Shona Schofield - The Story.

I was born in Ashburton and have spent all my life living in the area. I have always been interested in art, crafts and fashions.

 

Starting working life as a display artist, ticketwriter for one of Ashburton's family owned top fashion stores. (Todd's Fashions)

 

After getting married and having 2 children, we bought a farm and a few coloured sheep soon appeared. Having a father that worked as factory foreman in Ashford's while I was at school, call it childhood fate that I would one day be spinning.

 

I joined the Ashburton Spinners and Weavers, with their friendliness and help it was inevitable that I would catch the woolcraft bug.
And what a contagious bug it is!

 

In 1991 we started breeding Coloured Polwarth, their fleeces were soft, fine and ideal for both felting & spinning. This was the start of a registered Coloured Polwarth flock.

 

With our family purchasing a larger farm at Winchmore, halfway between Ashburton and Methven, having more sheds and more room, the problem of the carding of fleeces came. This led to buying a Tathum Carding machine, in October 98 and going into business customising carding to the needs of each individual woolcrafter, so they to can produce a unique garment.

 

I like to play around with dyeing, spinning and anything connected with the craft. My passion is felting, making garments, waistcoats, hats, etc. experimenting with ideas using many techniques. I think using wool and natural fibres is a great way to keep sane and free from stress.

 

We are now situated at 7 Methven Highway, Allenton, Ashburton.  Being on the edge of Ashburton is giving me more time to card, dye, felt and create.

 

If you are interested in fibres or my designs, please contact me.