How will crafts shape the future of Europe’s economy? The European Crafts Alliance Annual Conference 2025: ‘Positioning Crafts in the Contemporary Economy’ will explore this question.
Date: Thursday, the 4th of September Time: 9:30 CET (online), {8:30 Irish Time} 9:00 (onsite) Location: Litteraturhuset, Oslo & Online
This hybrid conference, co-hosted by @eca.crafts & @norwegiancrafts, will explore the fundamental economic challenges and opportunities for craftspeople, offer practical strategies for collaboration from the Nordic Network, present new perspectives on the social and cultural value of craft, and examine how craftspeople are integrating technology with traditional skills to create innovative and economically viable work.
Featuring:
Rosa Muñoz, Brand and trends consultant @thisisohayo
The event will be livestreamed on the ECA YouTube Channel, with the broadcast starting at 9.30 CET. They recommend joining the stream a few minutes early. Online attendees are invited to participate actively in polls and the live Q&A session using the interactive tools provided.
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For feltmakers looking to work with more Irish-raised wool, there’s a special opportunity this week. Texel-cross wool, sourced from Margaret of Kilmullen Farm in Wicklow and carefully cleaned by Feltmakers Ireland guild member Katarina of WoolStoreIE, is on sale.
According to our book ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’, Texel-cross is particularly well-suited for needlefelting, so this is a great chance to try something new with local fibre.
This Friday, bundles will be available at €7 each (regularly €9) or 3 for €20.
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These courses are not feltmaking specifically, but they may be of interest to add to one’s textile-related skills. The Joomchi workshops are in Dublin, and the Paper Casting Workshop is online.
2 in-person Joomchi Workshops in Dublin
Art in Layers is offering two in-person workshops in September on how to create Joomchi, which is a traditional Korean paper-crafting technique that involves layering hanji (Korean mulberry paper) by hand.
“In this class, you’ll learn the meditative process of bonding paper fibers without adhesives, creating stunning pieces with depth and dimension. Perfect for all skill levels, joomchi offers a beautiful way to explore texture, color, and form while connecting with a centuries-old craft.” – from the Art in Layers website.
The Surface Design Association (SDA) offers an online paper casting course taught by Leah Aegerter.
In this foundational paper-making workshop, students transform pulp into unique cast-paper sculptures. Starting with dry abaca pulp, they will delve into the process of reconstituting, blending, dyeing, and casting sheets using a traditional mould and deckle. Abaca paper is characterised by long fibres with impressive wet strength, making it ideal for manipulation. Students mould wet sheets onto objects at home, around the studio, or in the environment. This method of papermaking and casting exemplifies a DIY approach to adapting the traditional craft for a personal studio setting, as described on the Surface Design Association website.
When: Three live Zoom sessions in October/November, with recordings available for a year.
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From Róisín de Buitléar’s Instagram @CEIRD_ The Irish word for craft is Crinniú na Ceirde – Gathering craft. These are words used to tie our cultural identity to our craft, as seen at an event at the RDS earlier in the year, when over 200 craftspeople gathered for Crinniú na Ceirde to begin unravelling an Identity for Irish Craft.
It highlights that craftspeople form a vibrant community, creating a unique micro-industry comprised of skilled and passionate individuals who are eager to connect. We make significant contributions to education and tourism, and are an integral part of Ireland’s cultural identity. Yet, many traditional crafts practised today are not financially viable and therefore fall outside the scope of government enterprise-based craft schemes, leaving them without adequate support. This lack of recognition poses a threat to their sustainability, with many crafts at risk of disappearing altogether. Despite this, their cultural and social contributions to the economy are substantial—though currently unmeasured and undervalued.
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The Design and Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCI) is now accepting registrations for this year’s Design Week, which takes place from November 17th to 21st.
The DCCI invites designers, makers, educators, and creatives across Ireland to apply for funding to run events that reflect this year’s theme: “The ties that tie, and the links that link”
Your event can be a talk, exhibition, open studio, workshop or other activity.
The deadline for applications is the 12th of September, 2025.
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.
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On a bright sunny day in Dublin, Feltmakers Ireland members held an ‘Introduction to Wet Felting Workshop’ at the CIE Sports and Social Hall in Inchicore on Sunday, the 17th of August. Our event was part of August Craft Month, and also part of National Heritage Week, which runs from August 16th to 24th.
The aim of our event was to introduce participants to the art of wet felting and provide hands-on experience in creating a felted vessel. The skills gained included an understanding of the felting process, tactile engagement, creative confidence, and the joy of having fun.
Selecting fibreLaying out the woolStudent felting
Two sessions were held, with 12 participants attending the first session from 11 AM to 1 PM and 8 participants attending the second session from 1 PM to 3 PM. All participants were provided with wool and the equipment needed to felt a vessel using a choice of colours. Guild member Annika Berglund gave a demonstration on starting the process before the participants went to their positions, where they were assisted in completing the process by members of Feltmakers Ireland.
Annika demonstratingAnnika wetting the fibreAnnika rolling the felt
Photos of the students felting away.
In addition to the hands-on wet felting workshop, guild member Margaret Ryan Collins shared about Irish wool. She demonstrated how to card wool from Irish sheep’s fleece, showing that the wool could be used for felting or knitting. A few years ago, Feltmakers Ireland successfully self-published a book on felting with Irish wool, titled ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking.’ This book is available for purchase on our website – https://feltmakersireland.com/exploring-irish-wool-for-feltmaking/
As part of our Open Day, we showcased the sample board from our research on Irish Wool. It shows how specific breeds of sheep’s wool can be needle-felted and wet-felted.
Samples wet felted and needle felted from the sheep breeds tested for our book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’.
Guild member Eva Salamon demonstrated how to needle-felt her fantasy figures. Hilary shared some of her works-in-progress.
Hillary and EvaEva
Several members displayed their felted creations.
Annika, Irina, Marie, and Elizabeth demonstrated and helped participants to create wet-felted vessels. The verbal feedback from the participants was very positive, and each person left with a completed vessel.
Annika and some of the students share their felted vessels.
Isha from the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland and photographer Sasko arrived to view the workshop. They were very interested in the various pieces on display and the processes demonstrated by the members.
In conclusion, Feltmakers Ireland’s Open Day successfully engaged participants in the creative process of wet felting, enabling them to express their artistic side. It was a great day and a great success.
Adrienne and Deirdre welcoming students
Thanks to the members of Feltmakers Ireland who helped on the day. Thank you to Sam Fagan and Margaret for the photographs. Additional appreciation to Sam, Annika, and Lorna, who organised a very successful event. Feltmakers Ireland is grateful for the support received from the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland.
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.
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This was our third year exhibiting and demonstrating at the Tullamore Show. The day started off misty, but soon cleared to a warm sunny day. As before, we were in the Craft tent. We got a large area, so we were able to set up a nice display of our five members’ work. We also had room for a needle felting demonstration and a wet felting demonstration, which we took turns in doing.
We had a great interest in both types of felting. Both young and old were fascinated by the magic of wool turning into felt with just soap and water. Many questions were asked about Feltmakers Ireland, what we do, where and when we meet.
As Tullamore Show hosts the All-Ireland finals in many categories, we had people from all over Ireland and further afield. All in all, it was a very enjoyable day, and the organiser of the Craft tent expressed a wish that we return next year!
Editor’s Note: Many thanks to Elizabeth Redding for coordinating Feltmakers Ireland’s event at the Tullamore Show. Additional thanks to the members who donated their time and shared their skills at the show: Belinda, Karen, Mary, and Caitríona.We truly appreciate your help!
Every year, the Olivier Cornet Gallery invites an artist to reflect on one of their works in the context of the theme chosen by the National Heritage Week organisation. The theme this year is about “Exploring Our Foundations”, so they have asked David Fox to consider his painting ‘The Ridge of Capard’.
The discussion will take place on Thursday, the 21st of August 2025, at 6:30 PM.
David Fox will be joined by some of the artists whose work features in our current group show, ‘Out of Lines’. They will also say a few words about their work. The artists confirmed so far are Annika Berglund, Hugh Cummins, Colin Eaton, Nickie Hayden, Miriam McConnon, Yanny Petters and Vicky Smith.
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Join Fibreshed Ireland in West Cork this August Craft Month 2025 for a hands-on, drop-in workshop exploring the ancient craft of transforming flax into linen!
Discover the fascinating journey of this humble plant—from seed to fabric—and the traditional tools and techniques used along the way: rippling, scutching, hackling, spinning and weaving.
Join Kathy Kirwan, who has spent years studying and reviving traditional flax-processing methods, for a hands-on workshop. You’ll see the stages of flax processing and learn about flax’s role in regenerative farming, crop rotation, and its many uses—from sustainable textiles to ropes, composites, and more.
Sonia from Kilcoe Studios will be making paper and rope from flax and organising games and activities with children outside, inspired by traditional games. All ages are welcome to share their memories of games they played.
Flax to Linen demonstrations – all day
Paper making and rope making – 12:00 – 3 PM
Heritage Games for children outdoors – 3 – 6 PM
Drop in anytime throughout the day! No booking or experience needed. FREE! Supported by the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland.
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.
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Explore the wonders of the world of wool. Creating sustainable clothing from wool is an ancient art. At this event, Fibreshed Ireland will share about how farmers can prepare their fleece to achieve better yields from their clip. There will be drop spindle lessons and spinning wheel demonstrations, as well as workshops in weaving, crochet, and knitting for both children and adults. There will also be demonstrations of wool carding and preparation, as well as a talk on natural dyes. Additionally, there will be a talk on Galway wool and Irish native breeds.
There will also be an exhibition of local photographs and a display of farm gates.
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.
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