Pictured: Feltmatters co-Host Heather Potten as she interviews Vivienne Morpeth and Alun Kirby about their collaboration with Cyanotype and Nunofelting.
The International Feltmakers Association (IFA) has just released the first podcast of its third season: The Blueprint of Art: Cyanotype Meets Felt. In this episode, Heather Potten interviews her co-host, Vivienne Morpeth, and artist Alun Kirby about their collaboration with Cyanotype and Nunofelting.
As always, the FeltMatters podcast is fascinating, as they discuss the trial-and-error process, artistic exploration, and the interplay between established techniques and modern art forms.
Pictured: Poster for upcoming online course – ‘The Magid of Natural Dyes & Cyanotype Printing’ with Ashleigh Ellis.
Unrelated to the IFA’s podcast, there is a timely opportunity to study cyanotype printing on paper, fabric, and other substrates with Irish artist and instructor Ashleigh Ellis. The course, ‘The Magic of Natural Dyes & Cyanotype Printing,‘ combines Cyanotype with Natural Dyeing to create further colourways.
The Welcome Module opens on the 19th of March, and the Live Zoom is on the 26th of March, at 4 PM. There are five live Zoom sessions, all of which are recorded and sent to students.
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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Artist Stephanie Robison combines stone carving with needle felting to create playful sculptures in which wool appears hard and stone appears soft. She is currently having a solo exhibition at the Marrow Gallery in San Francisco, USA. Titled “Incantations for the Average Person”, her work has been described as “What Happens When Stone and Wool Have a Party?” by We and the Color online magazine.
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 Sunday, the 9th of March, a dedicated group of twenty Feltmakers Ireland members attended our Sunday Session. Five members joined the rest of us via Zoom. We enjoyed learning about the processes and challenges of creating artwork for our exhibition, ‘Symbols of Ireland’.
The nine artists discussed techniques such as wet felting, needle felting, free-motion stitching, hand embroidery, stiffeners, and mixed media and shared their challenges.
In order of appearance –
Marie Hopkins
Marie Hopkins ‘An Tigín’ – detail image.
Guild member Marie Hopkins shared about creating her detailed cottage scene, ‘An Tigín’, which contains wet and needle felting techniques and even a bit of woodworking! She has a background in architectural model-making, which is clearly demonstrated in all the tiny details.
Marie Hopkins – March Sunday Session
Marie Hopkins- showing the wool collected from the Curragh plains in Co Kildare, and processed by friends.
Elizabeth Redding
Elizabeth Redding’s ‘Seaside Cottage’
Committee member Elizabeth Redding used Romney wool from her neighbour, Minister Pippa Hackett. Initially, she wanted to use the ‘cracked mud technique’, but then her design evolved, and she used a combination of wet felting for the base and needle felting for the details. She dyed her wool using instructions from the guild’s book ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’ instructions.
Photo of Elizabeth’s piece with a rough sketch and a version of her needlefelted cottage in the foreground.Another sketch showing how she how she initially arranged her design. She later transformed the elements into a Shamrock arrangement.Elizabeth holding up a needle felted cottage which is the focal point of her piece.
Annika Berglund
Annika Berglund’s piece – ‘Baile’ – Home.
In October, committee member Annika Berglund attended an in-person workshop with tutor Gladys Paulus. The students focussed on perfecting the wet-felting technique of their choice; Annika chose the ‘Cracked Mud Technique’. She said that previously, the “Edges {of her samples} were not nice”. Using knowledge gained in the workshop, she created a segment of pieces for her solo show, ‘Tapestry‘, at the Olivier Cornet Gallery, which was exhibited in November 2024.
In addition to showing us squares with the cracked mud technique, she shared a very finished-looking circular sample. She did not submit the completed version of this piece because it was slightly larger (by 2 centimetres) than the maximum width requirement for submissions.
Annika shares some earlier samples.More ‘Cracked Mud Samples’The sample for the piece she did not submit.
Eva Salamon
Closeup of Eva Salamon’s ‘Fairy and hare’.
Guild member Eva Salamon generously brought many sketches, partial samples, armatures, a completed sculpture, and photographs to show her process. Her piece is needle felted, with the fairy’s cloak being wet felted. It is genuinely a mixed-media artwork, which fascinated us.
She explained how she no longer needs to plan as much as did when she was still learning.More sketches.The ‘Shaman’ has some of the same techniques as her piece in the exhibition.Some of her previous projects – Trolls.Eva holding up a wire armature and a photo of her piece.Brian and Wendy Froud’s ‘Trolls’ which has been an inspiration to Eva.
Lorna Cady
Committee member Lorna Cady had us laughing at what she didn’t finish in time to submit to the exhibition. Many of us can relate to her ‘Mislaid Plans’ for the past three years. Her current project, ‘Soft Border,’ is a piece she started while invigilating at the exhibition.
Lorna’s WIP ‘ Soft Border’Simmel Cake Facts
Amanda Robinson Kelly
Amanda Robinson Kelly’s ‘Felted Roots’.
Guild member Amanda Robinson Kelly explained that she has previously created many pieces using free-motion stitching. For this technique, she uses dissolvable backing, fabric, and thread. For her exhibition piece, she included felting and used the wool roving on hand, fortuitously in the colours of the Irish flag.
Amanda shared about her process.
Fiona Leech
Fiona Leech’s ‘Tears of Hope’.
Guild memberFiona Leech amazed us with the scale of her resist, which was made from thin underfloor laminate. Her fibres encased it for her most ambitious project yet. Fiona’s vessel features six layers of wet-felted Galway carded wool from Cushendale Woollen Mills. The piece was so large that she had to rinse out the soap in the bathtub, and it took a whole week to dry!
Committee memberJuliane Gorman shared how sometimes it is necessary to change one’s design. Because she included lots of thick felt in the bottom half of her double brim, she was unable to shrink it down. So, she had to chop it off and hand-sew in millinery wire to make it work.
Juliane shows us the resist she used is the same as the one for the hat she is wearing.
Helena Mc Guinness
Helena Mc Guinness’s ‘Round Tower’.
Guild member Helena Mc Guinness shared how she combined raw wool from Carlow with other types of wool to create her piece. She worked on her needlefelted project while she was travelling and received many curious questions!
Apologies: The photographer forgot to take photos while Helena presented her work.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Sunday Session was a celebration of creativity and a rich exchange of knowledge and inspiration. From discovering new materials and techniques to learning about hidden resources like free creative spaces in local libraries, everyone left with fresh ideas and valuable connections. Special thanks to Helena McGuinness for sharing her experience creating art in the reservable rooms of Ballyfermot Library—proof that feltmaking can flourish in the most unexpected places.
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.
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.
Join the European Craft Alliance (ECA) for a series of individual events that explore the evolving landscape of the craft sector from the intersection of creativity, entrepreneurship, and social inclusion. One can book for all three or just one event.
‘Unveiling the Potential of the Craft Sector. A Study of Production and Business Opportunities’
‘Understanding the New Technological Context for Craftsmanship’
Wed, 2 Apr 2025, 11 AM CET
This presentation explores integrating digital design and fabrication technologies in the European craft sector. It will highlight the opportunities and challenges faced by craftspeople, including the barriers to adopting new technologies.
‘Crafting Social: How Creativity and Entrepreneurship Can Foster Social Inclusion’
Tue, 8 April 2025, 11 AM CET
This event explores how the creativity and entrepreneurship inherent in crafts contribute to social inclusion. It explores how various crafts economically empower people with disabilities, individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, and other vulnerable groups while supporting mental health and well-being.
The European Crafts Alliance’s Instagram – @eca.crafts
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.
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.
Photo of in-process eco printing for fabric to be Nunofelted.
The previously scheduled topic for this Sunday’s Session has been changed.
Our session with Clodagh Mac Donagh will now occur during our April Sunday Session. The March Sunday Session will be devoted to our members’ behind-the-scenes experience creating artwork for the ‘Symbols of Ireland’ exhibition.
Behind the Scenes
We invite members to bring the samples, sketches or resists that led up to the creation of the exhibited pieces. We would love to hear about the creative challenges you encountered—whether it was perfecting a technique, sourcing materials, or reworking an idea.
We also warmly welcome members who could not submit a piece for the exhibition—whether due to time constraints or works that did not fit within the exhibition guidelines. Your creative journey is equally valuable, and we’d love to hear about your experiences.
To ensure everyone has the opportunity to share, each member will have a limited time to present their work and reflections.
Additional Details
When: THIS Sunday, the 9th of March, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Complimentary tea and coffee will be served at this Sunday’s Session. Home-baked goods to share are always welcome! If you can, please bring a travel cup or mug to decrease our use of one-time cups.
As a member perk for 2025, we no longer charge 5 euros per session.
As this is the season of coughs and sneezes, we would prefer if you do not share these. Please do not attend if you may be unwell.
We will have Zoom access to this Sunday’s Session, which will be emailed to members today, Friday, the 7th of March.
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.
Catalogue for Feltmakers Ireland’s exhibition, ‘Symbols of Ireland’.
On Sunday, the 2nd of March, First Lady Sabina Higgins launched Feltmakers Ireland’s exhibition, ‘Symbols of Ireland’. To accompany the show, we created an online catalogue to share with the Office of the President, the 47 artists involved, our members, and the public.
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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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Dr Niki Collier’s Symbols of Mobility is a multidisciplinary, ambitious body of work that explores mobility as a change of state or place. The exhibition incorporates large-scale felt sculptures, film, and photography. The work is informed by exploring bird lore in proverbs, fairytales, and intangible cultural traditions.
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.
First Lady Sabina Higgins looking at Claire Merry’s ‘Hares in the Meadow’
Dublin, Ireland: Over 400 attendees gathered at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre for the opening of ‘Symbols of Ireland’, a stunning exhibition from Feltmakers Ireland.
First Lady Sabina Higgins, wife of President Michael D Higgins, officially opened the event with an inspiring address, marking a celebration of Irish craftsmanship and sustainability.
The exhibition featured the work of 47 guild members, showcasing many pieces crafted from Irish-raised wool fibre.
Mrs Higgins expressed her awe in her speech, saying, “I’m overwhelmed. I really haven’t seen a felt exhibition before… I have seen individual pieces in craft shops, but I haven’t ever seen anything like THIS! The innovation of the felt, how it is made from the start, is incredible.”
She went on to recommend transferring the exhibition to the National Gallery of Ireland, underscoring its cultural importance.
As Patron of the Wool in Schools Program, Mrs Higgins highlighted wool’s role as a sustainable material, noting its durability and self-cleaning properties. She also connected the exhibition’s themes to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals, calling them “the 10 Commandments of our times.” To learn more about the Goals, visit here – https://sdgs.un.org/goals
‘Symbols of Ireland’ was open to the public at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre until the 30th of March, 2025. Visiting hours were 10 AM to 4 PM, Wednesday through Sunday, with free admission.
The Exhibition
Entering the Exhibition
Sabina Higgins and Loli Cox viewing Amanda Robinson Kelly’s artwork
Loli and our chairperson, Deirdre Carroll
The Committee. Left to right, Juliane Gorman, Deirdre Carroll, First Lady Sabina Higgins, Suzanne, Phelan, Lorna Cady (in front row), Annika Berglund in back row, Loli Cox, Adrienne Dempsey, and Elizabeth Redding. (Sam Fagan missing from photo)
Mrs Higgins talking with Lorna McCormack, head of Wool in Schools. Arwork by Heather Byrne
Mrs Higgins and Loli viewing Annika Berglund and Sandra Chase’s artwork
If you are unable to come to Dublin, we have an online version of the exhibition via our catalogue – Catalogue- Symbols of Ireland
The Poster
The exhibition ran from Wednesday, the 5th of March, to Sunday, the 30th of March 30th, 2025, at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre Gallery. Please note: the Centre is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
The artwork featured on the exhibition poster is ‘Brigid’s Legacy’ by Jane Fox.
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.
