Author: Feltmakers Ireland

Sunday Session

THIS Sunday: ‘Heart on Your Sleeve’ – Wet & Needle Felting with Helena Mc Guinness

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Poster for a felting workshop titled 'Heart on Your Sleeve' on a colourful background, featuring a heart shape and details about the session led by Helena Mc Guinness.
Artwork on poster from Helena Mc Guinness

THIS Sunday, the 8th of February, we will have our second Sunday Session of 2026.

Committee member Helena Mc Guinness will lead us in creating small hearts, using both wet and needle felting techniques. The Theme is ‘Heart on Your Sleeve’.

Please bring your wet and needle felting kits. The committee will have extra felting needles for those who do not have them, along with ball brauses (sprinklers).

We will also provide Merino wool. But if you have specific colours you prefer to use, it would be helpful to bring them along.

Your Wet Felting Kit should include:

  • an old towel to catch water, plus a smaller one to dry your hands
  • bubble wrap
  • bowl for water
  • felting soap of your choice
  • sprinkler or ball brause

Your Needle Felting Kit should include:

  • felting needles
  • sponge or brush or needle felting pad to felt into
A handmade felt heart with vibrant purple, orange, and pink colours, featuring a metal ring attached for hanging or keychain use.

The Details:

When: Sunday, the 8th of February, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

Where: CIE Sports Hall, Library Square, Inchicore, Kilmainham, Dublin, D8

Additional Information:

If you can, please bring a home-baked treat to share and a travel mug (to reduce our use of disposable cups).

And, as this is the season of coughs and sneezes, please refrain from coming if you feel unwell. We do have the benefit of technology – there will be access via Zoom, although it is not quite as lovely as being with us in person.

Zoom Access to the Sunday Session:

We will email the Zoom link to all members on this afternoon

Membership Renewal:

If you have already renewed your annual membership, we thank you for your support!

If you still need to renew, you can do so quickly and easily by visiting our Membership Page online: https://feltmakersireland.com/membership-application/

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: Business Development Courses – Local Enterprise Offices

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Map highlighting various Local Enterprise Offices across Ireland, showing their locations with markers.

There are 31 Local Area Enterprise Offices (LEO) in Ireland, which support people interested in starting a new business or already in business.

LEO offer courses in the following subjects:

  • Starting a Business
  • Financial Management
  • Technology
  • Online Marketing
  • Social Media and AI
  • Computerised Bookkeeping
  • Business Planning

Many craftspeople and makers have taken the ‘Start Your Own Business’ courses and recommend them. The courses length and cost vary depending on location.

Here is a link that shows a map of the various LEO offices – https://www.localenterprise.ie/find-your-local-enterprise-office/

In general, participants are expected to attend courses run by their local LEO. That being said, the various offices offer different selections. Some offer courses online, while some others have in-person courses. Mentoring and financial supports, such as grants must come from one’s local LEO.

Our editor subscribes to three of the 4 local Dublin LEO’s free email newsletters; she has observed that the Fingal LEO offers the greatest selection of subjects of interest to artisans/craftspeople.

Here are two upcoming one-day classes from the FIngal LEO that may be of interest –

Promotional graphic for an online workshop on selling food and craft products at markets and pop-ups, featuring a colourful stall display with merchandise, including bags, clothing, and artwork.

These short, practical LEO sessions focus on real-world selling opportunities and online platforms that are especially relevant for makers looking to grow their businesses.

So, if you are interested in learning more about developing your business, subscribe to the e-newsletter of your Local Enterprise Office.

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: “Listen to the Land Speak” – West Cork Creates Exhibition – Cnoc Buí Community Arts Centre

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Promotional graphic for 'West Cork Creates', featuring an open call for 2026 titled 'Listen to the Land Speak'.

The West Cork Creates (WCC) committee’s 16th Visual Arts Exhibition, “Listen to the Land Speak”, will run from 1st to 16th of August 2026.

The “Listen to the Land Speak” exhibition will be a tribute to the work and ideas of the late Manchán Magan, who honoured us with a knowledgeable and heartfelt opening speech for the 2018 WCC exhibition.

Listen to the Land Speak is a book (and RTE documentary) about “exploring Ireland’s deep connection to its natural landscape, uncovering ancient myths, ancestral wisdom, and ecological lessons embedded in its bogs, rivers and trees, revealing how these elements shaped Irish identity and offer profound insights for today. It’s a journey to understand the life-sustaining wisdom beneath our feet and reconnect with nature’s rhythms, tracing the footsteps of our ancestors who lived in deep harmony with the land.”

You can view Magan’s RTE programme here – https://www.rte.ie/player/series/listen-to-the-land-speak/10001901-00-0000?epguid=IP10001902-01-0001

Details

Craftspeople, fine artists and designers are invited to respond to the theme and produce innovative work (individual or collaborative) for the WCC exhibition.

Approximately 45 participants will be selected from the applications received.

Where: Cnock Buí Community Arts Centre is located in Union Hall, West Cork, P81 X274

Deadline: Sunday, the 1st of March 2026 at 5 PM.

For more information, visit their website – https://www.westcorkcreates.com/

Their Instagram @westcorkcreates @@cnocbuiarts

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.

Exhibitions: Two Members have Work in Group Shows

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Feltmakers Ireland members exhibit their artwork in group and solo shows.

Two of our members have artwork in exhibitions.

FGU Art Group

An invitation card for the opening of the 'Waterways Dublin 8' art exhibition by the FGU Art Group, featuring a collage of water-themed illustrations including ducks and swans, with event details.

Helena Mc Guinness has artwork in ‘Waterways Dublin 8’. She is part of a group exhibition of artists who create with the Fatima Groups United Family Resource Centre.

When: The show opens this Friday, the 7th, and runs through February.

Monday: Closed, Tuesdays through Saturdays: 9 AM – 7 PM, and Sundays: 11 AM – 6 PM.

Where: Small Changes, 120 Emmet Rd, Inchicore, Dublin 8, D08 Y962

Changing Ireland Galleries

A Crolly Doll named Moira in a striped dress, accompanied by its packaging displaying the name and description.

Helena also recalls her ‘Crolly Doll’ at the exhibition ‘Changing Ireland: Changing Stories’ at the Decorative Arts & Military History Museum of the National Museum of Ireland.

Where: Collins Barracks, Benburb St, Stoneybatter, Dublin 7, D07 XKV4

If you are unable to see the exhibition in person, you can read about her recollections on their website – https://www.museum.ie/en-IE/Museums/Decorative-Arts-History/Projects/Changing-Ireland-Changing-Stories/Helena-McGuinness

And you can listen to Helena, here – https://ci-tour.nmi.eu/1/635/15123/index.html

Made in Wicklow

Image gallery image

Sharon Wells has sculpture, wall art, and wearable art in Made in Wicklow’s ‘Head, Heart & Hands’ group exhibition, which has the work of 41 members of the organisation.

Free entry to the show. 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

When: the 31st of January through the 8th of February.

Where: The Entrance Hall, Powerscourt House, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow, A98 W0D0

For more information, visit the Made in Wicklow website – https://madeinwicklow.com/powerscourt-2026/

Their Instagram – @made_in_wicklow @sharonwellsart

If you are a current member of Feltmakers Ireland and you have an upcoming exhibition or workshop, please get in touch with us at feltmakersIE@gmail.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.

Of Interest: Celebrate Feltuary 2026 – North East Feltmakers Guild

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
A promotional image for the Feltuary 2026 event by the NorthEast Feltmakers Guild, featuring a rural landscape with sheep, trees, and a barn. It includes a list of creative prompts for each day of February to inspire participants on Instagram.

The North East Feltmakers Guild (NEFG) is hosting its third year of FELTuary.

FELTUARY is a unique way to showcase felters’ work on social media. A prompt is provided each day in the month of February. Participants may be as literal or as abstract as they would like, and they do not need to post every day.

To take part, you do not need to be a member of NEFG, a US-based felting group. All are welcome.

Post your work each day according to the prompt. You can tag @northeastfeltmakersguild in your post and also use the hashtags #northeastfeltmakersguild or #Feltuary2026 to bring it to the attention of those following.

The first prompt on the 1st of February is the following: ‘Stitching and Wool’

NEFG’s website – https://www.nefguild.org/

Their Instagram – @northeastfeltmakersguild

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.

Sunday Session

Sunday Session: ‘Heart on Your Sleeve’ – Wet & Needle Felting with Helena Mc Guinness

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Poster for a felting workshop titled 'Heart on Your Sleeve' on a colourful background, featuring a heart shape and details about the session led by Helena Mc Guinness.
Artwork on poster from Helena Mc Guinness

On Sunday, the 8th of February, we will have our second Sunday Session of 2026.

Committee member Helena Mc Guinness will lead us in creating small hearts, using both wet and needle felting techniques. The Theme is ‘Heart on Your Sleeve’.

Please bring your wet and needle felting kits. The committee will have extra felting needles for those who do not have them, along with ball brauses (sprinklers).

We will also provide Merino wool. But if you have specific colours you prefer to use, it would be helpful to bring them along.

Your Wet Felting Kit should include:

  • an old towel to catch water, plus a smaller one to dry your hands
  • bubble wrap
  • bowl for water
  • felting soap of your choice
  • sprinkler or ball brause

Your Needle Felting Kit should include:

  • felting needles
  • sponge or brush of needle felting pad to felt into
A handmade felt heart with vibrant purple, orange, and pink colours, featuring a metal ring attached for hanging or keychain use.

The Details:

When: Sunday, the 8th of February, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

Where: CIE Sports Hall, Library Square, Inchicore, Kilmainham, Dublin, D8

Additional Information:

If you can, please bring a home-baked treat to share and a travel mug (to reduce our use of disposable cups).

And, as this is the season of coughs and sneezes, please refrain from coming if you feel unwell. We do have the benefit of technology – there will be access via Zoom, although it is not quite as lovely as being with us in person.

Zoom Access to the Sunday Session:

We will email the Zoom link to all members on the afternoon of Friday, the 6th of February.

Membership Renewal:

If you have already renewed your annual membership, we thank you for your support!

If you still need to renew, you can do so quickly and easily by visiting our Membership Page online: https://feltmakersireland.com/membership-application/

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: Heritage Sheep Farming and the Business of Irish Wool – with Blátnaid Gallagher and Jean Long – Ballymaloe Cookery School – Co Cork

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
A close-up of yarn balls in various shades, including red and pink, alongside a knitted garment on a checkered tablecloth, with a 'Farm School Course' button featured.

The Ballymaloe Cookery School has a one-day, in-person course on Heritage Sheep Farming and the Business of Irish Wool.

From the website – “The majority of Irish sweaters are not made with Irish wool, they are just knitted in Ireland- a fact which many people are unaware of. The reason for this is more complex than you may expect; both Blátnaid Gallagher, Founder of the Galway Wool Coop, and Jean Long, Master Hand Knitter, have made it their business to understand why and advocate for a change.

This 1-day course will unpack this issue and invite you to learn from and respect what farmers like Blatnaid and craftspeople like Jean are doing in the restoration of heritage breeds like Galway Sheep and in creating demand within the business of Irish Wool.”

In addition, there will be the following:

  • Tour of the organic farm, gardens and greenhouses
  • Hands-on learning through working with Irish Wool and learning the forgotten skill of hand knitting 

When: Tuesday, the 3rd of March, 9:30 AM – 5 PM.

Where: Ballymaloe Cookery School, Shanagarry North, Co Cork, P25 R274

For more information and to register, visit the website – https://www.ballymaloecookeryschool.ie/courses/the-business-and-beauty-of-irish-wool

@thegalwaywoolco_op @jeanmlong

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: ReStyle Ireland – 3 Regional Sustainable Fashion Events

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Promotional image for ReStyle Ireland featuring the event details and location: Dublin, Galway, and Cork.

ReStyle Ireland is seeking creatives for its upcoming sustainable fashion events, to be held in Dublin, Galway, and Cork.

“ReStyle Ireland showcases what a truly sustainable fashion future can look like – highlighting both traditional and innovative Irish solutions to the fast-fashion crisis. Their events give attendees the chance to learn, experience, and create, while discovering real alternatives to unsustainable consumer habits.”

They are seeking the following –

– Designers
– Craftspeople
– Traditional skills practitioners
– Instructors
– Social entrepreneurs
– Artists
– Models

To apply, fill out their survey and let them know your skills and interests – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3P97J8K?

Their Instagram: @restyle.ireland

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.

Recap - Sunday Session

Recap: FI-West January Sunday Session – Felted Flowers with Karen Bowden – Co Galway

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
A group of people participating in a felt-making session, creating felted flowers. They are gathered around a table with various colourful materials and tools. The setting is bright and casual, located in Co Galway.
Leader Karen Bowden is wearing the cream jumper with red cherries.

On Sunday, the 18th of January, Feltmakers Ireland-West met up in Tuam, Co Galway, for their Sunday Session.

Committee member Karen Bowden of Fabulous Fibres led them in creating Wet Felted Flowers.

To read the recap and see more photos, visit the Feltmakers Ireland-West blog – https://feltmakersireland-west.com/blog/

Feltmakers Ireland-West’s February Sunday Session on the 15th will be led by Katarina Hruskova, who will teach how to make needle-felted hearts, using Irish wool.

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.

2 Open Calls: On Creativity and Wellbeing – 1 for Artists and Makers & 1 for Researchers and Facilitators

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Graphic promoting an open call by Innlyte, featuring the words 'open call' in bold yellow typography on a dark green background.

InnLyte, a digital platform focused on creative wellbeing, has two Open Calls.

For Artists/Makers

The first Open Call is for artists/makers; InnLyte is currently booking for Season 2 for short documentary films.

To view the Studio Series interviews from Season 1, visit here on their website – https://innlyte.com/category/studio-series/

To apply to be part of their second season, visit here on their website – https://innlyte.com/open-call/

For Researchers/Facilitators

The second Open Call is for the InnLyte Creative Wellbeing Podcast, which will launch later this year. It is seeking researchers and facilitators to serve as guest speakers. They are “looking for unique reflections, evidence-based insights, and powerful stories on how the act of hands-on creative expression supports human flourishing.”

More information and the application can be found here – https://innlyte.com/call-for-experts-the-innlyte-creative-wellbeing-podcast/

Their Instagram @innlyte


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.