​When I agreed to teach on the AGWSD Summer School 2019, there was plenty of time for me to think about what I would teach and how I would teach it. I also knew that it was going to be an important test of my skills as a feltmaker and tutor. In January of this year, I started the Certificate of Feltmaking Techniques (offered by the IFA) and, thanks to my work for that and workshops attended earlier this year with Mandy Nash, I finally considered myself up to the challenge.
Here is a little diary of the week.

Askham Bryan College is an agricultural college near York, set in beautiful grounds with fabulous flowers all around. Our classroom was in the Science block....and before I could get my classroom ready for my 10 students, I had to clear the decks of various teaching aids (see below).

My own experience of learning through sampling was applied on the first day, as we worked on creating durable felt (required for bagmaking) and more flexible, pliable felt (for scarf-making). The samples were small but the amount learned was significant and could be seen throughout the days to come. 

Next up, we focused on scarfmaking. This technique combines silk with merino wool tops to make lightweight wearable felt. The focus was on colour blending, fine layering of the wool and decorative features (including prefelts) and shaping. The whole class participated in the Summer School Fashion Show later in the week. Unfortunately for me, they were the finale of the show, by which time it was getting dark and my camera couldn't cope with the twirls and bows everyone was taking. However, the last photo here is of Clare's beautiful scarf as seen on the catwalk!

The Summer School had plenty of interest for textile enthusiasts outside the classroom too. There was a total of 15 different workshops running at the same time (mine was the only feltmaking...the rest were all connected to weaving, spinning and dyeing, not surprisingly). I managed to see a few of these on the last afternoon when students set up their classrooms with all they had made and visitors came to admire. There was also a Tutors' exhibition, which I took part in, and work from recent textile graduates and students who had completed their Certificate of Achievement. The standard of work was wonderful and truly inspiring.

The final part of the week was spent making hard-wearing, structural felt. Most made bags while a couple worked on wonderful multi-resist vessels. This involved a tremendous amount of hard work and humour. By this time, the group had bonded really well....the banter was bouncing around the room and everyone was having a thoroughly good time. Notes were taken and checked regularly. Whenever decisions had to be made about the next stage in the process, these felters were able to give each other advice (including those who had started the course as beginners).
We even had a surprise visit from the President of the IFA, Sheila Smith, on the last day.
This was a wonderful week and I have the AGWSD to thank for inviting me and a tremendous group of women to thank for making me laugh so hard (and bringing a tear to my eye, on occasion). 
​Cherry, Clare, Eve, Helen, Janet, Jennie, Liz, Pat, Pauline and Wendy....see you all next year!

You will also be able to shop directly from my Etsy shop which includes Cowls and Brooches. Great gifts for friends, family or yourself. And, of course, there is also my sculptural felt and wall art. Suffice to say, there will be plenty of fabulous felt on offer, with very reasonable prices. So do pop in and have a look around. 

By Nicky Orr

I'm intrigued by Heather's new Pod Brooches. They are so organic in texture and shape, and incredibly tactile. And yet they're just a little bit couture. Avant garde even. I like them. On a beautiful wool coat, or amid the fluff of a faux fur gilet, they'd get noticed. 

Heather told me, "As you know, I love to create 3-dimensional shapes from wool. I can mould them while they're still damp and yet when dry, they keep the form. 
"They're not strictly a form from nature but I've based them on a seed pod, which is why I love sewing the beads on the inside. They can only be seen at certain angles. I've noticed that people like touching the pods. They're smooth and tactile, with the hidden centre. 
"I'm now experimenting with adding tendrils, which can weave in and out of holes formed in the pods. The tendrils are getting a bit more ornate. They remind me of clematis or fern fronds. Or beans. I love their shape and the fact that they spring back when you straighten them. Felt fronds do this too."

So now you know. Heather's wonderful Pod Brooches are now available in the Etsy shop. Please do browse. If you'd like something a little different for a unique gift, get in touch.