Blog:

Exhibition: Irish Guild of Embroiderers ‘Threads of Imagination’- dlr Lexlcon Library Gallery – Dublin

We are delighted to share news of an upcoming exhibition by our fellow guild within the Design & Craft Council Ireland: a show by the Irish Guild of Embroiderers. Their display, ‘Threads of Imagination: An Exhibition of Embroidery and Textile Art ‘, is the guild’s biennial show.

Feltmakers Ireland member Ramona Farrelly has a piece in it. The photograph shown here is an in-process image of Ramona’s piece, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse of her work before it takes its place in the exhibition.

When: Tuesday, the 1st of September through Saturday, the 3rd of October 2026

Where: Dún Laoghaire LexIcon Library and Cultural Centre, Haigh Terrace, Moran Park, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin A96 H283

For more information about the Guild, which meets monthly on Saturdays at the Mount Merrion Community Centre, visit their website: https://www.irishguildofembroiderers.ie/

The Guild’s and Ramona’s Instagram: @irish_embroiderers @ramonafarrelly

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: Wet Felting Connections – Cords and Chains with Vanda Sousa – Going the Dodo Way – Online Feltmaking Course

Vanda F Sousa is a member of Feltmakers Ireland and a talented tutor who offers a range of online wet felting courses.

Her upcoming class is ‘Wet Felting Connections – Cords and Chains’, and it focuses on connecting basic felt forms to create more complex shapes.

In the class, students will explore the following:

  • Rings and chains
  • Two types of horizontal connections
  • Vertical connections


The aim of the class is to help felt makers who are still building their foundations, as well as those who have been felting for a while but feel gaps in their foundational knowledge that they don’t know how to fill.

The class is online, with lifetime access.

Vanda is currently offering an Early Bird price of €49 until August 31st. (The regular price is €59).

For more information, please visit her website: https://www.vandafsousa.com/wet-felting-connections

Her Instagram: @vanda_f_sousa

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: Submissions of photos of the ‘Studio on the Move’ for Vessel Magazine

The editors of Vessel Magazine invite submissions exploring the notion of the studio in motion for publication in the upcoming edition of The Vessel.

They are specifically looking for craft practices that exist in shifting contexts, where making adapts to movement, embraces constraints, or unfolds across changing locations. They hope to feature submissions in the form of triptychs that evoke dialogue among the images, and collectively articulate the diverse, portable, and evolving nature of dispersed studio practices.

Craftspeople are invited to submit a set of three photographs, along with contextual information, that captures how their studio operates beyond a fixed site, revealing the tools, processes, and conditions that shape their work in motion. The editors will select 5-10 submissions for an article to be featured in the 12th edition of The Vessel, to be published in Autumn 2026.

If a submission is selected, a paid honorarium will be provided.

Deadline: the 1st of September

For more information, visit their website: https://vessel-magazine.no/open-call

Their Instagram: @thevesselmag @norwegiancrafts

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: The Colour of Everyday – Bernat Klein Symposium- Call for Abstracts

The Bernat Klein Foundation Symposium, supported by Future Island–Island, Belfast School of Art, and Creative Scotland, seeks abstracts for ‘The Colour of Everyday’, to be held in November. It is a symposium exploring colour, craft, sustainability and cultural heritage inspired by the legacy of textile designer and colourist Bernat Klein.

They are interested in hearing from designers, researchers, makers, educators and community practitioners working across:

  • Colour in education
  • Sustainable design + material innovation
  • Heritage, memory and place
  • Regenerative making and ecological craft

Abstract deadline: Friday, the 4th of September 2026

The Symposium is on Saturday, the 28th of November 2026

For more information, visit this page on the Future Island Island website: https://www.futureisland-island.org/updates/bernat-klein-foundation-symposium/

Their Instagram @futureislandisland

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: Irish Business Design Challenge Competition – Design and Crafts Council of Ireland

The Design and Crafts Council of Ireland’s 2026 Irish Business Design Challenge is now open for applications. ⁠
⁠
Micro or small businesses that use design to create sustainable solutions are invited to apply to this DCCI competition. There are awards of up to €20,000 per business, amongst a total prize funding of €50,000.

The Irish Business Design Challenge is looking for businesses that have:

  • Changed their business model to add value
  • Repurposed or redesigned their products or services sustainably
  • Developed new eco-friendly processes or partnerships
  • Discovered new or more efficient ways of working
  • Invented innovative and meaningful solutions
  • Solved societal or environmental problems through sustainable design

Deadline: Monday, the 31st of August 2026⁠.

For more information and to apply, visit the DCCI website: https://www.dcci.ie/whats-on/dcci-awards/dcci-irish-business-design-challenge/dcci-design-business-challenge-about/

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: Native Irish Fibres Material Library Exhibition – NCAD Library Micro Gallery

There is a ‘Native Irish Fibres Material Library’ exhibition at the micro gallery of the Edward Murphy Library of the National College of Art and Design (NCAD).

It is the work of three NCAD master’s students in the Circular by Design programme, who researched and piloted an online toolkit, a materials library, and an awareness campaign to encourage designers to use more Irish-grown raw materials in their work. Their tutor, Maureen Laverty, and Fibreshed Ireland helped to guide them. Their project was the winner of the Dublin City Council’s ENFUSE competition. A physical book version will be available soon.

Where: NCAD Library, National College of Art and Design, 100 Thomas St, Usher’s Quay, Dublin 8, D08 K521

When: Runs until the 28th of August.

Instagram: @ncad_library @ncad_circular.by.design @georgia_makes_shapes @evacktextiles, @almawoolstudio @fibreshed_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.

Of Interest: 450 km Wool March – from Texel NL to European Parliament in Brussels

Shepherds and sheep flocks are an indispensable to biodiversity and the preservation of our natural landscapes. But they are often overlooked.

To raise awareness for shepherds and sheep flocks, a group of advocates has organised a 53-day Wool March, from Texel in the Netherlands to the European Parliament in Brussels. The March will be rally style:

“No sheep or shepherd <will> walk the entire route! We pass the hook from shepherd to shepherd, flock to flock creating a line of support for this ecological, cultural and social importance of this overlooked system”.

The walk starts on Saturday, the 22nd of August in Texel, Netherlands and arrives in Brussels, Belgium on Tuesday the 13th of October 2026.

For more information, visit the Wool March website: https://www.woolmarch.com/

Their Instagram: @woolmarch @international_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.

Education: 2 Online Courses via Apple Oak Fibre Works – Finding Joy in Botanical Dyeing and Cyanotype Photography & Natural Dyes

There are two upcoming textile courses via the Apple Oak Fibre Works Academy education platform that may be of interest:

  • Finding Joy in Botanical Colours with Malú Colorín
  • Cyanotype Photography & Natural Dyes with Ashleigh Ellis

Both courses are five weeks long, online, and include downloadable PDFs.

For more information, visit the Apple Oak Fibre Works website: https://appleoakfibreworks.com/collections/academy-courses

Their Instagram: @appleoakfibreworks @talu.earth @ashleighellis_natureartist

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: Experience the Joy of Felting – August Craft Month & Heritage Week in Inchicore, Dublin

On Sunday, the 16th of August, 17 volunteers from Feltmakers Ireland gathered to teach two sessions of wet and needle felting to over 45 students. Our event was part of the annual August Craft Month and Heritage Week.

The What

We had two educational sessions: a morning session from 10 AM to 12 PM and an afternoon session from 12:30 to 2:30 PM. Both were well attended, with students enjoying learning about the different methods of feltmaking.

Students created several types of felted flowers, three-dimensional sheep, and even trees! They had the opportunity to work with wet and needle felting techniques.

Wet Felting

Needle Felting

Happy Students

Irish Wool Display

There was also a display area featuring Irish Wool and our ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’ book. The vertical display panel was created by Annika Berglund during the research for the book.

Artwork Displayed & Treats Eaten

Volunteers’ felt art was displayed on the stage at the front of the room. There were wearables, wall art, and sculptures!

Artworks

Treats and Taking a Break

More Photos – Hands!

Thanks

Thank you to all of the students who shared their Sunday with us. We look forward to seeing some of you at future Sessions!

Many thanks to Siobhán Ryan for chairing this event, and to all the volunteers who helped with the day: Adrienne, Ananya, Christine, Clodagh, Elizabeth, Eva, Helena, Hilary, Irina, Juliane, Lauren, Linda, Loli, Lorna, Margaret C, and Margaret R C.

Some of our Volunteers – apologies for not having everyone’s photograph

Additionally, we would like to thank the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland‘s August Craft Month and Heritage Week for sharing our event so wonderfully. We had an excellent turnout this year!

Both organisations have other exciting events happening.

  • August Craft Month runs through the end of the month.
  • Heritage Week runs until the 23rd of August.

Many thanks to our members, who comprise Feltmakers Ireland West, for hosting a ‘Felting Fun Day’ on Saturday, the 15th, in Boyle, Co Roscommon as part of August Craft Month.

Lastly, we want to thank the CIE Sports Hall / Social Club in Inchicore, Dublin, for allowing us to rent storage space and use the hall for our meetings and sessions.

Next Month

Our next regular Sunday Session will be on the 20th of September. It will feature Eva Salamon, who will teach us how to make needle felted owls. Members will receive more information shortly.

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: Dublin Maker Open Call for Fashion Show

This year, Dublin Maker will have an Open Fashion Show. Whether you’ve crafted an elaborate outfit or made a cute patch on your jeans, you are invited to enter.

On the day, fill out a card with some information about your make. The cards will be given to the emcee, who will call designers/makers up one by one.

There will be four slots:

  • Saturday, the 22nd of August at 12:45 and 14:45, and
  • Sunday, the 23rd of August at 11:15 and 14:30

Sign up for whichever ones work best for you. Please arrive a few minutes early to fill out your card if you are entering.

Where: Leopardstown Racecourse, Foxrock, Dublin 18, D18 C9V6

If you’re not ready to participate, come along to support the makers and get inspired for next year!

Sign up in advance with Eventbrite at: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/open-fashion-show-dublin-maker-tickets-1996822790720

The event will be accessible to people with limited mobility, but if you have questions, you can also check the Dublin Maker’s Accessibility Guide: https://dublinmaker.ie/accessibility-at-dublin-maker-festival/

Or reach out on their contact page: https://dublinmaker.ie/contact/

For more information or to reserve your free tickets, visit the Dublin Maker website: https://dublinmaker.ie/

Their Instagram: @dublinmaker

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.