Gillian Harris
Carnival of Felting
Complete Feltmaking
Gillian Harris is a successful author, designer and businesswoman. She teaches feltmaking workshops and has produced a range of innovative felt kits which are available to buy from craft shops all over the UK, as well as from her website and her shop, the Fluff-a-torium in Dorking, Surrey.
What makes you passionate about your craft?
I feel passionate about felting because it is such a magical craft – and the possibilities seem limitless to me! Compared to other mediums, making felt is so versatile, and the results are always amazing. I never tire of it.
What sparks your creativity?
Wow – lots of things! But if I have to generalise, I’d say keeping in touch with popular culture, and what is “going on” in the world. That could be going shopping, going to the theatre, going on a country walk, reading a magazine or browsing on the internet!
Could you describe a typical crafty day in your life?
If I have a crafty making day, then I am lucky enough to be able to completely cover the whole of The Fluff-a-torium studio workbench in “fluff” and “stuff”. It’s amazing how much mess I can make and I’m very lucky to have everything at my fingertips. Projects often get started on one day and finished on another, or I’ll go back to something and change it or embellish it more after it’s meant to be finished. I usually forget to eat and dash to the supermarket at about 2.30pm when hunger takes over. And given the chance I’ll keep working until really late, as I get so immersed in what I’m doing. Everyone else has gone home, family keep phoning to see where I am, it’s dark outside, and I’m still messing about with bits of wool. Naughty but nice!
Organised mess or creative minimalism? What does your working space look like?
Most definitely organised mess. Of course I know where everything is, as long as no one else moves anything! If I put things away neatly in cupboards I forget I have them. It’s all got to be out where I can see it. I like lots of colour and lots of inspiring bits and bobs!
