Tuesday, 28 April 2015

wonderwool love

...another Wonderwool Wales this last weekend
And what a fabulous event once again
Thank you to everyone who came and said hello. 
I am always amazed at such creativity, every stand offering something unique and new...all heralding the qualities of wool in all its guises.
Great weekend
Xxx



Monday, 9 March 2015

chunky crochet...

..hand spun yarn

Have really been enjoying spinning Badger Faced fleece into chunky weight yarn recently. My friend Sarah Rose has a small flock, along with rare breed pigs and Dexter cattle. 
She carefully rears them on land very near to my workshop and her efforts are rewarded by producing the most tasty meat products around. Her number one priority is the welfare of her animals and I like this type of farming very much. Hers is the only meat I eat now, if it isn't from her, or if I am out and about, then I am veggie.
 I feel very passionate about the welfare of animals in the production of a never ending need? to demand cheap food. I personally think this is the wrong route to take, cheap meat will always be second rate and sadly animals suffer because of this, unnecessarily. Less is more as they say, pay a little more, enjoy exceptional taste and quality, eat less of it. (Or not at all as you prefer)
This is Aslan one of Sarah's rams, gorgeous eh?

You can find Sarah at www.fromthehedgrose.com


Anyway, back to this lovely wool...
Beautiful tones of red, cream and brown give an earthiness to this naturally coloured fleece. There is a little kemp in the wool, perhaps not great worn next to the skin, although I wear my bobble hat without any scratchiness.
I have spun it a little chunky, really looks good crocheted up with a 8mm hook. I used fptr, bptr stitches to create a rib like texture and this will be used on cushions and throw blankets, perhaps even a rug. X




Sunday, 15 February 2015

Hello...


...it's been a while
Sorry if I left you waiting?

I have been a wee bit distracted of late, planning and running crochet workshops and updating other media sites (FB) nellieandeve, along with weaving and hand spinning yarns, that the world of blogging was left on the back burner. 
Will visit more often.

I am enjoying the workshops greatly, one of the most rewarding things I have done and realising a bit of a dream come true moment when I look at what I am doing.
Teaching and encouraging others to learn and be creative is a joy.
Workshops run only once or twice a month at the mo, mostly crochet, with a peg loom weaving day added every 2-3 months.
 My aim is to do more! Workshops every 2 weeks, something new, building on skills already learnt, felt making, working with real fleece, spinning...an endless list
So watch this space...
And see it all unfold....hopefully later this year?

For the moment I am content with the pace of life, I have a great group of students every month and making and selling my own creations is being well received.

In one word......happy........
And very thankful 

Here's some images of new items I am working on right now...

Next workshop are 14th March for both crochet and peg loom weaving, held at The Quercus Rooms, Carmarthen, 10-1 and 2-5
Get in touch if you would like to come along, places are limited.

See you soon
Love Helen 


Saturday, 6 December 2014

busy bee...

...these last few months

Workshops and courses have been received with a super response from all the students who came along to learn new skills this year. Many thanks to all. I have had great fun making and preparing for each workshop and sharing skills, stories and cake!

Christmas Crochet
 
I have also been hard at work stocking up my shops and online store with Christmas gifts, treats and cards too...
All available at   www.folksy.com/shops/nellieandeve
And shops locally
Myddfai
Crafts alive-Llandeilo 


Happy Festive Season