Kathryn Guy (Textile Artist)
Working from home in the beautiful village of Whashton, near Richmond in North Yorkshire, I create colourful and contemporary textile jewellery, greetings cards and gifts. Every item is meticulously handmade and completely unique.
Pieces are created using a combination of techniques such as wet and dry felting, freehand machine embroidery, knitting & crocheting with wire, fabric dying (in the microwave), rag-rugging, heat manipulation and hand embellishment.
I love to ‘make do and mend’ and so I try, where possible, to incorporate as many reusable items in my work as I can: discarded aluminium drinks cans, old buttons, beads, scraps of fabric, vintage lace, and leather. I’m doing my bit for the environment and for my customers it means that no two pieces will ever be quite the same.
In order to share my passion for textiles and jewellery I run a variety of workshops, inspiring people of all ages in exploring their creativity. No matter how short the session I always ensure that participants take home at least one finished item. I love to share my ideas and techniques and see how people adapt them to create something unique.
I have taken part in a number of school and community projects over the last few years, such as North Yorkshire Libraries Residencies Programme and The Witham’s Summer of Stories. In October 2018 I curated a three day public exhibition at St Andrew's Church in Grinton, N Yorks as part of the TIGHR (The International Guild of Handhooked Rugmakers) tri-annual conference. As part of this project, I went into two local schools teaching the children the traditional technique of 'Hooky' and helping them create their own pieces of art which where exhibited at the exhibition and afterwards at the Swaledale Museum.
More recently I have worked on a year long textile project with Richmondshire Refugee Families which concluded with me curating an exhibition of their work at The Station in Richmond. Loving Earth - Healing Through Creativity
I regularly take part in events for the Yorkshire Show Educational Charity, such as a primary school event called Countryside Days.
If you would like to keep up to date with what I’m doing, please follow me on facebook.