Meet The Maker: The Naked Weaver

Who are you, where are you from and what do you make?

Hello! I’m Eleanor, a part time weaver and part time librarian. Currently I’m living and working in Norfolk, where I grew up. I miss lots of things about living in London but I love being close to the sea and the countryside, and Norfolk’s big skies!  I weave textiles on my rigid heddle loom and turn them into scarves, cushions, pouches, and lots of other lovely woolly things. 

What inspires you?

When I’m designing new colourways, I take inspiration from all sorts of places, the colours in a favourite painting, a fun knitted jumper, or colours and textures seen on a country walk. My process feels quite organic, and often the combinations of colours I use present themselves to me as I look at my stash of wool. I also like to leaf through art and design books, and study the work of textile artists from the past. The craftsmanship of a lot of vintage and antique pieces is outstanding, and I find the care and work that has gone into old textiles really inspiring. 

I’m also inspired by the work of friends and creatives, and have found the support of other small businesses to be completely invaluable. Their words have kept me going when I’ve felt the creative block, when I’ve made mistakes, and when I’ve felt down, and watching friends’ businesses grow and develop inspires me to work hard at my own small business too. 

What is your workshop luxury?

Having a separate studio is a luxury in itself! I’ve got a lovely garden room full of all my craft supplies, and I love pottering around and making in there. It feels like such a treat to have a space that I can fill with wool and mess and not have to tidy anything away until I’m finished. When I started The Naked Weaver I was working from my parents’ dining room table, and I felt like I was cluttering up their house with all my stuff, and so to have a place that I can work in that is separate from the house, and that I can close the door on when I’m done for the day, is wonderful. 

Your favourite studio lunch?

Anything by Anna Jones, her recipes are always delicious! And if I can’t be bothered to cook anything, I love sourdough toast with heaps of butter and wildflower honey on top. And probably a cup of tea, which I’ll drink three quarters of and then leave the rest to go cold. 

Best spot in the British Isles?

I love wild swimming, especially in the sea, and so I enjoy being anywhere by the coast. I’ve had some wonderful swims in Cornwall, off the Welsh Coast, and up in Northumberland near Lindisfarne. I’m also very lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the world here in Norfolk, and there’s a spot a short walk from my village which I love. It’s under a tree at the top of a hill, and you can see the whole village, with the church tower peeping out of the trees, as well as beautiful fields full of flowers, and the sea shining in the distance. I could stand in that spot for hours looking out at the landscape. 

What do you find challenging about being a creative?

I struggle with confidence sometimes, and have found it hard to start a new design or colourway. I think it’s the fear of the blank white page, or in my case, the empty loom. When this happens, I often take refuge in other creative pursuits like knitting or furniture painting, and these often help me to return to a more focused headspace, and allow me to carry on with weaving. Although I’ve always been crafty, I don’t have any formal art training, and the jump from creating for myself to creating things for sale sometimes feels a bit strange, and I’m guilty of avoiding my weaving to-do list rather than confronting that feeling. At the moment, I’m also really busy with library work, and it can be hard after a long day of work to come home and be creative when really I just want to be on the sofa with an episode of Poirot! 

What would you like to learn next?

I’ve got a big list of things I’d like to learn. I would really like to learn how to use a big multiple heddle floor loom, which would allow me to create more complex cloth. I’ve also got my great aunt’s spinning wheel which is gathering dust because I currently don’t know how to spin. I think top of my list at the moment would be developing my dressmaking skills. I’ve made a few simple dresses, but I love the idea of making some historical garments. Maybe a big 18th century dress, or a beautiful smocked shirt. 

How do you let your hair down?

Wild swimming, walking, reading, and personal craft projects really help me to relax and wind down. I also sing in a folk quartet called The Norfolk Broads, and singing and dancing with my bandmates is always joyous, especially after nearly two years of not being able to make music with them. 

What are you listening to at the moment?

I’ve got a few CDs from friends’ bands that I’m listening to on repeat at the moment, the one in the CD player today is called Frey and it’s by the incredible Tamsin Elliott. I’m also listening to the audiobook of Jane Austen at Home, by Lucy Worsley, which I’m enjoying. I find it hard working in silence so I’ve usually got some folk music or a podcast on while I’m in the studio.  

What makes you feel well chuffed?

I always feel well chuffed when someone stops to talk to me about my products at a market, or shares my posts on social media. I know people can’t always afford to purchase from me, especially with everything else that is going on in the world, but kind words and comments really mean a lot, and make me smile. And it’s definitely true that every time you buy from a small business the owner does a happy dance! I feel so chuffed when someone buys something that I’ve made, because they want to put it in their home, or give it to a loved one. It’s an honour to think that the pieces I’ve made might become a loved cushion to snuggle down with on the sofa, or a favourite scarf to keep you warm in winter. I’ve always enjoyed making things for myself, and the fact that other people also like the things that I make and want them in their homes is an indescribable feeling.