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Of Interest: EU CAP Network Focus Group – European Wool Report and 6 Mini Papers

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Close-up of sheep's faces with a focus on their features, accompanied by text discussing the EU CAP Network report on sustainable farming practices in the European wool value chain.

Via European Wool Exchange (EWE) Foundation’s Instagram:

“The final report of the EU CAP Network Focus Group, ‘Innovative and sustainable ways to strengthen the role of farmers in revitalising the European wool value chain ‘, is out.

Five strategic priorities run through the report: investment in infrastructure, stronger skills and training, a clearer identity for European wool through traceability and communication, support for innovation in both traditional and new applications, and stronger networking across Europe. Taken together, the findings show that European wool is still underused and undervalued, yet offers significant untapped opportunities for rural development, the circular bioeconomy, and resilient farming systems. Coordinated action is now needed to realise this potential in the future.”

There are also six so-called ‘Mini Papers’ (MP) to complement the report:

  • MP 1: A better market for European wool through certifications, traceability, and marketing tools
  • MP 2: Wool as an animal by-product: challenges and opportunities
  • MP 3: Wool improvement initiative: Collection, cooperation, and education
  • MP 4: European wool industry: history, current context, and future foundations
  • MP 5: Innovative uses of wool to support sheep farmers in the EU
  • MP 6: State of the art of the wool value chain in Europe

Here’s a link to the main report: https://eu-cap-network.ec.europa.eu/focus-groups-innovation-knowledge-exchange-and-eip-agri/focus-group-innovative-and-sustainable-ways-strengthen-role-farmers-revitalising-european-wool_en

The six Mini Papers are linked at the bottom of the above page.

Instagram: @ewe_foundation__


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: Be Featured in Irish Examiner’s Weekend – Christmas Gift Guide

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Red background with green Christmas tree graphic and text inviting submissions for the Irish Examiner's 2026 Christmas Gift Guide.

Journalist Denise O’Donoghue of the Irish Examiner is putting together a Christmas Gift Guide for Weekend, featuring as many Irish-made presents as she can possibly squeeze in.

If you own or love an Irish product, business, or service (thoughtful vouchers can make great gifts too), email Denise the details before the 16th of October to be considered for the 2026 gift guide.

A great opportunity to get some Irish-made goodness in front of Christmas shoppers!

Email: denise.odonoghue@examiner.ie

Include a short description, website links, and feel free to attach a photo.

Note: She may not be able to include every submission due to print space constraints, etc.

Her Instagram: @deniseodonoghue

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: Feltmakers Ireland West Meetup– Making Pre-Felt with Sandra Marschall – Co Galway – THIS Sunday

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
An assortment of colourful pre-felt materials arranged on a green surface, featuring various shapes and designs, with text promoting a workshop titled 'Making Pre-Felt' by Sandra Marschall at Gort Town Hall.

This Sunday, guild member Sandra Marschall will lead the Feltmakers Ireland West meetup.

We will learn about and create pre-felts.

When: Sunday, the 13th of September at 11 AM

Where: Gort Town Hall, Church Street, Gort, Co Galway, H91 E0C8

It will be a wet felting session, so please bring along the following as part of your kit:

  • Bubble wrap
  • Bowl & soap or sprayer
  • Foam roller or plastic pole
  • Towel
  • Wool for felting
  • Embellishments (yarn, cut felt, silk, etc)

For more information about Feltmakers Ireland West, a vibrant addition to our Guild, visit the website – https://feltmakersireland-west.com/

Instagram: @feltmakersirelandwest @sandraotte1973

Please note: The Dublin branch is NOT meeting this Sunday, but will meet on Sunday, the 20th of September for a Needle Felted Owl Workshop with Eva Salamon. This Sunday Session event is fully booked, but please email us to be added to the waiting list. 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 content-related questions, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.

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Of Interest: Fibreshed Ireland – ‘Homegrown, a day of Irish Fibres’ – at NCAD – Dublin Independent Fashion Week

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

As part of Dublin Independent Fashion Week, Fibreshed Ireland is hosting a day to show designers and makers what Irish-grown fibres are available.

The “Soil-to-Soil exhibition” features work from members of Fibreshed Ireland (which also includes makers who are members of Feltmakers Ireland).

Learn about the past, present, and future of linen on this island through a documentary and immersive VR experience.

Discover the power of 5% through a hands-on decorative stitches workshop, where attendees get a chance to craft their own signature detail to a garment, using only Irish-grown yarns.

When: Friday, the 11th of September
Where: Harry Clarke Lecture Hall, National College of Art and Design, 100 Thomas St, Usher’s Quay, Dublin, D08 K521

The exhibition and the Flax VR experience are open for viewing from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Schedule:
🔸 11:00 – 11:30 AM • ‘Flax: Threads of Time’ documentary screening (free, booking required)
🔸 12:00 – 2:00 PM • Cúpla Snaithe decorative stitches workshop (€20, limited capacity)
🔸 2:15 – 2:45 • ‘Flax: Threads of Time’ documentary screening (free, booking required)
🔸 3:00 – 5:00 PM • Cúpla Snaithe decorative stitches workshop (€20, limited capacity)

For more information and to book your spot for the documentary screening and/or the decorative stitching workshop, visit here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/fibreshedireland/2370412


“Homegrown: a day of Irish fibres” has been organised and produced by the following:

  • The Soil-so-Soil exhibition is made up of pieces by Fibreshed Ireland members.
  • Cúpla Snaithe is a project by Fibreshed Ireland member Eva Kerley.
  • The ‘Flax: Threads of Time’ documentary and VR experience was produced by Kathy Kirwan of the Flax Lín community group and Wombat Media.

The production and screening of the ‘Flax: Threads of Time’ documentary and VR experience have been supported by the Shared Island Civic Society Fund, managed by the Government of Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Instagram:  @fibreshed_ireland @dublin_ifw, @ncad_dublin @cuplasnaithe @evacktextiles @flax_lin @wombatmedia_ie @kathykirwan_theartofnature

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: Free Webinar on Research, Innovation & the Future of Irish Wool – this Friday

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

The Wool Hub for Research & Innovation has an upcoming webinar exploring how research, enterprise and collaboration can unlock new opportunities across the wool value chain.

Hosted by the Circular Bioeconomy Cluster at Munster Technological University, IRELAND, the webinar brings together researchers, businesses and other contributors working to increase the value, visibility and sustainable use of wool.

Through a series of short presentations, participants will hear about developments in nationally funded wool research and innovation; wool-focused research projects and resources; emerging activity within wool-based businesses and regional partnerships; lessons from the European Wool Day 2026 in Tralee; and international experience in developing more sustainable and resilient wool value chains.

The webinar marks the next phase in revitalising the Wool Hub for Research & Innovation, reconnecting people and organisations working across the wool value chain and identifying themes around which the Hub can support future knowledge exchange and collaboration.

The presentations will be followed by a short moderated discussion and audience Q&A, highlighting shared challenges, emerging opportunities and areas for further exploration.

This public event will be relevant to farmers, researchers, entrepreneurs, SMEs, designers, processors, policymakers and anyone interested in increasing the value and visibility of Irish-grown wool.

Feltmakers Ireland guild member, Katarina Hruskova of Woolstore Ireland, is one of the presenters.

When: Friday, the 11th of September at 10 AM (Irish time)

Register in advance: https://bit.ly/4yG1djZ

Instagram:  

@mtu_ie @cabr_centre @woolstoreireland @ulsteruni @hollandswolcollectief @ewe_foundation__

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: Loewe Foundation Craft Prize 2027

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

This year’s annual international Loewe Foundation Craft Prize is now accepting applications.

The Loewe Foundation Craft Prize celebrates “excellence, artistic merit and newness in modern craftsmanship.” From a shortlist of 30 artists, the panel of experts will select the winning entry, and the artist will receive a €50,000 prize. All finalist works will be presented in an exhibition in Europe, opening in spring 2027.

Even if you are not interested in applying, please do check out ‘The Room’, an archive of the previous winner and shortlisters of this fine craft award; there are over 3,200 pieces, and their work is inspiring.

One can limit the Category to ‘textiles’ in the advanced search section or to ‘Ireland’ in the Country section.

Submissions are open until the 15th of October, 2026.

For more information, visit their website –https://craftprize.loewe.com/en/craftprize2027

Their Instagram: @loewefoundation


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: 3 Members are Finalists for the Irish Made Awards – Irish Country Magazine

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

The annual Irish Made Awards, organised by Irish Country Magazine and sponsored by the Circle Club, are back. Now in its tenth year, the awards have proudly supported makers, creatives, and producers in Ireland by telling the stories of the people behind unique, Irish-made products. In past years, some of our members have been on the Shortlist.

This year, three of Feltmakers Ireland’s members are finalists for the Irish Made Awards.

  • FeltHappiness in the Accessories Category (member Juliane Gorman)
  • Karena Ryan Textiles in the Home Category (member Karena Ryan)
  • Rough Circle Studio in the Home Category (member Christine Jordan)

There are 13 categories in total. Voting runs until Sunday, midnight on the 6th of September.

If you can, please consider voting: https://irishcountrymagazine.ie/vote/

If you have already voted, we thank you!

Their Instagram @irishcountrymag @felthappiness @karenaryantextiles @roughcirclestudio

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: Lena Archbold Workshop – 1 Spot has Opened Up – NOW FULL

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UPDATE: The spot has been taken, and the workshop is now full.

Workshop with International Tutor Lena Archbold

Lena Archbold will teach a two-day workshop on creating a Reversible Tunic.

For more information and to register, please see this page on the Feltmakers Ireland West website – https://feltmakersireland-west.com/lena-archbold-masterclass/

The link to pay directly is here – https://buy.stripe.com/bJe4gy5UPcZV0qq9gcaZi0f

Note: This workshop is not suitable for beginners.

This workshop is for Feltmakers Ireland members only. One can join the guild here – 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.

Of Interest: Seam Collective – Sept Textile Love Challenge

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Textile by @helenmacritchie

Every September, Seam Collective, a contemporary textile collective in the Southwest UK, holds an online creative challenge to draw attention to textile artists. It is fun to see what other fibre artists share, and all are welcome to participate.

There are daily hashtags, along with #SeptTextileLove and #SeptTextileLove26

Additionally, there are weekly and monthly planners on their website, plus information about the group and its members: https://seamcollective.org/category/septtextilelove/

Their Instagram: @seam_collective

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: International Feltmakers Association’s Discovering Feltmaking Courses – Registration Open

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Via Feltmakers Ireland guild member Hélène Dooley, who is part of the Education Team of the International Feltmakers Association (IFA) and helps to administer their ‘Discovering Feltmaking’ courses.

Registration is now open for the International Feltmakers Association‘s five online felting courses. 

Each course commences on 1st October, and they are all fully supported within the virtual classroom by experienced mentors who check in daily to answer questions and provide their support over the two-month duration.  Course material is available indefinitely to students who, in addition to their spot in the virtual classroom, also have access to a private group within Facebook.  

Students can also purchase fibre packs which are relevant to the course they are taking.  

Below is a brief description of each course, with a link to videos and additional information:

  • Discovering Feltmaking 1 | Basics: Students make a series of samples from different breeds that guide them towards a clear understanding of how feltmaking works. Through sampling and slow felting, they learn about the variety of wool breeds and the different results that can be achieved from felting each one.  (link: https://www.feltmakers.com/discovering-feltmaking-1/ )
  • Discovering Feltmaking 2 |Colour: This course gives students the skills to blend their own hues, tints, and shades of wool. It covers essential colour theory, how to card using carding brushes, and students make  felt shade swatches for future reference.  After this, students explore soft and firm prefelt effects by creating inlay and mosaic design samples. (link: https://www.feltmakers.com/discovering-feltmaking-2-2/ )
  • Discovering Feltmaking 3 | Surfaces and Edges: This course focuses on creating surface texture using non-felting fibres and also making decorative edges in the felt.  Students are encouraged throughout to experiment and expand their skills in this important area.(link: https://www.feltmakers.com/discovering-feltmaking-3/ )
  • Discovering Feltmaking 4 | 3D Forms:   Answers the questions about how to make felt in 3 dimensions.  Students learn how to make seamless felt using a resist. It also covers cutting into felt and shaping the hollow form. And finally, how to adapt a resist to make the felt functional.  (link: https://www.feltmakers.com/discovering-feltmaking-4/ )
  • Discovering Feltmaking 5 | Nuno:  There’s lots of practical information on the Nuno course, including how to select suitable Nuno felting fabrics, make an effective soapy solution, calculate shrinkage, ‘repair’ non-felting areas, and work with a prefelt recipe. Students also learn three different nuno felting techniques. (link: https://www.feltmakers.com/df5-nuno/ )

Excellence in Feltmaking Award

Students can choose, if they wish, to work towards the Excellence in Feltmaking Award, and each course supports their submission pieces.  The following link provides further information on the Award.  https://www.feltmakers.com/the-award-excellence-in-feltmaking/

If anyone would like to find out more, they are very welcome to send Hélène an email at dfcoordinator@feltmakers.com

The IFA’s Instagram: @internationalfeltmakers

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.