Last week I travelled to Aberystwyth for the private view of the Cambrian Mountains Wool Design Challenge exhibition. HRH Prince Charles attended, and having the opportunity to discuss my work with him was very exciting, if a bit nerve-wracking. He was very complimentary, and seemed genuinely interested in my jacket. As patron of the Cambrian Mountains Initiative, the private view was part of his schedule for Wales Week.

Meeting other Designer/ Makers

It was great to meet the other designer/makers, discuss our different practices and see all the pieces in person- there is such a diverse range of ideas.

Amongst others, I enjoyed discussing British wools and the joys of making with Rebecca Connelly, a new graduate whose passion for weaving comes across within minutes of speaking to her. The upholstery fabric she designed and made for the exhibition and the resulting bench is beautiful, and very much on my wish list!

Carole Wadham, a milliner from Bath, has a passion for cruelty free British wool. Her pieces are absolutely stunning, and exquisitely made, showing all the beauty of the wool they are made from. She stole the show (as much as is possible at least when there’s a royal to compete with) by wearing one of her hats to the event.

Rebekah Archer, another weaver, works with the principles of slow design, and her processes of shibori dying are incredibly interesting.

Other highlights of Aberystwyth included seeing dolphins in the bay, spying red kites flying above, and being able to wear a crochet jacket to the event that I’d been rushing to finish in time. So all in all, a fantastic and inspiring trip!