Avoca shops around the country have been restocked with new items from the zany Made in Mongolia (MIM) range of handcrafted felt accessories, homewares and gifts, which we have written about before, writes Patsey Murphy
The products are the result of a voluntary collaboration between the Irish fashion designer Pat McCarthy and Asral, a social welfare NGO working in Mongolia, designed to promote self-sufficiency among women to improve their livelihood. McCarthy advised the women's groups to create a softer felt. The range now includes colourful scarves, hats, slippers and bags, as well as accessories including cushions, oven gloves, Christmas baubles and small toys for children. Prices start at €9.95. Our photograph shows MIM's pink hand-felted hat with button and flower detail (€29.95) and a hand-felted scarf with flower detail (€37.95).