Business name: Nadia Rein Design
Nadia Rein — Textile Artist, Educator, and Cultural Connector
Publicity Officer, International Feltmakers AssociationFelting is deep within me, rooted in my childhood homeland of Kazakhstan.I grew up surrounded by wool — from the rugs that covered our floors and walls to my first winter boots, the traditional valenki. Many family meals were shared sitting on woollen rugs around low tables, filled with conversation and storytelling. These tactile, wool-rich memories stayed with me, even as life led me to other countries.For a while, I lost connection with wool, drawn instead to modern materials and technologies. But felt returned to my life during a time of personal loss, becoming both a source of healing and a way to express myself. Today, it is my language — helping me tell stories, explore identity, and guide others to find their own creative voices.Now based in Leicestershire (UK), I create, teach, and share my passion for felt through group workshops and one-to-one sessions, as well as online classes, collaborations, and international events.As a textile artist, researcher, and educator, I’m endlessly curious about how things are made. I learn from books, articles, and knowledge exchange — both in person and online — always filtering what I discover through my own hands and imagination. I love diversity in every sense: cultures, materials, colours, techniques, and ideas. When I teach, I either offer practical solutions to help students achieve results efficiently or encourage curiosity and experimentation to explore the endless possibilities of feltmaking.I’m especially drawn to wearable felt — designing fabric and garment at once. Reversible pieces, in particular, fascinate me: they offer versatility, save wardrobe space, and express sustainability with style. I also enjoy covering walls with wool — the warmest, most soulful kind of “wallpaper,” bringing art and comfort to any home.I am the founder and host of Felt & Culture Retreats, immersive creative journeys across Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Georgia, celebrating traditional craft, contemporary practice, and cultural exchange.As the Publicity Officer for the International Feltmakers Association, I’m passionate about connecting makers worldwide and sharing the many stories of our vibrant feltmaking community.
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