Tutors
Marietta Alker
My passion for feltmaking started several years ago whilst I was studying Embroidery at Westhope College. It has now become an all encompassing passion in its many forms.
I have always worked with wool and have knitted since a teenager. I love the tactile quality of wool and the fact that from an insubstantial wisp of combed wool straight from the sheep, felt can be created for myriad uses. Felt is the world’s oldest textile and samples of this ancient craft have been found buried in the permafrost. It is the only non-woven textile, formed by the wool fibres matting together when moisture, warmth and friction are applied.
In order to make the whole process holistic, I now keep Gotland sheep on our organic smallholding for their lustrous fleece, which has incredible felting properties. Some of my workshops will feature feltmaking using this beautiful wool which comes in varying shades of grey and is so wonderful to work with.
I am a qualified tutor and run courses at my home studio on many different aspects of feltmaking, from beginners to more advanced techniques. Please see the Workshop page for details.
I regularly teach at the following:
· Westhope College.
· Herefordshire College of Art & Design.
· Ledbury Artplace.
I also work to commission and welcome all enquiries.
Her website http://www.mariettaalker.co.uk