Page 56 - The Digital Cloth Issue 6

hearts. I spend a few days on each fleece gently hand has her sitting safely under a glass bell jar away from Ideally, a large airy studio in the garden where I
washing, drying, brushing out any debris and the inquisitive hands of her granddaughters. could host needle felting workshops and also invite
When did you start CoW Parsley – why the name carding it so that the fibres are all going in the guest experts to come and teach different crafts to
‘CoW Parsley’ and what is its story to date? same direction which makes it easier to place and So far 2020 has been particularly challenging for small groups of people wanting to learn a new skill in
I wanted to have a business of my own that could fit in stab. I then vacuum seal the wool in bags to ensure so many and is set to continue for a while. Do you the countryside. I also bake, so cakes would feature
around the demands of family life and I had been aiming it stays dust and mite-free until I need to use it. find creating helps you to stay grounded during heavily with our morning coffee and afternoon tea!
to start something just before the twins begin secondary This summer I plan to dye some wool using these tough times?
school in September 2020, however it all happened by vegetables from our veggie patch if the pigeons I definitely think creativity helps a lot of people cope Finally, which famous animal would you most like
accident two years ago. I had bought my daughter Esme, don’t eat it all first - wish me luck! in stressful times but it has always been part of my to felt and/or who would you most like to gift one
a needle felting kit for her birthday but within minutes The other materials I use such as needles, polymer life. Personally, I find creating very satisfying and of your works, and why?
she had accidentally stabbed herself so many times she clay (to make noses and claws), beeswax balm and totally absorbing. I love starting something from I would love to felt any of the deserving animals
soon handed it over to me and that’s when I made my certain types of wool, I source online from scratch in its raw form, and seeing it through to its receiving bravery awards each year, for example the
first tiny hare. I was hooked and the reaction I received TheMakerss.co.uk and WorldofWool.co.uk. I make end result which I hope will be admired and loved for PDSA Animal Awards that has been around since
from this little hare encouraged me to carry on. Soon my own felting pads by hand stitching old sacking many years. 1943, with my felt creation auctioned to raise money

after that I received my first wedding present commission into a square and filling it with rice (and for the charity.
– a family of four hares. composting it when it’s worn out!). The wire I use Dreaming with no limits, where would you love to
The name CoW Parsley came to me when I thought for the armature is bought from our local garden take CoW Parsley in the future? Thank you for the
about which plants, I felt epitomised the countryside. centre. I spend a few days on each fleece gently As well as continuing to take on more commissions
Cow Parsley can be seen in almost every field and hand washing, drying, brushing out any debris and sell my creations online, I would absolutely love a lovely chat...
hedgerow and it looks like lace, which I love. It’s also a and carding it so that the fibres are all going in the dedicated workspace away from the house.
play on my initials ‘Claire Wayland-Pratt’ - so it had to same direction which makes it easier to place and
be! stab. I then vacuum seal the wool in bags to ensure
it stays dust and mite-free until I need to use it.
How do you go about capturing particular and This summer I plan to dye some wool using
individual expressions so beautifully and successfully? vegetables from our veggie patch if the pigeons
I think it’s all in the eyes. You could make the perfect don’t eat it all first - wish me luck!
body but if the eyes are not quite right, then it just doesn’t The other materials I use such as needles, polymer
work for me - I have a box of ‘not quite rights’ to make clay (to make noses and claws), beeswax balm and
into something completely different one day! Studying certain types of wool, I source online from
photos that have been sent to me or researching relevant TheMakerss.co.uk and WorldofWool.co.uk. I make
breeds all help me capture that key expression. It takes my own felting pads by hand stitching old sacking
a long time and patience to place wool in just the right into a square and filling it with rice (and
spot, but it’s worth it in the end. I am only a couple of composting it when it’s worn out!). The wire I use
years in but I’m learning more with every piece and I am for the armature is bought from our local garden
inspired by my peers to improve all the time. centre.

Is it quite an emotional process, both for you and your Could you talk us through the process of one
client? particular creation?
Definitely emotional for me, having spent literally One of my favourite commissions was ‘Tilly’ - a
20 - 30 hours lovingly working on a pup there is Yellow Labrador. I have known her since she was a
definitely a feeling I get when it is time to secure it’s 10-week old puppy when we met at puppy training
handmade collar and tag, write a personal note telling classes. I was thrilled to be commissioned to
the new owner to keep them away from small hands and create a mini Tilly, complete with one of her
pets, and carefully box it up ready for delivery. It is beloved tennis balls.
certainly lovely to hear that my client is thrilled with Once the pose has been decided I create the
their pup. armature using the wire and wrap it in core wool,
stabbing it in to place until the Labrador form
You take great care with the materials you use – could takes shape – this process takes a few hours. I then
you tell us more, where they are sourced? add fine features, paws, ears and tail and then the
I am very lucky that I know several local shepherds who topcoat … and for Tilly, a tiny tennis ball. Her
very generously donate a few fleeces to me once a year. owner was totally thrilled with her likeness and