The reason I called it
Ullswater Felt Art
Thank you for visiting my site.
My name is Jane. Since I started felting in 2017, I have evolved a style of felting with a strong 3-dimensional element using local wool.
​
I work in a converted garage overlooking Ullswater, using wool from my neighbour’s sheep that I can see from my window.
.png)
I started with the sheep I see around me (Herdwicks, Swaledales, mules, Rough Fell and Blue Faced Leicesters) but I now felt a wide variety of sheep, goats, ponies, cows, hares, red squirrels and landscapes.
I now take commissions.
I have created felt art for many customers, including their pets, horses, birds, mythical creatures and even the sheep from which the wool came.
Felting someone’s sheep with its own wool is particularly satisfying.
Roxy the Labradoodle
Longhorn Cow
Xena & Primrose the Alpacas
Iggy the Selle Français
Siamese Cat
My process:
I wet felt my basic shapes (The same process that shrinks a wool jumper in the washing machine) then needle felt the detail and the background using a barbed needle that entangles the wool fibres in a similar way to wet felting.
​
HERE are the full steps & how long it takes to create a piece.
More recently, I also have a drum carder to card and then dye my own wool or else to blend colours I have already dyed.
& where I get my wool:
Shearing time is busy because it is an ideal opportunity to stock up on the colours and textures I want.
There is a surprising variety of sheep in my local area, so putting my name on a fleece in advance is a good way of securing what I want! A whole fleece is a lot of wool, so it takes a great deal of washing.
I always have plenty of wool available, so I now offer sample bags for people to experiment with the different breeds.
Where you can see my work?
​The Wool Clip in Caldbeck, Bampton Tea Room, the Lion Gallery, Penrith, Quiet Site, Watermillock and the Royal Hotel, Dockray all host my pictures.
Three village shops (Pooley Bridge, Bampton and Askham) keep my greetings cards.