Penny Maltby
Oxford, UK
Oxford-based designer maker Penny Maltby has a background in textiles and is driven by a profound passion for traditional crafts and cultural heritage. Her focus lies in preserving endangered crafts like straw working, corn dolly making, and hat plaiting, aiming to pass on their skills, knowledge, and stories. Under the moniker ‘Ministry of Straw’, she regularly teaches at venues across the country as well as working to commission for fashion, TV & film, weddings and more.
Penny’s recent venture involves seamlessly blending her passions for straw and textiles, resulting in a collection of luxury silk scarves. Drawing inspiration from her straw work and incorporating references to farming, harvest, and folklore, these scarves embody a fusion of heritage and modernity.
Her mission to draw new audiences and makers into these crafts is encapsulated in her concept of looking ‘both ways’. Penny demonstrates that past traditions can inspire innovative products as well as contemporary art pieces. She uses straw, traditional techniques and textiles in new settings solidifying her commitment to revitalising traditional crafts while forging a path towards a creative and vibrant future.
Photographs: by the artist