The Handcrafts Studio

In January 2008, my husband Manuel and I opened The Handcrafts Studio at our property in Matata. Our home is 100 years old and set on 1/2 acre of lawns and gardens. The woollen products are all make on site by me, in the studio at the rear of our  property,

Colourful scarves and garments are produced, using quality New Zealand merino wool and silk, which  I dye in vibrant colours before hand spinning it  to produce fine knitting yarn or felting to create a colourful scarf or shawl.

Local alpaca fibre is used to produce a range of  knitwear and felted garments. A lovely range of natural coloured wool garments, knitted in  Fair Isles or lace patterns.  Scarves , shawls and beanies are sure to delight . Lovely  crochet merino baby booties, pretty merino bead corsages. and quaint  felted tea cosie

Daughter Joanne, imports beautiful crystal and glass beads  which she crafts to create unique necklaces, bracelets and earrings. She also makes exquisite beaded  bookmarks and paua shell flowers.

In 1986, I designed ‘one of a kind’ fashion knitwear and with the help of 6 dedicated knitters, supplied 2 fashion boutiques in Auckland city and one in Sydney, Australia.

In 2004 I attended a workshop where I learned the ancient craft of felting wool. This inspired me to develop my own technique, which I now use—felting dyed merino wool onto silk fabric, to create my fine, luxuriously soft scarves.

          *   Guest exhibitor at 2 Waikato exhibitions

          *   2000   Knitted garment   Fibre & Fleece Opotiki Fashion  Parade.

          *   2001   Knitted garment   Creative Fibre  Kaitaia Fashion  Parade

          *   2002   Knitted garment   Fibre & Fleece Opotiki  Fashion Parade

          *   2010   Felted Hat & Scarf  Fibre & Fleece Opotiki  Exhibition

          *   Eight  local & area awards.