#marchmeetthemaker Day 31: Creative Friends. Well this is an easy one, I have had the privilege of meeting some really talented people over the years of exhibiting at fairs, events and shows. It's a great community of like minded friends all on their own creative paths and I feel happy to know them... @cambrian_wool @sarahjerath @wildwoven @james_and_tilla_waters @liliwen_herbs @lliojames @emmaffolkyffelt @adbysarah @wyldwoodwillow @loutonkin @jwrnal_wales @camillefromthimble @lydianeedle @ruralkind @m.s.upholstery @oldfaithfulco @singlemaltteapot . Note: in this post I am also adding Day 28: organised, (image) and Day 29: Community as I missed these and also, Day 26 magazines, love @koelmagazine and @simplethingsmag and Day 27: Recommend a maker...well all these guys above I would recommend, wouldn't dream of singling one out from the rest, they are all fabulous.. . Thanks @joannehawker who initiated this years #marchmeetthemaker, it's been fun X . #happyeaster #happymarch #iamamaker #maker

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#marchmeetthemaker @joannehawker Day 30: Tips/advice, It's been a lovely day here in south west Wales today, a little chilly but dry...my tips or advice as a maker...do what makes you happy, stay true to you and stick to what feels right for you. . #welshwool #iamamaker #maker #handspinner #weaver #tutor #farmer #sheep #lambs #rurallife #countryliving #thesimplethings #simplyliving #mydayincupsoftea #handspunyarn

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#marchmeetthemaker @joannehawker Day 25: Being a maker means...self expression, creativity, learning, having fun, satisfaction, enabling and calmness...it's part of who I am, has been since I was young and I love making 🤗 . #iamamaker #handspinner #weaver #crocheter #knitter #tutor #farmer

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#marchmeetthemaker @joannehawker Day 24: Achievements. I had to look back at my photos for this one as sometimes it's hard to realise ones own achievements when you enjoy what you do so much...but I acknowledge that I have achieved some personal goals. Running my own courses and tutoring at @farmerhumble @goodlifeexperience and meeting fabulous people. Having my work featured in mags such as @housebeautifuluk and @monmouthshirelife. Exhibiting at @wonderwoolwales, being part of @fifty_bees last year and commissioned to spin yarn for the lovely @imogen.di.sapia to be used in her work and being part of a great initiative to promote #welshwool with @cambrian_wool and meeting HRH Prince Charles. ...and looking after lovely sheep...😉

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#marchmeetthemaker @joannehawker Day 22: Sketch Books and lists. I have a pin board full of ideas and lists, not all get explored or made immediately but I do like to put a big tick by the things I have achieved. Sorry for the double whammy tonight, 2 posts in one day! Crazy? #pinboard #lists #sketchbooks #inspiration #handspunyarn #handspinnersofinstagram #woolworker

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#marchmeetthemaker Day 20: Tools and Materials. A peg loom, spinning wheels to spin wool into yarn, crochet hooks and knitting needles and plants to dye fleece naturally... . #naturaldye #plants #spinningwheel #handspunyarn #pegloom #crochethook #knittingneedles #fleece #jacobfleece #dyedwool #ashfordtraveller #ashfordkiwi #dreadlockyarn #superchunkyyarn #giantcrochethook

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#marchmeetthemaker Day 18: Inspiration. I can't fail to be influenced in a happy, positive way each time I look out of my window. I love living in the country. A natural environment keeps me grounded and inspired to do work that does not harm my beautiful surroundings...so no nasty chemicals used in my work. Top photo taken 3 days ago, bottom photo today! . #nature #naturalsurroundings #welshhills #snow #rurallife #

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#marchmeetthemaker Day 16: Helper. This is an easy one, my husband is my helper in so many ways. He lends a hand at events, helps me set up, makes all the wood items in my shop, listens and encourages me, takes photos and I couldn't do it without his support. You can mostly find him on the floor with our pooches! and he is a bit camera shy! #camerashy #redmerle #bordercollie #husband

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#marchmeetthemaker @joannehawker Day 14: Dreams and Plans. Well, I figure, so long as I am in touch with this lovely stuff, Wool, my dreams and plans will see themselves through...it's how things have worked out for me so far...planning too far in advance has never worked for me...I have super events booked for this year...that's good enough! 🤗 #noplan #dreamalways #handspunyarn #welshwool #woollovers #handspinnersofinstagram #woolhuggers

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Oops, a day late...#marchmeetthemaker @joannehawker Day 13: Work Clothes. Always something comfortable...a custom made apron over my clothes when I spin so I don't get covered in wool. The cowl is hand spun, crochet Shetland wool for extra cosiness on these blustery days. #workclothes #shirtapron #wool #cowl #crochetcowl #grey

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#marchmeetthemaker @joannehawker Day 12: Post and Packaging. All of my peg looms and wool kits are housed in their own handmade cotton bags and then boxed up for shipping. Luckily I have a ready supply of wool/fleece that I use as 'bubble wrap' to help prevent any knocks during transit. I like to use sustainable, reusable, recyclable packaging. . #reuse #recycled #sustainable #cottonbags

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#marchmeetthemaker @joannehawker Day 11: Branding. I am not big on branding, but my yarns do need a label to carry info on them, mine is a version of my business card which features my hand writing, one of my lavender hearts and the back ground is a woven cushion. The original image was style by the lovely @damsonslate and shot by @yeshen.uk I like its 'look'. . #businesscard #branding #lavenderheart #handspunyarn #plantdyed

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#marchmeetthemaker @joannehawker Day 10: Time to relax. These guys help me relax...walking the dogs, snuggles on the sofa and our cat is so sweet and funny...it's important to recharge however much I love to make... #rechargethebatteries #relax #slowliving

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#marchmeetthemaker @joannehawker Day 8: Flatlay. This is a collection of plants that can be used to dye wool. I love using natural materials to give colour to my yarns 🌿

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#marchmeetthemaker Day 7: Routine. I'm not great at routine but there are 2 things that will happen every morning...coffee and walking our pooches...they always make me smile and both help set me up for the day ahead 😘 . #noroutine #walkingthedog #blacklab #redmerle #bordercollie #rurallife

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#marchmeetthemaker @joannehawker Day 6: Workspace. Here's a glimpse into my studio in our garden. It's full to the brim with different wools, yarns and equipment, it's where I do most of my work and where I look out onto a field full of new born lambs at this time of year... #welshwool #workspace #studio #woolworker #March

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#marchmeetthemaker @joannehawker Day 5: Photography. Completely self taught, working progress, mostly use my iPad mini and iPhone to take shots of my work or with my misters Canon DSLR. Like to use drift wood or antique linen as a backdrop. . . #handspunyarn #superchunkyyarn #greywool #driftwood #photography #marchmeetthemaker #shotoniphone

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#marchmeetthemaker @joannehawker Day 4: Favourite to make...For me, there's no real point being a maker of you don't like everything you produce...but if I had to choose, it would be spinning wool into yarn. I love the meditation of the wheel as it spins, making something outta nothing... . #handspunyarn #handspinnersofinstagram #woolspinning #welshwool #spinningwheel #ashfordkiwi #freyathespinningwheel #britishfibreartmagazine #iamamaker #woolintoyarn

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#marchmeetthemaker Day 3: .How you started. I have always been a maker and for some years I made home accessories from vintage fabrics and bought/sold antique quilts in Somerset...but moving to Wales 15 years ago, my passion shifted to wool...well, I was surrounded by sheep! ...and this precious, natural fibre was being so overlooked at the time. I joined the spinners/weavers group in my village and learnt how wonderfully versatile wool can be. I now pass on the skills I have learnt running workshops, demo at events and sell my wares online... . @joannehawker #welshwool #handspinning #weaving #yarn #wool #fleece #sheep #iamamaker #rurallife

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#marchmeetthemaker @joannehawker Day2: .Where. High up on a hill looking to the Towy valley and the mountains that form part of Brecon Beacons Nat. Park...we are currently experiencing record low temperatures, our spring feed water has frozen and the stream looks to be icing up too! But I love it here...the space is my solace and inspiration... #marchmeetthemaker #carmarthenshire #breconbeaconsnationalpark #towyvalley #winter #woolworker #welshwool

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#marchmeetthemaker Day 1; You. Here's me, I'm Helen and I am a spinner/weaver/crocheter/knitter/tutor of all things wool. I am based in the beautiful Welsh hills of Carmarthenshire where you will find me happily spinning yarn on one of my 4 wheels! I run workshops, courses and weekend retreats in all things woolly and collaberate with lovely folk @farmerhumble, @makeitinwales and @jwrnal_wales too. I love to help empower others to make and express themselves through wool...this shot was taken by my mister at @goodlifeexperience 2017, where I ran back to back peg loom weaving workshops...such fun. . #iamamaker #welshwool #weaving #handspinning #knitting #crochet #plantdyeing #tutor #carmarthenshire

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I am staying right here today...snuggled under a super chunky knit blanket... . You can order yours today... . blankets take a week to make... I first take wool and spin it into yarn which has been plyed (2 strands twisted together) to form super chunky yarn...it's then washed before knitting the finished blanket by hand... ...so although you won't receive it in time to warm you in this cold spell...you can be rest assured that your blanket has been lovingly made by hand and be with you as soon as possible... It also keeps me warm whilst I knit! Win win? . Link in bio . Stay warm ❄️

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