Textile has been my passion for as long as I can remember. It all started when I was about 4 or 5 and I used to play with scraps of fabric left over from my mum's beautiful dressmaking.
I used to spend hours making clothes for my dolls, organising fashion shows and trying new sewing techniques! Not always a success I have to admit…
As I got older, I developed this hunger for learning about different crafts such as embroidery, silk painting, weaving, dyeing, beading and screen printing.
I studied fine arts in
Whilst at university, I became more and more obsessed with traditional textile crafts from different cultures. It was a great time for experimenting with various techniques.
I also studied millinery which is how I came across wool felt. From that point onwards, I have been fascinated with felt and its many qualities.
Felt making is one of the most ancient techniques in textile history and it is so lovely to have this sense of cultural heritage in our modern world. I love the idea of practicing such an ancient art form whilst keeping a very modern approach to designing. The perfect way to marry past and present!
When I had my children, I wanted to find a way to work around my family life and I have been very lucky to be able to work from my home studio where I can go and let my creativity go wild!
I get a lot of my inspiration from the natural world and I want to give my work a very organic feel reminiscent of cells and plant patterns.
Using wool therefore seems a logical step as it is a natural, traditional and renewable material.
I mostly work with Merino wool, which is the best quality and has a very unique softness.
The dies used are non toxic and respect the environment.
When I am not researching, felting, making or being a mum, I teach felt making and other textile crafts.
Felting is such a magical process! Wool fibres, water and friction and voila!
It will never cease to amaze me! And I get a real joy when I can pass on the bug to other people!