Here is a much better quality photo of the winning piece in the Felt Category of the RDS Craft Competition. Congratulations Marika!

Many of our members will be familiar with the Drop In sessions we have run over the past few years. This year we thought we would bring all the drop in days together and have one open day per month in our studio in the Phoenix Park.  We have facilities in the studio that we don’t have available to us in the other venues –   for drum carding and dyeing. The Sunday Sessions start in September are are free and open to all members (as well as prospective members). Join us in the studio from 10.30am – 2pm on the following dates:

12 September…10 October…14 November…12 December

Castleknock Scout Troop at our Studio

We are hosting an Open Day at our studio to celebrate Heritage Week on Sunday 29th August from 11am-5pm. One of our members,  Liz Brown, (who is Irish but lives in Scotland), will be bringing the Scottish Storytelling Yurt (and it’s little buddy the smaller “Squirt”) to Dublin for the event. Liz has visited Mongolia on several occassions and learnt traditional feltmaking skills there which she combines with very contemporary felt designs in her work .  We will have demonstrations, display of work, stories and fun for all ages. The event is being supported by the Crafts Council of Ireland and the OPW. The studio is situated at the Knockmaroon gate of the Phoenix Park in Dublin. There is parking beside the studio and if the weather is good you can bring along a picnic and join in the fun.

The Squirt

Featured felt piece of the month is a detail of Sheila Jordan’s “Saltee Island Vessels” . The three vessels won second prize in the RDS Craft Competition in the Felt Category.

An exhibition currently running in Shutterbug on Patrick Street in  Kilkenny features the work of visual artist Caroline Schofield (picture above). Caroline recently won a prestigious commission to create a work of art in the new Kilkenny Courthouse.  With the assistance of feltmaker Cristina Garcia she spent the past few months creating a stunning piece consisting of twelve needlefelted heads that hang from the celing in the lobby….you really need to see it to believe it – have a look at this video on You Tube:

Congratulations Caroline  and Cristina on your magnificent work

Congratulation to all of the finalists in the Felt category at this years RDS Craft Competition. The judge was very impressed by the quality of all of the felt entries this year.

The winner was Markia Mikloski Manning with two Vessels with Spires:

And second proze went to Sheila Jordan for her three “Saltee Island Vessels”

For photos of all the felt finalists see Feltmakers Ireland’s facebook page

We are delighted to announce two Dye Days on Saturday 14th August and Sunday 22nd August 2010. The tutor is Clodagh Mac Donagh who is a wonderful teacher and has many years experience with colour and dyeing. The workshops are part of our “Recession Session” series where we aim to provide top quality training at rock bottom prices. The cost for the day is €40 and this includes all the dyes and use of equipment. Please bring along samples of yearn,fibre and fabric that you wish to work with. Also bring a packed lunch. Tea &  Coffee will be provided. The workshops will take place in our studio in the Phoenix Park and run from 10am till 4pm. Place are limited (which means lots of attention for the lucky participants) please contact Clodagh directly if you would like to take part : 086 057 4401 or clodagh_macdonagh@hotmail.com

Dye Day July 2010