Nichola is interested in miscellaneous objects and ephemera - not only unwanted, broken and discarded - but also things 'put by' because they might be useful. Such items were often found in sheds: amongst the garden tools and pots of paint were pieces of chipped crockery, nails, hooks and pins, stacks of old books, newspapers and photo-albums, balls of string, boxes of odd buttons and loose beads, broken toys, ornaments and cutlery with missing handles.

The reward for serious searching might be a broken brooch or old postcard, and with permission they could be taken home and swapped for other treasures.

The fascination continues: all items are recorded in photos or video and responses made in drawing, collage, print and mixed media. Donations of objects and ephemera are welcome.

E: nichola.nixon@ntlworld.com