Tag: Sandra Coote

Recap - Sunday Session

Recap: October Sunday Session – Needle Felted Wrens – Sandra Coote

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

By Loli Cox

On Sunday, the 12th of October, 2025, Feltmakers Ireland Guild hosted a fully booked workshop for 25 members, led by Sandra Coote of Crafts of Ireland, based in Cavan.

Sandra, an accomplished feltmaker, raises Roscommon sheep on her farm, processing their wool for her felting projects. She offers workshops and sells felting kits, sharing her expertise with enthusiasts.

The Supplies

Clockwise from the top left: Roscommon needle felted wool for core of birds, grey-coloured felting pads, sharps container for broken needles, sample wrens, scissors, templates, bark with wires, and extra felting needles.
Roscommon wool dyed in Wren colours by Sandra

For our Sunday Session, participants crafted needle-felted wrens mounted on tree bark, using wool from Sandra’s sheep and materials she provided. Her clear instructions, detailed templates, and inspiring samples guided attendees in shaping the birds’ bodies, wings, and tails. Sandra’s hands-on teaching style, coupled with her warm, humorous demeanour, created a welcoming environment for all skill levels. She offered personalised support, visiting each table to assist.

Students Concentrating

Sandra recommended that students look at their phones to find photos of what a wren’s feathers looked like. As students layered on Sandra’s hand-dyed wool for the colouring of the birds’ feathers, Guild member Jane Fox shared about an app to identify birds’ songs: We downloaded the Merlin App so we could hear both the song and call of the Wren.

Here is where one can find more information about the bird song app – https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/

Many of the Students with their Wrens

More Information

The guild expresses gratitude for Sandra’s generosity and expertise; we are thrilled to have a renowned artist lead the session. The workshop’s success highlights her skill in teaching and the charm of her 3D felted sculptures, which left members inspired and eager for more.

To see more of Sandra’s work, purchase her kits or book a workshop, visit her business, Crafts of Ireland – https://craftsofireland.ie/ You can also find her at the Knit + Stitch The Eikon Exhibition Centre, in Lisburn, UK, stand D53.

You can also follow her on social media:

Biscuits (without) History

This month, committee member Lorna Cady brought ‘Biscuits without History’, the latest instalment in her ongoing series of baked goods, which she kindly brings each month.

We are once again grateful to Sandra Coote for travelling from Cavan to teach us, for the fully enrolled workshop, and for the students who generously brought baked treats to share. We also appreciate the committee’s help in organising this Sunday’s Session.

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about the content, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.

Sunday Session

This Sunday: 3D Needle Felted Wrens with Sandra Coote – FULLY Booked – Members Welcome to Observe

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

This month’s Sunday Session with Sandra Coote of Crafts of Ireland is now fully booked! We’re delighted to welcome 25 students to the 3D Needle Felted Wren Workshop.

A friendly reminder will be sent by email to all participants — we know how busy life can get.

If you registered for the class but are now unable to attend, please email feltmakersIE@gmail.com

Members who didn’t manage to secure a spot this time are welcome to come along and observe the session.

  • When: Sunday, the 12th of October.
  • The Sunday Session’s hours are as follows: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM.

Additional Information

If possible, please bring a home-baked treat to share and a travel mug (so we can reduce our use of disposable cups).

As this is the season of coughs and sneezes, please refrain from attending if you feel unwell.

Apologies, but this Sunday’s Session will not have Zoom access.

Sunday Session

Sunday Session: 3D Needle Felted Wrens with Sandra Coote – Member Event

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

On Sunday, the 12th of October, guild member Sandra Coote of Crafts of Ireland will teach members how to create a three-dimensional, needle-felted wren.

  • Sandra will provide materials, which include her own Irish-raised wool and the wires for the legs/ feet.
  • Members, please bring your felting needles and pads. The guild will have a few extra sets for those who do not have these tools.

This session is limited to 25 participants and costs 15 euros.

We will email an online payment link to members on the afternoon of Friday, October 3rd – at 2 PM, Irish Time. If you are not already a member, you can join us via our website – https://feltmakersireland.com/membership-application/

Sandra will also bring her popular needle felting kits, which will be available for purchase.

The Details

When: Sunday, the 12th of October.

The Sunday Session’s Hours are the following: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM.

Where: CIE Sports Hall, Library Square Inchicore, Kilmainham, Dublin, D8

Additional Information

If possible, please bring a home-baked treat to share and a travel mug (so we can reduce our use of disposable cups).

As this is the season of coughs and sneezes, please refrain from attending if you feel unwell.

Apologies, but this Sunday’s Session will not have Zoom access.

Exhibition: Sandra Coote – Solo Show in Co Cavan

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Poster for Sandra Coote's exhibition - Spoken in fibre -features two landscapes and a portrait

Feltmakers Ireland guild member Sandra Coote has a solo exhibition at the Cavan County Museum. Titled ‘Spoken In Fibre – Wool art inspired by the poetry of Charles J. Coote’, this new exhibition features felted paintings by Sandra Coote.

There is a lovely article about Sandra, her work, and its inspiration, which was the poetry of the great-grandfather of her husband, on The Anglo-Celt’s website – https://www.anglocelt.ie/2025/07/20/poetry-and-art-rooted-in-place/

Sandra dyes all the wool she uses, which comes from her own farm or local farmers; it is entirely sourced from County Cavan.

Where: Cavan County Museum, The Eden Gallery, Virginia Rd, Kilmore, Ballyjamesduff, Co. Cavan, A82 YP70

When: The opening is this Thursday at 7:30 PM. The exhibition runs until Saturday, the 23rd of August.

For more information about visiting the museum, visit their website – https://cavanmuseum.ie/cavan-museum

Sandra’s Instagram: @crafts_of_ireland

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about the content, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.

Of Interest: Video about Crafts of Ireland – Sandra Coote, produced by Fibreshed Ireland, with support from DCCI

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Fibreshed Ireland logo with photo of Sandra Coote - Crafts of Ireland
Sandra Coote of Crafts of Ireland was recently featured in a video by Fibreshed Ireland and the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland.

On St Patrick’s Day, Fibreshed Ireland showcased their member Sandra Coote, founder of Crafts of Ireland. Sandra is also a member of our guild, Feltmakers Ireland!

Through her brand, Sandra is an avid promoter of Irish-grown fibre and works tirelessly to rekindle Ireland’s traditional crafts. She raises native Irish rare Roscommon sheep alongside Bluefaced Leicester sheep. She washes and processes their wool to produce needle felting kits. On her farm, she also grows and processes flax to spin into thread using traditional methods.

In the fall, she purchased a flatbed needle felting machine (the first imported into Ireland) to create prefelt using wool from her farm. There is a video of her unboxing the enormous machine on her Instagram account – https://www.instagram.com/p/DA1k_DYIOsn/

This beautifully produced, short video of Sandra’s company was created by Fibreshed Ireland, with support from the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCI), and is viewable here on VIMEO – https://vimeo.com/1061221975

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

News: Crafts of Ireland Shortlisted for Sustainability Champion Award – Showcase 2025

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Feltmaker Ireland’s guild member Sandra Coote’s business, Crafts of Ireland, is a finalist for the Sustainability Champion Award supported by the Local Enterprise Office of Cavan at Showcase 2025. The awards will take place on Monday, 20th of January, at Showcase in the RDS as part of the overall event. The shortlisted companies were selected from the 105 Local Enterprise clients who will exhibit to national and international buyers from the 19th – 21st of January.

The Awards

The awards are divided into three categories: Best Newcomer, which recognises the top craft and design business making its debut; One to Watch, which highlights a business with outstanding export and international potential; and Sustainability Champion, which celebrates the craft and design business leading the way in sustainability.

Crafts of Ireland

Rooted in a sixth-generation family farm in County Cavan, Crafts of Ireland is a business devoted to preserving and promoting traditional Irish crafts and skills. Serving as both a craft studio and a heritage hub, it offers an array of experiences, workshops, and handcrafted products that celebrate Ireland’s cultural heritage. Their Irish Wool Needle Felting Kits feature fibre from their own rare Irish Roscommon Sheep, along with wool sourced from local farmers.

Find Crafts of Ireland at Stand L47 – https://showcaseireland.com/newfront/exhibitor/crafts-of-ireland

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Event: Knitting and Stitching Show Opens Next Week – Belfast – Members and Friends Will be There

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland


Members and friends of Feltmakers Ireland will be exhibiting at The Knitting and Stitching Show in Belfast. This includes Tamzen Lundy, Sandra Coote, and a raft of volunteers from Feltmakers Ireland, Feltmakers North, and the International Feltmakers Association.

  • When: The 7th through the 10th of November.
  • Where: The Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast.

Say ‘Hello’

Tamzen Lundy Designs

Guild member Tamzen Lundy‘s felted Brussel sprouts and other Christmas ornaments will be available at the CraftNI Gallery Showcase – Booth E86.

Crafts of Ireland – Sandra Coote

Guild member Sandra Coote’s business, Crafts of Ireland, will display her Irish wool Needlefelting kits, Lumra kits, and other creations at Booth D53.

Three Felting Guilds

Volunteers from Feltmakers North, The International Feltmakers Association, and Feltmakers Ireland will collaborate to demonstrate wet and needlefelting at Booth G30. Editor’s Correction: We will be at G34.

Discount Code

Lastly, the Knitting and Stitching Show has arranged a discount code for us: Use code FELTMAKERSIR  to save £2* at checkout! 

T&Cs: Save £2.00 on adult and concession tickets. This is for Standard Single-Day Adult tickets. It is not valid on VIP, Two-Day, or group tickets. Codes expire at 11:59 PM, November 3rd, 2024. £3.50 transaction fee applies per e-ticket order.

For more information and to book tickets, visit the Show’s website – https://knittingandstitchingshowbelfast.seetickets.com/content/ticket-options?

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

News: Voting Extended on Irish Made Awards – 2 Guild Members Shortlisted

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Due to the extremely tight number of votes between several of the category finalists, Irish Country Magazine has extended the deadline for voting in the Irish Made Awards to 11 AM on Tuesday, the 17th of September.

Two members of Feltmakers Ireland, Karena Ryan and Sandra Coote, have been shortlisted.

Karena Ryan is in the Textiles Category, which is sponsored by Foxford.

Sandra Coote’s business, Crafts of Ireland, is in the Sustainability Category, which is sponsored by Seabody.

Please help raise the profile of feltmaking and also help our guild members by voting.

For more information and to vote, visit the Irish Country Magazine’s website – https://irishcountrymagazine.ie/vote24/

Karena is pictured on the left, and Sandra is on the right.

  • Karena Ryan
  • Sandra Coote – Crafts of Ireland

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Of Interest: Crafts of Ireland – New Tea Rooms – Knocknaveagh, near Cavan Meath border

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Feltmakers Ireland Guild member Sandra Coote of Crafts of Ireland has added a new venture to her offerings: Tea Rooms! They have homemade cakes, savouries, and coffees.

If you are near the Cavan/Meath border by Oldcastle, you can visit her tea rooms (which have a vintage model T car) on Fridays and Saturdays from 11 AM to 4:30 PM.

Address: Craft Centre, Knocknaveagh, Virginia, Co Cavan, A82 V0P1

Phone number – 86 820 5177.

There is a cute video of the tea rooms on her Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18055381711678808/

For more information, visit her Instagram https://www.instagram.com/crafts_of_ireland/ or her website – https://craftsofireland.ie/

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

News: Guild Member Irish Fibre Crafts Offers Irish Wool Needle Felting Kits

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Feltmakers Ireland guild member Sandra Coote of Crafts of Ireland now sells needle felting kits that use wool from her flock of Roscommon sheep and other local fleeces.

When asked why she started selling the kits, she replied, “We have 2.5m sheep being sheared at the moment, and I couldn’t find a felting kit for sale online that contained traceable Irish wool or even any Irish wool.”

To learn more, visit Agriland News – https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/cavan-enterprise-produces-needle-felting-kits-using-irish-wool/

Or find the kits at her shop online – https://craftsofireland.ie/


Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com. Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.