Hello 2026!
Hello folks, It’s been a while! A lot has changed in the 4 plus years since I last wrote a post . . . so here’s the general overview; my second studio assistant (Willow) arrived safely, motherhood took priority, I became a single parent, I moved (twice), the studio was temporarily put in storage and then unpacked into its new home, I made a few things incredibly slowly. It’s been challenging!
But as the girls have grown I have steadily found a way to get back to creating around the nursery and then school runs. Both studio assistants are now at school which is both bewildering and invigorating.
This last year I have been able to gather more momentum with my practice again. I dared to say yes to a few more shows and quietly launched a new collection of scarves, the reception to which has really blown me away. I thought I’d just bring out a few limited edition colourways, nothing big. The Avian Collection scarves have quite literally flown!
Inspired by (mostly) British birds, the collection has grown and grown and grown. It currently stands at 15 colourways (16 is just being set up on the loom) with plans for many more. The scarves kept selling out before I could upload them online. Not that I’m complaining, it’s just that it’s kept me on my toes! I thought I’d built up sufficient stock in readiness for my first major show back in September at Rodmarton Manor with the Gloucestershire Guild of Crafts. Thinking I had enough stock to last the whole scarf season I was shocked when I nearly sold out! With more shows still to do over the following months and stockist requests, I hastily got back to the loom. So thank you to all the lovely people who’ve been buying and keeping me so busy.
It’s been fun to keep dreaming up new combinations and I’ve had a few requests along the way. When my eldest asked for a pink scarf I had to draw inspiration from further afield and thus the Roseate Spoonbill was added into the mix! She has now requested a Peacock, so expect that during 2026.
I’ve had a lovely sewer, Jo, come on board to make all the offcuts into the smaller products and I thank her for her knowledge, skill and ability to problem solve. I’ve also had her fantastic daughter, Thea, who is a former intern of mine, come and assist me with some marketing and warp prep. At the hight of production she was an absolute godsend and I would have crumbled in a heap without her.
2026 already looks like it’s going to be a busy one and I’m starting off with an exhibition up in Manchester. The Manchester Craft and Design Centre will be hosting a showcase of Design Nation members from the 16th of January to the 21st of March. Then beginning in March I will be part of an exhibition at the Scottish Ornithologists Club gallery in East Lothian alongside Matt Sewell, Tom Frost and Jane Smith (6 March - 26 April).
For now I have had a little pause over the festive season to refuel my tank and production will kick off next week for another round of weaving. So Happy New Year everyone!! See you in 2026!
Helen x