While living in Sweden for five years I was strongly influenced by the design, colour and texture of textiles. Weaving has become my way to combine pleasure and the gathering of knowledge and express it in a complete work.

The use of colour, texture and design possibilities is of great interest, using silk linen and wool.

My introduction was through attending batik classes in Stockholm. I became aware then of the wonderful world of colour and design.

On returning to Australia I studied hand weaving and spinning at Brookvale TAFE and have since attended workshops with Australian and overseas tutors in textile related subjects.

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In 1970, after the birth of my third child, I felt I needed some external stimulation and so completed a one year handweaving course at East Sydney Technical College. I have been weaving ever since. Weaving can be a simple or as complex as the weaver wishes and I find it fulfils my creative urges and also offers intellectual stimulation

My main interest is weaving fabric for clothing. I also enjoy weaving floor rugs. I like to experiment with complex weaves and colour and texture. My aim is to concentrate more on spinning silk and wool fibres and to continue experimenting with dyeing yarns. In this way I hope to create unique fabrics to make into garments.

Training I completed one year of handweaving at East Sydney TAFE and three years Craft Textiles at Strathfield School of Textiles during which time I was awarded 1st Prize, Craft Category in the Rural Bank TAFE Training Awards. I taught weaving at Strathfield School of Textiles, and Waverley Woollahra Arts Centre, as well as numerous workshops in Australia and one workshop in the United States.

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My main interest is in experimenting with colour and structure, so I like to keep changing the weave structures I use in my scarves, wraps and clothing. I also weave rugs, wall hangings and some table linen. Hand-dyeing many of the fibres, weaving and embroidery yarns, allows me to create subtle variation in colouring.

I always have more ideas and designs than I can possibly complete but I would like to do more clothing by combining plain and patterned handwoven cloth. I am also interested in variations of double weave. This is where two layers of cloth are woven one above the other, allowing the interchange of a whole layer or part of a layer.

Advanced Weaving Certificate, Advanced Spinning Certificate and Advanced Certificate of Handcrafted Textiles at Strathfield School of Textiles. Various workshops with well known tutors: Peter Collingwood, Clotilde Barrett, Karen Selk, Lavonne Schrieber, Dianna Conroy, Lise Cruikshank and Mary Beeston. I have been a weaver for many years and have exhibited at the Australian Craft Show.

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On leaving the workforce and stimulated by a long-standing but general interest in handcrafts, I sought an activity which would be an on-going learning process combined with social contact. The local Technical College offered several possible courses and without any particular motivation, I chose weaving, not realising that it would quickly become an all-absorbing and dominant activity in my life.

My main focus is directed towards weaving fabric suitable for clothing and accessories such as wraps and scarves. At times this involves dyeing yarns to produce interesting colour and weave effects.

I completed the Advanced Certificate in Textiles Craft with Distinction in 1990 at TAFE School of Textiles, Strathfield. I have also attended many workshops in various aspects of weaving, spinning and dyeing. Care of Craft Each item of weaving requires individual care instructions according to the type of fibre used in the weaving. Also, a tailored garment would require different care instructions to a wrap or scarf.

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In 1988 I 'discovered' weaving and my life took on a whole new dimension and direction. Gradually over the next few years I realised I had found what I had been looking for, for some time, and subsequently weaving has become a major part of my life. The designing of new projects satisfied my creative side and the execution of the weaving satisfied my more practical nature. To use a lovely timber loom to create beautiful fabrics is a most satisfying and rewarding experience.

My main interest at the moment is to explore linen weaving. At the same time I am working with Australian mohair and fine wools

I completed the Advanced Certificate in Textile Craft at Strathfield TAFE. I have also been fortunate to attend workshops in America and Sweden, as well as numerous Australian workshops. Care of Craft Fabrics have differing care requirements depending on the fibre content. Consequently each item is labelled individually.

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I love working with luxury fibres such as mohair, alpaca, silk and wool. I weave wraps, scarves and jackets using simple weaves to produce an interesting fabric with colour and texture.

I am making felted hats, first spinning the merino fleece and knitting the hat, incorporating alpaca, mohair or angora, then dyeing and felting the hat. These have proved very popular and have gone all over the world from Iceland to New Zealand

I studied craft textiles at the School of Textiles, Strathfield, 1976-77. I have attended many workshops with Australian and overseas tutors, covering aspects of my craft.

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I cannot remember when I was not interested in fabric and design. Sewing for myself and family as well as an involvement in theatre costume provided stimulation. The challenge came when I joined the local Spinners and Weaving Guild. There I was surrounded by the most beautiful fine Australian Merino wool. I was hooked! I bought my first spinning wheel and then a weaving loom. Weaving has become a delight for me, working with wool and blending myriads of different fibres and colours to make scarves, wraps, bags and clothing.

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I have always had a great interest in handcrafts. I was able to indulge this interest when I retired from teaching in 1988. I attended Strathfield College of TAFE and completed the three year Advanced Spinning course. A fellow student then introduced me to the joys of weaving and I have been hooked ever since. Weaving is now the all-absorbing interest in my life.

At the moment I am mainly weaving silk scarves and woollen wraps and vests but would like to experiment more with dyeing and with different weaves and different styles of clothing - however, it all takes time. I have won many prizes for weaving at the Castle Hill and Royal Easter Shows.

I hold an Advanced Certificate, Design Textiles, Strathfield College of TAFE. I have attended numerous workshops associated with my craft.

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From an early age I have always been interested in sewing, and knitting for the family as well. Spinning was followed by weaving and is a greatly satisfying hobby.

I enjoy using other fibres such as alpaca, silk, cashmere and mohair to the point of growing mohair myself and sometimes using dog's hair.

I studied for three years at the School of Textiles and many other courses allied to my craft.

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I weave because I enjoy creating beautiful fabrics. Colour and the way it effects eave structures fascinates me. I continue to work with the 'what if' theory to try to create fresh and appealing examples of the ancient art of weaving.

The simple designs and colours of the Scandinavian weaver have great influence on my work

I completed the Craft Textiles course at Strathfield School of Textiles, Sydney and I also obtained an Advanced Weaving Certificate. Since then I have attended various workshops in NSW and Victoria. I also belong to a weaving group in Melbourne and over the last six years I have been part of various exhibitions put on by that group.

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Becoming a weaver has been a fusion of my lifetime interest in yarn, fabric and design, combined with my professional scientific training. Weaving is a blend of the mathematical and the whimsical where the complex structure of the weave fuses with the artists eye for colour and texture.

I am fascinated by the challenge of creating a unique blend of colour and weave pattern to produce a piece of wearable art. My work at the moment is utilising fine Australian merino wool.

I enjoy working with fine yarns because they produce a fabric which is light and drapes well, whilst providing the warmth and luxury of wool.

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I am very interested in experimenting with common garden and native plant materials as well as seaweeds, driftwood and materials washed up on local beaches. I always find it a challenge to find a new material to incorporate into my baskets.

Most of my shapes are based on the melon basket style incorporating native vines and driftwood as handles. This basic technique can produce a variety of basket shapes. I am still experimenting. I am now developing my skills in coiling and twining. I also create fish, ranging from practical 'onion' fish to large decorative types. Presently, I am working with the Bomaderry TAFE Aboriginal Unit in the revival of traditional basket making on the South Coast of NSW. To acquire the necessary skills and knowledge I have worked with indigenous weavers from South Australia and Northern Territory as well as doing research at State Museums.

I acquired traditional basket making skills in primary teaching college training. On retirement from teaching eight years ago, I did a one day contemporary basket making course with Lyn Ellis and Sue Daniels. Since then I have completed courses with Nalda Searles and Virginia Kaiser at the Mittagong Fibre Forum

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I began experimenting with wire as a sculpting medium six years ago. The wire and tools I use are of the same type used by farmers to build fences in rural Australia. As there were no artists, to my knowledge, using wire in the way that I wanted to use it, I taught myself by trial and error.

I have exhibited my work in galleries in the Hunter Valley and Gosford on NSW's Central Coast. I have had my work on permanent exhibition in one Central Coast gallery since May '07, and am now very pleased with the opportunity to exhibit my work in the beautiful gallery of the Society of Arts and Crafts of NSW.

I began my career in 1967 as an industrial engraver and began studying art, firstly at Kogarah Tech. and later at Julian Ashton's Art School, right here in the Rocks in Sydney.

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