as an independent textile artist/feltmaker, i work from my home studio in rural motueka, nz

 

although i studied textile design at wellington polytech school of design in the mid '80s, most of my current working methods are self taught

 a lifelong relationship with textiles, exploring applications of sewing, knitting, crochet, felting, embroidery, spinning, weaving, printing & dyeing are combined with my affinity for natural fibres, textural expression & organic form & movement

 

my work is predominantly wool felt *

my approach & methods, purely artisanal

the fabric/textile is made from scratch using mostly natural raw fibres

i use both conventional dyes and plant dyes, which i make myself from readily accessible plants in my garden and local area

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my work environment, practices & materials are environmentally low impact

each piece is essentially fully biodegradable & thus may be regarded as ecologically friendly & sustainable
 

all feltworks pieces are originals, completely handmade

combining natural fibres - wool, silk, cotton - which breathe & have a living presence; using traditional methods of felting, spinning, embroidery & hand-dyeing

 

creating contemporary pieces for home & body

 

please enjoy my work

 

 

*  [ felt is the oldest form of fabric known to humankind

it is a non-woven cloth formed when animal wool or fur is subjected to heat, moisture & pressure or agitation

it is likely that felt originated in the nomadic tribes of asia - turkey, mongolia & tibet - where it is still produced & used for tents, rugs, blankets & clothing

in the west, in more modern times, felt has also been used as a medium for expression in textile art & design, where it has significance as an ecological textile ]

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unique properties of wool

sustainable, renewable, biodegradable, anti-static, self-extinguishing, hypoallergenic,

excellent thermal & acoustic insulation, humidity controller & pollutant absorber

intrinsic properties that contribute to maintaining  healthy & comfortable indoor & body living

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