September 2026: Lọ̄me
Selected Works
This month, The Rising Gallery at The Black Thistle welcomes Lọ̄me Handwoven Designs, the work of local designer and maker Gemelle Debice Rivers, for an exhibition celebrating the beauty of hand weaving, natural fibres and slow, considered craft.
The Art of Slow Making
Born from a lifelong love of craft, Lọ̄me is rooted in the belief that the things we bring into our homes can be both beautiful and meaningful.
Each piece is woven slowly by hand, embracing the pauses, repetition and quiet concentration that are an intrinsic part of the process. For Gemelle, weaving is as much about the act of making as the finished work: a practice that encourages presence, patience and a deeper connection to the materials in hand.
The resulting pieces are tactile and understated, designed not simply as objects for the home, but as reflections of a slower and more conscious approach to living and making.
Natural Fibres, Made to Return to Nature
Nature is central to both the aesthetic and philosophy of Lọ̄me.
Gemelle works with natural and renewable fibres, with a particular emphasis on British wool. Thick, coarse wools bring texture, density and durability to the work, while natural cotton and pure linen are used for the warp.
Material choices are made consciously, with consideration given to the entire life of each piece. By working predominantly with natural fibres, Gemelle creates work that can eventually return to the earth with little to no impact.
It is an approach that celebrates the inherent character of natural materials rather than seeking uniformity: their texture, warmth and subtle imperfections becoming an integral part of each finished piece.
What's in a Name?
The name Lọ̄me itself speaks to the history and philosophy behind the work.
Derived from Middle English, spoken between around 1100 and 1500, lọ̄me can mean a tool, implement or utensil. Depending on its context, the word can also refer to a weaving frame, a vessel or cask, and even an heirloom.
These different meanings resonate throughout Gemelle's practice: the loom as a tool for making, the finished piece as an object to live alongside, and the idea of creating something enduring enough to be kept, treasured and passed on.
Together with Gemelle's connection to the landscape and its history, they provide a rich source of inspiration for her contemporary woven work.
About Gemelle Debice Rivers
Gemelle studied Art & Design at Bournemouth Arts Institute in the early 2000s and has explored a number of creative mediums throughout her life.
She discovered weaving around six years ago and is entirely self-taught, subsequently founding Lọ̄me Handwoven Designs as a way to develop her practice and create conscious, slow-made pieces for the home.
Every design is made to order on a handmade frame loom in Gemelle's studio just outside Shepton Mallet, Somerset, with an emphasis on British wool, renewable natural fibres and thoughtful craftsmanship.
Visit Selected Works at The Rising Gallery
Selected Works by Lọ̄me Handwoven Designs brings together a collection of Gemelle's handwoven pieces, offering an opportunity to experience the texture, materiality and quiet beauty of her work up close.
Visit the exhibition at The Rising Gallery within The Black Thistle, 21 High Street, Shepton Mallet, and discover a contemporary approach to an ancient craft - one rooted in natural materials, sustainability and the value of making slowly and with intention.