A TAUNTON artist set up a bird-inspired business to avoid empty nest syndrome when her twins left home.
Farmer's daughter Sue Clements is using the Exmoor countryside as inspiration for her intricate needle felt artwork.
Sue Clements, 51, who runs Foxwood and Bees, produces bespoke felt pieces inspired by the animals and birds.
She sources her wool from two Exmoor sheep farms near Minehead and Wheddon Cross – some of her work probably uses wool from sheep she has helped to deliver.
Sue said: "As a farmer’s daughter myself, I am proud to fly the flag for our local farmers, and utilise their otherwise undervalued wool in a new and creative way.
“My husband Paul and I help out with lambing and shearing on Exmoor farms and, in return, I get enough wool to make my artwork.
“I’m really keen on sustainability and recycling so, wherever possible, I use reclaimed items to mount my pieces on, and wool which is dyed using plant-based ingredients.”
Sue has lived in Taunton for 44 years and farming and the countryside is in her blood and she loves studying the birds in the local area.
Her inspiration for needle felting came after watching a TV programme about making Christmas crafts with presenter Kirstie Allsopp.
“She was making felted robins and I thought it looked like something I could learn,” said Sue.
“I’ve always been keen on embroidery and used to create pictures of animals which I drew myself. So the needle felting was a natural progression.”
Sue learned some of the intricacies of her craft from Somerset artist Naomi Stannard, better known as The Crafty Shepherd.
Using barbed needles to compact and sculpt the wool, she layers different colours to make each piece individual and unique.
She has started using found objects such as cups and saucers, cotton bobbins, pieces of wood and shells to mount her birds and animals on.
She also creates seasonal wreaths using willow sourced from a farm in Wrantage.
“I normally work as a hairdresser so I’ve had more time to experiment with my needle felting during lockdown as I had no clients,” added Sue.
“I find it very relaxing and I’m learning more about different birds and animal species every day, by studying photographs, using the internet and getting out and about.”
Sue is a regular contributor to the Rural Living Show which takes place in Taunton in November and will be displaying her work at the Pop-Up Shop in Wellington from May 31 to June 30.
She also has an online Etsy shop called ‘Foxwood and Bees’ and accepts commissions - to date she has been asked to create a felted Hedwig owl, polar bear, highland cow, penguin and a magpie.
For more information about Sue’s work go to www.etsy.com/uk/shop/FoxwoodandBees or contact her on suethehair@gmail.com
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