We opened The Clay Purl in 2011 in a tiny shop at the entrance of Antique Alley, and have enjoyed meeting the great knitters from around the world who come to enjoy Brown County. Early in 2013 we began our own line of hand-painted yarns, and are excited to be able to offer them online. Many of the colorways are inspired by the beauty that surrounds us. In May of 2014, we moved to a location just off Main St., by the Courthouse. In May 2018 the building was sold, and we moved to the sweetest little shop back in Antique Alley, then after the Covid shutdown, we moved to a larger location 2 doors down. We are tucked behind the Ferguson House and next to Brown County Pottery! My son, Paul, makes some incredible pottery that we are proud to sell at The Clay Purl. We have some other artistic endeavors that show up for sale at The Clay Purl, so come and see us.
We are located at 92 West Franklin St. in Nashvile, IN. In Antique Alley, right next to the quilt shop, the wood carver and the stone cutter.
about michele (shelly):
Michele (Shelly) was born and raised in Valparaiso, Indiana; and studied Business Administration, Marketing and German at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois, where she met her husband, David. They have two grown children, Alyssa (who is married to Matt Stanley), Paul (who is married to Jessy and lives in Memphis, TN), and two beautiful grandchildren – Elayna and Eyan. Shelly’s mother (a gifted artist), aslways made sure that from early days Shelly had an abundance of art supplies around to keep her “late in life child” busy! It worked, and Shelly has always loved creative endeavors. In elementary she learned to crochet and knit. In high school she won art contests, painted fire hydrants into famouse people, and community billboards. As a student at Olivet Shelly’s creativity continued as she hand lettered hundreds of posters, and took many art classes. Her career eventually led to being a graphic designer and merchandiser. Until in May of 2011 she opened The Clay Purl in Nashville, Indiana which was a dream come true! Shelly and David live in the village close enough for Shelly to walk to work. David is a retired pastor and hospice chaplain. Recently Shelly & David added an adorable puppy named Jamie to their family.
Amanda is an amazing knitter, crocheter and spinner! She has been a regular at the shop and at Knit Nights since we opened the door. When Shelly is away, she is one of the smiling faces you see. She is a veteran of the Indiana National Guard and studied at Vincennes University. Amanda dyes some beautiful yarn and roving under the label: Bean Blossom Fibers. Pick up a skein next time you visit. She lives in Bean Blossom with her husband Dave, her two daughters Sami and Megan, and the animals (cats, a pug, chickens and goats). You will love meeting and talking to Amanda in the shop. We are excited that she is here.
about michele marshall:
Michele has been teaching children and adults for over 30 years. Her love of fiber goes back even farther, to when she first learned to needlepoint in the third grade. After that, she embraced crochet, sewing, embroidery, quilting, knitting, spinning and, most recently, weaving in all its variations. Knit Night at The Clay Purl was her “adult socialization” night when her daughter was young and offered her a chance to teach fiber arts. Currently, she works and teaches as needed at The Clay Purl and independently designs rigid heddle weaving patterns. Michele and her husband have lived in Nashville for 22 of their 35 years together.
about lauren ice:
Lauren has been obsessed with the fiber arts since she made her first cross-stitch in 5th grade. Since then she’s made many creations for herself and friends and family. She finally learned to knit in the early 2000s at an Embroidery Guild meeting in Louisville, KY. Since then she can’t seem to stop curating her yarn collection! Lauren’s fairly new to spinning and loves how that’s opened up a whole new world to fiber fun! She first found The Clay Purl on a day trip to Nashville in 2018. She and her family have been living in Brown County now for almost 3 years and she’s been on staff at The Clay Purl for almost 2 years. Lauren has been married to her husband Roy who is a United Methodist Pastor, for 28 years and they have a son starting high school in the fall as well as a 4-year-old Terrier mix named Nelly who loves snuggling Mom’s WIPs!
