ABOUT ULLSWATER FELT ART
ULLSWATER FELT ART
I started felting after a career in education. I was inspired by Cumbria’s long history of sheep farming and the many photographs I took. As a keen walker and photographer, I am often out on the fells which provide a constant source of inspiration. Needle felting is an ideal medium to capture the textures and colours that characterise the animals and landscapes that are my subjects. Initially, I felted portraits of local Lake District sheep such as Herdwicks and Swaledales using locally sourced Herdwick and Swaledale wool. I now needle felt a wide variety of different breeds of sheep as well as the landscapes containing them. I also felt pets, ponies, cows, goats, alpacas, hares and red squirrels in a studio overlooking Ullswater.
I am a member of the Cumbria Support Group of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Since 2018 I have been needle felting my way through their Watchlist of endangered breeds in order to draw attention to this important issue. Many of the endangered sheep breeds are the traditional wool breeds.
It is also important to me to preserve our red squirrels and brown hares so my work highlights the importance of the Penrith and District Red Squirrel Group and the Hare Preservation Trust ( see blog page).
Jane Firth
My needle felted animal portraits have texture from the wool fibres and depth from many layers. They are created in a studio overlooking Ullswater in the English Lake District, Cumbria. I specialise in Herdwick and Swaledale sheep and British rare breed farm animals. Below is a short time-lapse of how a piece is created. If you are interested in a commission, please use the contact form below.
Feedback from customers
It is as beautiful as we remember it and we are delighted. It will be prominently displayed where we will enjoy it.
Your packaging is to be applauded too, extremely well protected, very well done, and much thanks for your follow up attention re the delivery (and Parcel Forces bizarre referencing number). Happy Customers
Jim & Deborah (Norfolk)
The felt arrived today, its lovely, I can't stop looking at it! I got a frame at the weekend so it's in there ready to go up once we've finished decorating.Lucy (Leeds)
I has arrived! Thanks so much, it is amazing. Many thanks, Ruth (Dorset)
They arrived today! In beautiful condition and even more lovely than expected.Winifred (Canada)
I thought you might like to see your beautiful piece framed and ready to hang in my dining room. The hare will be ready early next week.Winifred (Canada)
The cards have just arrived. They are lovely, much larger than I expected. I will be back for more.Sue (Somerset)
What a joy it was to see my Mom open the package with the beautiful Herdwick. She loves it!! It’s so realistic and expressive. We just need to find a nice frame for him and hang it up in my Mom’s room. She had a brilliant birthday! Magdalena (Ireland)