New craft store opens

By Linda Jensen Times Contributor

Roving, wool, batts, and mats relate to a new surge in an old tradition: felting.
Whether wet or dry felting, crafting or creating art, Strathmore and area residents can find their niche at Strathmore’s new business, Rainbow Felting Canada.
Located in the former downtown Co-op building, now called Strathmore Centre, the store is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
On offer are hundreds of shades of wool roving, kits for needle felting and wool painting, needle and wet felting supplies, and artisanal hand dyed yarn.
Owner Cheryl Johanson is a self-taught entrepreneur whose passion is bringing needle felting to everyone. Together with her family, they run the business.
Johanson sources her wool from Canadian mills to support Canadian farmers, and Rambouillet, Corriedale, Targhee and Bluefaced Leicester wools are available.
Felt is made from clean pure wool, and both wool and felt are natural, protective and durable. A variety of items can be made from wool including woolen quilt batting, 2D or 3D art, clothing such as scarves and wraps, wall hangings and gifts.
Needle felting is relaxing with endless creative possibilities. Special barbed needles penetrate the wool and tie the fibres together, creating solid felt.
At Rainbow Felting, regular drop-in classes are offered each Wednesday and Saturday from 2-5 p.m. The store is holding a birch forest landscape workshop on Feb. 23 from 1-5 p.m.