Interview with Eve Chambers Textiles, Hand-dyer

Since I was 10, but professionally for four years

I wanted yarns in colours that I couldn’t get commercially. I loved the other indie dyers of Ireland, but still wasn’t satisfied with the colourways. Then I remembered my childhood facination with dyes and botanical dyeing through my homeschooling chemistry lessons. Lightblub moment. So, I just started again.

When I was just making items for order I was Eve & Apple, but once I hit the farmers markets scene, I realised that I do textiles, and I wanted a name that simply said what I do – hence Eve Chambers Textiles. Plus putting my name on it always challenges me to make myself proud.

I love that it works. I carve away hard-won time from my many responsibilities to make these yarns and fibres, and then folks buy them. I meet wonderful yarn nerds like me and super talented creators – what’s not to like.

Texture and Colour. I seriously get high off of these. Also that I’m helping someone out there find the perfect tool/material for their creative project.

I’m living in West Cork, which of course is the most beautiful place in the world. I was born in Chicago, but have lived here since I was eight – hence the funny accent if you meet me in real life. The colours are phenominal. I’m about three miles from the ocean on either side of me, so the light changes rapidly and the one stone you’re looking at can change colour just as quickly.

Work hard – Work when I can. It is a constant struggle to find enough time to develop all the sides of the business, like a website 12 months in the making now. I have a strict working week – Mon – Weds outside office work to pay bills, Thurs-Fri Eve Chambers Textiles, Sat-Sun Skibbereen and Schull Farmers Markets. I’m juggling primary carer and earner responsibility for my four kids. My dream would be full-time self-employment – but that is a few years off yet.

Ooooooooh, tricky question. Mostly, I make what I like. Simples. I have blue days and pink days – always a bit of green in there too. I don’t judge as I go if I’m making a new colourway. Always test on all bases. Push my technique. I can always do better. And record, record, record, even the muckups. I deliberately do not pay attention to what is ‘on trend’ or who is doing what. My Instagram feed is more gardening, chickens, political than yarn colourways.

I feel a bit isolated within the knitting and craft community mostly because last year was the first year I got to meet folk in real life through the festivals I vended at. That is also because I live waaaayyy out on Mizen head. Not being a knitter ( only learned two years ago) didn’t help. Is crochet really the dark side of making? Not sure.
° Aoibhe Ni Shuilleabhan is awesome and, of course, Evin. These two both reached out to me last year, and I deeply appreciate their talent.
° Helen Lockhart of Ripple Crafts does these amazing deep tonal colours and I respect her abilities immensely – in that kind of ‘ I want to be like her when I grow up’ way. I was lucky enough to be neighbours with them at last year’s Lochness Knit Fest and they are both kind, knowlegeble and funny people.
° Fiona of Green Elephant is still probably my fav indie dyer to buy from because her colourways just scratch an itch in my creative mind. I’d never dye like her so its great fun to work with. Also, she’s lovely.

To me? I want surprise but harmony.

working,listening,driving,cooking,hugging,cleaning,sleeping……

Huge thanks for this opportunity to talk about myself. It is a challenge to put myself into written word, as a lot of what I do creatively is so non-verbal. I love my little business so much and it is a pleasure to talk about it. Hugs everyone! Always squish the yarn.