The ethos at the core of Alison’s practice is to discover innovative approaches and new perspectives on traditional craft. Professionally practicing since 2016 as ASTRL Fibres, Alison is a self-taught macramé artist with a background in fine arts. Born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Alison studied sculpture and textiles at the Alberta University of the Arts before following her nomadic urge to travel and eventually put down roots in Northern Ireland. Alison describes herself as a lifelong creative and is inspired by her own rich family history of accomplished craftspeople. Decorative arts, geometric pattern and interior design are key themes of influence in Alison’s work. For inspiration she draws on the nostalgic contrast of her childhood landscape in a vast and landlocked Alberta to her present life coastal home in a red brick Belfast. ASTRL Fibres macramé collections are handcrafted art pieces and functional objects for modern spaces.

From her studio, Alison explores daily knotting techniques, an intentional practice that allows her to connect with the journey rather than the result, to ancestral legacy and a mindful space between work and play. As a specialist craftsperson Alison is aware of the importance of championing heritage crafts and a culture of skill sharing to keep ancient techniques, like macramé, in practice. A passion and desire to build a business from her craft is what led her to create ASTRL Fibres, and in 2021 Alison made the move to her own studio in East Belfast. The ASTRL Fibres studio is a workshop, learning and consultation space dedicated to heritage craft skills.

The practice of knot tying is a satisfying tactile experience and a mindful meditation that integrates deep relaxation alongside a high level of concentration. There is wonderful simplicity in using a single strand to create a perfectly engineered knot and a complex and decorative pattern through repetition. Her passion is sharing the benefits of practicing macramé by crafting in community and facilitating regular macramé workshops in studio and throughout the island of Ireland.

Alison is a member of the Heritage Crafts Association, the International Guild of Knot Tyers and part of the Decowell team, a Belfast based conservation and restoration practice.