On Monday 20th July I will be teaching in my the studio for the first time in over four months. Life has changed in ways we couldn’t have imagined in that space of time and is unlikely to get back to normal for many, many months. So, in order to provide a safe environment for my students, and for me, the studio has to change.

I have made a start. I’ve cleared away most of the clutter and, with son Joes help, rearranged the student benches so that they all face my teaching bench. I’m only teaching two students next week but will be teaching four students at a time from mid-August. I have ordered protective screens and floor tape to mask off walk ways and to ensure safe distancing as we walk around the studio. I am elbow deep in hand gel, masks, anti-bacterial wipes and disinfectant sprays. I have brought extra tea towels and hand towels so nobody has to share. I have enough squeezy bottles so that every student can have their own set of dyes. I have laid awake at night trying to think my way through all the things that could go wrong ….

Over the next few days I will be giving the studio a deep clean. I’m even going to get rid of the cobwebs - a sure sign that these are extraordinary times. I’ll be completing risk assessments and printing appropriate signage.

And, in between, I’ll keep working on what the Higgins household is now calling ‘that difficult second book’. Yes, progress is slow.

Although I’m a little nervous about opening up I can’t wait to teach again and to have like minded, lovely people in the studio. And the best bit … I’m teaching my five day Breakdown Your Palette workshop which I love!

Bye for now, Leah