About

Well hello there and welcome ... thank you so much for stopping by.

My name's Tanya Blackiston and I live in Hampshire, UK with my partner, son and daughter.

For as long as I can remember I've created and crafted with a wide range of tools and materials, but a certain love affair began very early on and continues to this day ...

My Nana taught me to knit and crochet when I was very young. She was a wonderfully warm-hearted, patient and kind woman, as well as being an amazing teacher. She passed away when I was sixteen years old, but I think of her often as I follow in her yarn-loving footsteps.

I pressed pause on my arty-crafty hobbies in my late teens and early twenties to gain a BA (Hons) degree in History of Art. Not long after graduating, I re-discovered knitting and crocheting and have been making accessories, clothing, gifts, and home furnishings ever since.

After an operation in 2009 found me taking time off work to heal and recuperate, during that time I discovered spinning and began to make my own yarn. I instantly fell in love with this wonderfully relaxing and satisfying pastime.

Starting with a drop spindle and progressing to a spinning wheel, I have discovered more and more of the exciting possibilities that spinning your own fiber brings, and am keen to spread the word to other yarn-lovers, knitters, crocheters and weavers.

I began to make my own drop spindles, spinning kits, handspun and hand-dyed yarns for my Etsy shop in 2012, and have loved creating beautiful things for people to craft with. The biggest thrill is seeing the photos they share of the items being used to make all sorts of amazing things. It really is a joy.

I joined Ravelry and its inspiring global community of yarn crafters in 2012 and have been greatly inspired by the abundance of beautiful patterns and designs found there.

In over four decades I've managed to try a large number of different arts and crafts, and there are still so many more on my to-do list. Alongside my main staple of fiber-arts and crafting, I like to do needlework, draw and paint, pottery, as well as indulging my love of Mother Nature's treasures by silversmithing and beading with crystals and gemstones.

I also love to read, write, play the piano, guitar, and sing, take long walks along the beach, forage wild plants and berries for my dinner table, and generally enjoy the simple pleasures of life with family and friends.

I'd like to thank you all for reading my blog and getting involved in my sweet little crafting life.