A Wing and a Bear

05/09/2026

The studio will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, 8th and 9th September, so that we can have a much needed mini-break. We will be back open as usual on Thursday 10th September. 🍁🍂

30/08/2026

My first madder root harvest! (Along with a few dyer’s chamomile flowers). This madder plant is/was around five years old and growing in a container. Can’t wait to dye with it!

21/08/2026

New local spinning fibre! Super soft Bluefaced Leicester sliver by Spinning Through Time from sheep belonging to Diane Shadforth near Hartlepool! We’ve also got a wide selection of the softest, silkiest British wool blend braids from Spinning Through Time in stock for autumn.

15/08/2026

Our first sock knitting class starts in September! Come along and learn to knit socks my favourite way (toe-up on two circular needles) and have some cosy handmade socks for this autumn/winter. This is a three-session class that meets on Saturday from 11-1 on September 12 and 26 and October 10. For more information visit our website at www.wingandabear.com.

10/08/2026

Love the City Theatre and Durham Dramatic Society!

08/08/2026

We’ve still got a few spaces left in next Saturday’s needle felting class if you would like to make your own Wensleydale sheep using local Wensleydale locks from Amerston Flock with Freya and Heather! For more information and to register please visit our website at www.wingandabear.com.

30/07/2026

30/07/2026

Please help if you can!

In case you missed it: This week a BILLION plastic nurdles were spilled in the Tyne. Tiny plastic nurdles are one of worst forms of pollution and this is one of the worst spills in global history.

Incredible teams of local activists are getting together the clear them from the North East's beautiful coastline. If you want to join then here's some info:

👉Every day this next week (July 27th) just after high tide is crucial so people are doing what they can when they can.

⚡️Thursday 30th ~ 6am - 10am & 5.30pm - 9.30pm
⚡️Friday 31st ~ 6am - 10am & 6.15pm - 9.30pm
⚡️Saturday 1st ~ 6am - 10am & 6.30pm - 9.30pm

👉 basic tools required are large brushes, dustpan and brushes, mesh bags sieves, bin bag & gloves, trug buckets - bring what you can.
👉Rocky beaches - Rocky beaches will need a different approach - sieve, dustpan and brush and garden fork best tools to brush off rocks/ collect seaweed patches.
👉after high tide is optimal to clear the tide line before it gets washed out again. See website link below for techniques.
👉Anything collected should be put in the council nurdle bins on sandhaven. White bins with yellow signs.
👉Good is better than perfect in a crisis so do what you can do when you can do it.. just don't trample nurdles into the sand!
👉 please don't wait to be organised or be told the perfect way to do this.
👉If you are heading down and want help ask on the groups but this is community led grassroot stuff so just get stuck in!
👉Only a few of us admins so if people in each local group can take the lead to repost and answer qs that would be really helpful as new folk don’t see pinned messaged or message history - refer them to the ‘group description’ 🙂 we need new people to keep coming. Council guidance and drop off locations are here https://www.southtyneside.gov.uk/article/31271/Volunteer-guidance-for-plastic-pellets-nurdles

30/07/2026

Look at these beauties that have just arrived in the shop! These are FULLY LOCAL Bluefaced Leicester, Teeswater and Wensleydale locks, sourced from Diane and Amerston Flock , washed by Alyson from the Woolly Workshop then expertly hand dyed by Sammy from Auspicious Stitch ! The picture doesn’t even do the colours justice. These would be brilliant for spinning, wet and needle felting, raised embroidery(stumpwork) and many other artistic pursuits! Lots of new stock of spinning fibres and handspun yarns to share in the next few days.