Back at the start of the year a good friend and her husband invited me to exhibit my tapestries in their home as part of north Derby’s art trail for Sixstreets.

I decided to do it so I cleared two weeks of my work diary in June and ate, slept breathed yarn! This was the result

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My weaves are quite expensive as they take so long to make so I wanted some small pieces that had a lower price point and made these:

And its so important to me that what art i promote is accessible regardless of age or budget so I made some kits for adults and children. The adult kits are substantial with a solid wood frame, solid wood tools, organic cotton bag and a good range of yarns and then the kids kits are simpler with a cardboard loom, a craft needle and some decent yarns…but look what you can make with those!

On the second day of the arts trail I taught a tapestry workshop. my first ever one to paying adult customers! I was so nervous but ended up loving it, it was so satisfying to see people who have never woven in there life become captivated by the ancient magic of weave.

Over the exhibition i was bombarded by technical questions and requests for workshops so that is what I’m gonna do! More workshops hopefully! I also got some feedback from the students that it would be helpful to have some accompanying literature to the workshop so I am going to put together a little illustrative tapestry guide for beginners…wish me luck!

This week I had my first tapestry workshop in my home.

I felt so honored having these woman who paid to come through my door to learn this beautiful ancient craft of tapestry weaving.

I had a selection of carefully curated woollen yarns.

Each student receives a bag containing a ready warped tapestry frame, wooden bobbin, wooden fork, two wooden shed sticks, wooden doweling a yarn needle, a copy of my ‘Beginners guide to tapestry’ and a ball of cotton warp so they can start another weaving at home.

Despite feeling nervous and suppressing any impostor syndrome emotions it was a really enjoyable afternoon doing something I love with pleasurable company.

The best bit about it was in the evening when all the students sent me photos of the weaving they had been doing that night…its addictive!