Their creativity attracts not only local residents but also foreigners. One of the participants in this craft union, 54-year-old Nazgul Birimkulova, shared her impressions with a Turmush correspondent: “I am a housewife, and my husband and I have two sons and two daughters. My passion for handicrafts began in the fourth grade when my grandmother taught me this craft. Since then, I have been constantly working with wool and threads, creating a variety of products. Currently, there are six artisans in our village, and we have come together for collaborative work. We felt wool, sew panels, chermey [vests], beldemchi [skirts with slits from the waist], and much more. Working in a team is convenient — we exchange ideas, help each other, and consult.”
The prices for our felt slippers start from 600 soms, while chermey cost between 3,000 to 4,000 soms. We also have exclusive products that customers purchase at negotiated prices. Felt panels are especially of interest to foreigners — we have even sent our works to Germany. Once, a couple bought one of our products for a thousand dollars.
Each product is handmade, and I believe that the prices are quite justified. Felt has many useful properties: it retains heat well and does not let in the cold. If your feet get cold, it can negatively affect your health, as our ancestors used to say, and modern doctors confirm this. Felt products are indeed very warm. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in slippers. People appreciate quality and wear them with pleasure. Many who buy them once return for a second pair. We strive to preserve this craft. Therefore, we invite young women and brides, teaching them the art of felt-making to pass on this traditional skill to future generations,” noted Nazgul Birimkulova.
