As the daughter of parents who were always making, I’d like to say I’ve been crafting since I was a child, but that simply isn’t true. I’ve always been creative but when it comes to practical crafts, apart from a few attempts here and there, it wasn’t until I was in my 20s that I took up cross stitch, followed by crochet, and needle felting. I’ll try my hand at most things. I started Dolly & Jane in 2021, which allows me to design and make my own creations. While I also make decorative items, and wearable pieces, my favourite designs are my little Woolly Shelfie figures. They give me the chance to tell the story of historical and pop culture characters that I find interesting. With my work, I’m always keen to show that craft can be art, and that I’m serious about whimsy.

Why did you want to get involved with SWAF26?

I’ve previously entered pieces in to exhibitions at the previous two SWAF festivals and it was a great experience. The curators and organisers were so supportive and welcoming that it gave me the confidence to see myself as an artist. Having made more thoughtful pieces for other exhibitions, I also submitted some of my “silly little crochet nonsense” to the Miniature Swindon exhibition last year. I had such lovely feedback that I thought it would be fun to build a whole exhibition around embracing whimsy. So this year, I’ve been brave, stepped up and decided to become a curator.