Holly Berry, our Festive Maker in Focus, Holly produces contemporary, meaningful woven textiles for the home and body. Her slowly made woven works make warm, comforting and long-lasting companions.
The physical act of hand-weaving acts as a meditative time for processing and connection, with hands automatically finding rhythm and balance in an ancient and methodical craft. Weaving is a form of expression and reflection for Holly, who creates patterns that tell stories, make connections and find balance. Many of her weaving patterns use Morse code in the structure of the cloth, communicating messages of love, comfort and connection. This thoughtful practice merges tension with harmony, process with patience, light with shade and warp with weft.
Manually winding warps around wooden pegs, threading up the looms, hand washing and finishing, are all parts of the process of making hand-woven pieces that hold a distinct mark of the maker. Each new warp is an opportunity to discover new harmonies in colour and structure. The slow nature of handweaving fits with Holly's commitment to slow design, conscious consumerism and the desire to produce work that will resonate and connect beyond the ideals of fashion or trend.
In addition to her handwoven pieces, Holly works with British weaving mills to create larger collections like her LOVE blanket, which was first made in 2012. By combining hand and mill production, Holly grows her practice while staying true to her values of local production and sustainable design. Each piece she makes is not just functional but full of meaning and connection.