Life changed for Vicki-Claire the day she rescued a tiny, orphaned lamb from the side of the road. She knew nothing about sheep, but the bond she formed with this little, bleating baby Suffolk (who she named Tiny after her size) was immediate.

It wasn’t long before Tiny was joined by Lola, a Dorset adopted from a flock in Beaufort to keep her company and to teach both Vicki-Claire and Tiny what it meant to be a sheep.

When she saw Tiny’s fleece at first shearing, Vicki-Claire was amazed by its beauty and softness. She knew she needed to do something with it, so she set about learning how to spin her own wool. From the moment she did she was hooked!

Vickie-Claire’s flock has now grown to 44 coloured sheep, made up of rescues and some she has bred herself. All of them have names and individual personalities, and every one of them has staked its claim on Vicki-Claire’s heart.

Now a full-time woolgrower and artisan maker, Vicki-Claire has recently taken over a space at the Gunga Hub in the newly refurbished former Avoca Council Chambers. Here, she spins her own wool and creates the most beautiful, bespoke pieces from the various shades and colours her sheep produce.  

She also sources fleece from other local woolgrowers and Alpaca farmers to use in her work, which has increased her range of colours and inspired her to play with new ideas. 

Vicki-Claire’s studio at Gunga Hub will be open over the Tiny Town Arts Trail weekend and it’s definitely well worth a visit.  She will be giving spinning demonstrations and will have a range of beautiful homespun wool and uniquely beautiful, hand-knitted pieces available for purchase.

Don’t forget to check out the other studios at the Gunga Hub and just a short walk from Vicki-Claire’s studio will get you to Dawn Lim’s studio gallery and a quick drive around the corner will take you to Gallery 127 at the Avoca Railway Station.

You can follow Tiny Lola’s story on Facebook and Instagram. You can also purchase wool and other products through the Tiny Lola website.