Cobweb samplers.....

Today I only just discovered that you can add pages to your  Blog! I don't know if it's always been there and I have missed it or if its new, but I quite like it. Of course its meant yet again I have wasted more time browsing back over photos to choose some to add to the new pages, one for my work and one for Workshop results. I did however rediscover some lovely work created by participating feltmakers and also workshop topics I haven't covered in many years. I particularly like the photo above which was a sampler day using all different natural wools to make a Cobweb Sampler Scarf. There were a variety of wools to sample, from memory, Jacob, BFL, Wensleydale & Merino plus a few I can't recall without checking back. I think I may do this again soon...... The photo also made me think of beautiful Summery days, I am longing for better weather and sunshine......

Where does the week go?

Since my last post it feels a lot has happened....all in a flash. With Wonderwool Wales coming up, far quicker than I planned, the time just disappears. I daren't count how many making days I have left until.....

I have been on an extremely inspiring "Business Day" with Susan Briggs and North York Moors NPA, I learnt so much about Websites, SEO's and Social Media, I don't think I will ever get round to implementing it all, but I am making a start. Writing a regular Blog post is one of those 'to do" things. Living and working next to North York Moors is very inspiring too, I realise I am very lucky to be surrounded by such natural beauty. Their website is inspiring too, well worth a look before you visit this area to plan what to see.

The Vintage Felt workshop was a very busy day with twelve enthusiastic felt makers. It was a lovely day and I thoroughly enjoyed looking at everyones Vintage treasures they brought with them. In the morning everyone made a Cobweb Vessel incorporating lace and then after a very quick lunch( which I almost had to force people to take!) the afternoon was spent on lots of different pieces of felt, all unique, as the fragments of lace, ribbon, fabric and buttons were incorporated. 

A visit to Cober Hill to finalise some of the Residential Feltmaking Weekend details was very enjoyable, this is such a lovely building with an air of calm. We took tea in the original panelled  entrance and lost ourselves in plans of what we will be doing. There are now just three places available, if you are interested in joining us, just get in touch.

In between all of this I am making felt for events in the near future, I need more hours in the day!

Out on the road....

Last week was a busy one and luckily everything planned happened just before the snow arrived on Saturday night.

I dropped off a delivery of work to The Joe Cornish Gallery in Northallerton, this is a lovely big gallery in the centre of Northallerton just off the main street. I was delighted to be invited to lead a felt making workshop there on Saturday 4th May, the workshop will cover the Resist technique, by the end of the day you will go home with a beautiful, useable handbag. Lunch is included too!
You can book a place online here if you would like to join the workshop.....maybe see you soon


A journey to The Dales and a lovely visit with Clare Gardiner at Fabric of the Field weaving studio and gallery. Clare sells my work in her beautiful shop where she sits and weaves. Some of you may already know Clare and her gorgeous blog about life in the Dales and at the moment, in particular, Lambing!
Clare's journey will be on the screen sometime this year in The Dales programme when it returns to our screen, really looking forward to this....

Lunch at The Wensleydale Creamery was a must, the Rarebit was gorgeous, followed by an indulgent Sticky Toffee Pudding. Will definitely be returning soon.....

As we were passing we just had to visit Farfield Mill, a wonderful place with varying Exhibitions throughout the year, check their website for current details. There are also lots of makers studios there, unfortunately when we were there none of the makers were in their studios, will pick a different day next time. Nonetheless its  a lovely place with a great cafe too!

Friday saw me on my way to Kendal to  a Saturday workshop with the IFA at Castle Arts Centre. The weather was getting wetter, but still very driveable. Saturday flew by and the centre we were in was busy, a ballet class was taking place next door which evoked memories of my childhood......
By the time I travelled home the weather was awful, the fells were covered in snow and we decided to change our route to the main roads to avoid the snow. Much later that night we were home and warm.

                                                     Exploring Felt Vessels in Kendal

Woolfest and more.....

I love Woolfest, the atmosphere is wonderful, I am excited to have been allocated a stand (pen) for the 2013 event. I attended the first show as a visitor, all those years ago,  as I really didn't know what to expect. I had never been to a Wool Festival before, I have exhibited every year since then.  Since that first visit it has become an annual event on our calendar, inked in immediately as one year finishes, looking forward to the next. My son has grown up with it and loves it too, this year he'll be in London for Uni visits when I come, but has just told me he's catching the train up to Penrith to catch a day at Woolfest, I'm smiling......

Last year saw a new section open up at the Auction Mart, increasing the size for exhibitors, I was on stand K260 on a corner of the new extension. If you found me there, I will be on the same stand again this year, alongside Jackie Lunn and Jane Cummins. 

I have been running day workshops since 2005 near where I live, I never planned this, sometimes things just  happen. I am a Feltmaker first and foremost, I am addicted to the process, I experiment far too much as my mind bursts with ideas. The workshops started as a follow on from an ArtsWeek project I delivered at our local school. The project was for the children, but the "helpers" were fascinated with the process too. I arranged a day for the grown ups and the rest is history as they say.  Prior to the workshops commencing I had been making Felt for ten years, exploring techniques and possibilities, constantly discovering new ways, sometimes through planning but sometimes by accident! 

This year I have been invited to deliver workshops around the country, I hope to meet up with more Feltmakers on my journeys. Below is a brief diary date of where and when I will be during 2013.

Workshops:

Hutton Buscel, near Scarborough, North Yorkshire, various dates throughout the year.

March 9th IFA  Kendal, Cumbria  Natural Vessels

April 29th/30th Wonderwool Wales  2 Day Workshop

 May 4th Joe Cornish Gallery Workshop, Northallerton, North Yorkshire

June 1st The Dutch House Workshop, Crayke, near Easingwold

September 15th IFA Great Missenden, Seed Workshop

October 4th/5th Cober Hill Residential Felt Weekend

Shows:

April 27th/28th WonderWool Wales, Builth Wells

June 28th/29th Woolfest, Cockermouth, Cumbria

July 27th/28th FibreEast, Bedford

September 28th/29th Yarndale, Skipton, North Yorkshire

There are a few other events in the pipeline which I will share when I can. 

    http://www.woolfest.co.uk/

Wonderwool 2013

I am delighted to have been invited to lead a 2 day Sculptural Feltmaking Workshop at Wonderwool 2013. I will be exhibiting during the 2 days of the show on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th April, the workshop will follow on Monday 29th and Tuesday 30th April. Full details are on their website. Im really looking forward, to what is for me, the first show of the season . You can join their Facebook page for latest details as well as taking a look at their Wonderwool Website

Happy Creative New Year to All

Heres wishing everyone a Happy and Creative New Year 2013. Workshops begin again late January near Scarborough North Yorkshire. If you have always wondered how to make a Hat there are places available on February 16th,

Saturday 16th February   Felt Hat Workshop near Scarborough, North Yorkshire

Stylish and warm,  create your very own felt hat in warm pure wool. Choose a simple pull on style or create something a bit different with folds and points. You can take a look at
www.jennypepper.com for full workshop details

                                           

Wishing Everyone a Very Happy Christmas