Having been lucky enough to have been awarded a second bursary with Blackdown Hills Artists and Makers (http://www.bhaam.org.uk/), I plan to produce work in response to the growing of the 'hooked' teasels (Dipsacus sativus), which were used to raise the nap on cloth.  I now need to up my pace collecting hedgerow teasels in order to recreate the teasel drying stacks.

The weather has not been on my side as the snow, rain, and flooding have flattened them and they are starting to rot. I have already gathered lots, but I've worked out that I need about seven thousand to make my installation. If I don't manage to find them now, there is a small window of time in August/September when the flowers have died off and new seed pods have dried, BUT the exhibition is in mid September!

Here is a photo of me collecting them along the banks of a stream down near Orchard Portman, and my store so far... They seem to like growing near water but they don't like marsh/bog. The problem is finding them in sufficient quantity to make it worthwhile parking and walking, as although they're not heavy they're bulky and prickly!
I've now sent out an email to someone who sends out Parish wide circulars asking for help with teasel spotting.......