ARTEFACT GALLERY #3.12

Nido de Fieltro

Proposed by: Olaya Alonso López (Researcher)

Espacio Tormaleo
Technical Specifications

Name

Nido de Fieltro / Felt Nest

Tipology

Textile

Authorship

Daniela Schmid, Con Xalda a lo loco (Crazy About Xalda), a project by Ecomuséu Ca l’Asturcón

Date or period:

2026

Materials:

100% Xalda sheep wool from the Ecomuséu Ca l’Asturcón flock, washed on site using rainwater. Natural colours and plant-based dyes made from locally sourced plants

Techniques:

Wet felting and dry needle felting techniques

Country/ region:

Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain

Related links:

Ecomuséu: https://asturcon-museo.es

Con xaldas y a lo loco: https://www.ecotur.es/ecoturismo/ruta-de-la-lana/con-xaldas-a-lo-loco_9318_3807_11924_0_1_in.html

Artisan’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xaldaaloloco/

Xalda’s history: https://www.xalda.com/historia/

This artefact is unique because it is handcrafted entirely from 100% wool from the endangered Xalda sheep, an indigenous breed of Asturias, sourced from the flock kept at the Ecomuséu Ca l’Asturcón. The wool is washed on site using harvested rainwater, processed by hand, and naturally dyed with plants gathered from the surrounding landscape, resulting in a completely local and environmentally sustainable production process. Created using both wet felting and dry needle felting techniques, the piece embodies traditional knowledge while promoting biodiversity, animal conservation, and circular use of natural resources. Beyond its artistic value, it tells the story of the close relationship between people, native livestock, and the Asturian environment, helping to safeguard both intangible craft skills and the cultural heritage associated with the Xalda sheep.

DETAILS

Subtitle 1

Subtitle 2

Inspiration

The asturian Xalda sheep. (Source: ACOXA)

An artisan teases the Xalda sheep wool. (Source: Ca l’asturcón)

Location


The selection of this artefact is the responsibility of designer Maria Bruno Néo and is part of her doctoral work ‘A HISTÓRIA INCOMPLETA DO DESIGN PORTUGUÊS: CONTRIBUTOS PARA A INSCRIÇÃO DA DESIGNER HELENA CARDOSO/THE INCOMPLETE HISTORY OF PORTUGUESE DESIGN: CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE INSCRIPTION OF DESIGNER HELENA CARDOSO’ supervised by Professors Susana Barreto and Luís Mendonça, both from the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Porto/Portugal.