Fusing their passion for nature, craft, and the land, silversmith and ecologist, Sophie Nicol, and her artist mother, Lucy Nicol, have transformed their eco-farm 'Windrush' at the foothills of the Wicklow mountains.

The mother-daughter pair have transformed the farm into a ‘living, learning landscape,’ where people can recharge and connect with nature through craft workshops and lamb-to-loom farm tours.

Their beginners' workshops in jewellery making, needle felting, natural art, and willow weaving allow visitors the opportunity to unwind in nature, while crafting using natural materials gathered on the farm, to create an immersive experience.

The 46ac Windrush farm is located above Newtownmountkennedy. "My mum, Lucy, and I have been farming it together for over 25 years. We are moving to a regenerative farming model, and we have a small fibre flock - 21 - of pedigree Zwartbles ewes," Sophie told Agriland.

"We use their wool for our felting workshops, and sell raw and carded wool for crafting and sell to felters and spinners.

"We also use our sheep and horses to help us manage the land for biodiversity, grow willow for weaving and crafting, and have set aside one-quarter of the farm as a nature reserve, with an abundance of wildlife," she said.

"We launched our craft experience business in 2022, assisted by a LEADER grant, as a way to diversify our farm and use our land and livestock, combined with our crafting skills and expertise, to keep the farm sustainable into the future."

Their workshops include needle felting; jewellery making; natural art; and willow weaving.

There are also guided farm and ecology walks.

In the needle felting workshop, participants learn the art of 3D needle felting. Sophie and Lucy introduce their flock, and there is the opportunity to learn about the wonders of wool and see how it's processed from lamb to loom for felting.

Then, snug in the custom built craft studio with views of the nature reserve, Sophie and Lucy help the attendees to create mini-sheep to take home.

In the jewellery making workshop, Sophie who makes nature-inspired jewellery under the brand Wild Meadow Jewellery, guides participants through the making of their own fine silver pendant inspired by nature.

The session begins with a nature walk following deer trails through the woodland and bogland, gathering natural materials and inspiration as those taking part learn about the folklore of plants and explore nature.

The group then returns to the craft studio where Sophie demonstrates how to cast pieces of nature using eco-friendly silver clay, creating a timeless keepsake.

At the natural art workshop, Lucy and Sophie lead a wild wander through the nature reserve, as participants explore nature and gather natural materials and inspiration to make their own art materials from the wild.

They create an eco-friendly sketchbook, leaf-printed bag, charcoal from willow, and pigments, inks, and brushes from the wild.

The workshop concludes with mindful downtime in nature, where those taking part use their new materials to capture a lasting memory of their experience.

The willow weaving workshop at Windrush farm facilitates those keen to spend a festive afternoon making an eco-friendly wreath for their home in the craft studio with Christmas music, a log stove, and mulled wine and mince pies adding to the ambience.

They also go on a guided walk through the nature reserve to gather natural foliage to decorate their wreath.

The guided farm tour allows participants to meet and greet the Zwartbles sheep. Tea and cake is served by the stove. An insight into wool is given and participants get the chance to try their hand at carding wool and make a small needle felted keepsake ornament to take home.

The guided ecology walk through the 11ac nature reserve provides the opportunity to learn about nature-focused farming practices.

Participants gather natural materials, and unlock the folklore of plants and wildlife. Artist Lucy guides the attendance in creating their own eco-printed bag to take home, using the ancient Japanese art of Hapazome.