Having taken ages to upload the photos I now have some of British Wool Weekend in Harrogate with 'The Organic Welsh Wool Project'. 

It was really good to see the collection and the hard work that everyone had put into it. The versatility of wool was evident with designs in furniture, clothing, footwear and interiors. Congratulations to Ystrad Farm and to Llynfi Textiles. Hope to see them at 'Made' in Brighton with their wonderful clothing and knits . 

The Craft Collective online

Today we lunched 'The Craft Collective' and with it my first workshop which will be held a Humanitas Shop Hitchin. www.thecraftcollectiveonline.co.uk
Here is the flyer to explain

The Craft Collective 

is a group of Hertfordshire based textile, 

mixed media and stitch artists.

As individuals we use natural silks, organic textiles and wool, and repurpose fabrics.  Our processes range from hand dying wool fibres and fabrics to making paper and from silk forms to furniture.

As a collective, stitch is a fundamental part of our work but with outcomes that are very different. 

The Craft Collective workshops are a way of handing on and keeping alive the skills  we have.

              

So let's start at the beginning. Come and learn how to make a sample book of hand stitches and simple free machine stitch. Then use what you've learnt to create pattern and texture. 

Try  up-cycling garments or interiors or just create beautiful interesting pieces to frame.

             

The workshop 

A Stitch Book

You will learn several hand embroidery stitches and have the chance to use the sewing machine to do some simple free stitching. Your samples will then be made into a small fabric book.

It takes place on:

29th July  at  7pm -9pm

6 places

£30 pp

At:

Humanitas Shop, 

31 Bucklersbury, 

Hitchin, SG5 1BG

01462 982374

info@thecraftcollectiveonline.co.uk

 If you are interested in booking a place please phone or call into the shop

Organic Wool Wales

'Organic Wool Wales' exhibited at Kate Humble's Meend Farm.
The rocker is next off with OWW to The British Wool Weekend in Harrogate,
at the beginning of September. This project is doing much to promote the use of
organic wool and the varied ways that designer makers have used it. 

http://www.britishwool.net/BWW/Home.html

Looking through.......or rather sorting out stuff, I came across these gems by Becky Crow.

http://www.beckycrow.co.uk

Delightful!

My rocker - in beautiful organic Welsh wool.

And here as part of the stand at Wonderwool Wales Ltd, held in April. 

I feel privileged to have taken part in the Organic Welsh Wool Project, which is a collaboration between designer makers, Llynfi Textiles, and organic wool producer, Ystrad Farm.

It is part funded by Better Organic Business Links, Wales. It aims are to raise the profile and explore the potential of organic wool and to establish a broad community of interest that spans wool producers, designers, makers and the general public.It is also to showcase the potential for organic wool and the quality, innovation and commitment to sustainability of designer/makers in the UK.

Please check out - https://www.facebook.com/OrganicWoolWales and    http://llynfitextiles.blogspot.co.uk for more events and exhibitions and to learn more about the project.

And on.........

 A commission.... a footstool / table 5ft square in sage hemp.  

Degree Show over.


My final pieces. By upcycling textiles and the re-use of things, 
these seats represent three aspects of sustainability.


'Where do you sit?'


'Economy' Wine bar stool

Made of pin stripe suiting fabric it evokes a dripping oil pool,

the oil being a natural resource used as currency.

'Ecology' Rocker
Made of hemp scraps, shirts, cushions, and a door, 
this seat was designed in collaboration with Bob Underwood. 
It looks at the balance in nature.

'Social and Cultural' seat

Made of all sorts of recycled textiles and a garden post,

these seats look at the harmonizing of our cultural ways,

through hand stitched pattern and the Yinyang shape.