Category: Education

Education: Reversible Felted Vest Workshop – Jacki Sleator – Co Kildare near Dublin

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Promotional poster for a reversible felted vest workshop by Jacki Sleator, featuring images of vests in short and long styles, with event details including date and location.


Feltmakers Ireland is pleased to announce a hands-on, 3-Day Workshop to create a Reversible Nuno-Felted Vest with international tutor Jacki Sleator. 

In this immersive course, students will use silk fabrics and Merino wool to create rich, textural effects. By layering wool, silk, and other fibres, they will experience how the materials transform and contort as the wool shrinks during the felting process. Guided step by step, students will develop both technique and creative confidence to leave the workshop with their own unique reversible vest.

There is the option to make a short or long-styled vest. 

When: Friday-Sunday, the 5th-7th of June. 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Where:  Kilteel Community Hall, Kilteel Lower, Kilteel, Naas Co. Kildare W91 TK6A

Additional Information

  • The price is 200 euros per member and does not include supplies.
  • The price for non-members is 240 euros and does not include supplies.
  • This course is suitable for intermediate felters.
  • Note: The supply list will be sent upon enrollment.

Reserve Your Spot

The link for MEMBERS to purchase is here – https://buy.stripe.com/aFa00icjd8JFddc2ROaZi0k

The link for NON MEMBERS to purchase is here – https://buy.stripe.com/28EfZg0Ave3Zehg1NKaZi0l

Of course, you are always welcome to become a member and pay the lesser price.

MEMBERSHIP is HERE – https://feltmakersireland.com/membership-application/

If you have any questions about the workshop, please contact 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 the content, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.

Education: Wet Cyanotype Printing Online Class – Ashleigh Ellis – Natural Dyers Academy

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
A woman holding printed cyanotype artwork, showcasing blue and white leaf designs, while smiling and gesturing. In the background, there is a sign that reads 'Clothes Swap'.

A four-week course is open to both beginners and experienced creatives who want to explore richly detailed textures and natural colours with Wet Cyanotype Printing on Paper and Textiles.

Guided by Ashleigh Ellis, students will learn to work with botanicals, wet ingredients, and natural dyes to create unique, environmentally conscious works of art.

Start Date: Thursday, the 7th of May 2026
Duration: 4 weeks
Format: Online – Live Zoom teaching, recordings of Lives, and downloadable PDFs

For more information, visit the Natural Dyers’ Academy website – https://appleoakfibreworks.com/collections/academy-short-courses/products/wet-cyanotype-printing-on-paper-7th-of-may-2026

Their Instagram: @naturaldyersacademy @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 content-related questions, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.

News: European Wool Experience –Less than 2 weeks away – Tralee

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Promotional poster for the European Wool Experience featuring various wool crafting activities, including handling wool, colourful yarn, and knitting.

Join us for the European Wool Experience — a free public event celebrating wool, creativity
and craftsmanship on Saturday, the 28th of March at the Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee, Co Kerry.

Feltmakers Ireland will be taking part in European Wool Experience 2026. If you’ve been hoping to pick up a copy of our book Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking, we will have copies available on the day.

Our volunteers will also be demonstrating feltmaking techniques, and visitors will have the opportunity to join a hands-on wet felting activity using Irish-raised wool from Ériu and WoolStore Ireland.

The wool used for these activities has been partially funded by the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland.

The European Wool Experience will be a unique day, where wool comes to life through hands-on demonstrations, exhibitions, research displays and interactive experiences from makers, artists, educators and innovators across Ireland and 10+ European countries.

Whether you’re discovering wool for the first time, visiting with family and friends, or already passionate about fibre crafts, this is a wonderful opportunity to see traditional skills alongside contemporary practices — and experience the incredible versatility of this natural material.

  • Meet makers
  • Watch live 35+ demonstrations
  • Explore exhibitions and displays
  • Try wool crafts like felting, weaving, spinning and much more in a welcoming, relaxed environment

Drop in anytime — admission is completely free, and everyone is welcome!

WHEN: Saturday, 28 March 2026 | 10 AM – 5 PM

WHERE: Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee, Co. Kerry, V92 DC83

Short Video

For more information: https://irishgrownwoolcouncil.com/free-fringe-ewd26-event-interactive-wool-demonstrations/ and https://ewe.network/ewd2026/

Groups of 10+ can book in advance via ewd@ewe.network (subject: Group Visit)

Note: The European Wool Day 2026 Conference, which runs parallel to this event, is a ticketed
event. Currently, the conference capacity has been reached, but one can apply to be on a ticket waiting list here – https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/european-wool-day-2026-conference-ireland-tickets-1977521531133?aff=oddtdtcreator


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.

Of Interest: Free Activities at European Wool Experience – Tralee

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Promotional poster for the European Wool Experience event, detailing activities like felting, spinning, weaving, and knitting, taking place on 28 March at Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee.
Promotional poster for the European Wool Experience event, featuring a cartoon sheep and various wool crafts such as felting, spinning, and knitting. Details include date, time, and location.

The European Wool Experience, a vibrant, free, family-friendly event, will be at the Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee, on Saturday, 28 March 2026, from 10 AM–5 PM.

Celebrating Ireland’s hosting of ‘European Wool Day 2026’, this special public event, open to all, brings together exhibitors, makers and researchers from Ireland and more than 10 European countries, to connect and create a colourful, welcoming day of creativity, culture, and discovery.

Taking place at the start of the Easter school holidays, it’s an ideal day out for families, friends, individuals or organised groups looking for something creative and different.

Visitors can explore four rooms featuring over 35 demonstrations, exhibitions and interactive experiences, with plenty of opportunities to try wool crafts firsthand, including the following: wet felting, finger knitting, crios belt weaving, spinning, weaving, wool processing and more. Meet skilled makers, discover traditional and contemporary skills, view unique heritage displays, and enjoy a relaxed, hands-on atmosphere suitable for children and adults alike.

Throughout the day, volunteers from Feltmakers Ireland will demonstrate feltmaking, and we will also lead interactive wet felting activities.

In addition to the guild, several members will be sharing their artwork and fibres. These include the following:

Members of Feltmakers Ireland, the Irish Guild for Weavers, Spinners, and Dyers, and the International Feltmakers Association – Region 14, will host a joint exhibition of artwork created with Irish-raised wool.

The guild is grateful to have received some funding from the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland. This helped us purchase Irish-raised wool from Ériu and WoolstoreIE, which members could use in their pieces.

Drop in to the European Wool Experience for an hour or stay and explore at your own pace; admission is completely free.

Where: Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee, Co Kerry, V92DC83

When: Saturday, 28 March 2026, from 10 AM–5 PM

For more information, visit the Irish Grown Wool Council’s website: https://bit.ly/euwoolexp

Groups of 10 or more can book in advance via ewd@ewe.network (subject: Group Visit).


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.

Education: Wool Workshops before European Wool Day – Fibreshed Ireland

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Promotional image for European Wool Day featuring wool workshops, showcases of wool products, and event details for Tralee, Ireland on 28 March 2026.

To get ready for European Wool Day, which will take place on the 28th of March in Tralee, Co Kerry, Fibreshed Ireland has organised a series of subsidised wool-related workshops around the island.

Workshops include the following:

  • From Farm to Fibre: the cycle of sheep’s wool production from birth to yarn, taught by Feltmakers Ireland member Christine Jordan of @roughcirclestudio, 7th of March, Co Carlow
  • Not just a Granny Square, 7th of March, Co Kerry
  • Aran Knitting Workshop, 8th of March, Co Galway
  • From Fleece to Fibre, 14th of March, Co Laois
  • Mindful Weaving Workshop, 14th of March, Co Dublin
  • Adapting Knitting Patterns for a Better Fit and Creative Changes, 14th of March, Co Dublin
  • Wool Spinning Workshop, 22nd of March, Co Antrim
  • Threads of Belonging: A day of Weaving, Connection and Care, 22nd of March, Co Waterford

The workshops have been made possible with support from the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland.

For more information and to register, visit the Fibreshed Ireland website – https://fibreshedireland.ie/get-ready-for-european-wool-day-2026/

Their Instagram: @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: Textile Academy Bootcamp – Dundalk

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Promotional poster for the Textile Academy Bootcamp 2026 featuring a model in a unique textile outfit. Details include dates from May 25th to 30th in Ireland, highlighting activities like lectures, workshops, and networking. Features a QR code for booking.

Fabricademy, Textile and Technology Academy is a multidisciplinary, intensive training program at the intersection of Textiles, Digital Fabrication, and Biology, delivered in equipped laboratories worldwide, providing distributed education with hands-on technical learning.

This year’s 5-day Fabricademy Bootcamp is hosted by Creative Spark Dundalk, and is open to students, designers, teachers, professionals, and curious makers interested in sustainable practices.

Discover laser-cut zero-waste fashion, 3D printing on textiles, biomaterials, electronic textiles, silk screen printing with lake pigments, seaweed harvesting, tufting, and more.

When: the 25th – 30th of May, 2026

Where: Creative Spark, Clontygora Ct, Muirhevnamore, Dundalk, Co. Louth, A91 HF77, Ireland and other locations in Dundalk.

For more information and to register, visit their website – https://bootcamp.textile-academy.org/

Instagram: @fabricademy @creativesparkdundalk

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.

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.

Education: CO-CREATE PhD Information Session – 12th of January

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

There is a free online information session about eight funded (paid) doctoral opportunities in the fields of art and design, this Monday, the 12th of January, at 4PM.

The National College of Art and Design, Belfast School of Art, Ulster University, the University of Limerick and Atlantic Technological University invite applications for funded PhD studentships as part of Co-Create Ireland: Art and Design Research Network for Inclusive Futures (CO-CREATE), a €4m cross-border research project supported by the Higher Education Authority’s North South Research Programme.

Each institution has its own program and application criteria.

Ulster University in Belfast has a PhD program in Regenerative Textiles – https://www.ulster.ac.uk/doctoralcollege/find-a-phd/32-art-and-design-history,-practice-and-theory/1791141

For more information about the various programs, see this link – https://www.ncad.ie/news/view/co-create-launches-all-island-doctoral-network

To book a free spot at the information session, visit this website – https://www.create-ireland.ie/activity/co-create-phd-information-session/

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 organisations hosting the event.

Education:Year-Long Online Natural Dyeing Course – Natural Dyers and Growers Academy

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Jennifer Lienhard of Apple Oak Fibre Works will teach a year-long online course in natural dyeing – a guided, in-depth journey into the science, craft, and history of colour.

The program consists of the following-

  • 12 learning modules released monthly via a private course platform
  • Live Zoom calls, Q&A, and portfolio building
  • Live calls are scheduled twice a day to accommodate students in different time zones. Recordings available after every session
  • Optional in-person intensives and gardening session in August
  • Deep dives into fibres, tannins, mordanting, lasting colours, indigo fermentation vats and sustainability
  • Build a professional portfolio and creative direction for your own studio
  • Course certificate upon completion of the portfolio work

The course starts on the 13th of January 2026.

Monthly topics

  • January — Fibres and their differences
  • February — Mordanting
  • March — Tannins
  • April — Creating blues
  • May — Creating yellows
  • June — Creating reds
  • July — Creating purples
  • August — Secondary colours & modifiers
  • September — Lake making and related processes
  • October — Printing and advanced techniques
  • November — Industry standards & personal project
  • December — Final projects & presentations

Irish residents: receive 40% discount via the National Organic Training Skillnet (NOTS) funding (includes materials).

For more information, visit the NOTS’ website – https://nots.courseco.co/course-detail/1-year-professional-course-in-natural-dyeing-online/?id=76

For individuals living outside of Ireland, visit the Natural Dyers Academy‘s website – https://appleoakfibreworks.com/collections/1-year-professional-natural-dyeing-programme-build-your-portfolio/products/mastering-natural-colour-professional-natural-dyeing-course-2026

There is also a monthly payment plan option – https://appleoakfibreworks.com/collections/1-year-professional-natural-dyeing-programme-build-your-portfolio/products/1-year-professional-natural-dyeing-programme-2026-monthly-plan

Their Instagram: @appleoakfibreworks @naturaldyersacademy

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.