Meet the maker Valerie Jones

After careers in curation and at a wildlife centre I have at last turned artist. Started off making silver jewellery, graduated to larger sculpture but now have taught myself to needle felt wool and it has taken over my life!
My first works were bowls and cat toys, then I progressed to fancy but functional egg cups and cosies, boxes and small animals. My aim is to make things that are both beautiful and practical. Or just fun!
I mainly buy raw British rare-breeds fleece to wash, dry and card but occasionally splash out on dyed wool for special items. Sometimes preparing the wool from a fleece takes longer than making the finished piece, so ready to use batts are a real treat.