A Double Award at the Natural Wools Challenge 2026
I am incredibly happy and proud to share some very special news from the Natural Wools Challenge 2026.
On 20 September 2026, I took part in the Natural Wools Challenge held in Oratia, Auckland. I entered three handmade felt creations: a wool shawl with sculptural calla lilies, a rustic-style table runner and a long hanging light installation. My shawl received 1st Place in the Felting category and was also awarded Best in Show across all categories.
My calla lily shawl received 1st Place in the Felting category and was also awarded Best in Show across all categories.
Receiving not one, but two awards for this piece was a truly wonderful and emotional moment for me. Every VESU creation requires many hours of careful work, patience and experimentation, so having my craftsmanship recognised in this way means so much.
Created Entirely from Natural Wool
Unlike many of my nuno-felted shawls, which combine merino wool with silk, this piece was created entirely from wool, especially for the Natural Wools Challenge.
I worked with soft shades of white, cream and natural grey, allowing the beauty of the fibres to become the heart of the design. Sculptural calla lilies emerge from the surface of the shawl, while fine lines and organic details flow through the fabric like markings found in stone, mist and the natural landscape.
The result is soft, lightweight and wearable, yet at the same time it is a unique piece of textile art.
Three Expressions of Natural Wool
My three entries explored the versatility of wool in very different forms.
The rustic table runner was designed as a tactile piece for the home, celebrating natural texture and earthy simplicity. The long hanging light installation transformed wool into a sculptural object, showing how felt can interact beautifully with light and space. The calla lily shawl brought wool into wearable art, combining softness, movement and botanical inspiration.
Together, these pieces reflected what I love most about working with natural fibres: their warmth, character and almost endless creative possibilities.
A Very Special Moment for VESU
Being awarded Best in Show and 1st Place in Felting is an honour I will remember for a very long time.
This recognition encourages me to continue exploring wool as both a beautiful natural material and an artistic medium. I am deeply grateful to the judges and organisers of the Natural Wools Challenge, and to everyone who supports my creative journey and follows the story of VESU.
Thank you for celebrating this special moment with me.
Agnieszka
VESU – Wool & Silk Creations