How it all began...

These are high definition collages - click to enlarge.

Although I have only been making dry felting collages since June this year, my love of fleece and spinning began over 20 years ago...

First of all my husband made me a drop spindle (from mahogany) and I began the learning process from there. Then I desperately wanted a spinning wheel - but we just couldn't afford one - so he made me a wheel and all the other necessary equipment. (I did have to buy a flyer and hand carders)

Initially I used to buy my fleece from the Wool Marketing Board - and what dirty, unsorted fleece that was! Then (before the days of the internet) I found places where I could buy direct and we also began to go to Smallholders Shows where I could buy fleece.

Some fleeces I washed gently in an old enamel bath - removing the dirt but keeping 'the grease'.

I loved spinning 'in the grease' - but kept becoming ill and this was found to be due to the organo phosphates used in sheep dip. Consequently, I then had to buy clean fibre - which I always think is harder and less pleasurable to spin. (Since my kidney transplant I definitely musn't spin dirty fleece - as the bacteria could kill me!)

I had a little spin this morning - in top collage - to show I am really doing it! I have also taken photos of my samples - and sample projects (for demonstration purposes) - but the balls are what I use for my work. I only spin as I need something now - I love spinning silk though!