Origins: Felt in the Natural World

The deadline is getting closer for submissions for our exhibition in the Botanic Gardens, Completed applications and photo images  must be returned by 5.30pm, 14th June 2013. There has been lots of interest from members and we are hoping that all of you will take part – here is the application form:

Feltmakers Exhibition Application Form

Here’s a short clip of Nessa and her team installing the feltbomb in the wind and rain last Friday

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vd8PvBqjiA

Feltmakers Ireland will be celebrating it’s 10th birthday at the coming AGM and we would like to invite all members (past, present and future) to come celebrate with us. The Party takes place on Sunday 26th May at 2pm in Lucan Church of Ireland Parish Hall (on the main road in Lucan village  opposite the Italian Embassy residence)  We are planning lots of fun events including:

• Felt Fashion -we are asking everyone who attends to wear something they have made, we will be the models!
• Cake & Bubbly
• Stalls with native/rare breed wool, silk, and a mountain of gorgeous fibre from the Italian suppliers DHG
• A talk by Astrid Tomrop -Hoffman about her beautiful felt workThe AGM is always a fun event and is extra special this year as we are celebrating 10 years and the many achievements of our creative  members.
  

The tree in the Phoenix Park looks magnificent covered in beautiful felt. If you get a chance to have a look it’s on the main road of the Phoenix Park just opposite the entrance to the zoo. Congratulations to Nessa McCormack, everyone who submitted pieces and the team who battled the elements to put up the work.

Our workshop with Leiko Uchiyama is now booked out. We are planning some more exciting workshops with international tutors for next Autumn & Spring. Watch this space.

We are delighted to announce a two day workshop with Japanese felt artist Leiko Uchiyama on the 8/9 June 2013 .

Leiko will work with participants in mastering her particular “pine needle” technique and apply it to making a very delicate nuno wrap.

Here is the workshop application form: Leiko Application

Check out Leiko’s website http://www.leikofelt.com

Photographic workshop with Joanna Sieczkowska 

Felt hat by Maureen Cromer Photography by Joanna Sieczkowska 

Photography is very important when presenting your work for exhibitions or for sale. Entrants to the Feltmakers Ireland’s forthcoming exhibition Origins will need to submit photographs as part of the selection process. To help our members take the best possible pictures we have organised two workshops on Sunday 28th April  from10-1pm and  from 2-5pm (two separate 3 hours sessions). The workshops will take place In the Studio in the Phoenix Park and there will be a max. of 10 participants per session. The cost is  €15 per person and this includes tea/coffee. Priority given to FI members, to book a place please email gabi.mcgrath@gmail.com. Joanna was the photographer for our book “Profiles in Felt”.

The topics include:

1 Know your camera -  how to adjust and change settings in your own camera to get the best results.

2 Introduction to light – what different light situation are available and what is best for your piece.

3. Basic composition -  the golden rules of composition in presenting your work.

4. Home made photo props – we will show you how to make low cost photo backgrounds and props from every day household items.

5. Basic post production – we will demonstrate a simple way to finish off your photographs on free software.

For our workshop you need to bring your own camera, whatever you have, and an item to practice on.

Our next Sunday Session we be on March 10th in our studio when we will be exploring hand stitching and felt with textile artist Colleen Prendiville. Colleen is a former chairperson of Feltmakers Ireland and is also a talented embroiderer and has an interest in everything to do with stitch, fibre, felt and textiles. The Session starts at 10.30, everyone is welcome and there is a small fee of €5 (includes tea & coffee) .  The studio is located beside the Knockmaroon Gate of the Phoenix Park in Dublin.

In preparation for our exhibition Origin: Felt in the Natural World we are hosting a workshop with Terry Dunne on Saturday 20th April 2013.

Terry Dunne ( Terry The Weaver ) has been Spinning Dyeing and Weaving for more than 30 years now.  His Natural Dyeing workshop is focused on giving beginners a good understanding of the processes involved in Dyeing with Plants.

You will learn about Mordants and how to use them as well as mordanting some wool for dyeing on the workshop.

You will also learn the best plants to use to get the best colours for your work.

On the workshop we will mordant and dye about 3 colours and about 9 shades for you to take away and use.

By the end of the day you will have mordanted, dyed and have recipes for all we have done, but more importantly you will know the processes needed to dye from plants.

Students should bring some wool or silk to dye on the day and some felted pieces to add to the dye pots.

If you would like a place on the workshop please complete this form, if we are oversubscribed names will be pulled from a hat on Friday 5th April. Priority is given to fully paid up members of Feltmakers Ireland – but there is plenty of time to join or renew your membership. Membership costs €25 per year.

Dyeing Application