Music and art were always my favourite things at school and, having followed a more academic career, I eventually joined a course at the Carlisle Art College in 1993. I ended up studying part time for seven years and it was there that I became acquainted with the tufting gun.

The gun-tufting technique of rug making is used commercially as well as by people like me who enjoy its speed compared with using a latch hook, putting in one stitch at a time. Even with a tufting gun, the more often you change the colour of the wool, the longer the rug will take to complete and some of my landscape hangings are the ultimate in colour changing. Also, as well as wool, I use any type of fancy yarn that will give me the right effect. For instance, mohair is very useful to soften distant hills.

My rugs are finished with a backing of latex and hessian. They are durable and hard-wearing and made to be walked on.

I joined The Wool Clip from the outset and, following the original concept of adding value to fell wool, most of my rugs are made from Herdwick and Swaledale wool. I use five shades of natural grey, ranging from the very pale of Swaledale to the almost black of the Herdwick lamb’s first clip. I dye all these shades of grey to a glorious palette of muted colours, which I use to make my rugs and crocheted bags.

My rug wool is available to buy in all natural shades in 100g balls and in hanks of approx. 500g. I dye in small batches. No two batches are ever the same. That's what I love about it. I sell my hand-dyed wool in 50g balls and 100g hanks. You may find just what you want in my store. If not, please get in touch via the Contact page to discuss your requirements.

A large selection of dyed and natural wool can also be viewed and purchased at the Woolclip shop alongside my larger works. You will also find a small selection of rugs and seat pads at the Makers Mill in Keswick.