Valerian Fibres

04/09/2026

🔥 The Firebirds have returned…

It has been a busy summer in the Valerian Fibres workshop. I've been experimenting with some new ways of combining wet felting and needle-felting, and all sorts of creatures have been emerging — Firebirds, Dryads, owls, rabbits, foxes and more.

I've gathered together some of my favourite photographs in a new-style online newsletter, along with the stories of Felix the fox and Spinning Jenny, the mask I was commissioned to create for Trowbridge Museum.

And if you're in Bradford on Avon, there's also a date for your diary…

🌿 Step Further into the Forest and have a wander through the latest creatures.

https://www.valerianfibres.com/post/firebirds-foxes-and-autumn-dates-for-your-diary

23/08/2026

Two young rabbits have just hopped out of the Valerian Fibres workshop! 🐇🐇

These two were an absolute delight to make — similar enough to belong together, but each seems to have developed a character all of their own.

Like all my animal masks, they have a removable eye-pad, so they can be worn as a mask or displayed as wall art when their adventures are over.

And, of course, I couldn’t resist trying one on myself…

You can find more photographs and details on my website.

12/08/2026

Some people fall in love with the mask. Some people fall in love with the pet! 🐏

Meet Ramzon — my tenth ram.

Rams have always felt rather special to me — the fathers of the wool that lies at the heart of everything I make — and Ramzon is one of my most elaborate creations.

The idea behind my animal masks has always been that they can have two lives: worn to a fabulous festival, masked ball or celebration, and then brought home to live on as a piece of textile wall art.

Either is perfect.

The wonderful part for me is seeing that moment when somebody connects with one of my creations and decides they want to give it a home.

Ramzon is currently available through my website.

And if one of my other creatures has spoken to you, you can always have another peek there too… 🌿

10/08/2026

🌿 Red and Green in Harmony! ❤️💚

Definitely a Green Man for summer — leafy, vibrant and super-light to wear. This one was made for stepping into the green and joining the festivities!

Hand-felted in natural wool and ready for the next adventure.

🍃 Available now on the Valerian Fibres website.

06/08/2026

🌿 Meet the Woodland Creatures... today, meet Sirocco.

You don't usually expect to meet a hare while strolling through the streets of Bradford on Avon...
..but then, Sirocco has always liked to wander.

Named after the warm wind that sweeps north across the Mediterranean, Sirocco is alert, curious and always ready to disappear around the next corner.

Like all my animal masks, he is handcrafted from natural wool and can be worn or displayed as textile art with his removable eye pad.

For now, Sirocco has paused his adventures and can be found keeping watch at The Crafty Hive, Silver Street.

If you're passing by this summer, do pop in and say hello.

🍃 And if you happened to meet a hare in the street... where do you think he'd be leading you?

04/08/2026

🦉 Meet the Long-eared Owl.
Secretive and seldom seen, the Long-eared Owl is a medium-sized woodland bird famous for its striking “ear” tufts – which aren’t ears at all! They’re simply feathers, helping it blend into the woodland. Combined with exceptional hearing, they make this one of Britain’s most successful nocturnal hunters.
Unlike many birds, Long-eared Owls don’t build their own nests. Instead, they quietly adopt old crow or magpie nests before raising their young.
This needle-felted mask is my tribute to one of Britain’s most mysterious woodland birds.
If you’d like to discover more about the Long-eared Owl mask, you can find it on my website:
🌿 www.valerianfibres.com

01/08/2026

30/07/2026

What's the collective noun for a group of woodland masks? I'm sure there ought to be one! Any suggestions?

I have to confess, I absolutely love seeing my masks gathered together in one place.

That's why I'm delighted to share that there's currently a whole collection of woodland creatures on display at The Crafty Hive, Silver Street, Bradford on Avon.

If you're visiting Bradford on Avon this summer, do pop in and say hello—I wonder which one will catch your eye?

27/07/2026

🌿 Release your inner Dryad... 🌿

For a long time my work has explored the characters and creatures of the woodland.

Now I'd like to introduce something a little different.

These new Forest Guardian masks are inspired by the ancient spirits of the trees—the Dryads who, in mythology, lived within and protected the forest.

Unlike my traditional animal masks, these are created using a combination of wet felting and needle felting, giving them a lighter, more delicate feel. They are designed to be worn, inviting you not to become an animal, but to step into the role of a guardian of the woodland.

Perhaps they're an invitation to release your inner Dryad...

24/07/2026

What's the collective noun for a group of woodland masks? I'm sure there ought to be one! Any suggestions?

I have to confess, I absolutely love seeing my masks gathered together in one place.

That's why I'm delighted to share that there's currently a whole collection of woodland creatures on display at The Crafty Hive, Silver Street, Bradford on Avon.

Over the coming days I'll be introducing them one by one, starting with Young Brock the Badger.

If you're visiting Bradford on Avon this summer, do pop in and say hello—I wonder which one will catch your eye?

Thanks as always to all who've modelled them for me !