypawley.bsky.social shows how social movements have already transformed our world—often more than we realize. That's the good news! The not-so-good news is that progress is often messy, imperfect, and fragile.
We can’t do this alone, but history proves that we CAN do it together.
We can’t do this alone, but history proves that we CAN do it together.
History’s playbook for climate action
The secret to social change with historian Dr. Emily Pawley
www.talkingclimate.ca
April 4, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Historian @emilypawley.bsky.social shows how social movements have already transformed our world—often more than we realize. That's the good news! The not-so-good news is that progress is often messy, imperfect, and fragile.
We can’t do this alone, but history proves that we CAN do it together.
We can’t do this alone, but history proves that we CAN do it together.