Page 54 - The Digital Cloth Issue 6
P. 54
An interview with
CoW Parsley Designs
Hi I am Claire from CoW Parsley Designs. house from the morning’s chaos!
How would you describe your CoW Parsley How do you stay inspired and keep your creative
creations? mojo flowing?
CoW Parsley Designs are needle felted animals Inspiration comes from lots of different
lovingly created over many hours using wire, wool sources. We currently have a very confident robin
and needles. I sculpt dogs, hares, birds and have who regularly flies into the house and feeds from
even made a koala! our hands. She has been the star of my Instagram
posts so I think she has to be the inspiration for
Where in the world are you? Would you share the my next needle felted creation. Commissions are
view from your window? always varied which keeps it exciting and
I live on the outskirts of a small hamlet in challenging. The koala was a commission to
Hampshire at the foot of a nature reserve known remind a young traveller of her recent time in
locally as ‘Little Switzerland’, 20 miles from the Australia. I created him holding a letter ‘K’ which
south coast in the UK. As I look out of my kitchen I covered in maps and cuttings from leaflets that I
window, I can see our six rescue hens and three had kept since my own travels there over 30 years
ducks enjoying the sunshine. They know their ago. I too loved my time there and one day I’d love
names and at 5pm will wait by the front door to to take my family.
remind me that it’s snack time before following me
to their coop for the night. Luckily my dogs Dude Have you always felt the need to create? Do your
and Dave, a Leonberger and a rescued children enjoy their own creativity?
terrier, probably put off any hungry foxes that I have always loved art in all its many forms. My
might be around! Beyond our gate there are Grandfather, appropriately named Art, was a
paddocks with horses and ponies grazing and commercial artist and one of my most treasured
rolling hillsides where I walk the dogs most days. possessions is a painting he copied of the Pear’s
Soap painting Boy and the Bubble by John
With four children, a small menagerie, and of Everett Millais. Although I have never painted, I
course your lovely husband Jonny when do you have always drawn and all four children are very
find time to create your pieces? arty. For many years I have given friends and
My creativity has to hit whenever I can find time – family handmade gifts using, wherever possible,
often at night after everyone has gone to bed and vintage or recycled materials – old velvet and
the house is peaceful again. On a regular school cashmere make lovely soft hot water bottle covers
day, I can usually find some time once I have or fingerless gloves, vintage curtains and French
dropped our two youngest children (11-year-old linen tablecloths can be turned into beautifully soft
twins) at school, walked the dogs and tidied the fabric wreaths and personalised lavender-filled
