Meet our 2026 Yarndale Start Up Bursary winner
We’re delighted to announce that Sabina Aiuto, founder of Wood, Stone, Feather & Bone, is the recipient of our 2026 Yarndale Start Up Bursary in Memory of Amanda Bloom and Jenny Machin.
Wood, Stone, Feather & Bone
Sabina is a needle-felting artist whose creations are inspired by woodland folklore and the quiet magic of the natural world. Working mainly with wool and natural fibres, she creates whimsical characters that feel as though they’ve wandered straight out of a mossy forest.
Inspired by the Welsh idea of Hud Bach, meaning “small magic”, Sabina’s work celebrates the wonder found in nature, imagination and the quieter moments of everyday life. Her collections, including her much-loved Mushlings and Flower Fae, are shaped by storytelling, with every piece carrying its own personality and sense of place.
Before launching her creative business, Sabina spent 15 years working in mental health. Needle felting became much more than a craft, providing a grounding and therapeutic outlet that inspired her to pursue a more creative, hands-on career. As her business continues to grow through local markets and events, she is also developing beginner-friendly needle-felting kits to encourage more people to discover the joy of working with wool and natural fibres.
Sabina is looking forward to meeting you when you visit Yarndale this September.
The recipient was chosen by the Yarndale team alongside Julie Park, a close friend of Amanda Bloom.
“I am absolutely delighted to accept the Yarndale Start Up Bursary. Thank you to everyone involved in the selection process. It is a wonderful opportunity, and I am incredibly grateful to have been chosen. I am very much looking forward to working with the team and being part of Yarndale 2026.”
Sabina Aiuto
The recipient was chosen by the Yarndale team alongside Julie Park, a close friend of Amanda Bloom.
“We were delighted to receive so many great applications for the Bursary this year! I often find myself wondering ‘What would Amanda say’ or ‘What would Amanda do’. We spent so much time together, we really felt that we knew how each other thought, and when Kate, Emma and I were looking at the applications we agreed it would be wonderful to select someone whose work would appeal to Amanda.
Having scrolled through @wood.stonefeatherbone on Instagram, I knew straight away that Amanda would have been drawn to Sabina, just the business name alone would certainly have appealed! Amanda did enjoy a bit of needle felting and I remember she started a big Santa face, but (in true Amanda style) ended up adding her own spin on it and decided he was going to be a Green Man instead. I’m not sure what happened to him in the end. I imagine she gave him away, as was her way in life.
Sabina has generously offered to create a special needle felted sculpture to raffle off to raise funds for the Brain Tumour Trust in honour of Amanda & Jenny.
I hope visitors will stop by the Bursary stand to say hello to Sabina and give her a warm welcome into the fold.”
Julie Park
As a special tribute to Amanda Bloom and Jenny Machin, Sabina has kindly offered to create an exclusive needle-felted sculpture, which will be raffled during Yarndale to raise funds for the Brain Tumour Trust.
We can’t wait for you to meet Sabina and discover the magical world of Wood, Stone, Feather & Bone at Yarndale 2026.
For more information about Wood, Stone, Feather & Bone, visit: www.woodstonefeatherbone.com