Workshop bookings for wool and willow

There is still time to book on some of our workshops; a few of you may be disappointed though because a number have been well and truly chokka block for quite some time! These 1 day workshops are incredibly good value in this day and age - in fact I'm not sure we'll be able to hold our prices for next year so.... time to make good on all those New Year resolutions and COME LEARN A NEW SKILL!!!

Excellent course - I enjoyed every minute.  Joanna is friendly, patient and extremely generous with her knowledge.  Wonderful introduction to Rigid Heddle weaving - I can't wait for more! 

Sadly prospective wool spinners and willow sculpturers are out of luck for the Festival (though if you really would like to learn we'll happily pass your details to our tutors for their mailing lists.

There's hope however for potential willow platter weavers, needlefelters, rag ruggers and knitters. So get in touch. But do it quickly there's only 2 weeks left of this fabulous festival and time takes no prisoners! Altogether now: www.woolandwillowfestival.org/workshops.html

Meet our Makers: Olwen Veevers

Olwen keeps a flock of coloured sheep on a small farm in South East Wales and sells fine fleeces to hand spinners and felt makers.  She is currently Chairman of the British Coloured Sheep Breeders’ Association, actively promoting the use of naturally coloured wool and is a director of Wonderwool Wales.

As well as selling fleece, Olwen is an enthusiastic felt maker and needle felter.  She enjoys producing models of various animals, especially her donkey Max, and is also developing a line of felt hangings and bags decorated with medieval style lettering.
To contact Olwen, visit her website 

Max, Asleep

Meet our Makers: The Wool and Willow Shop of Hay-on-Wye

When you see that we have 20 stalls there are actually quite a few more craftspeople at Wool and Willow than we let on. How so? Well thanks to the presence of The Wool and Willow Shop of Hay-on-Wye! And what a fabulous collection of makers and materials they have on show!

The Wool and Willow shop in Hay-on-Wye exhibits work by dyers, weavers, knitters, felters and a rag rug maker.  Textile artists who live close to Hay are welcome to apply for a guest appearance. Click here to contact the shop via email.

A sister shop , Y Ddafad Ddu / The Black Sheep opens in Tregaron in June and will stock a range of fabrics from Welsh mills as well as original work by 20 local craftspeople.  

Both shops supply information about residential and day courses and open studios in the area.

Roll up roll up - not many chances left now to book your place Feltmaking courses

Learn to make a purse/wallet/phone holder by turning wool fleece into felt. No sewing! Using soap, water and elbow grease: find out about this most ancient of all constructed textiles. Once you've mastered this technique your imagination is your only barrier to making bags, garments and household products. Your tutor Lorraine has been making felt for 10 years. Tuesday 7th June from 10.30am to 4.30pm, £30 plus £3 materials.

Last minute chance to take the 2 day beginners baskets with Beryl Smith

We've had a cancellation making a space available for Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th Beginner's Baskets course. Fantastic opportunity for someone to spend a weekend doing something (ultimately) useful. Total bargain at £60 plus materials for the whole course. Cost of materials depend how quickly you want to work (or should that be how carried away with enthusiasm for your new found skill?) - £8 per basket.
Go on.... you know you want to!