Diary
A collection of news, events, affiliations and press articles
since the very beginning of my journey into weaving
February 2025
Announcements for 2025:
Little Weaver | Big News!
This winter I have been gently and firmly ushering my tiny business into new and unfamiliar realms! I am delighted to share with you the results so far! For the first time my woven work and I will be attending one of the UK’s leading craft shows and an exhibition! This year you will find me:
As a Guest Maker at Make Southwest Gallery this summer!
For six weeks, in collaboration with Creative Kernow Associates (date for the above to be announced)
AND
Craft Festival at Bovey Tracey in the StartUp marquee!
On Friday 6th - Sunday 8th June
I am so very grateful for the acceptance of these applications ~ and the chance to rove horizons new! I hope you will come and find me and my weavings at one or t’other!
Winter 2024
Recent Festive Markets
After a fallow spell on the market front through 2023, the winter just gone was a whole other story! I was lucky enough to attend an array of wonderful markets, all of which have been an absolute joy. It was my first time at a market in another county!
It really has been lovely to get out amongst you all again!
Thanks to my wonderful customers, passers-by and to the event organisers who have made it all so special!
Cornwall
Makers Cornwall Christmas Fair, Penryn Campus
Glas Folk: Pop-up Showcase, Provision Store, London
Christmas Market, Potager Garden, Constantine
Cafe Flora Christmas Market, Trelowarren
Cornish Christmas Market, St. Michael's Resort, Falmouth
Christmas at the Farmyard Market, Truro
The Food Barn Christmas Market, Flushing
Devon
Crux Craft Fair, Rattery Village Hall,
Wintertide, Buckfastleigh Town Hall, Devon
October 2024
Glas Folk: London Showcase
This November, I am delighted to have been invited to participate in an exclusive and ecclectic showcase of Cornwall makers
“Glas (pronounced glahz) is a Cornish word with no direct English translation. It captures the myriad blue/green colours found in the ocean. Folk is a nod to our collective effort, and the nature of our handwork”
A design pop up hosted by Provision Store that celebrates handwork and tactility. Showcasing art, homewares, furniture and clothing from makers of Cornwall - Meet the Makers here: The Makers
October 2024
Find a Maker Member
A few wonderful and exciting things have happened this October
I have been welcomed in to the Find a Maker family!
This is a profound and diverse cacophony of makers and artists across the planet, selected for their quality - thank you to the Crafts Festival
Please go check out my new profile here
September 2024
Artisan Market at Truro Cathedral
Saturday 7th September 2024
Truro Cathedral, St. Mary's Street
It was my first time joining the brilliant Artisan Markets Cornwall for their September A huge success - if you get a chance to visit their other markets throughout the year in various locations - I highly recommend! There is something for every one.
July 2024
Midsummer Craft Fair
Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st July 2024
Pencarrow House, Trescowe, Bodmin, Cornwall
I was pleased to join a marquee full of fellow westcountry makers at the summer craft fair this year in the beautiful settings of Pencarrow House’ within their walled garden. My first market in rather a long time!
It was lovely to venture a little further afield with my woven wares and I very much look forward to hopping across the Tamar in winter for more!
April 2024
The Heritage Crafts Association
For many years, the appreciation for considerately crafted objects has been of great importance to me. I have followed the curation and heraldship of The Heritage Crafts Association since I began my explorations into traditional craft during my years of studying art and design.
Now I am a practising craftsperson, I am very happy to be a member with a new listing on their Makers Directory amongst a whole world of fantastic and fascinating craftfolk - do take a look!
March 2024
Crafts Council
I am so happy to this year be welcomed into the Crafts Council community
Please see my profile here on their Directory of craftspeople
The loomsmith Eric Henry, who designed and built my looms, has now completed and installed his own design of a Dobby Control Mechanism - this is a huge step for my tiny weaving enterprise and will streamline my process by far, and enable me to explore new and more complicated patterns
~ Watch this space!
Discover more here: The Dobby
February 2024
The Dobby is a go go!
January 2023
Media Feature
A Day in the Life of a Handloom Weaver
In December 2022 I was kindly met by a collector of curious stories and analog cameras, Ric Davy of Cornish Lives who photographed a lovely depiction of my story and work
Do visit his website for the full story…
As of late autumn 2022 Henry | Weaver Designs is now trading as Weaver Rae!
This is with the wish to better reflect my identity and values
The work of my partner and loomsmith Eric Henry has redirected him to faraway horizons rigging ships - he is still at large!
November 2022
Now Trading as…
Weaver Rae
I opened the door of my former tiny timber cabin to welcome visitors this Autumn
With my small selection of bespoke blanket scarves and regular width scarves available, and more products emerging through the Winter
The loom is rigged and the shuttle is flying so keep your ears open if you’re passing, you may just catch me!
Monday 24th October till Friday 4th November, 11am till 4pm. I am next door to the beautiful Bosahan Woods and on the way to Slice of Cornwall cafe, so do pop in if you’re passing*
There will be another Studio Shop Open House this Winter so stay tuned and Subscribe for updates
NOTE: * I am working from home under a new address, and am not taking visits at present (as of Feb 24)
Oct 22
Studio Shop Open
I held a little Open House…
November 21
Drift Magazine
‘The Pinnacle of Luxury Lifestyle in Cornwall’
During Winter 2021, we were lucky enough to be featured in an editorial by the beautiful Drift Magazine, whilst in our earlist days learning the craft of weaving
The full article can be read via the links below:
Supporter of the Campaign for Wool
‘Live Naturally and Choose Wool’
It is with primary importance to herald the importance and many attributes of weaving and wearing wonderful wool and choosing to support British farmers
It is with great pride that I have pledged my commitment to abide by the ten principles of best practice laid out in The Dumfries House Declaration and chosen to support The Campaign for Wool - “a global community of sheep farmers, retailers, designers, manufacturers and consumers united by our patron His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. It aims to educate as many people as possible about the incredible benefits and versatility of wool in fashion, furnishings and everyday life. This in turn, supports many small businesses and local farmers whose livelihoods depend on the wool industry”
Unravel: Exhibition
A collective of designers, makers, knitters and weavers
Unravel ~ bringing together a collective of designers and makers who are gently challenging and exploring the impact of what / how we wear has on our natural environment, soil, soul and society
In the October of 2021 we were invited to showcase our early woven work amongst some of West Cornwall’s most vibrant and sustainable textile designers and makers
It was an honour to be part of such a wonderful, buzzing and thought-provoking hive of creativity and forward-thinkers
Loom Design and Build: Mark II
April 2021
The Eight Shaft Floor Loom
with Flying Shuttle
“Our own design eight-shaft floor loom has evolved from previous renditions, built on what I have learnt whilst building the four-shaft table loom. This new loom enables us to produce larger and more elaborate patterns more efficiently”
Eric Henry
Pictured here whilst under construction in the old Build Shed in Morvah, Cornwall, UK
See more of this Loom Building Design and Build Journey here":
The Making of my Looms
Art Studios Open:
Open House
We raised the bunting, hung the arrows and flung open our workshop doors in early Summer 2021. Alongside a collective of West Cornwall Artists, together celebrating the creative diversity between our coasts
The event spanned two weeks between Lands End and Portreath. It was initiated to replace the cancelled ‘Open Studios’ event of that year. It was a great chance to meet and show our community where we are
Loom Design and Build: Mark I
January 2021
The Pallet Wood Four-Shaft Table Loom
It all began when Rae was sat playing with a handheld frame loom. Eric saw the potential for increased efficiency, if we only had our own loom…
This is the first iteration of Eric’s weaving contraption, rough and ready compared to the second project. The tool upon which we both taught ourselves to weave
“Designed and built by Eric of pallets and string. We chose these particular resources as they were readily available during the spring of 2020 when many merchants were forced to close. The use of reclaimed materials presented their own set of challenges and took a little more time to prepare for use however the outcome stood the test of time and rigourous use…”
Eric Henry
Pictured here whilst under construction in the old Build Shed in Morvah, Cornwall, UK. Read in to the full story of the Loom Design and Build Journey here":
The Making of my Looms
