Category: News

Sunday Session

This Sunday: Mel Bradley’s Textile Journey – Dublin

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
A woman with short grey hair and glasses stands in an art studio holding a mug and paintbrushes, surrounded by various art supplies and materials. The text overlay promotes 'Mel Bradley’s Textile Journey', an event happening on 18th October at CIE Sports Hall, Inchicore, Dublin.

Longtime Feltmakers Ireland guild member, textile artist Mel Bradley, will share her Textile Journey on Sunday, the 18th of October. Mel creates her work and runs workshops out of her studio, Gallery 13, which is in the Millmount Craft Quarter in Drogheda, Co Louth.

Mel paints silk scarves, wraps, and cowls; she also creates Nunofelted wearables. Recent workshops have included Gelli Plate Printing, Shibori Dyeing with Indigo, and Silk Painting.

When: Sunday, the 18th of October, 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM

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

More on Mel

To view Mel’s work and workshops, visit her website: https://melbradleysilks.ie/

Her Instagram: @mel.bradley.silks

Some images from her website:

An elderly woman with short grey hair, wearing glasses and a red top, holds up a piece of blue fabric in a creative workspace. She is surrounded by various pieces of dyed fabric on a table and a wall filled with art and inspirational images. A woman is seated in the background, observing.
An elegant evening gown with a dramatic pink and black design, featuring a flowing cape detail.
A hallway featuring a light blue door with various patterned textiles draped over the stairs and walls, accompanied by a piece of artwork and a decorative branch.
Close-up of a blue and green scarf tied in a decorative bow around the neck, with soft fabric and subtle colour gradients.

Additional Information

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

To reduce the spread of illnesses, please refrain from coming if you feel unwell.

Zoom Access

We will share a Zoom link to the session on Friday afternoon, the 16th.


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: Feltmakers Ireland shares Wet and Needle Felting at the Midlands Fibre Festival

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

By Mary O’Rourke

A busy indoor market scene with a large crowd of people browsing stalls filled with handmade goods and crafts. The venue features bright lighting and a modern design.
The Midlands Fibre Festival 2026
A busy crafting fair taking place indoors with numerous vendors displaying handmade goods. People are engaging in shopping and conversations, and a large screen in the background promotes social media support for the crafting community.
Another photo of the hall at the Radisson Blu Hotel

On Sunday the 11th of October 2026, five members of Feltmakers Ireland (Elizabeth, Eva, Deirdre, Elaine and myself) represented the Guild at Midlands Fibre Festival at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Athlone.

Felting Demonstrations

We had a lovely, successful day and met lots of interesting people, all of whom expressed a huge interest in wool, felt, and feltmaking. We demonstrated both wet felting and needle felting on the day. People, as is usual when we demonstrate, were fascinated by the process and asked many questions, which were expertly answered by the team.

Two women at a crafting table, one smiling and working with wool, while the other is focused on shaping a felted pumpkin. The booth is decorated with colourful craft materials and displays.
Deirdre and Eva
A woman sits behind a table displaying handmade crafts, including felted bowls and framed artworks, at an exhibition. She is wearing glasses and a blue shirt, with a beige cardigan draped over her shoulders.
Mary at the table
Two women engaged in craft activities at a market stall, with one smiling and holding a felted item while the other prepares materials.
Elaine and Elizabeth
A woman demonstrating a craft activity at a stall, with two visitors attentively watching. The stall features various handmade items and decorations, and there are additional vendors visible in the background.
Elaine demonstrating
A woman creating crafts at a market stall, surrounded by handmade items including felted sculptures, colourful yarns, and decorative bowls. Another woman is seated in the background, observing the display.
Elizabeth’s work
Two women engaged in crafting activities at a market stall. One is working on a felting project, while the other rolls wool. Various handmade felt items, including colourful owls and decorations, are displayed on the table.
Deirdre and Eva
A woman crafting felted figurines at a craft fair table filled with colourful handmade items, including pumpkins, owls, and a whimsical puppet.
Eva’s Work – @feltedvision
A display of various handcrafted felted items, including whimsical figurines, pumpkins, and owls, arranged on a table at a craft fair.
Our display
A display table featuring handmade felt items, including a felt bowl and various small felt decorations. There are framed artwork pieces depicting landscapes and trees, alongside promotional materials and a schedule for upcoming workshops. A woman in a blue top is seen in the background, engaged in a crafting activity.
Elizabeth and Dee’s work

Needle Felting Workshop

We also ran a workshop where six ladies learned to needle-felt a flower brooch in just 90 minutes. They each completed their piece and took home a brooch they made themselves.

A woman wearing a striped blue sweater with a red felt flower pin is sitting at a table, looking down at her hands with a smile. A clear bag containing colourful materials is placed on the table in front of her.
A smiling woman with curly hair is sitting at a table, wearing a grey long-sleeved top with a vibrant felt flower brooch. She is in a setting with stalls in the background, indicating a market or fair.
A woman smiling while wearing a dark brown sweater adorned with a large pink flower brooch, sitting at a table with craft materials in the background.
A woman with glasses seated at a table, wearing a grey t-shirt adorned with a large pink and orange flower. She has long hair with beads and appears to be in a casual setting.
A smiling woman wearing a pink sweater with a felt flower brooch, seated at a table with strands of wool and a crafting tool.
A woman with shoulder-length hair, wearing glasses and a green and white striped top, sits at a table. She has a large purple felt flower pinned to her shirt and is looking to her right. A clear bag with purple craft materials is placed on the table in front of her.

Our Book

A scenic view of sheep grazing in a green field with mountains in the background, accompanied by various felted wool creations including bowls and decorative items.

Interest in our book “Exploring Irish Wool for Felt Making” was high, and several copies were sold.

Three people joined Feltmakers Ireland on the day, with several others expressing interest.

Thank you!

It was a great day, and we must thank Chad and Mary, the Midland Fibre Festival Organisers, and their team of volunteers, all of whom were lovely and very willing to help us in any way they could.

Next year’s Festival will be Sunday, 23 May, 2027, back in Athlone!

Exhibitor Display at the Festival

A display of fashion garments including a pink dress with gold stripes and a grey knitted sweater on mannequins. A grey dress with red accents is visible on a table alongside various artistic items.
Display of some of the Midlands Fibre Festival participants – includes Mary’s tunic (on the table) made with Lena Archbold and Dee and Eva’s pieces, along with fibre from guild member Katarina Hruskova of WoolstoreIE and pink tunic from guild member Karen Bowden of Fabulous Fibres.

The Instagram for the organisers: @midlandsfibrefestival

Volunteer Eva’s Instagram: @feltedvision


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.

RECAP: Fine Felt Workshop 2026 with Annika Berglund

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
A group of 20 women standing in a large hall, all holding paintbrushes and jars of paint, smiling at the camera, with a variety of clothing styles and colours.
Group photo of Annika and many of the students at the end of the day.

On Sunday, the 11th of October, 18 students gathered around longtime guild member and artist, Annika Berglund, to explore how to make fine felt. We learned about the importance of using “gentle hands” and how to create “compact versus scrunchy felt”.

The workshop was divided into two parts, with Annika demonstrating each step along the way. In the morning, we created a flat square of black, white and grey felt, learning how careful handling of the wool fibres influences the finished material.

Editor’s favourite takeaway: Feltmaking transforms loose wool fibres into a new material, much like baking transforms butter, flour, sugar and eggs into a cake. Once these transformations have taken place, the original ingredients cannot simply be separated out and returned to their former state.

In the afternoon, students learned how to create a three-dimensional felt piece using a resist. Annika encouraged anyone new to the technique to “have faith” in the process, which is a reassuring reminder that sometimes you need to trust the felting.

The group included longtime members, newer members and even non-members. This mix sparked interesting conversations as students shared their textile interests and experiences.

Annika Demonstrating

A crafting workshop scene where a woman demonstrates a felting technique to an attentive audience. The table is covered with various materials, including felt pieces, bubble wrap, and tools, while participants observe and engage in the process.
A woman with purple hair focuses on her work while holding a piece of wool, wearing a blue cardigan with a necklace made of large beads. She is in a group setting, with other blurred people around her.
A woman with short purple hair demonstrates a crafting technique at a table, surrounded by an attentive audience. She is rolling a material wrapped in bubble wrap on a green cloth, with various crafting supplies and instructions visible on the table.
A craft workshop scene with a woman demonstrating a felting technique, surrounded by attentive participants observing the process. Materials such as bubble wrap and fabric are set up on a table.
A person carefully unpacking an item wrapped in bubble wrap on a table, with several people observing in the background.

Some photos of Annika demonstrating to the students.

The Busy Hall

A busy arts and crafts workshop in a community hall, with numerous tables occupied by participants engaged in creative activities. Various materials and tools are spread out, while attendees chat and work on their projects.
A group of people engaged in a workshop or class in a community hall, with a speaker gesturing in front of them. Attendees are seated at tables, some are working on various materials. The environment appears casual and collaborative.
A group of women attentively listening to a speaker during a workshop or meeting in a community hall setting.

The room was full of tables arranged in a chevron pattern, and students gathered in twos and threes.

Hands Working

A close-up of hands pressing down on bubble wrap, showcasing pink and red nail polish. The background suggests a crafting or creative activity.
Close-up of a person wearing a blue sweater, working on a black fluffy circular material placed on a yellow surface covered with bubble wrap.

Always nice to have photos of hands working!

Appreciation Time

Interior of CIE Hall Inchicore, showcasing the bar area with seating and a prominent wall sign displaying the club's name and establishment year.
A table displaying various food items including baked goods, biscuits, a bottle of milk, and a box of cookies. There are labels and notes providing information about the items.

Many thanks to Annika Berglund for taking the time to share her knowledge and lead the workshop! Additional thanks to the volunteers, Siobhán, Lorna, Irina, Fiona, Helena, Loli, Sam, and Juliane, who helped to set up the room and assist the students. Thank you to everyone who brought yummy treats to share, too!

Lastly, we were delighted that the filmmaking happening simultaneously in the adjacent room had limited impact on our workshop. (We were told there would be a rave scene with loud music!) Thanks again for everyone’s patience as we wove through the maze of interesting rooms to get to the big hall at the back of the CIE Sports Hall.

Our regular Sunday Session will be on the 18th of October, when longtime member and textile artist Mel Bradley will share her Textile Journey. No need to book. For more information, see this blog post: https://feltmakersireland.com/2026/09/29/sunday-session-mel-bradleys-textile-journey-18th-of-october/

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: Textile Takeover – Ulster Folk Museum – This Saturday

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
A webpage screenshot featuring the Ulster Folk Museum logo and the title 'Textile Takeover' in bold red text.

Explore textiles and sustainability at the Textile Takeover at the Ulster Folk Museum. Shop vintage, learn how to repair clothes, watch weaving and spinning demonstrations, try embroidery and learn from fashion and textile experts.

Guild member Katarina Hruskova of Woolstore Ireland will be there to share about Irish wool.

Fibreshed Ireland will also be at the event, representing another part of Ireland’s growing textile and fibre community.

When: This Saturday, the 10th of October, 11 AM to 4 PM

Where: The Ulster Folk Museum, 153 Bangor Rd, Holywood BT18 0EU, United Kingdom

For more information and to book general admission tickets, visit their website: https://www.ulsterfolkmuseum.org/whats-on/textile-takeover

Their Instagram: @ulsterfolkmuseum @fibreshed_ireland
@niembroideryguild
@tadf_insta
@woolstoreireland @repaircafeni. 

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: Upcycle & Alteration Event – Carnegie Library – Dun Laoghaire

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Promotional poster for an Upcycle & Alteration Station event at Carnegie Library, highlighting a free workshop by the Rediscovery Centre's fashion team on 10 October 2026, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Take a jaunt along the Dun Laoghaire Charity Shop Trail and bring your treasures to Carnegie Library, where you’ll learn how to transform them to fit you!

Bring it along to The ReDiscovery Centre’s FREE Upcycle & Alteration Station at Carnegie Library as part of the Dun Laoghaire Charity Shop Trail.

When: Saturday, the 10th of October, from 11 AM to 4 PM. There are morning and afternoon sessions = 11 AM–1:30 PM and 1:30 PM–4 PM.

Where: IADT Carnegie Library, 19/23 George’s Street Lower, Dún Laoghaire, Dublin, A96 X2AA

For more information and to book your spot, please visit their website: https://www.rediscoverycentre.ie/workshops/free-upcycle-alteration-station-at-the-carnegie-library/

Their Instagram: @rediscoveryctr and @dlrcoco.ie

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: Guild Member Niki Collier featured on the Create Whimsy website

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Close-up of colourful felted artwork featuring abstract shapes and textures, with a header reading 'Spotlight: Niki Collier, Visual Artist'.
A woman wearing a dark dress and headphones stands beside colourful, abstract sculptures resembling microscopic diatoms, displayed on a white wall.

Feltmakers Ireland member Niki Collier was recently featured on the Create Whimsy website.

“Niki Collier turns wool into bold, playful felt sculptures that invite us to look at difficult subjects in a new way. Her work grows from curiosity, life experiences, and a belief that making art can help us find light in dark places. Niki shares how felt became her medium, her creative journey, and why she wants everyone to have a chance to discover their own creativity.” – from Create Whimsy

To read the full interview and see all the photos, visit the Create Whimsy website: https://createwhimsy.com/projects/spotlight-niki-collier-visual-artist

@createwhimsy  @nikicollierfelt

If you are a member of Feltmakers Ireland, please let us know about your upcoming exhibitions, features, workshops and craft fairs. We’re interested in hearing what our members are up to and want to share relevant news with the wider guild community.

If you have something coming up that you think other members would enjoy or find useful, please send the details to 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 content-related questions, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.

Open Call: @woman.in.wool seeking Green Wool Squares for St Brigid’s Cloak

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
A collage of four images: the top left shows a painting with the text 'Calling for women's help'. The top right features a woman smiling and holding a crochet square, with a dog beside her. The bottom left displays an illustrated figure in a green cloak with the text 'First square'. The bottom right depicts a woman standing in front of a pink thatched-roof shop.
Image is a composite of photos from the @Woman.in.Wool Instagram

The popular digital creator, knitter, and comic Hannah Civita of @woman.in.wool is seeking knitted, crocheted or FELTED green-coloured wool squares or rectangles made by women in the textile community. These will be sewn together as part of a larger project, a giant St Brigid’s Cloak.

The details:

  • The wool need not be Irish-raised, but it should be sheep fibre.
  • The square/rectangle should be a shade of green.
  • It can be knitted, crocheted, felted, or even embroidered!
  • The minimum size is 8″/20 cm by 8″/ 20 cm.
  • A female must be the maker of the square/rectangle.

Deadline: Sometime before the end of the year.

Please mail your green wool textile to the following address: OOH93917576, Gateway Student Village, Ballymun, Dublin D09 T9XZ

For additional information, listen to the lovely interview from the 29th of September, where Hannah chats with Doireann Garrihy about the project on RTÉ 2FM: https://www.rte.ie/radio/podcasts/7fc97d03-c8fa-4c77-896d-b4d400be5052-2fm-mornings-with-doireann-garrihy/

Turnip Spice Latte, anyone? And she mentions the Galway Wool Co-op‘s Meitheal!!!

Hannah’s Instagram: @woman.in.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.

Of Interest: Instagram Giveaway of 2 Tickets to Midlands Fibre Festival

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Promotional graphic for a giveaway of two free tickets to the Midlands Fibre Festival, featuring participation steps and a map of Ireland with festival branding.

The Midlands Fibre Festival is VERY soon! Want to join us?

Feltmakers Ireland is giving away two tickets, with two winners, each receiving one ticket. We will select the winners at random at 10 PM on Thursday, 8th of October 2026, and contact them via Instagram DM (direct message).

In order to be included, please do the following:

  1. Follow our Feltmakers Ireland Instagram Page – https://www.instagram.com/feltmakers_ireland/
  2. Like and Share the Instagram Post
  3. Tag a Friend in the comments of the Instagram Post

Note: This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Instagram.

We Will Be There

At the Midlands Fibre Festival, Feltmakers Ireland will demonstrate and share the wonders of feltmaking.

Several of our members will also exhibit their artworks and/or sell fibre-related supplies.

When: Sunday, the 11th of October, 10 AM to 6 PM

Where: Radisson Blu Hotel, Northgate Street, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland, N37 A8X9

For more information about the festival, visit their website: https://www.midlandsfibrefestival.com/

Their Instagram: @midlandsfibrefestival

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: Flax to Fibre Event This Saturday – Co Dublin

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Promotional flyer for a community event in Dún Laoghaire, inviting participants to learn how to transform flax into fibre and save seeds for next year. Includes details about the date, time, and location.

Join the first Interwoven Neighbourhoods‘ community meitheal to learn how to transform flax into fibre and how to save seeds for next year.

FREE – all are welcome.

Interwoven Neighbourhoods is a project that catalyses local communities to plant, tend to, harvest, craft with, save seed, and learn from a patchwork of flax meadows that will support local biodiversity.

Their pilot programme will begin in Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, and will be run for a year through a series of four seasonal workshops, or meitheals.

By collectively celebrating flax as a versatile crop that can easily be grown in many private and public gardens, Interwoven Neighbourhoods aims to weave together an active local network of neighbours, strengthening social cohesion across generations, social classes, and cultural backgrounds

Interwoven Neighbourhoods is a project by @fibreshed_ireland, in collaboration with @ediblebray and I Am a Forest. Supported by @green_kite_community through @communityfoundationireland.

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: Mel Bradley’s Textile Journey – 18th of October

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland1 Comment
A woman with short grey hair and glasses stands in an art studio holding a mug and paintbrushes, surrounded by various art supplies and materials. The text overlay promotes 'Mel Bradley’s Textile Journey', an event happening on 18th October at CIE Sports Hall, Inchicore, Dublin.

Save the Date: Longtime Feltmakers Ireland guild member, textile artist Mel Bradley will share her Textile Journey on Sunday, the 18th of October. Mel creates her work and runs workshops out of her studio, Gallery 13, which is in the Millmount Craft Quarter in Drogheda, Co Louth.

Mel paints silk scarves, wraps, and cowls; she also creates Nunofelted wearables. Recent workshops have included Gelli Plate Printing, Shibori Dyeing with Indigo, and Silk Painting.

When: Sunday, the 18th of October, 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM

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

More on Mel

To view Mel’s work and workshops, visit her website: https://melbradleysilks.ie/

Her Instagram: @mel.bradley.silks

Some images from her website:

An elderly woman with short grey hair, wearing glasses and a red top, holds up a piece of blue fabric in a creative workspace. She is surrounded by various pieces of dyed fabric on a table and a wall filled with art and inspirational images. A woman is seated in the background, observing.
An elegant evening gown with a dramatic pink and black design, featuring a flowing cape detail.
A hallway featuring a light blue door with various patterned textiles draped over the stairs and walls, accompanied by a piece of artwork and a decorative branch.
Close-up of a blue and green scarf tied in a decorative bow around the neck, with soft fabric and subtle colour gradients.

Additional Information

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

To reduce the spread of illnesses, please refrain from coming if you feel unwell.

Zoom Access

We will share a Zoom link to the session on Friday afternoon, the 16th.


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.