Nicola Bibby's workshop is suitable for children and adults. 

When does the felt-making workshop run? Two sessions will take place on Saturday 18 May: 11.00am to noon and in the afternoon from 2.00pm - 3.00pm.

What you can do in this workshop? wet felting to make a 'soap pocket' - basically fusing fibres around a bar of soap that will act as a nice light exfoliator in the shower - when the soap runs out you are let with a little felt pocket that can be used for other things. These make a lovely scented gift too!

Do I have to book? No - just turn up. If the table is busy when you arrive just wait until a place becomes free.

Cost: £5 per 'soap pocket'

How long will it take? We suggest you allow 15 to 20 minutes to complete each 'pocket' - which gives you time to try one of the other three workshops that we are also running . . .

To find out more about Nicola Bibby and see some examples of her fabric and felt creations do take a look at her page on the 'About Us' tab and read her 'Meet and Greet' blog entry.

In today's 'meet and greet' we would like to introduce you to another new girl to our Collective - the talented fabric and felt artist Nicola Bibby.

Tell us a bit about you: I'm Nicola Bibby aka BeeBeeCrafts.  I used to be Head of Chemistry in a school in west London.  We moved to High Wycombe six years ago.  I have two boys, one in reception and one in year 2.  I have always made things and as the boys have got older I have gradually had more and more time to create and discover new techniques. 

Describe your style: I love playing with colour and texture

Tell us about your workspace: I used to make felt on the dining table but it got too fluffy! I have been encouraged to take over the spare bedroom to try to contain the fluff.  Now I have managed to get replace the bed with a big work table it’s a perfect studio.  My boys call it Mummy’s Felt Room.

What inspires you: The natural world, flowers, the changing seasons, butterfly wings, seeds and pods, bugs, rainbows, shells, birds

How and when did you get involved with Collective Art in Marlow: This is my first time with Collective Art in Marlow!  I met Oenone at Juniper Hill Art and Craft Show two years ago and recently she asked if I would be interested in joining and I jumped at the chance!

What is your favourite technique: I love all textiles but my favourite is making felt.  I experiment with lots of different mixed media techniques but I always seem to come back to felt.  It is so versatile, you can make it gossamer fine, like cobweb, or thick and durable enough to make slippers, or even mould it like clay into 3d shapes, and the colours available are so vibrant, and the textures you can create are so tactile….. (I could go on!!)
 
Apart from fabric art and felt making edia) do you have any other creative interests: I love gardening.  I am lucky enough to have a wonderful garden to lose myself in. 

Tell us about where else we can see your work: I have work on display at Emerald Gallery in Chalfont St Peter and I am a member of the Craft Coop in Maidenhead which has pop up shops in the town centre.  I am also showing at Art at St Dunstan’s this June for Bucks Open Studios.

Favourite film:  The Sting, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (Anything with Robert Redford and Paul Newman!)

Pets:  I am trying to convince my husband that we ‘need’ a dog!

Favourite place to be:  Anywhere outside - My garden, the woods, by the seaside,

Person I'd most like to invite to dinner:  David Attenborough

Random fact about me:  I collect perfumes!  I love the huge variety of different and sometimes strange combinations of smells available and the bottles of some are little works of art.