Located in the quiet, scenic part of Siolim village, the Cosy Club, which recently opened its doors, is Goa’s first tufting studio. NT BUZZ pays a visit
CHRISTINE MACHADO | NT BUZZ
“I can sit for eight to ten hours, completely focused on creating,” says Cliff Heysen Fernandes, gesturing toward a commissioned tufting artwork he has just completed the previous night.
The piece, featuring a lady, is still mounted on a frame—one of five arranged around the studio—each accompanied by a tufting gun. Finished tufting pieces decorate the space, while a corner is dedicated to yarns in 42 myriad hues. A large screen plays videos showcasing the tufting process, with upbeat music adding to the inviting atmosphere, encouraging visitors to try their hand at this unique craft.
“It’s a great way for people to relax and take a break from their busy lives,” says Fernandes. Indeed, for this artist himself, tufting found him when things were going a little tough for him.
A former footballer who played for clubs like Dempo Sporting Club and even represented India, Fernandes, originally from Calangute, moved to the U.K. However, an ACL injury sidelined him, leaving him with time to recover. “Soon after, COVID-19 hit, and I couldn’t step out. With nothing else to do, I decided to give tufting a try. It helped with my recovery and became a way to cope with both the pain and the stress of the pandemic,”
he recalls.
What began as a hobby soon turned into a business as Fernandes started an online brand creating and selling tufted rugs and art pieces. Along the way, he introduced the craft to Astrid Dias, a dental technologist and auditor by profession.
Over time, the duo began contemplating bringing this unique experience to Goa. “As Goans, we wanted to do something different here—something people could enjoy as a date night activity or with family and friends. Tufting is not only fun but also helps ease anxiety,” says Dias, who has her roots in Margao.
With that vision in mind, Fernandes sold his U.K. business, and the duo moved to Goa. However, finding the right space wasn’t easy. “When we came across this spot, it looked like a tiny shop from the outside. But when we stepped in, we were surprised—it was much bigger than expected,” says Fernandes.
Nestled along a quiet stretch in Sodiem-Siolim, overlooking lush green fields, the studio took about a month and a half to set up. “I wanted a space with a relaxed vibe, away from the crowd but still well-connected. This road leads to Assagao, Morjim, Mandrem, and Mapusa, so it’s peaceful yet accessible,” explains Fernandes.
In February, the Cosy Club opened its doors, offering three-hour tufting experiences. The session begins with an introduction to the tufting gun—a tool that can seem intimidating at first. “The gun is like a magic wand for this art,” says Dias. Fernandes then walks participants through a brief tutorial on creating basic shapes, lines, and curves.
Once a pre-selected design is traced onto a canvas mounted on a 40×40 frame, participants pick their yarn colours, load them into the gun, and begin working on their piece. “There’s no fixed sequence—you can start with any colour you like,” says Fernandes. While it may feel tricky at first, most participants get the hang of it quickly.
“We’re always there to guide them if needed, but they get into it pretty quickly. One customer was so focused that she sang while tufting and even skipped the refreshments we provided—she just wanted to finish her piece,” shares Dias. Participants take home their finished creations. Fernandes and Dias also accept custom orders.
Although tufting is still a niche craft in Goa, Fernandes sees it as both an opportunity and a challenge. “Many people think it’s only for rug-making, but there’s so much more. One can also create things like framed art, coasters, bags, and t-shirts,” he says.
Looking ahead, the duo plans to launch workshops on tufted handbags and coasters, followed by sessions on mirrors and vases. They are also considering adding a café to the studio.
“We’re open to hosting tufting sessions for parties and corporate events. Eventually, we want to expand to South Goa since I’m from there,” says Dias. Participating in exhibitions and collaborating with interior designers, hotels, and other properties are also part of their roadmap. And if all goes well, expanding beyond Goa is the ultimate dream.
