Carol Mowl graduated from Manchester Polytechnic in 1986 with a degree in Textile Design and was ‘Highly commended for her achievement in Art History’. Her thesis on the rare art of Porcupine Quillwork has been a source of inspiration to her work.
Most recently she has been working as a Fashion & Textile lecturer at Birmingham University, a Secondary School Textile Teacher and before that an Art lecturer. She is a member of the International Felt makers Association.
Carol is particularly interested in inventing new and exciting felt that utilises the unique qualities of wool. Each piece is individually made with particular attention to detail. She is inspired by natural forms and paints landscapes to be translated into felt pictures. Her work shows great attention to detail and uses unusual felt making techniques. She has exquisite taste in colour and style producing highly desirable and aesthetically pleasing pieces.
She now sells her work through the ‘Warm Earth’ Gallery in Poynton and works to commission from her studio in Chorlton. In her custom built fully equipped garden studio in Manchester she also runs workshops. She has a relaxed and friendly approach and teaches a wonderful range of textile crafts and textile techniques.
Dee Sayce is an experienced spinner and natural dyer, she has worked on many textile projects including making a beautiful hand dyed and hand spun rug. She particularly enjoys producing and experimenting with making spun yarn out of different natural materials. She is also a qualified Multimedia and Communications Designer.
Helen Davies - After finishing my degree in Fine Art at Huddersfield, I moved to Manchester and took up knitting and crocheting in a big way. I like to dabble in lots of media, but needlecrafts pretty much took over my life as soon as I learnt how to cast on. I am currently working on a project called We Are Your Friends, making crocheted monster versions of both people I know and to order. I am interested in individual quirks and styles and I love making the monsters feel truly personal to their human equivalents. I use knitting and crocheting a lot in my work, as it can be used to create so many different textures and can be used in quite a sculptural way. I tend not to work from patterns, but rather start something and see how it ends up. I prefer to just get stuck in. Things can always be corrected if they go wrong!
Lisa Watson has studied embroidery at MMU and worked in education at all levels. She is enthusiastic to pass on her skills and has a heartfelt enjoyment of the creative process. She has a passion for working with fabric, pattern, colour and texture.
Mandy Pearks is a local artist and experienced tutor. Mandy can’t wait to share her enthusiasm for festival bunting – she is crazy about it. Mandy loves her job teaching art to adults and works hard to make sure every class is exciting and informative. Mandy has developed skills in print and textiles and has studied an HND in design at Stockport College.
Maggie Holland studied the ancient art of paper making in Japan, where handmade paper is used in many different ways. She links paper and textile techniques to create her work. Maggie is an experienced tutor and has exhibited her paper art works in Japan.
Margo Singer is an experienced textile lecturer and freelance designer. She is the author of Textile Surface Decoration and co-author of Textile Arts ~Multicultural Tradition. Margo specialises in surface decoration and uses a wonderful variety of techniques to embellish fabric. Margo works with batik and applique as well as metallic foils to create fantastic stitched textile surfaces and is inspired by pattern and the surface qualities of trees, forests and natural forms as well as the designs and symbols of both Western and Eastern art forms.
Shelagh Hewitt - Fascinator and Hat maker. Shelagh works wonders with sinemay, sculpting shapes to create the most exquisite flowing forms for fascinators. She will show you how to manipulate this unusual fabric to produce a beautiful fascinator. Shelagh makes wedding head wear and works to commission to make exactly what you require for your special event. She is inspired by the burlesque style and by Dillon Wallwork who taught her hat making in France.
