The Cottonwood Tree keeps growing

When Rose Doherty opened her sewing and knitting crafts supplies shop, The Cottonwood Tree, back in May 2010, it was a leap in the dark, writes Brian Byrne. With the recession well in train, it didn't seem an opportune time to set up a new retail business.

But the shop has become a hive of activity since. Not just selling the materials it was set up for, but also as a centre of crafts learning for a growing number of people of all ages in the Kilcullen area and beyond.

A few early courses in quilting have expanded into a significant programme of related crafts tuition, including felting, fabric and clay printing, and glass painting.

Between now and mid-summer, these will include Clay Printing Workshops scheduled for the mornings of May 19 and May 26, and more information is available from Petra on 086 0563625.

A Quilting Workshop will run for a full day on either May 25 or June 3, with the participants creating a throw or a baby quilt under the direction of Rosaleen Dwyer of The Farmer's Journal 'Quilt of Memories'.

On June 9 there's a full-day Felting Workshop, featuring the making of a handbag, for €60 including materials.

Summer Workshops for Children in Felting, Fabric Printing and Weaving, will be held on July 18/19/20, either mornings or afternoons and costing €45 including materials.

Whether in spite of, or because of the recession, the resurgence in handcrafts is helping to maintain another of the several brave bright spots in the Kilcullen retail streetscape. We must cherish them all.