Jenny Pepper - an interview

Article Added: 17/07/2009 09:31:35
By Jenny Carson

Jenny Pepper has just opened her own studio located in Dalby, near Pickering, which after 14 years of working from home means she can finally run workshops without limitation. We caught up with her so see how she’s getting on.

What inspired you to enter the world of feltmaking
I’ve always been creative and originally I was interested in embroidery.  I heard that felt was a particularly good medium to embroider into so I went on a felt workshop and got hooked.  I then took a longer course and never stopped!

How did you start your own business
My felt making was always a hobby until a friend asked me to do a workshop at a school so I found myself with a group of 220 children teaching them all to felt.  The teachers at the school suggested I run a workshop as they were interested to learn more so I arranged the workshop in a local village hall. Some of the teachers came along and were able to learn skills they could then pass on to other children in the school.  From there it grew, I did workshops with friends and as people talked about it the company grew by word of mouth.

What difference has your studio made to your life
I worked at home for the last 14 years and my house was starting to look like a wool shop!  The wool takes up so much room.  The studio has basically made me more disciplined.  At home there is always cooking or washing to be doing so it’s good to have somewhere to go in the mornings where I can just stay and work without any distractions.  Moving to the workshop seemed like the next step in my journey.

You run regular feltmaking workshops. Can you tell me more about them
I run a range of courses from introductory to more advanced classes. I mainly focus on 3D vessels and people find it fascinating to make something solid and structured with no seams or stitching. I think people like the workshops because it’s just a day to themselves, trying something different in a sociable atmosphere. I also do a workshop on a monthly basis at the village hall.

As well as felted vessels you also work with Nuno, what are the differences between them
When I first started feltmaking I found it very physical and tiring until Sheila Smith taught me Nuno. It is totally different because you are combining a fine natural fabric with wool so it is a lot less physical work. Nuno’s great for things like scarves and clothes because it is so delicate and it drapes nicely, whereas I use traditional feltmaking more for art pieces. I alternate between the two techniques which I enjoy because I like the balance between the two.

You take part in a range of events, including Woolfest and The Fashion and Embroidery Show.  How do you find the experience of attending these shows
It’s something I look forward to every year because it’s full of other fibre addicts that are passionate about wool like I am, so from a social aspect it’s lovely.  It’s also very encouraging if people like your work and enquire about it.  Feltmaking can be quite a solitary experience, isolated from other people so it’s nice to get out and see people to get feedback.

Tell me about your role as a member of the International Feltmakers Association
It has feltmakers from all over so it’s a good way of meeting other people with similar interests.  You tell them where you’re from and they tell you about all the workshops, events and exhibition opportunities in your area.  Anybody can join, not just feltmakers.  You pay an annual fee and they send you 4 journals a year.

For more information about the IFA visit their listing here. Or for more information about Jenny, including links to book her for workshops, please click here.