This week sees Earth Optimism 2021, a series of events to celebrate all that is positive about our planet.

In a new section for this blog, each week there will be a feature called "Discovering Textiles".

Following the completion of a Master of Research degree at Glasgow School of Art in Shetland Tweed, the findings are being summarised each week in the blog.

Each week one article from the collection is chosen to highlight in the blog. This time it is "Ewe and Eye" by New Zealand artist, Barry Cleavin.

In 18th Century Europe a textile so fine that it was almost transparent was all the rage.

In 1939 British Pathe presented a short clip about the role willow weaving played in preventing floods.

Following the completion of a Master of Research degree at Glasgow School of Art, the findings are being summarised each week on the blog.

Each week one article from the collection is chosen to highlight in the blog. This time it is a piece of fabric from David Whitehead.

Ten years ago the east coast of Japan was hit by a powerful earthquake.

It is Mothering Sunday. In the Middle Ages in Britain parishioners would make a journey to the church that they had been baptised in - the mother church. This is where the celebrations of Mothering Sunday originate, even though nowadays most think of the occasion differently. That is due in no smal...