Capel Dewi, Llandysul woman given £1,000 bursary by Wonderwool Wales

Kay-lee Davies, 34, from Capel Dewi, near Llandysul, was given a £1,000 boost alongside 22-year-old Jade Carey Holt of Aberystwyth from Wonderwool Wales.

Both are graduates from the BA Textiles course at Carmarthen School of Art, which is part of Coleg Sir Gâr.

Kay-lee completed her course over six years as a part time student with support from the Welsh Government for funding. She initially did a year of a graphic design degree in Cardiff University and then worked as a restaurant manager.

She has secured residencies at Carmarthen School of Art and Newtown Textile Museum and hopes to have her own studio and become a recognised textile designer in the future to make textiles for interior design.

She went on a last minute coach trip to Wonderwool Wales in 2017 and learnt about the course and has now come full circle. “I had the best time at Wonderwool Wales,” said Kay-lee who is now working as a freelance knitter. “It was just so exciting and remember thinking to myself this is where I want to be.

“I had been teaching myself hand knitting and crochet, and the show opened my eyes to weaving and how much more there was to do with textiles. It was inspirational to see people doing textiles to such a high level.

Kay-lee (Image: Wonderwool Wales)

“I had some of my work on display at Wonderwool Wales last year which was a big moment for me. Winning the bursary is amazing and feels like a full circle moment.

“My work is inspired by graphic design and typography linked to composition. I like to work with collages to find the balance between colours, shapes, forms and patterns.”

Wonderwool Wales’ directors Chrissie Menzies, Olwen Veevers and Sarah Stacey were impressed by Kay-lee’s work and how she incorporates her graphic design skills. “It was lovely to hear that Kay-lee had been inspired by Wonderwool Wales and that we had been instrumental in her choice of career,” said Chrissie.

“It’s so nice for Wonderwool Wales to be able to put something back and help these graduates to buy the equipment and materials they need when they leave college.”

Jade plans to use the bursary to buy a loom and set up her own business in Swansea.

Nia Lewis, BA Textiles programme director at Carmarthen School of Art thanked Wonderwool Wales for the bursary opportunities. She said: “It really gives them something to aim for creatively and is a great springboard for the next stage in their careers.

“It really gives them something to aim for creatively and is a great springboard for the next stage in their careers.”

Wonderwool Wales is the premier wool and natural fibres show for Welsh wool and its versatility as a material for creative crafts, designer clothes, home furnishings and more and is held at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells each April.