Today’s post was written by longtime member and former Guild chair Breda Fay.

What a brilliant start to 2024 with the January Sunday Session – a warm welcome from the committee to an eclectic group – FI members from more than 20 years ago, newbies (one who only arrived in Eire in the last week), and the rest of us.

Elaine Peden treated us to a journey through her creative life. Elaine, who is a nurse, a profession where rules and regulations, timetables and schedules are so important, began her story with how she found the craft of jewellery making. She relished the idea of turning myriads of little beads into a necklace or brooch. She was soon involved in craft fairs, where her work was well received. The confidence gained from this was all important, as Elaine described the confidence needed to become truly creative. “Letting yourself go”, being prepared to enjoy a process rather than having an end product in mind is so liberating.

Wearable Art

It was on a walk through the Phoenix Park that Elaine discovered feltmaking – at the little studio at the Knockmaroon Gate where Sunday Sessions used to be held. Her inquisitive nature caused her to explore where a group of women carrying boxes and bags might be going on a Sunday morning! She was welcomed with open arms. Elaine warmed immediately to this new form of creating and to the makers who willingly shared their skills. Again, it was about transformations that occurred during the process – how wool fibres became a fabric that draped gracefully or held a strong structure depending on the process. It was the 3D structures that particularly interested Elaine, and she honed her craft through attendance at a wide range of Master Classes. While feltmaking required lots of hard physical work, Elaine felt it suited her better than the close, confined work of jewellery making.

More Art

Elaine always had an interest in “found things”, in using things again, in recycling. This interest was accommodated when she joined Element15 in Kildare, a group of individual artists who were developing their own practices, each distinct but also connected. Element 15 artists’ roots were in textiles but evolved to include different materials and processes. Their connection with nature particularly appealed to Elaine, and with great enthusiasm, she looked at making structures that would survive (or might be transformed) in the outdoors. Her description of Mr. Crow and Mr. Deer’s placement in the valley of Jimi Blake’s garden outside Blessington was inspiring.

Elaine had a range of samples of her work, including Mr. Crow in his gentleman’s jacket and hat. We were able to touch and photograph for future inspiration. Her witty delivery of the topic, including her mention of some of the “disasters”* of her work, was so entertaining that we could still be there listening and giggling.

Three Dimensional Art

Over the years, Elaine has taken many workshops. One of the courses focused on bootmaking. Below is a photo of Breda’s boots, which Elaine humorously referred to in her presentation. Elaine made hers in an uncooperative orange-coloured wool. Her boots are the only piece that she has ever tossed!

Well done, Elaine! And FI committee for a lively Sunday Session. Also, thanks to new guild member Eva Salamon for allowing us to use some of her photographs.

To view a video of Elaine’s presentation, visit our YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pznGCQHsYMQ

Advance apologies for the poor sound quality and camera work of the recording.