FAQ

A few FAQ, I hope this helps.

STOCKISTS

I currently have a small selection of original framed work and greeting cards at the lovely pottery, Sandsend Ceramics near Whitby.

Sandsend Ceramics, Unit 2, Birstly Dale Yard, Sandsend, YO21 3SU

The pottery is located by the river next to the large pay and display Mulgrave car park. 

WOOL SUPPLIERS

World of Wool, Yorkshire. Good online website with a huge range of dyed merino tops plus a vast array of other plant and animal-based fibres. www.worldofwool.co.uk  

Wingham Wool Works,  Online website, Please note Wingham are relocating from North Yorkshire to Gloucestershire in February 2023 www.winghamwoolwork.co.uk

Adelaide Walker, Yorkshire. A nice range of wool tops, equipment, and supplies. www.adelaidewalker.co.uk

Etsy there are lots of independent dyers who sell wool tops and speciality fibres and threads. Many sellers produce smaller dyed batches, which make work look totally unique to you. I love supporting independent makers! 

My favourite maker for thick and thin homespun yarn, which is lovely to incorporate in wet felting is Gaia Fibre Studio, you can find their Etsy shop HERE

Wool Warehouse – Have a very good range of wool and embroidery thread. I have always received a very good service from them, stock levels are usually good. www.woolwarehouse.co.uk

DYING YOUR OWN WOOL?

If you think you would like to try dying your own wool, I recommend the following books. 

Hand Dyeing Yarn and Fleece by Gail Callahan ISBN: 139781603424684

The Modern Natural Dyer: A Comprehensive Guide to Dyeing Silk, Wool, Linen, and Cotton at Home by Kristine Vejar ISBN: 9781617691751

Wild Colour: How to Make and Use Natural Dyes by Jenny Dean ISBN: 978-1784725532

PICTURE FRAMING

Most of my frames are made to measure from a high street framer. I have a preference to frame in natural wood, either unvarnished oak without stain, or where possible wood that comes from a FSC certified forest.  Painted frames are also bespoke made from wood of good quality, not cheap mdf! I like the marriage between the natural materials I use in my work and a complementary natural wood frame. 

Bespoke frames can be expensive. Both frames and mounts can be a very personal choice. It may be possible to supply work unframed, please contact me to enquire. Over time my customers have shown a preference to purchase work in quality frames.  

Are you a maker? I encourage you to talk to your local high street framer. When purchasing several frames at a time, they often give a discount, so worth talking to them. 

HOW TO MOUNT YOUR WORK IN PREPARATION FOR FRAMING?

I have written a blog post about this subject. You can read how and why, by clicking HERE

GREETING CARDS

All my greeting cards are professionally printed on carefully chosen card stock. The card stock shows off the individual fibres in my work. I highly recommend using a printing service that is used to working to the standards of giclee prints. Together you can work out card stock that will suit your work. Good quality images are key to obtaining good results. Some companies can offer to do this for you at cost. As a photographer I take all my own images, then work with the printing company to obtain the best results. It is usual for a proof fee to be charged. 

I have in the early days used online self-upload, bulk print services, even though I am in control of my own photography, the results have always been disappointing. Now I use a company from my time living in the Peak District, the results are the best I have found. www.originalgiclee.co.uk

FREE MOTION MACHINE EMBROIDERY

I use a Janome sewing machine. You do not need a fancy computerised sewing machine with lots of programmes a more basic model is ok,  but you need to be able to drop the feed dogs. Replace needles often and watch your fingers! Beginners I suggest practising on a similar weighted fabric that you intend to work on. Practise running stiches up and down left to right, write your name, practise circles. Try to relax and as practicing handwriting as a child,  confidence and your own style will evolve. 

STABILISING FABRIC

I do not use stabilising fabric behind my work, whether for free motion machine embroidery or hand stitching. Felt is a robust fabric that takes stitching well. Always check the tension on a similar weighed piece of felt before machine stitching. 

HOOPS

I rarely work within the confines of an embroidery hoop. I like to work freely!

FURTHER BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

For books about dyeing wool see section above

British Wool for Feltmaking by the International Feltmakers Association ISBN: 9781785009891

Inspired to Spin by Cath Snape and Alison Daykin . A comprehensive guide to spinning wool.

https://beechwoodcrafts.com/new-book-inspired-to-spin/

https://yorkbookshop.com/crafts-and-hobbies/286-inspired-to-spin.html

INTERESTING TEXTILE ART WEBSITES

TextileArtist.org  This is a great resource website with a vast array interesting articles and subjects. I have been featured in one of their ‘Discover’ articles, you can read it by clicking here Discover: Floral Textile Artists

www.Embracingwool.co.uk  A collaboration of textile artists who primarily work with wool. Liz Riley and I are co-founders. We collectively come together for exhibitions.

COPYRIGHT 

It has recently come to my attention that numerous pieces of my original work have been copied and are currently for sale or have sold by an international buisness via the platform Etsy. Some are even available to order with different size options! The most brazen copy was photoshopped on top of my original frame and the business owner even left my (c) Lynn Comley watermark on the image on their Etsy listing. Two of the pictures copied were the view from my previous house!  Pricing structure was similar to mine, so you can imagine how frustrating this was. I do not and never will sell on ETSY. If you find examples of my work that have been copied for commercial gain by other businesses, could you please drop me an email with the details. Thank you.