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Recap - Sunday Session

Recap: September Sunday Session – Needle-Felted Owls with Eva Salamon

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
A smiling woman with glasses stands at a table decorated with craft materials, including a pink thermos, notebooks, and a colourful felt project. In the background, handmade figurines and decorations are displayed.
A woman with glasses and brown hair is crafting with colourful felting wool at a table. She is focusing on a purple and white felted piece. In the background, there are various crafting materials and a small dragon figurine.

On Sunday, the 20th of September, twenty members enjoyed a delightful morning of needle felting with guild member and artist Eva Salamon, learning how to create their own charming felted owls.

Students watching Eva demonstrate the steps

Eva guided the group through the process, demonstrating techniques for shaping and building the owl from wool fibre.

A group of four women attentively observe another woman working on a purple felted figure at a crafting table.
A group of people gathered around a table during a crafting workshop, with one person demonstrating a creative activity. Various crafting materials are visible on the table, and participants are engaged and observing.
A woman engaged in a crafting workshop, using a felting needle on purple wool, surrounded by a group of attentive participants.

A few photos

There was plenty of concentration, creativity and, no doubt, a few individual personalities emerging as the owls took shape!

A person's hands working on a green felted object on a grey foam surface, with various colourful wool fibres scattered around.
A woman with short blonde hair wearing glasses, smiling while holding a blue felt phone and a blue name tag that says 'SANDRA'. She is seated at a table with a coffee cup in front of her.
A woman with long black hair smiles while crafting needle-felted owls and other shapes at a table, holding a piece of crafted material in her right hand.
A woman with long blonde hair is creating a blue felted object, sitting at a table with various crafting materials, including a turquoise drink container and a black foam base.
Two elderly women engaged in crafting at a table, each working with colourful felting materials. One woman has long hair and glasses, while the other has short hair and is wearing a green scarf.
Three women engaged in a crafting activity at a table, displaying their handmade creations, including colourful figures, in a community centre setting.

Sharing work at the end of the session

A group of diverse women standing together in a hall, each holding colourful objects. They appear to be engaged in a social or community activity, showcasing a range of clothing styles.
Eva Salamon (in the centre) and some of the students with their needle-felted owls.

Eva’s Work

We were also delighted to have the opportunity to see some of Eva’s own work and learn from her experience as an artist and feltmaker.

A display of handmade felt art figures by Eva Salamon, featuring a green dragon, witches, skeletons, and pumpkins, arranged on a black tablecloth.

Eva will soon be selling her creations at upcoming Halloween markets and craft fairs. Follow her on Instagram to keep up with her events. : @feltedvision. Here’s a link to her website: https://feltedvision.sumupstore.com/

Desserts with History

A Bakewell tart with almond slices on top, displayed on a patterned plate, alongside a handwritten sign detailing its history and noting that it is vegan.
Bakewell Tart by Lorna

Guild member and committee secretary Lorna Cady brought another of her famous ‘Desserts with History. This time she made a vegan Bakewell Tart!

Appreciation Time

Many thanks to Eva Salamon for sharing her skills and enthusiasm with us, and to the members who joined us for another enjoyable Feltmakers Ireland Sunday 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 questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Of Interest: New Felt Matters Podcast – How Felting Changed Our Lives – Heather Potten and Louise Curnin

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Cover image for the podcast 'FELTMATTERS', featuring colourful felt artwork background with the title, subtitle, and host information.

On the most recent episode of the International Feltmakers Association (IFA) podcast FeltMatters, Education Team Officers Heather Potten and new co-host, Louise Curnin, talk about turning classes into lasting friendships, opening local shops to sell work, and branching into related crafts such as dyeing, leatherwork, ceramics, and weaving to enrich their felting. They describe shared rituals (making at a table, silent concentration), studio life (yurts, messy bedrooms and dogs on mic), and the satisfaction of creative escapes.

To listen to the FeltMatters season 5 podcast, visit here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjWL4vpKPOk&list=PLawHrBq4LKKPS1-t3lEXiImIEQDvtsADL&index=1

It is also on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Their 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.

Of Interest: Culture Night 2026 – Members Felting Events

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Several Feltmakers Ireland members are participating in events as part of this year’s Culture Night: https://culturenight.ie/

Co Leitrim

Promotional poster for Culture Night 2026 at the Leitrim Design House, inviting participation in textile and print workshops with demonstrations. Features images of leaf print, felted flowers, and event details including times and artists involved.

At the Leitrim Design House on Carrick-Shannon, guild members Belinda Reid will demonstrate 3D needle felting, and Karen Bowden will show how wool, water, and friction can create beautiful wet-felted flowers and beads. The guild’s exhibition, ‘The Essence of Nature ‘, is on The ArtWall.

https://leitrimdesignhouse.ie/blogs/news/join-us-for-culture-night-2026-for-an-interactive-evening-of-celebrating-textiles

Co Kildare

A woman sewing at a sewing machine during Culture Night, with fabric and materials on the table in front of her.

At Gather Kildare, guild member Tamzen Lundy will demonstrate wet feltmaking and free motion stitching. Her colleagues at Gather will also share what they create.

More info here: https://culturenight.ie/event/gather-and-meet-the-makers/

Co Galway

Promotional image for 'Little Woolly Wonders, Children's Felting Workshop', featuring a vibrant felted landscape with rolling hills, blue sky, and trees.

Guild member Joanne Foley will teach children how to create a wet-felted landscape at the Loughrea Resources Centre.

More info here: https://culturenight.ie/event/little-woolly-wonders-childrens-felting-workshop/

Co Wicklow

Colourful assortment of wool fibres and yarns for a cultural event at Ballywaltrim Library, titled 'Wonderful Wool in Wicklow', taking place on Friday 18 September 2026.

Guild members Sharon Wells, Loli Cox and other textile artists will be sharing the wonders of wool at the Ballywaltrim Library.

More info here: https://culturenight.ie/event/wonderful-wool-in-wicklow-experience-the-wonders-of-wool-including-felting-and-spinning-with-wicklow-based-crafters-and-artists/

Co Cork

A collection of felted bowls in various colours, including pink, orange, blue, and grey, displayed on a stone surface with green foliage in the background.

Guild member Zivile Zeniauskaite will teach wet felting at the Fermoy Library.

More info here: https://culturenight.ie/event/felting-workshop/

Note: Some of the events are drop in and others require booking. Please check the associated links for details.

Apologies if we missed your event.


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: 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.

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.

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.