Frances Anna Wiles

i am 5ft tall and and went to an all girls secondary school and college. I am a retired school teacher. I have taught classes with air drying clay to scouts and brownies and introduced them to the wonder of needle felting. I taught children from the age of three years to six years in school. I have been married to Michael for over forty years. We live on the island of Orkney and lived on Shetland for thirty plus years before moving to Orkney. Island life is full of ups and downs as all life is. We have three boys all grown and now have three grandchildren.
I have always been interested in many crafts in many disciplines. Fair Isle knitting, knitting baby clothing and some for older children. I enjoy quilt making love the colour and being given permission to experiment with lots of paints, cloth, paper and card. I found crocheting to be a fabulous medium to express myself and I am learning and exploring this craft. Yarns are so full of promise and mischief and wonder. I like watching videos of needle felting and have made a few items but would like to learn how to make armatures for more detailed work. Wet felting is a step onwards in my felting journey. I have dabbled in jewellery making and would like to learn more too. My retirement as given me the time to explore these crafting activities. I would like them to look and be as well made to be able to sell them. Confidence is the most important part of doing courses as you find all sorts of skills to learn and be introduced to. I have never put down in words why I want to do these crafts before and learning about mood boards and research was some of the reasons whyI have chosen your company.
I would like to learn about using polymer clay in small figures and making them into charms and more.