From Buddhafield to Farm Fest -
Farmfest set in Bruton in Somerset is a very different festival to previous Tuffeteer experiences, filled with young party goers and many DJ tents. By far the best tent for me was the dub tent featuring The High Grade Rockers - great music, great company - a festival atmosphere all of it's own - we loved them!
The craft area was set above the music area and distracted quite a few revellers away from the music to attempt tuffet making and also mask making workshops!

I had the lovely Jaz (in the bright sari) to help and support the apprentice tuffetees and a very fine job she did. It was her first time and certainly won't be her last!! The folk above are selecting their fleece to begin their own tuffets. The weather was great on the Saturday but unfortunately became quite wet on the Sunday but this did not deter the music fans! 

Great masks to construct and colour to your own design

 One of the highlights of the festival is the annual hat competition - this is so important that it was monitored by the hat police - no hat then you were issued with the badge of shame! I particularly liked Farmer Giles and Farmer Gill complete with the model calf!!

A great festival for cider lovers and party animals!
The downside? - I was deeply saddened to see the amount of rubbish and waste left behind, the fields were littered with abandoned tents, ground mats, sleeping bags, airbeds, cans and bottles plus general litter everywhere. Many people were collecting things to avoid them going into ground fill - a lot of education is needed for these festival goers - anyone out there up for the challenge to design a fun anti-litter campaign that draws people in rather than pointing the finger?

Tuffet or cushion? Or Tuffet?

The tuffet is a very simple organic, eco friendly 'sit upon' that may present itself in many guises. It has much in common with the well known  cushion which  has been around in one form or another; According to our literary gurus there have been many a mention as far back as the Middle Ages, being included in inventories for Royal Palaces and being a symbol of some status in the French churches. The cushion in it's many forms has been traditionally stuffed with bracken, heather, horse hair, feathers or sheeps wool.
The Travelling Tuffeteer has taken this symbol of sustainable luxury to it's simplest form - the outer casing has been removed and the sumptuous comfort of eco-friendly natural fleece has been exposed to provide you with the ultimate in 'Bottom Heaven'. A phrase coined by a most grateful musician who had been previously  subjected to the most severe discomfort provided with the usual festival concert wooden seat, or the settle in the pub at the local music session. He can now carry his own lightweight status symbol with pride and avoid the look of pity as some invoke when carrying their rather frilly cushions from home. The rustic nature of the tuffet allows you to feel a part of that nature, as the fleece gently soothes and reflects warmth, whilst repelling the damp that so often seeps into this very basic of provided furniture. Would the cushion have this same effect? No, it could not as the outer covering would detract from the benefits. The  wool fibres of the tuffet create an optimal temperature zone, they conduct excess heat and moisture away from the body and it  is also non-allergenic - probably not even the bravest  dust mite would dare!! Scientists have shown that wool fibres can induce a deep relaxed state which will obviously benefit all who sit upon the woven natural tuffet. Could the modern cushion fulfil such a mighty task, comfort, health benefits and an element of suave rural sophistication??

So, the evidence is before you, the question is to Tuffet or cushion, tuffet or not to tuffet?

 Perhaps the quest for true  'Bottom Heaven' has been fulfilled.

Contact: tuffets@hotmail.co.uk

Tuffeteer will travel!

I am available for festivals, fetes, country fayres and craft workshops to demonstrate the art of tuffet making with the option of making and purchasing your very own tuffet. The tuffet is a lightweight, woven 'cushion' made from eco-friendly sheeps wool and is guaranteed 'bottom heaven'.

WHY? Due to the stresses of everyday life, the pressures of work and the limitations and restrictions of modern day society I embarked on a six month trip around the UK as a WOOFER - definitely recommended! WOOF stands for World-wide Opportunities on Organic farms and is a great way to meet people, share and learn new skills and generally take stock on the world around you.

The most popular budget  tuffet comes in natural white  fleece and can be used in a range of settings, suitable for indoor / outdoor use and may be enjoyed by the youngest through to the eldest member of your family. The Tuffeteer also creates a range of designs to suit the discerning tastes of all who desire that little slice of 'Bottom Heaven' in style!

 * Plus P&P

Contact e.mail address: tuffets@hotmail.co.uk