Student days!About Felt Better

My first degree was in Interior design which I studied in London. I had a practice there working with architects and planners both in the commercial and residential fields. I always loved textiles and had a great interest in them and I began to use a spinning wheel as a means of relaxation from the hectic world of design.

In the early 90’s I had a change of direction and decided to study textiles properly first taking a City and Guilds course in Constructed textiles and then working towards a diploma in weaving, spinning and dyeing from Bradford University. I wanted to research more and so I studied for an MA at London Guildhall University which I was awarded in 1997 with a Distinction.

Looking at other textile forms I became very interested in felt, its historical and cultural associations and its design potential. I love the way the visual impact is so immediate and I liken it to painting with wool.

Spinning woolIn 2001 I moved to the Cotswolds and became involved in running felt making sessions for children in the schools in Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire as well as local museums and special needs schools. This has expanded to adult learning centres in Oxfordshire, feltmaking parties for children and running adult workshops in North London as I have returned to my roots and I am now living back in London. I also make one off original pieces which are sold through various outlets.

I have work on permanent exhibition in the Contemporary Craft Collection in the Museum of Oxfordshire, Abingdon as well as having exhibited at the Cirencester Brewery Arts Centre,, The Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham and The Oxfordshire Museum at Woodstock.

I have also exhibited in a juried exhibition in Pittsburg USA. My work is in private collections throughtout the world.


Group of Felt CreaturesCreative Felt

Creating felt craft objects is fun and surprising. Wool shrinks as it “felts” making it difficult to determine what the final outcome will be. This makes the creative process unpredictable and organic. The colours of the wool will also work in their own magic way, blending with each other to create surprising effects.

 

 

Felt Creatures

Humphrey
Humphrey
George
George
Lisa
Lisa
Bert
Bert
 

 

Meet the New Gang!

From time to time I come with new ideas and inspiration takes hold! I'd like to introduce you to some new-comers to my workshop in the Cotswolds They're a bit of a handful at times, and trying to control their behavior around the workshop has proved a challenge. You can meet them and all their chums when you sign up for one of my workshop days - great value in the beautiful village of Bledington. Click here to find out more... or go to the Gallery page to see more of my creatures...

  Meet the New Gang!  

 

Laura
Laura
Francesca
Francesca
Frank
Frank
 

 

Felt Bags

A collection of some of my work is illustrated here. My creatures develop their personality during the felting process and after their eyes are sewn on, their full character emerges. My felt bags are lined with fabric prints from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. All bags have that most important feature, a pocket for the mobile phone.

Felt Bags
Bag 1
Felt Bags
Bag 2
Felt Bags
Bag 3
Felt Bags
Bag 4

 

Felt Jewellery

I make a range of felt jewellery consisting of bracelet, brooches, hair slides and belts. If you would like me to make something special, you only need to ask! I enjoy the challenge of new commissions.

Felt Hair Slide
Felt Hair Slide
Felt Bracelet on Nickel free chain
Felt Bracelet on Nickel free chain
Felt Brooch
Felt Brooch
Felt Flower
Felt Flower