Month: May 2024

Reminder: Maria Mc Garry – Sunday Session on the 9th – NEW LOCATION

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Sunday Session – 9th of June – Maria Mc Garry NEW LOCATION

Guild member Maria Mc Garry from Co Laois will give a show-and-tell of her experiences with working with galleries and selling at markets. She will also demonstrate how to make a ruffle felted scarf.

When: the 9th of June, 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

There is a lovely ‘Meet the Maker’ interview from 2020 with Maria Mc Garry on the blog here – https://feltmakersireland.com/2020/08/16/meet-the-maker-maria-mc-garry/

Here is her Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/maria_mcgarry_textile_art_/

Temporary NEW Location

Where: We will meet for the June Sunday Session at a DIFFERENT location.

F2 -Fatima Community Centre.

Fatima Community Centre
Herberton Leisure
3 Reuben Plaza, Rialto, Dublin 8, D08 PV0H

Directions from the Red Line LUAS

Get off at Fatima Luas stop (Red Line) and walk to a set of traffic lights.

Google Maps directions from the Red Line LUAS Stop.

View from the LUAS

View of the LUAS Stop from across the street. Photos kindly provided by Adrienne Dempsey.

Cross at the traffic lights, walk straight ahead, and take the first right onto Reuben Plaza. You will then see the Herberton gym.

Cross at the traffic light.
Photo of the Herberton Gym and the Arch Cafe on the corner.

Walk by the Herberton Gym and the Arch Cafe, then turn left. F2 Centre is located beside the green space/kids’ play area.

Where You Enter the Building

The entrance of the F2 Fatima Community Centre.

Parking

There is free street parking along St Anthony’s Road, which leads up to the F2 building. Parking is also available on Reuben Walk and Reuben Street, which surround the building.

Two disabled parking spots are at the top of St Anthony’s Road, leading onto Reuben Plaza and the F2 Centre.

Photo of the two disabled parking spots on St Anthony’s Road.

Additional Information


A Sunday Session like this will require lots of tea/ coffee/cake and chat, so there’ll be an abundance of that. Of course, homebakes are always welcome! There is the usual 5 euro fee.

On Friday, the 7th of June, the Guild will email members a Zoom Link for virtual access, and we will also include a phone number to call if they need help finding the Centre on the event day.

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Open Call: Apply to the DCCI Irish Business Design Challenge

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

The Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) launches this year’s Irish Business Design Challenge (IBDC) for micro, small and medium-sized businesses to apply and showcase their commitment to sustainability through innovative design and circular and ethical practices.

In its fourth year, IBDC celebrates businesses that add value, repurpose products, develop eco-friendly processes, enhance efficiency, and tackle societal and environmental challenges through sustainable design.

This year’s challenge has a prize fund of over €50,000.

Examples of Sustainable Design Strategies:

  • Designing for minimal waste.
  • Prioritising durability in design.
  • Utilising safe, renewable, and recycled materials.
  • Championing ethical production practices.
  • Reducing chemical impacts through design.
  • Implementing energy and water-efficient designs.
  • Drawing inspiration from nature’s designs.
  • Dematerialising products and developing sustainable systems and services.

For more information, visit their website – https://www.dcci.ie/ibdc

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Event: Feltmakers Ireland will be at Bloom 2024

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Volunteers from Feltmakers Ireland will be demonstrating wet and needlefelting at Bloom 2024. Stop by and say ‘hello’, see the magic of feltmaking, learn about our Wool Project, and purchase our book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’.

Where: We will be in the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland’s ‘Irish Craft Village’ in the YELLOW section, area 26, in the GANS Crafts Demonstration booth.

When: The Guild will be in the booth on Friday, the 31st of May, and Saturday, the 1st of June, from 11 AM to 5 PM. (Bloom runs from the 30th of May to the 3rd of June).

Note: we will be closer to the Red Car Park.

There will be free shuttle buses from Heuston Station.

For more information, visit Bloom’s website – https://www.bordbiabloom.com/


Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Events: Wet Felting for Children – Wise Wool Project – K-FEST in Killorglin this Weekend

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

The Wise Wool Project in Co Kerry, Ireland, facilitates workshops to educate the public on wool waste in Ireland. They will be at the K-Fest Arts Festival in Killorgan, where they will host workshops and have an exhibit this weekend for the June Bank Holiday.

For more information about the Wise Wool Project, visit their Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558124287526

To reserve a spot in the workshop, visit this website – https://www.tickettailor.com/checkout/view-event/id/4181353/chk/03e3?nc=1716717785

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Open Call: Summer Art Fair at Mount Juliet Estate – Kilkenny

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

This summer, Mount Juliet Estate, in partnership with Butler Gallery, will host a Summer Art Fair in the Ornamental Walled Garden of Mount Juliet Estate on Sunday, July 7th, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Whether you’re a painter, sculptor, photographer, or mixed-media artist, they welcome all mediums and styles. The Art Fair will showcase the highest-quality Irish art submitted by artists all over Ireland. They have space for 30 Artists who will be selected by the Butler Gallery Selection Committee.

The deadline is soon – the 31st of May.

For more information, visit their website – https://www.butlergallery.ie/whats-on/summer-art-fair-2024-call-for-artists

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.


June Sunday Session: Maria Mc Garry

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Sunday Session – 9th of June – Maria Mc Garry NEW LOCATION

Feltmakers Ireland’s June Sunday Session features guild member Maria Mc Garry from Co Laois. Maria will give a show-and-tell of her experiences with working with galleries and selling at markets. She will also demonstrate how to make a ruffle felted scarf.

When: the 9th of June, 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

There is a lovely ‘Meet the Maker’ interview from 2020 with Maria Mc Garry on the blog here – https://feltmakersireland.com/2020/08/16/meet-the-maker-maria-mc-garry/

Here is her Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/maria_mcgarry_textile_art_/

Temporary NEW Location

Where: We will meet at a DIFFERENT location for the June Sunday Session.

F2 -Fatima Community Centre.

Fatima Community Centre
Herberton Leisure
3 Reuben Plaza, Rialto, Dublin 8, D08 PV0H

Directions from the Red Line LUAS

Get off at Fatima Luas stop (Red Line) and walk to a set of traffic lights.

Google Maps directions from the Red Line LUAS Stop.

View from the LUAS

View of the LUAS Stop from across the street. Photos kindly provided by Adrienne Dempsey.

Cross at the traffic lights, walk straight ahead, and take the first right onto Reuben Plaza. You will then see the Herberton gym.

Cross at the traffic light.
Photo of the Herberton Gym and the Arch Cafe on the corner.

Walk by the Herberton Gym and the Arch Cafe, then turn left. F2 Centre is located beside the green space/kids’ play area.

Where You Enter the Building

The entrance of the F2 Fatima Community Centre.

Parking

There is free street parking along St Anthony’s Road, which leads up to the F2 building. Parking is also available on Reuben Walk and Reuben Street, which surround the building.

Two disabled parking spots are at the top of St Anthony’s Road, leading onto Reuben Plaza and the F2 Centre.

Photo of the two disabled parking spots on St Anthony’s Road.

On Friday, the 7th of June, the Guild will email members a Zoom Link for virtual access and also include a phone number to call if they need help finding the Centre on the day of the event.

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Exhibition: Opposites Attract – Inspiration

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland7 Comments

This is the final instalment of Feltmakers Ireland artists’ inspiration towards the ‘Opposites Attract’ theme.

The Series

The complete series of posts on our Members’ Inspiration can be found here:

  1. Includes: Sandra Reynolds, Sandra Coote, Patricia Conroy, Hélène Dooley, Maria Mc Garry, and Audry Murray.
  2. Includes: Astrid Tomrop-Hofmann, Breda Fay, Lory Cotti Cottini, Neasa Ryan, Ramona Farrelly, and Ursula Heiting-Wiese.
  3. Includes: Heather Byrne, Tamzen Lundy, Bernie Hennessy, Adrienne Dempsey, and Joanne Turner.
  4. Includes: Claire Merry, Caitríona Nolan, Margaret Ryan Collins, Caoimhe Tuthill, and Fiona Leech.
  5. Includes: Jane Fox, Elizabeth Redding, Joanne Foley, Sandra Chase, and Loli Cox.
  6. Includes: Valerie Nowak-O’Ceallaigh, Helena Mc Guinness, Eithne O’Dea, Eva Salamon, and Juliane Gorman.
  7. Includes: Irina Lampadova, Karena Ryan, Annika Berglund, Marie Dunne, Elaine Peden, and Marika Miklosi Manning.

Irina Lampadova

Irina Lampadova – ‘Super soft neck poncho’

Success and Failure are the products of the same process.

I enjoy the magical process of felting. Experimenting with different colours, mixing and blending of natural little fibres that are joined together into an inseparable fabric gives a feeling of mindfulness and satisfaction.

Karena Ryan

Karena Ryan – ‘Eclipsed’

‘Eclipsed’ represents a time to bask in the glow – be luminous.

Over 5000 years ago our ancient Irish astronomers were predicting solar eclipses and welcomed this festival of light with the world’s oldest known solar eclipse carved on stone megaliths at Loughcrew Cairn, County Meath. What may have been important has been overshadowed by what actually matters and what now radiates are new opportunities and fresh beginnings.

Annika Berglund

Annika Berglund – ‘Getting to know the other’

In life, between birth and death, we experience many ups and downs; we feel joy and despair.

However much we would like to only have the good times, they would not be the same if things were never bad. Achievement is not as satisfying without the risk of failure.

Focussing on the positive but accepting the balance of opposing forces in our lives might be a path to harmony and growth.

Marie Dunne

Marie Dunne – ‘Lava flow’

The volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula in Iceland in March 2024 was the inspiration for my piece ‘Lava Flow’. Hot and Cold. Fire and Ice.

Elaine Peden

Elaine Peden – ‘Formations in Colour’

“A life lived in colour where there is “”no opposite””. I am currently investigating the abstraction of the idea of ‘Opposite’, looking at the absence of colour.

How colour can create an emotional response and when colour is blended.

‘Opposite’ becomes ‘One'”

Marika Miklosi Manning

Marika Miklosi Manning – ‘Felted study, untitled’

The challenge here was to combine felt work with another material of opposing characteristics and create a harmonious piece of work. I chose nylon string 0.50mm thick/ 12kg, usually used for suspending objects or fishing, etc. I see this piece as a study to see how the two materials can be combined to complement each other. The soft felt as a background to the qualities of the unyielding nylon string, which, through that combination, creates patterns of transparent 3D circles.

We hope that you enjoyed learning about what inspires these artists. ‘Opposites Attract’ is at the Phoenix Park Visitors Centre until the 26th of May.

The gallery is open from 10 AM to 4 PM daily. On Sunday, the 26th the show closes at 2 PM.

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Exhibition: Artists’ Inspiration – Opposites Attract

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland6 Comments

Each artist in the ‘Opposites Attract’ exhibition interpreted the theme uniquely.

The Series

The complete series of posts on our Members’ Inspiration can be found here:

  1. Includes: Sandra Reynolds, Sandra Coote, Patricia Conroy, Hélène Dooley, Maria Mc Garry, and Audry Murray.
  2. Includes: Astrid Tomrop-Hofmann, Breda Fay, Lory Cotti Cottini, Neasa Ryan, Ramona Farrelly, and Ursula Heiting-Wiese.
  3. Includes: Heather Byrne, Tamzen Lundy, Bernie Hennessy, Adrienne Dempsey, and Joanne Turner.
  4. Includes: Claire Merry, Caitríona Nolan, Margaret Ryan Collins, Caoimhe Tuthill, and Fiona Leech.
  5. Includes: Jane Fox, Elizabeth Redding, Joanne Foley, Sandra Chase, and Loli Cox.
  6. Includes: Valerie Nowak-O’Ceallaigh, Helena Mc Guinness, Eithne O’Dea, Eva Salamon, and Juliane Gorman.
  7. Includes: Irina Lampadova, Karena Ryan, Annika Berglund, Marie Dunne, Elaine Peden, and Marika Miklosi Manning.

Valerie Nowak-O’Ceallaigh

Valerie Nowak-O’Ceallaigh – ‘A circle in a square’

Without opposites, there is no life
For without darkness, there is no light
For without roughness, there is no softness
For without inside, there is no outside
For without rain, there is no rainbow.
Opposites attract to create life

My piece is created to surprise, intrigue and engage the visitors. Each visitor is encouraged to use their flashlight to investigate the inside of the wool felted tunnel. They will then discover the harbour of Dalkey under a rainbow after the rain. The front of the frame is voluntarily dark to reveal an explosion of colours while you venture inside. Using those contrasts, I show how opposites attract and create a new dimension.

Helena Mc Guinness

Helena Mc Guinness – ‘Eye of the storm’

‘Opposites Attract’- based on a raindrop caught between two weather fronts. A storm on one side of the piece and bright sunshine on the other. A rainbow forms, made up of many raindrops. In this piece, ‘The Eye Of The Storm’, we see a double rainbow. So joyous in the sky!

Eithne O’Dea

Eithne O’Dea – ‘Night and Day’

When I thought about the exhibition theme, ‘Opposites Attract’, the term ‘Night and Day’ came into my mind- you can’t have one without the other. The recent solar eclipse developed this thought further, and the fanciful image of the Moon passing the Sun was born!

Eva Salamon

Eva Salamon – ‘Law of Nature’

Something new is always born out of decay: Death follows Life, and Life follows Death…

These two elements are constantly at work, form an eternal cycle, drawn to each other because they cannot exist without one another…

I dedicate this piece/artwork to my mother, who just returned to this cycle.

Juliane Gorman

Juliane Gorman – ‘Balancing’

My artwork, ‘Balancing’, delves into the dual nature of our dependence on oil. Just as opposites attract, our reliance on oil draws us in with promises of convenience, power, and economic prosperity while simultaneously repelling us with the ecological devastation and social inequality it perpetuates. Through my piece of felted headwear, I encourage reflection on this complex relationship and the need for sustainability.

We hope that you enjoyed learning about what inspires these artists. ‘Opposites Attract’ is at the Phoenix Park Visitors Centre until the 26th of May.

The gallery is open from 10 AM until 4 PM daily.

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Exhibition: More Members’ Inspirations

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland6 Comments

What inspires an artist? Read on to discover how the theme ‘Opposites Attract’ inspired these Feltmakers Ireland members.

The Series

The complete series of posts on our Members’ Inspiration can be found here:

  1. Includes: Sandra Reynolds, Sandra Coote, Patricia Conroy, Hélène Dooley, Maria Mc Garry, and Audry Murray.
  2. Includes: Astrid Tomrop-Hofmann, Breda Fay, Lory Cotti Cottini, Neasa Ryan, Ramona Farrelly, and Ursula Heiting-Wiese.
  3. Includes: Heather Byrne, Tamzen Lundy, Bernie Hennessy, Adrienne Dempsey, and Joanne Turner.
  4. Includes: Claire Merry, Caitríona Nolan, Margaret Ryan Collins, Caoimhe Tuthill, and Fiona Leech.
  5. Includes: Jane Fox, Elizabeth Redding, Joanne Foley, Sandra Chase, and Loli Cox.
  6. Includes: Valerie Nowak-O’Ceallaigh, Helena Mc Guinness, Eithne O’Dea, Eva Salamon, and Juliane Gorman.
  7. Includes: Irina Lampadova, Karena Ryan, Annika Berglund, Marie Dunne, Elaine Peden, and Marika Miklosi Manning.

Jane Fox

Jane Fox – ‘Wool Moth – Garden Tiger’

The idea of creating a moth in wool came about after I was thinking about what the opposite of feltmaking is and what do textile artists really dislike or fear.

Many people are only familiar with the clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella) or house moth (Endrosis sarcitrella) but don’t realise that there are over 1400 species of moths in Ireland, including the beautiful Garden Tiger (Arctia caja). Only two of these moths will eat your clothes. Many are large and colourful but only come out at night, so they are seldom seen.

Sadly, there is a trend towards the use of plastic grass, non-native plants and paving, which has led to a significant decline in these important pollinators.

Elizabeth Redding

Elizabeth Redding – ‘Day and Night’

I chose the theme of ‘Day and Night’ as opposites, as each attracts their own. The daytime sun attracts butterflies, bees, birds, and flowers. The moon at night attracts many nocturnal animals and birds.

Joanne Foley

Joanne Foley – ‘Pebbles’

In my felt art for this ‘Opposites Attract’ exhibition, l explored the profound bond that l had with my beloved dog Pebbles, who sadly passed away a year ago. Upon her passing, l preserved a portion of her fur with the intention of some day crafting a poignant felted portrait which l would felt her fur into.

The theme of this exhibition resonated deeply with me, providing the perfect impetus to embark on this heartfelt creation.

Unlike the docile nature of sheep, Pebbles was a spirited and independent soul, who possessed an unwavering individuality. She was very much her own ‘dog’ and would make up her mind very determinedly about what other canines she liked and didn’t, much to my great embarrassment.

This piece serves as a testament to her beautiful, unique character and is a tribute to my cherished companion, Pebbles, who touched my life in so many ways and whom I miss dearly.

Sandra Chase

Sandra Chase – ‘Best Friends’

These best friends have very different, even opposite personalities. The dog chases, and the cat runs. On arrival home, the dog shows excitement of your return by jumping, dancing in circles, and paying you lots of attention. The cat will show you that she appreciates your presence but in a quieter, less excited way. In the right environment, they put their differences aside and become Best Friends.

Loli Cox

Loli Cox – ‘Yin Yang Ewe’

‘Yin Yang Ewe’ was inspired by the belief that everything in the universe consists of two forces that are opposing but complementary. One cannot exist without the other, but together, the black and white sheep create an idyllic Irish countryside.

We hope that you enjoyed learning about what inspires these artists. ‘Opposites Attract’ is at the Phoenix Park Visitors Centre until the 26th of May.

The gallery is open from 10 AM until 4 PM daily.

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Education: Leiko Uchiyama Workshop – Bagenalstown In Bloom

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Bagenalstown in Bloom, now in its third year, features flower-arranging workshops and displays, helpful tips to make the perfect hanging basket, and garden tours of the wonderful Barrow Experience Gardens in the BEAM Centre on Sunday. The festival programme also includes demonstrations of woodturning, Borris Lace, and live music. In addition, several workshops are offered: Feltmakers Ireland guild member Leiko Uchiyama is teaching TWO wet felting workshops as part of the event. In both classes, students will experience the unique way of making three-dimensional objects seamlessly and colour mixing with wool fibre.

The morning class is on Saturday, the 15th of June 2024, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. (2 hours).

The afternoon class is on the same day from 1:00 – 4:00 PM. (3 hours).

For more information on her morning class, visit here on Eventbrite – https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/workshop-wet-felting-a-leiko-uchiyama-tickets-884369181027

For more information on her afternoon class, visit here on Eventbrite – https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/workshop-wet-felting-b-leiko-uchiyama-tickets-884370825947

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.