About us
weaversbazaar came out of a shared passion for tapestry weaving when Matty Smith and Lin Squires met for the first time on the 2008 West Dean College Tapestry Summer School. They had both been experimenting with art, craft and cloth weaving and loved using yarns in creative ways. As they progressed through that hot summer week, weaving and talking and talking and weaving, they not only discovered many shared life experiences but also a common sense of fulfilment in the process and outcomes of tapestry weaving.
However, once away from West Dean, they faced a serious challenge - how to find high-quality yarns in just the right colours needed for the tapestries they wanted to weave. After much research, a supplier of high-twist worsted yarn was found and then a dyer who was able to match-dye from just a one-inch colour sample...and at that point, they began to think about whether this would be a product and a service that other textile artists would be interested in: weaversbazaar was launched
Over the years the products and services on offer have grown in popularity: our original range of six colours have grown to over 200.The fine 18/2 yarn we started with has been complemented by a medium-weight worsted yarn (9.5/2). In addition, we have extended the range of yarns offered to include both dyed and undyed Silk and Linen. We commission the manufacture of equipment that can't be found elsewhere.
Now in 2024, after 15 years, weaversbazaar has changed hands, with a new team of Kate Horner, Anna Wetherell and Alison Seddon picking up the reins and looking forward to building on Lin and Matty's heritage.
In association with ArtyBird Carnforth and Nearly Wild Weaving we will continue to offer courses and workshops. Through our sister businesses we have established relationships with diverse textile artists around the world and will continue to communicate regularly with our growing community; sharing information and news that we hope both interests and informs.
Kate and Anna are both passionate about tapestry weaving and are committed to continuing to develop our own skills and creativity. Kate has extensive knowledge about a range of textile arts, being the big bird at ArtyBird, but also having trained in industrial textiles and worked in education for a number of years. Anna runs Nearly Wild Weaving with Irene Evison, connecting tapestry weavers, weaving and nature through online sessions and face to face workshops, with much of what Anna does inspired by the natural world and landscapes, especially reflecting her background in geology, hydrogeology and ecology. We are both active members of the British Tapestry Group, and Anna is also a member of the American Tapestry Alliance. We are both members of at least one Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers, whether Online or our local Guild, Lancs and Lakes. We relish opportunities to get together with other tapestry weavers and textile artists to share ideas.
Alison is a highly experienced administrator, who will be the voice at the end of the phone, as well as responding to emails and winding and packing your yarns. She also provides a key role in keeping Kate and Anna sane and grounded, alongside making sure all the ideas we have for developing the business going forward are practical and sensible and that we don't try to do everything at once...! While she may not have a formal background in textiles, it's amazing what she has picked up along the way from working alongside Kate at ArtyBird!
Our mission remains to be the place to find quality yarns and to provide a reliable personalised service, alongside facilitating creativity and especially promoting Tapestry Weaving as a contemporary art form.
Kate, Alison & Anna
