Tag: Textile Trips

Of Interest: Two Textile Trips with Nadia Rein

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Scenic view of mountains with rocky cliffs and a clear sky, featuring text about a cultural trip exploring felt and silk along the ancient Silk Road, from 19 September to 5 October.

Nadia Rein, who is the International Felmakers Association publicity officer, is organising two Textile Trips this year.

First, there is a ‘Felt & Culture Retreat in Kyrgyzstan‘, from the 4th to the 16th of July 2026, which may have a couple of spots available. Feltmakers Ireland guild member Jane Fox wrote about her fantastic experience on this trip in 2024 – https://feltmakersireland.com/2024/08/29/of-interest-guild-members-create-news/

In the fall, there is a second, slightly different trip, ‘Felt, Silk, and the Ancient Road with Nadia‘, which runs from the 19th of September to the 5th of October. With this trip, one travels through three countries, starting in Kazakhstan, travelling through Kyrgyzstan and finishing off in Uzbekistan (after a visit to the Yodgorlik Silk Factory in Margilan).  The emphasis will still be on textiles and felt, with fewer workshops than the journey in July.

For more information, visit Nadia’s website – https://www.nadiareindesign.com/felt_and_culture_retreats

Her Instagram @nadiareindesign

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Of Interest: Felt and Culture Retreat Kyrgyzstan – 2026

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

The Felt and Culture Retreat will run from the 4th to the 16th of July 2026, and combines felt making, cultural immersion, and travel in Kyrgyzstan.

It is organised by three textile artists, sisters Asel and Kamala Abdykadyrova (local felt masters in Kyrgyzstan), and Nadia Rein, originally from Kazakhstan but based in the UK.

It includes the following – from the website:

  • Eight hands-on workshops with master artisans in felting, natural dyeing, embroidery, and traditional stitching
  • Shared meals in artists’ homes, where laughter blends with the aroma of home-cooked Kyrgyz dishes
  • Visits to small studios, bustling bazaars, and serene museums, where ancient designs whisper their meaning
  • Deep dives into the language of pattern — learning how Central Asian motifs carry stories across generations
  • Encounters with people whose lives are woven with creativity, resilience, and warmth
  • The ever-present embrace of nature — from sun-drenched valleys to the clear blue expanse of Lake Issyk Kul.

For further information, visit Nadia’s website, which has many photographs, the daily itinerary for the 13 days, and additional details – https://www.nadiareindesign.com/felt_and_culture_retreats


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: Felt and Culture Retreat in Kyrgyzstan

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Nadia Rein (who happens to be the IFA’s Publicity Officer) has organised a Felting Retreat to Kyrgyzstan this summer. The retreat includes eight workshops over 13 days with local Kyrgyz artists in Bishkek. There will also be an overnight trip to Lake Issyk-Kul with a stay in a traditional yurt. The retreat’s dates coincide with a large textile festival called Oimo in Bishkek, which features textile artists from all over Western Asia.

Participants on the trip will experience traditional felting techniques (including Shyrdak and Kyrgyz embroidery) and contemporary felting techniques. Additionally, attendees will experience the region’s culture.

When: 20th July – 2nd August 2024.

For more information, visit the website – https://www.nadiareindesign.com/felt_and_culture_retreats

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.