Where to begin….I was born on the 1st April, more than half a century ago, in a little country village in Southern England, only about 20 miles from where I live now. My birth date is perhaps particularly significant in a country that believes in April 1st being “All Fools’ Day” , but I’ll let readers be the judge of that! 

Having spent all my life amidst the farming community and countryside hitherto rich in wildlife, it saddens me to see the changes that have taken place over my lifetime. I mourn for our declining species; the ones that run, fly or swim in the wild as well as the traditional breeds of poultry and four-legged livestock that form the basis of our robust, efficient modern hybrids, but are falling by the wayside as individual breeds. I have always tried to help maintain interest in what are now fast becoming rare domestic breeds, and disappearing wildlife, as the face of our countryside changes and the need for more efficient farming methods and breeds extends across our land. 

 Above is one of the founder members of my small flock of Wensleydale longwool sheep. But if you want proof that this Steemian is just a little bit of an April Fool, then surely here it is below? Pulling my latest piece of craftsmanship along on a trolley, here I am at 18, and you might be forgiven for thinking that I must indeed have been off my trolley…  Photograph courtesy of the Daily Mail, the fluffy creature was designed and made by me as a challenge. On his toes, he stood twelve feet tall.  

 

I have enjoyed a variety of artistic handicrafts, especially needle and textile crafts, for as long as I can remember, and have always been fortunate enough to be able to build my business around them. I’ve always been busy, and always worked long hours, but have always loved my work, which is more than many can say! But just as our rare breeds have fallen out of favour over the years, so have many of our traditional crafts. At 18 I began my working life making soft cuddly toys and later, with the help of my husband, fur covered rocking horses and larger model animals. These were often collectables rather than playthings, and as they became more ambitious and complex they formed a mobile exhibition that introduced visitors to a number of different crafts and charmed children as they walked through “The Enchanted Forest”, which I can only describe as a very large Fairy Grotto, with every creature an individual lit by twinkling fairy lights.  Ponds, plants both real and man-made, and glistening waterfalls and fountains completed the scene. Kelly, of course, was one of a line of huge toys who helped promote it. Below is an authentic Victorian doll that I designed and made using 1800's style and methods after studying original museum dolls.

Sadly, one night fire destroyed both our home and much of the Forest that was stored within it. Rebuilding the house was more important than rebuilding the exhibition that had taken years to perfect. Already, many arts and crafts were being ousted from everyone’s lives by the cheapness of mass production, and toy animals were very high on the list of crafts to suffer. The Christmas scenes and decorations that were once a rarity became commonplace, with preformed plastic and fibreglass moulded forms taking the place of true craftsmanship and individualism. The Enchanted Forest was never rebuilt. Our business took a more serious and practical turn, centring around soft furnishings for large country houses – for here was a craft that was by necessity hand-worked and individually designed, even if it did lack that touch of fairy magic. Alongside all of this I always demonstrated, exhibited and taught various textile arts and crafts. As computers became part of our daily lives I developed a joy in writing, both fiction, and educational articles concerning country life and crafts. Photography became another passion, and the family – husband and two sons - adapted to such inconveniences as the bathroom being turned into a darkroom. Digital photography and photoshop are great tools…. But can’t compare with afternoons spent watching an image appear on floating paper, under the glow of red light. And the acts of super-imposing images and darkening small areas etc. is so much more satisfying in a darkroom than at a desk. 

 Am I sounding old-fashioned? I can’t say that I was exactly dragged kicking and screaming into our current century, but I do believe that we’ve left valuable assets behind. We’ve found the ways to produce most things more cheaply and quickly than ever before, but grow bored in the extra time that we’ve made. We produce en masse, but cry out to be individuals. Our children and children’s children will never know many of the natural wonders that we took for granted in our youth. Maybe they will not miss them. Maybe the games they play on iPods, phones and tablets will satisfy them forever. But I can’t say that I noticed such great differences between the children who came under my care at our local youth club in the 1970’s and those who enjoyed the Cubs, Beavers and Wildlife Watch groups that I’ve helped run more recently. I don’t believe evolution can take away their natural childish curiosity, or the need to possess something that is just a little unique, as quickly as it sometimes appears to be doing. Give a child a fishing net and plastic bucket and point them at a shimmering rock pool or a trickling stream, and maybe you’ll agree with me. 

For many years I’ve had the ambition to keep a few sheep and maybe other fibre producing creatures so that I can “grow” my own fibres, with which I could spin my own yarn and then knit, weave or crochet my own from it. They say everything comes to he who waits, and I am now finally able to produce my own art yarns from the fleece and fur of my sheep, angora goats and rabbits and even silkworms. Below is one of the rabbits whose fur is trimmed about 4 times a year to produce one of the softest yarns imaginable.  Notice that I say trimmed, not plucked... and bunny doesn't mind a bit!

Those angora goats just refuse to be left out of anything, so one is...

Seasonally I keep silkworms, whose cocoons can be washed and spun to make a luxury yarn, or added to other fibres to create shimmering blends. They feast on mulberry leaves from my tree, and are left to develop into moths and complete their life cycle, producing what is known as Peace Silk.

And to complete my collection of fibre producing creatures, my own dog whose moulted fur spins nicely, and so we don't forget the bird life, her young charges are week old rhea chicks. When they grow up their moulted feathers can be split and spun into art wool.  

I'll conclude this overly long post by saying that the introduction above gives you a good idea of what my future posts will contain. Some will be educational, some instructional, and some amusing. They will in the main be aimed at craft, art, wildlife, nature self-sufficient and animal enthusiasts. Unless otherwise attributed, the photographs are my own. Thanks for reading, and thanks too for all the help that has been coming in from Steemians throughout our diminishing world!