Emmanuelle Coutant

KAYU Creation

Felt maker

Pebble cushions: a trompe-l'œil in wool

Emmanuelle creates felt cushions that look like natural stones
She builds the seats up by layering wool over several days
With her work she taps into the deep human instinct of collecting stones

Emmanuelle Coutant is a French artisan based in Heidelberg. She crafts wool cushions that look like natural stones. Though they appear heavy, her pebble-shaped cushions are soft and comfortable to sit on. "From far away, people think they are real rocks," she explains. "People are really surprised that I made them myself from wool." Emmanuelle learned this ancient craft herself, after working for many years as a professional dancer. Each piece takes over 16 hours to make, using 1 kg of wool, olive soap, warm water and other elements to complete the process in her studio. Emmanuelle adds soft silk to create the stone patterns and fills the seats with natural husks so they are firm enough to sit on and retain their shape. Inspired by her seaside hometown of La Rochelle, Emmanuelle is proud to note that her creations appeal to the deep-rooted human habit of collecting rocks, stones or pebbles.

Interview

What is the secret behind your stones?: Felting a cushion takes many hours and in many stages. I work continuously, even on weekends, with no fixed schedule. This is part of what I love: being able to align my craft with my life. If I feel inspired at midnight on a Saturday, I just felt then.
What are the most important techniques?: Felting is a chemical reaction combined with massaging, rolling, even throwing. The wool shrinks by about a third as it is felted. Once it is firm, I rinse it, give it a vinegar bath to neutralise the soap, and let it dry.
What do many people not know about your craft?: Felt has existed for as long as sheep have. Experts debate about when the first felt was made. Some say shepherds with cold feet used to stuff wool in their shoes and their sweat and friction caused felting. Wool is an amazing material!
Are there any similarities between dancing and felting?: The common point is movement. It might not look like it, but making large stones is physically demanding. Friends who watch me work say, "Manu, you are crazy, that is so exhausting." I am a very active person, but I also have patience – a strange combination, perhaps, but one that is very useful in my craft.

Emmanuelle Coutant is a rising star: she began her career in 2019