Helen Leaf Designs
Ply-split braiding
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About
I work with ply-split braiding, creating mainly vessels and sculptural forms, often working with twisting and spiral-type motifs, seeing each piece as a gesture, or representation of a part of nature; I spend a lot of time with ancient trees and the forest, and the whole of life within it, inspires me greatly. I like using woollen yarns, particularly from traditional and rare breed sheep, but I also work with paper and linen.
Ply-split braiding is slow and fairly labour intensive, done with care to achieve a high-quality end result. I seek to make things that inspire, that have a timeless quality, and that suggest a sense of elegance and integrity.
For the most part I am self-taught in ply-split braiding, learning from the materials, techniques, and from the deep sense of silence that allows for an understanding of such a complex technique. With each piece I make, insights flow for the next piece. I make my own tools. I’ve had a varied background and ply-split braiding brings many of these insights, skills and abilities together.
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