What had looked like being a pretty normal week suddenly took a more interesting turn on Wednesday.  I received the Artvango newsletter which mentioned there was a spare place on Clare Bullock’s two day nuno felting workshop, starting the following day.  Hmmmm…that would have been nice I thought, as I finished my lunch and set off back to work for the afternoon.  Unfortunately Artvango isn’t exactly on my doorstep so it’s not somewhere I get to visit as often as I would like.  But two days felting, with Clare, starting tomorrow…..it’s got to be worth the long drive down to Knebworth, and it was!

Clare began by talking us through the process and showing us examples of her nuno felting using various different fabrics i.e. silk, gauze, muslin, Indian cotton, etc.  The following three photos are examples of Clare’s beautiful nuno work.

Then it was our turn.  Each sample was created with one layer of Merino wool tops and various scraps of lightweight fabric.  With Clare on hand to ensure we didn’t skint on the rubbing, we rubbed, rubbed, and then rubbed some more…..then time for a coffee and then back to rubbing……

In the next photo you can see nine different scraps of scarves in the early stage of felting.

And the finished sample which I was really pleased with.

My green and blue sample worked pretty well too and I can see this possibly becoming a base for a landscape piece.

Another of my samples which I will add stitching to at some point…..

…..and a close up.

Before the workshop Clare had prepared some rust printed fabrics which she cut up and shared with us.  The following photo shows how my rust sample, made from four pieces of different fabrics, worked out.

And another close up shot showing the textures.

Clare is a very good tutor and full of fun.  We learnt a lot and laughed a lot during the workshop, and I’m sure I can speak for the other ladies when I say that everyone came away really happy with what they had achieved.