As so MUCH happened at our recent AGM, this will be a two-part blog post! Here is the first one.
On Sunday, the 12th of May, Feltmakers Ireland marked a significant milestone, celebrating its 21st year as an organisation. Twenty-seven members attended this AGM in person, with an additional five joining via Zoom link. Our founder, President Elizabeth Bonnar, was also in attendance.
First, Deirdre Carroll, our Chairperson, went over the Guild’s many accomplishments for the past year, which included the following activities and events:
- Our AGM celebrating our 20th Anniversary of founding by our president, Elizabeth Bonnar,
- Creating a Floral Banner to celebrate our 20th.
- Publishing our long-researched book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’,
- Sharing our love of feltmaking at public events such as Bloom, the Tullamore Show and Dublin Maker,
- Hosting an Open Day as part of August Craft Month/Heritage Week Ireland.
- Our month-long exhibition in October 20203 of ‘Bountiful’ at the Phoenix Park Visitors’ Centre gallery, which was opened by Minister Pippa Hackett.
- Several hands-on events, including Sharon Well’s needle felting a winter scene, Deirdre Crofts’ felting elf booties, Annika Berglund’s Fine Felt, and Juliane Gorman’s Nunofelted cowl.
- In the past year, our Sunday Sessions also included learning about the feltmaking journeys of members Elaine Peden and Claire Merry.
Next, Lorna Cady, our Secretary, went over the Guild’s upcoming events, which include the following:
- Our exhibition at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre Galery, which runs until the 26th of May,
- Demonstrating feltmaking on the 31st of May and the 1st of June at Bloom,
- Guild member Maria McGarry sharing her feltmaking journey at our June Sunday Session,
- A booth at the Tullamore Show on the 11th of August,
- Our Open Day as part of August Craft Month/Heritage Ireland,
- Our workshop in October with international tutor Judit Pocs.
Annika Berglund, our Treasurer, presented a comprehensive report on the guild’s finances, reassuring us that all is well in that department. This is a testament to our members’ continued support and our prudent financial management.
Then, Annika detailed the finances related to our book, Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking, which we published last year. We continue receiving orders for the book and will soon cover our publishing expenses.
Chair Deirdre Carroll spoke about the new Code of Conduct and Ethics, which the members voted to approve.
Appreciations
Then, Annika recognised the much-appreciated work of the three committee members who are stepping down:
- Membership secretary Fiona Leech for serving us so well AND keeping us in cuppas and cakes,
- Marian Fagan for bringing her knowledge and resources,
- and lastly, Valerie Nowak o’ceallaigh, who had only recently stepped in, for her enthusiasm.
Three guild members, Suzanne Phelan, Sam Fagan, and Loli Cox, have offered to serve on the committee. We are so very appreciative of these members for putting themselves forward. We will have confirmations at the next committee session in June.
Guest Speaker
One of the highlights of our AGM was our guest speaker, Malú Colorín, co-founder of Fibreshed Ireland and owner of Talu Earth. She shared her journey working with textiles and colour and the projects that she has been involved in.
Fibershed Ireland
Just as a watershed collects its water locally, the Fibershed Movement takes its inspiration from wearing clothing made with locally grown natural fibres, dyed locally and made with local labour. Founded in 2009 in California by Rebecca Burgess, there are now over 65 regional organisations worldwide. Fibreshed Ireland seeks to create collaborations and links between farmers and designers throughout Ireland. Their website has an interactive map showing the farmers, processors, designers, and makers who are part of Ireland’s fibre network. You can find the map HERE – https://fibreshedireland.ie/projects/fibre-networks-map/
Malú spoke about Fibreshed Ireland’s achievements and goals; one of the latter is that the organisation wants to have a verification system for farms that use environmentally regenerative methods in the next five years.
Additionally, she shared her warm humour and practical wisdom that making needs to be an iterative process and that “Perfect is the Enemy of Good”.
The above slide struck a chord with several members who have also faced the challenges of creating a business with feltmaking, which, like most textile-making, is not a speedy technique. We tend to feel like we need to work faster or more efficiently, but as she says, “We Need to Change the Model”.
Malú also shared information about her business, Talú Earth, which has a lovely motto – ‘From Seed to Second Skin’. Via Talú Earth, she offers a natural dyeing service, sells naturally dyed wearables, and teaches workshops in person. An upcoming one is ‘Flavours, Stories and Colour’, which is happening soon – on the 23rd of May. Click here for more information – https://www.fonditamestiza.com/dyeworkshop
Additionally, she is organising the ‘Archipelago Festival of Colour’ in Antrim, on the 27th and 28th of July. It will be “An immersive weekend celebration of all things natural colour! This intimate festival is the first of its kind in Ireland and the UK, dedicated entirely to natural dyes, pigments, and inks, honouring the Land that provides them.”
Samples of her Work
As you can see from the photographs above, a wide range of colours are available via natural dyeing.
A warm thank you to Malú Colorín for being such an inspiring guest speaker at our AGM 2024. Also, a special thank you to the committee for all of its work in setting up the AGM.
Part two of this two-part recap will be tomorrow.
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