News

The Wool Clip co-operative has a new member, Susanna Smith, who is now living in Carlisle after moving to Cumbria in February. Susanna learnt about the co-operative after visiting the Brewhouse Studios in Alston and meeting member, Julia Neubauer. "My fascination with handiwork and textiles began at primary school with cross stitch and embroid...

Members of The Wool Clip co-operative will be demonstrating their skills and chatting to customers about their crafts, materials, tools and techniques on the last weekend of the month. Following a successful weekend of demonstrations at the end of June, dates are now booked for July (Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th) and August (the full Bank Holiday ...

Members of The Wool Clip were very sad to read of the recent death of Peter Titley, who died at home in Eccleshall near Stafford in mid-February at the age of 79. If you ever visited Woolfest in Cockermouth or if you're at all involved in rare or native breeds of livestock across the UK, you will recognise Peter's name. Peter was actively involved ...

The Wool Clip co-operative, based at Caldbeck, has created a mini-shop to display and sell its members' work in The Appleby Hub. "There's been a connection between the two businesses for a long while," explains Jane Farkins of The Eden Workshop at The Appleby Hub, "with members of The Wool Clip sharing their skills in workshops here. Weaver, Jan Be...

The Wool Clip shop at Caldbeck is based in a converted traditional mill building alongside the Cold Beck river. After over 20 years in the Priest's Mill building, with energy bills of £3,000 per annum and likely to rise, the co-operative decided to tackle its energy efficiency. As well as the environmental benefits of reduced energy usage and a mor...

Young South Lakes-based weaver, Ella Keen (19) has joined The Wool Clip co-operative, based at Caldbeck. Ella and her family moved to Cumbria from Dorset in 2020 to be closer to family and Ella studied agriculture at Newton Rigg in its final year. "I've gradually become more and more interested in sheep and wool," Ella says. "My sister and I've bee...

The latest Spotlight guest artist in The Wool Clip shop is Anne Brooke, also known as HanneMADE. Anne is a textile artist and tutor, living and working in Brighouse, West Yorkshire. Inspired by nature, she creates unique pieces of art and sewn accessories using fabric, paper and stitch. Anne met Jean Wildish of The Wool Clip at Yarndale in Skipton ...

Hesket Newmarket-based wool artist, Jane Bardgett has joined The Wool Clip co-operative, based at Caldbeck. "I've been aware of The Wool Clip for many years – especially as the shop is just down the road from where I live - but the timing has never quite been right," Jane says. "Now seems a good time to join as it's easy to feel isolated working al...

The Wool Clip co-operative has decided that members will not be organising any future Woolfest events. This follows an announcement in January that the group was exploring ideas for a change of emphasis in 2023. "We've been giving the future of the event considerable thought for well over a year now," says Ruth Strong, current Chair of the co-opera...

The latest Spotlight guest artist at The Wool Clip shop in Caldbeck (from 31 May) is Katy Galbraith (57), a designer and maker of mosaics who is based in Crieff in Perthshire. Katy's creations are known for their colour and are made with recycled materials such as wine bottles, broken car windows and other salvaged materials. A selection of Katy's ...

Carol Burns from Wigton is the latest artist to feature as one of The Wool Clip co-operative's Spotlight guests. Carol (70) captures north Cumbrian landscapes, wildlife and the changing seasons in both oils and watercolours and she was a founder member of the Fountain Gallery in Wigton. A selection of Carol's landscape paintings from around Skiddaw...

The Wool Clip co-operative has welcomed its latest Spotlight guest, Viv Walker (26), an artist, woodworker and archaeologist from Bampton near Shap. A selection of Viv's work is now on display and for sale in The Wool Clip's Caldbeck shop. "I met Viv through my son, Finn and she is the latest in a series of local artists and makers whose work has b...

The Wool Clip shop at Caldbeck in Cumbria re-opened after its winter break (12 February) with the announcement of a new member for this Cumbrian co-operative. David Whitaker (84) has been weaving since just 2017 and has already developed the skills and creative approach to ensure that his wraps, scarves and blankets will be tomorrow's heirloom...

The Wool Clip's latest Spotlight exhibitor is Jane Firth of Ullswater Felt Art. Jane's needle-felted portraits of animals, particularly sheep, have been displayed at Woolfest in the past and were also recently part of the EVAN Open Studios exhibition at Eamont Bridge. Alice Underwood of The Wool Clip met Jane through the Cumbria Support Group of th...

There are just a couple of weeks left to see the work of The Wool Clip's latest Spotlight guest, Lindsay Thomas, a potter from Otley near Leeds. Lindsay is an established collaborator with Jean Wildish of The Wool Clip, combining her ceramics with Jean's yarn and fabrics to create jewellery. Lindsay has an exhibition of her jewellery in The Wool Cl...

A commissioned piece of work by Chris Crofts, a member of The Wool Clip, has been incorporated into the reception desk of The Ro Hotel in Bowness-in-Windermere. The large tufted rug has been incorporated into the reception desk of the recently refurbished hotel. The Ro opened at the beginning of July and represents a multi-million pound transformat...

As The Wool Clip shop at Caldbeck re-opens post-lockdown, there is a Spotlight display of work by guest artist, Kate Bowles. Kate creates hand-bound notebooks and journals from recycled and vintage materials and a selection of her pieces will be on sale during April and May at The Wool Clip. "I first met Kate when I was doing a show at Saltaire in ...

The Wool Clip shop at Caldbeck in Cumbria has re-opened with a selection of colourful crochet creations from a new member, Tracey Todhunter (56) of Armathwaite in the Eden Valley. Tracey is a knitwear and crochet designer, trading individually as Granny Cool and now the 12th member of the Cumbrian Wool Clip co-operative. "I've been a keen follower ...

Woolfest will be taking place online for the second year and is looking forward to welcoming thousands from around the world via social media. "We want to support as many of the businesses that would have been at Woolfest as we can," says Marion Rae, one of the organisers and a member of The Wool Clip. "Last year, we had just a few weeks to pull to...

From Thursday 15th April 2021, our opening hours will be Thursday to Sunday 11.30am to 4.00pm. A member of The Wool Clip co-operative is in the shop each day and happy to answer queries about each members' goods, kits and involvement. COVID-19 measures are in place and we're keen to welcome back visitors, shoppers and friends.