Finally, finally, my felt pouch/clutch kits are assembled, packaged, the first batch are available from my newly re-activated Etsy shop and I’ve just returned from posting the first order off to U.S.! It’s amazing how tiring it is to get everything sorted, sounds silly I know but you try to track down clear plastic bags of a suitable size, weigh the wool and gather the mohair off cuts, write the tutorial so that it’s easily understandable, locate cardboard bag toppers and bubble envelopes when you live in the sticks and then tell me it’s not a tiring job!!! Eventually I got a big batch of freezer bags locally (thanks to some very helpful shop assistants who found them in a store room I think) only to discover that they were exceptionally flimsy, ah well, they were extremely good value and they will make the packages lighter to post!
The bag toppers I made today
The bag topper issue I solved by editing a template from Office online. In the future I’d love to have a really personalised one that I designed from scratch but this year I don’t want to be distracted from getting my work and supplies out there just because I can’t have every last thing perfect. The kits will also be available from Borris Market every Friday to compliment my new range of felted items and I’m hoping to build up a selection of tutorials with time, first steps first though.
To celebrate the fact that I have finally got it together and reached one of my January goals by launching the kits I would like to have a blog giveaway and offer 3 people the chance to win one for themselves! The deadline is midnight GMT on Sunday night and you may enter the giveaway by…..
- Leaving a comment here on this post
- ‘Liking’ Nicola Brown – Clasheen on Facebook and leaving a comment there saying you would like to enter the giveaway
- Sharing a link to this post on your blog and let me know you have done so
- Sharing a link to this post on your Facebook profile and make sure to tag me so that I can enter you in the draw
For each of the above actions that you do I will enter you in the draw once, the more you do the more times you are entered! I’ll use a random generator on Monday to select the 3 winners and post out the kits next Tuesday, remember the deadline to enter is midnight GMT on Sunday 22nd. Start spreading the word!
The ‘Fantastic Felt Hats workshop with Dawn Edwards on Saturday 21st April is now full, woo hoo!!! I’ve started a waiting list for everyone else hoping to participate and make a fantastic hat with Dawn, providing we get enough takers (and there’s no reason why not!) I will organise a second date, possibly on Sunday 22nd but maybe a week day depending on what is easiest for us here. Tomorrow I will be emailing all the confirmed participants and if you are interested in going on the waiting list please don’t leave it too late to contact me!!!
Well that’s all for now. I still haven’t got my studio tidy out and reorganisation finished but I do feel that I am starting to make some progress. Alan mightn’t agree however and nobody has yet asked me why there is now garden trellis in my larder!
Nicola Brown Fine Art Textiles 
Hi Nicola! I’ve added your Clasheen page to my art page on Facebook, and shared the link to this post, as well. I hope this adds a number of fans to your work. You’re an inspiration 🙂
~Shana Kohnstamm
http://www.facebook.com/ShanaKohnstammArtist
Good Luck Nicola!!!!
Hello Nicola
Your Etsy shop kits look beautiful!
Yes, it must be tiring getting a kit ‘off the ground’, but once you have everything you need sourced and a routine in place it might not be so stressful.
They will be popular at the market – anyone wanting to try a new hobby loves a kit.
Well done, I hope it’s a success!
I would love to go in the draw for one of your kits, and yes, I DO want to know why the garden trellis is in the larder!
I like to be in the draw too for one of the kits
Maren (http://hoemmelke.blogspot.com/)
Is the garden trellis in the larder as a dryer for your felt? hmmmm…Rosiewildwoman
I love your felt pouches, so I adore these kits! What a brilliant idea.
I love all your work and would so much like one of your kits. Hope the buttonhole and button closure turns out good.
Well done! Such a kit makes it a lot easyer to sell.
Okay Nicola – You know that I will play!!!! Karen
Wonderful new kits, thanks for the great giveaway! I did 3 out of the 4 options for the giveaway (my blog is quite abandoned at the moment, so I didn’t bother to post it there). Warm regards from Mexico!
Lovely kits. Would enjoy giving them a try! Greetings from Bowen Island!
Hello,
I have been following your blog each time you post something that points me that direction!
I love the idea of a contest wehre I can win something that will teach me a felting technique!
So, off I go now to post on facebook!
Happy felting!
Tracy RobinsonDalke
Charlo, Mt
Your felted pouches are delightful! I would love the opportunity win one of your kits.
I love your mantra ” I feel, I find, I felt.” Winning your give-away prize would be so fine!
Hi!
I liked you on Facebook with both my page as well as my Fan page.
https://www.facebook.com/LooliemomFiberArts
I also shared about the blog give-away on both pages (it wouldn’t let me tag you)…
I saw the post on Doug Dougherty’s page.
Very cute clutches !
Yeahhh! Good luck!!! I will share it to everyone $$$$$$
What a fun giveaway, Nicola!
…but you need to send our intrepid Dawn on a quest for all needed packaging supplies before she heads your way…after all, if she brings a big suitcase full of them for you, she’ll have an empty suitcase to fill up with mohair waste and tweed offcuts and other wonderful fiber supplies for home! XXO-
Oh, you are so smart Heather…Always full of marvelous ideas!!!! I’m going to have you come over and help me pack for my trip to Ireland! How on earth will I ever fit everything into two bags on an overseas trip. Why even if I fit it all in for the trip over, you and Lydia may need to travel to Ireland to pack and load up all of my excess! ;-)))
Hugs,
Dawn
Oh, and I forgot to mention, that of course I would love to be included in the giveaway drawing…What marvelous kits!!!! Going over to Facebook right now to cover those extra entries, too;-)
Big hugs,
Dawn
Hello Nicola,
I already liked your facebook page, ages ago, but I did share the giveaway on my personal and fan pages as well as wrote a quick bit on my blog….
http://heartfeltbyandrea.blogspot.com/2012/01/blog-giveaway-and-hat-workshop-update.html
Thank you for your generosity!
Oh, please enter me in the giveaway. If only I lived nearer I would have loved to have come to the Hats workshop. Please post up lots of pictures.
Hi Nicola – Please enter me in your felt pouch giveaway. I have liked you here (can’t believe I didn’t do it already as I have followed your blog for a while now). I have shared the contest/blog post link and will do it on my art page Fab Fiber Design as well. A link will also be posted on my blog rhondarogalski.blogspot.com.
I am a passionate fiber artist and am greatly inspired by you on a daily basis. I have difficulty with all the postings and tend to let my FB art page, blog and Etsy page suffer neglect. You make it look so easy and I aspire to be just like you when I grow up! Many thanks!
When I said “I liked you here”, I meant on your FaceBook page 🙂
Hi Nicola…..Of course, what fun it would be to win a kit…….they look wonderful and a perfect starting project for someone. I am sure they will sell very well.
Carole
What wonderful kits! I’d love to try one. Soon to become a best seller for sure!
Joyce
Great job getting it put together. I’d love one of your kits. To help, I am heading over to facebook to prepare the other entries.
I feel your pain trying to assemble all of the materials in the sticks. Texas is no better & everything is even further away. Love those UPS deliveries!
good idea!!!! congratulationnnnn
I am just beginning and came across your blog. What wonderful work!
Hello Nicola! I read your blog yesterday and here I am again today!! I will also of course “like” you on my faebook and share your link with all the folks I know! With 16 inches of snow on the ground I believe it is time to get off my rear end and start some projects or to finish some of those already finished! Thank you for poutting my name in for the giveaway! Will keep posting away to see if I can actually win!!
Since you are going to be in the states and California is only a hop, skip, and an airplane ride from Montana, would you consider a 2 or 3 day felting venue here in my neck of the woods? Although I personally do not know the ins and outs of booking someone to come do a felting weekend I do know an awesome gal who has had felters come from other countires to do a weekend. So, if you might be interested in seeing our beautiful area and meeting some Montana gals, give me a shout and I will call Judy and see what she can tell me!
Thanks again for entering me in the contest!
Hi Tracy, I would LOVE to come and teach in Montana if that were possible!!! Alan and I almost made it to visit your part of the world 3 years ago but time and circimstances meant that we had to leave it untill another time so to visit duirng 2012 would be wonderful! I’m going to send you an email right now.
Just started following your blog. Love it, Please enter me in your drawing. Thanks
Congratulations on your kits! It’s great that you will be crossing the pond again this year. Have you considered doing workshops in Canada? We’d love to have you here!
Please enter me in your giveaway.
Oh how I wish that I could attend one of your workshops
but I live soooo far away. I’m across the pond in New Brunswick Canada.
If I can save enough $$$, I might see you in California in the fall.
Be well and creative.
Please enter me in your pouch giveaway. They are so cute! If I was closer, I’d take the hats class. Maybe I’ll see you this summer, if not then in Sept. Susan
Nicola, I love all your tips and information on felting. Keep up the great work and best of luck with your kits. Dee Kelly.
These kits look great! I would love to be included in the giveaway. Thanks!
Hi Nicola! I’d be thrilled to win one of your kits! Going through all the steps to increase my chances! 😉 Thanks so much!
Louise
Seems like it’s goint to be another exciting and very busy year for you Nicola, which is great! I’m putting my name in for one of your pouch kits. they are super cute!
I would love to win one of these kits…..I am a beginner to wet felting and all I have attempted so far is flowers.
fowlervillesdeb (ravelry tag)
Oh how I would love to win one of your kits! Thanks for offering the chance!
I love the new kits! I’m so happy you have your shop up and going!! Now it gives me some incentive to work a little harder to get mine going again!! I also would love to win one of those awesome pouches!!! Good luck dear and have fun! hugs Linda
Beautiful, fun and a quick easy project to finish – what else could I ask for?
Karin
What a nice idea! The pouches look like fun, especially for a nice journey into felting.
You are a busy girlie! Glad Dawns workshops are filling well. Iv linked your blog to my creative bumble bee facebook page. X
The colors are beautiful! I would love to make one, i’ve tried a bit of the nuno felting and really enjoyed it.
Cynthia
I would Love to win. I just got into felting and this would be perfect!
I’m already a fan on Facebook.
Shared on Facebook with my friends about your giveaway too.
Hello Nicola,
I am a new felter and I am thrilled to be a part of your give away and try a new item for wet felting. I have connected with a mentor here and I am really happy about that!
Thank you! Jamie from Bellingham, WA
p.s. I do not have a blog, may I still enter? ~ FB is a GO!
I just discovered your blog and think its great! I see a friend/student of mine has signed up also. Hi Sandy!!
I would love to be entered in your drawing!
Lovely pouches and the kits/tutorials a v. Good idea!
Lovely color of wool in the picture above!Great idea!Love your pouches!I shared this on FB,but dont have my own blog…just yet..maybe it is a time to think of one!;-)
If I’m not too late, I would love to enter the competition. Your pouches are beautiful, I would love to make one.