Spinning Weaving Stitching

Vicki Cornish is a textile artist based in Newcastle, Australia with a particular interest in historical tools and techniques. Vicki hand spun her first fleece over 30 years ago. Working now in the areas of spinning, weaving, stitching and nalbinding, her craft practice focuses on using natural fibres and low impact methods of processing and dyeing. 

Vicki produces and sells Mayan Spinners, an easy to use, affordable entry level spinning tool. They can be found in her Etsy store, along with a selection of hand spun yarns and hand dyed embroidery threads.  Vicki's handwoven infinity scarves can be found at the Arts Store at Lighthouse Arts on the beautiful Nobbys-Whibayganba Headland, Newcastle.

Vicki has tertiary qualifications in both Visual Arts and Applied Fashion Design and Technology. She has facilitated workshops in spinning, weaving, stitching and nalbinding, and contributed a number of articles to international craft magazine TinyStudio Creative Life. In 2023 Vicki was the Artist in Residence at Brough House, Maitland for the National Trust.

The name "Bonsai Woman" started out as a cheeky reference to Vicki's height. As a 5ft tall woman, her interest in textiles began with the need to make clothes for herself that actually fit! But as her work changed and developed, "Bonsai Woman" became a metaphor for how Vicki works with fibre.  Carefully considered, thoughtfully designed, slowly growing. Connected to the past, but focused on shaping the future. Creating a microcosm so we can examine a bigger world.

Bonsai Woman products are made exclusively from natural fibres. Many of the raw materials used are purchased directly from Australian farmers and processed in small batches by hand.