Goodbye 2015, Hello 2016 . . .

Where does the time go?!  2015 seemed to go by in a flash and I can't believe we are at the start of another exciting new year already.  Last year really was packed.  Here's a reminder of my top moments from 2015 . . .

• I met some famous faces.  HRH the Prince of Wales, Celia Birtwell and Emma Thompson.  I did my best to contain myself but probably wasn't as cool a cucumber as I think I was!

• I showed my work at MADE London for the 1st time and had an absolute blast with the R&A Collaborations guys and the rest of the makers.

•  I went to Peru.  It was amazing.  Expect to see some new work inspired by this adventure later in 2016.

Handweaving in Cusco, Peru.

• I made a new collection. It's five colourways of wiggly fun accessories!

• I started working at Birmingham City University as a Visiting Lecturer.

• I made some one-off pieces for Cambrian Mountains Wool and they went into an exhibition that toured the UK.

• I started collaborating with Dot One and thanks to some amazing press at the end of 2015 we now have a packed order book. 

• I had some fabulous helpers.  Huge thanks go out to everyone who has interned with me this year; Morwenna, Chinarose, Georgia, Alice and Molly, you guys were fantastic!

2016 starts off with a bang.  I've got lots of weaving to do with Dot One (more on this later in January), our collaboration work will also be on show in 'Simpatico' at Unit Twelve Gallery in Staffordshire from the 7th of January to 26th March. But for now it's the beginning of another term in the academic calendar and I'm back in to Hereford College of Arts to catch up with my students tomorrow.  Let the new year commence! Happy 2016 everyone!

Countdown to Peru . . .

At the end of next week I'm off to Peru for 3 weeks.  To say the least I'm rather excited as it's my 1st holiday abroad in about 12 years! But all work and no play makes Helen a dull girl.  I'll be visiting some fantastic sites; Lima, Machu Picchu, Cusco, Lake Titicaca and the Amazon rainforest.  I've just bought a massive new memory card for my camera so expect to see a lot of photos on my return! But before the off I've got a commission to do, my new collection prep to finish and find time to learn some Spanish (eek)! Adiós!

Fabulous colour blocking from these ladies on the Uros Islands, Titicaca, I should fit right in!

 Image from here.