To send me an email, tap the grey envelope icon below for a link. Alternatively, email me directly at: fibrefrenzybev@gmail.com

or call me on my mobile: 07749-653933

Felin Cwmcych, Pontcych Mill, Cwmcych, Newcastle Emlyn,

Carmarthenshire SA38 9RR

My textiles journey

I am inspired and excited by texture and colour.

My first passion was weaving, and the process of creating textiles brings me joy!

In my first job as a silk-screen printer, I really enjoyed running workshops and demonstrations. I went on to spend many years teaching, although not always as a conventional classroom teacher.

I worked for over a decade at a school farm in Oxfordshire. Benefitting from 140 acres of 'outdoor classroom' I was able to spend much of my time there sharing my enthusiasm for creating art and crafting practical items from natural and scrap materials.

Becoming self-employed has given me the opportunity to devote more time to leading adult workshops and to revisit and develop my own art. I have shown work in a number of galleries and exhibitions in Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, Powys, and Carmarthenshire, most recently at the Ceridwen Centre in the summer, and Cardigan in October of this year.

Feltmaking is one of my favourite techniques.

I've also become captivated by the alchemic process of botanical printing, a technique that combines very well with feltmaking and has given me endless scope for creating new work.

I love Indian textiles and have visited Rajasthan, an area rich in many different textile traditions. I had the opportunity to learn Indian blockprinting there, in Jaipur. I have a friend in India whose family are master block makers. I buy their traditionally hand carved wooden print blocks and run block printing workshops. I also sell the blocks and printing supplies from my studio and at local fairs.

I am joint Regional Coordinator for Region 12 (Wales and The Marches), of the International Feltmakers Association. I also belong to the Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers, all lovely like-minded people who get excited about woolly stuff!

I moved to West Wales in 2018 and set up my open studio and gallery 'Felin Cwmcych'.
I display and sell my work and a range of kits and craft supplies in the gallery, and deliver workshops and courses here. The studio is next to our home, a converted riverside grain mill, in the picturesque Cych valley on the Carmarthenshire/Pembrokeshire border.

If you find yourself in the area, do drop in for a cuppa, you'd be more than welcome!

Bev James, 2024