Two young textile artists are set to launch their own businesses after winning bursaries from Wales’ premier wool and natural fibre festival.
Kitty Haggar, 23, from Tenby, and Megan Coombs, 22, from Llanelli, have won £1,500 and £1,000 respectively from Wonderwool Wales.
Both are graduating from Carmarthen School of Art, where they are awaiting the results of their Bachelor of Arts degrees in textiles — and as part of their bursaries, each will have a free stand to showcase their work at next year’s Wonderwool Wales show at the Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd, which attracts more than 6,000 international visitors.
Kitty’s route into textiles was an unlikely one — she had planned to study sociology at Bath Spa University before picking up her mum’s knitting needles changed everything.
“Knitting just came to me so naturally and I have always enjoyed fashion and design,” she said. “I chose Carmarthen School of Art — it’s a nice, small community here and tutor time is good.
“Through textile design, I was introduced to weaving and I chose that as my specialist pathway. It’s a great way to use different materials.”
The former Greenhill School pupil now plans to buy a £7,000 weaving loom to launch her business, Knits by Kit, from her parents’ home in Tenby — and she is already nearly halfway to the total, having also won the £1,500 Miriam Bridden Bursary from Carmarthen School of Art.
She will be making and selling lampshades and interior decorations.
“It means a lot to win both the bursaries and I am very grateful,” she added. “They have definitely helped me to start looking at different looms and I have also applied for a business start-up grant from Business Wales.”
Megan, a former pupil of Ysgol Bryngwyn in Llanelli who took her A levels at Coleg Sir Gâr, plans to train as a primary school teacher while running a business creating viscose rayon and Creta yarn shawls and garments for weddings, communions and christenings.
Some of her shawls are inspired by stained glass and architecture — and away from the loom she is a pianist and singer with Eclipse Productions and South Wales Amateur Musical Productions.
“Winning the Wonderwool Wales bursary is amazing and it has given me the step forward and push to form a small business alongside studying to become a primary school teacher,” she said.
Wonderwool Wales directors award the annual bursaries to help winning Carmarthen School of Art graduates develop their careers — and neither winner has ever attended the festival they will exhibit at next April.
Chrissie Menzies, Wonderwool Wales director, said: “We were very impressed by the standard of work presented by all the Carmarthen School of Art students, but Kitty and Megan stood out.
“We can’t wait to see them exhibit their work at next year’s show, which will be a fantastic showcasing opportunity for them.”
The 2027 show takes place at the Royal Welsh Showground on 24 and 25 April.
