About

I studied weaving at Central St Martins and later studied for an MA in Textiles at UCA, Farnham. Since graduating I have continued to develop my practice as an artist and handweaver. At the same time I like to share my practical skills and experience by teaching in schools and running textile workshops.  I enjoy researching traditional weaving techniques, materials and tools then apply them in a contemporary context to create functional objects for the home. I work on an Oxaback, counter-marche loom. It is Swedish built, beautifully crafted and very sturdy, making it perfect for rug weaving.

Most of my pieces are 'one-off' designs but can be repeated to order and I can adapt colour-ways. Each piece is conceived on a sampling loom where I explore combinations of colour, texture and structure before setting up a warp on the rug loom.

I use natural fibres including wool, linen and some cotton. Wherever possible I am sourcing locally produced materials.

 The New forest is a never-ending source of colour inspiration. The landscape changes slowly with the passing seasons, from rich peat brown, chestnut and bracken in winter to vivd gorse yellow in spring and purple heather in late summer.

My main focus in on quality. It is important to me that each piece is made to last and can be easily cared for either by machine washing or by hand. Very occasionally an item may need to be dry cleaned.

 The studio is at my home near Fordingbridge, a small town on the borders of Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset. We are lucky enough to have The New Forest National Park on our doorstep, a beautiful landscape of open heathlands and ancient forests. 

In the studio there are two Oxaback floor looms and three table-top looms. Outdoors there is an undercover area suitable for natural dyeing and an indigo vat. 

 Weavehouse is a translation of the Swedish word vävstuga (väv Swedish for weave and stuga meaning cottage). This name is given to the community weaving centres prevalent throughout Sweden. Some of these vävstugor house up to 50 looms. Weavers of all levels and ability come together to practice their craft. Not everyone has the space for a large loom in their home and so a communal space is ideal, bringing people together to share not only facilities but also knowledge, techniques and ideas.