Aileen Clarke Crafts. Unique Art, Jewellery and Gifts
Welcome!
Welcome to my website where you can find out a bit about me and my work and my range of art, jewellery and gifts.
Keepsake Treasure Boxes
My Keepsake Boxes are handmade by me using wool felt and Harris Tweed. The scenes on the lids are made using my own handmade felt with the details needle felted and stitched by hand. The box parts are constructed using Harris Tweed and hand stitched to finish. Each box comes Gift Boxed with a little note of provenance. Perfect for keeping little treasures, trinkets and jewellery in. See the Keepsake Boxes Section of my Etsy Shop here .
Scottish Brooches and Shawl Pins
My range of Brooches and Shawl Pins is always expanding with new colourways and fabric combinations. Choose from handmade felt, fairisle knits, tartan plaid and Harris Tweed with a variety of motifs including Scottish thistle, Celtic Knot, Iridescent beads, Treble Clef music notes and silver spirals. These brooches are great for keeping knitwear in place, cardigans closed at the front or for brightening up the lapel of a coat or jacket. See what's available here . I am happy to make to order with a colour and motif of your choice.
Harris Tweed Notebooks and Passport Covers
These Harris Tweed Notebooks feature my artwork printed onto velvet fabric which retains the soft feel of felt but is more durable for this purpose and allows for detailed designs at an affordable price. Each one is handmade by me and comes complete with a plain or lined notebook in either A5 or A6 size. The notebook can be replaced when full or swapped for a diary, address book or journal. The A6 size also works as a passport cover. See the full range here .
Felt Sheep Jewellery and Bookmarks
Sheep Earrings, Sheep Pendants and Sheep Shawl Pins make great gifts for Knitters, Crocheters and those that love sheep, wool and fibre crafts. These intricate little pieces of wearable art are individually handmade with felted wool fibres with the tiny sheep needle felted on by hand with a little bit of stitch for added detail. See the Sheep Jewellery Section of my Etsy Shop here .
Bookmarks make a great postable letter box gift. Each one is handmade using my own wool felt with a variety of designs to choose from. See what's in stock here .
Tins and Lens Cloths
I like having my art applied in print to useful things! I also like to offer a variety of gift options at affordable prices. These colourful tins feature my artwork printed onto vinyl and applied to small round metal tins. They are great for storing all sorts of things such as button and beads, needles and pins, stitch markers, knitting notions, travel sweets, dog treats, the list goes on. Tins are available here .
The lens cloths are made with luxury microfibre fabric and are wonderful for cleaning spectacles, phones and tablets. Cloths are available here.
Printed Cards
Cheerful and colourful, these printed cards are suitable for all sort of occassions and are left blank for your own special message. A variety of designs are available. See the full range here.
About
I am a Scottish Artist/Maker, working from my cottage home in the beautiful north Fife countryside. My passion for working with wool and fabrics began many years ago and I have since built up a flourishing cottage industry making my felt art, textile jewellery and gift items. I am always adapting to changes in inspiration and circumstances and love to see where the creative process will take my work. I am committed to providing my customers with work finished to a high standard and excellent customer service.
Materials and Processes
Felt making is an ancient traditional way of creating fabric from wool fibres. I love using wet felt and needle felting techniques in my work and like experimenting with colour and texture. I use wool fibres in various forms as well as silk, bamboo, thread and yarn. I also like to include other materials in my felting to create interesting textures.
As well as felting, I make a range of jewellery using iridescent fabrics and stitch set behid resin or glass. This is a process I came up with myself and fuels my passion for capturing the effects of light on water. I mostly sell this range through shops and galleries and at events.
Inspiration
My work has a subtley Scottish theme and is popular with those looking for a unique gift from Scotland. I enjoy creating countryside scenes featuring cottages, sheep and flowers as well as wild seascapes, sometimes realistic, sometimes abstract. These are inspired by time spent in the highlands and coastal areas of Scotland and Ireland. I love wild places and being near water. The colours and feelings all spill out into my work in one way or another. My gift ware features artwork I have made and sold in the past. To see new orginal art for sale, follow me on Facebook or Instagram or subscribe to my mailing list.