About

crochet squares in orange, grey, and yellow, surrounded by leaves and green apples

I love to crochet, both simple and complex projects. I design my own patterns, which I use to teach the attendees at my crochet workshops.

DESIGN WORK
ARTIST CV
LINKS

Amanda’s background

woman wearing a green crochet hat with brown pompom

Amanda grew up in North Wales, before moving to Liverpool, where she studied BA Media, followed by Postgraduate Creative Practice at Liverpool Hope University.

“I first started to crochet as a hobby; I loved creating useful and fun items from nothing more than a ball of yarn and a hook. It soon became an addiction and now I sell accessories, amigurumi and custom orders on Etsy , Our Wee Makers, at local craft fairs and in Midtown Makers gift shop.” 

Training and Qualifications

woman's hands writing in notepad at a wooden desk.
  • May 2024 – OCN NI Level 2 Award in Awareness of Mental Health and Well-being.
  • August 2024 – OCN Level 3 Award in Education and Training.
  • May 2023 – JAM Card Awareness Training NOW Group JAM Card allows people with a hidden disability or communication barrier to tell others that they need extra time and understanding in a private and easy way.
  • October 2023 – ACCESS NI Enhanced Disclosure Certificate.

Art and Design

crochet heart, crochet hook with bobble stiches on, crochet hook with crochet stiches on, all in blue yarn.

After University, Amanda joined Red Wire Art Studios and developed her practice exploring textiles. In 2010 she filmed and collaborated with Re-View Textiles’ Day at the ‘Bed-In’ at the Bluecoat Gallery, when artists and the public were invited to create a wall-hanging of their dreams of peace. 

During her time at Red Wire Amanda exhibited and co-organised and curated several events, open studios, talks and exhibitions. These included Liverpool Art Month in May 2012 exhibition ‘The Owls Are Not What They Seem’. Fallout Factory Gallery for the group exhibition ‘Unexpected’ . ‘Hospitality Re-Viewed’, an exhibition with Re-View Textiles group for Liverpool Independents Biennial Show. ‘Textiles in Action’ at the Kirkby Gallery, the Liverpool Design Festival, monthly meetups and skills swaps.  

From 2010-2014 Amanda worked at the Liverpool Community Arts Charity, The Black-E. 

In 2014 Amanda opened her Etsy shop ‘Cabinet of Curious Crafts’, where she sold her crochet work. At this time, she also started to sell her crafts at artisan fairs.

Amanda joined Abakhan arts and crafts shop as a crochet tutor in 2017, teaching women to crochet, improve their skills and take part in seasonal and themed workshops.  

Amanda is currently based in a small village outside Ballymena, Northern Ireland. She is a casual trader for Naturally North Coast and Glens artisan markets and has her crochet products stocked in Midtown Makers craft and gift shop.