Category: Uncategorized

A group from Feltmakers Ireland spent last Saturday felting together in the Social Club in Inchicore. It is a great venue, it was originally the Railway workers social club in Inchicore Square and is now a community centre. We were made very welcome and the hall is ideal for feltmaking – lots of light, space and big tables. I made a lovely rucksack style bag based on a design by Leiko Uchiyama. Leiko was in Dublin over the New Year and I was very jealous of her bag and decided to make one for myself. I used some Norwegian C1 wool fibre, and created a “bed” of green Wensleydale and “planted” some 3D red merino roses (inspired by Lulu Guinness).
We hope to hold these day long working days regularly. If anyone is interested in taking part please let me know – sheila.ahern@ireland.com. The days are very informal, everyone works on their own but it’s great working with other people and you can learn a lot just by seeing what everyone is doing.

We are holding our next Sunday Session in the studio in the Phoenix Park on the 12th February from 10.30-13.00. Natzaret Sindreu will be demonstrating her skills with needlefelting. Natzaret “sculpts” amazing pieces with just some wool fibre and felting needles. Everyone is welcome.

As Valentines Day is very close Natzaret hinted that there may be a love theme to next Sunday…

Happy New Year to you all. We are looking forward to kicking off the new year with our annual Introduction to Feltmaking workshop on Saturday 21st January. It is always a busy and exciting day and is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to learn all of the basic techniques of felt. As well as the classes there will be a shop selling wool fibre and a display of members work. The application form can be found just below in an earlier post.
All our members should have received the latest issue of our magazine. We have included your membership renewal form. Membership now runs from January for 12 months and costs €25 – among the many benefits of membership you will receive copies of our quarterly magazine in the post, reduced price for workshops, access to our studio and library, opportunity to participate in exhibitions and events, a real bargain!

The first ever book about Feltmaking in Ireland was published this month. It is a beautiful 100page hardback book profiling the work of 44 makers living in Ireland. The book comprises of stories of how the makers became involved in felt and their inspiration and is illustrated with photographs by Joanna Tomaszewska (www.visiblemoments.com)  The book is available to buy at all Feltmakers Ireland events (Drop In Sunday Sessions, Workshops etc) and also in the Yarn Room in Ashford, Co Wicklow. If you would like to get a copy of the book by post please email sheila.ahern@ireland.com (the cost is €15 + P&P). A great gift for anyone interested in craft, textiles and felt. We received financial support from the Crafts Council of Ireland which allowed us to produce a really good quality book  that we are very proud of.

For more pictures of the book launch check out our Facebook page

 

We are holding our annual  Introductory workshop “Basic & Beyond” next January 21st for anyone new to feltmaking or indeed anyone who would like a refresher course. It’s is a busy day filled with fun and learning. Each participant will be given details instruction in the various types of feltmaking by experienced tutors. They will also get a goody bags with a range of different wool fibre to work with on the day and experiment with later at home.

For more information and an application you can download the form below.

Introduction to Feltmaking Application Form

 

The Knitting & Stitching Show in the RDS in Dublin  had record attendance figures this year and we certainly could feel the “buzz” at our stand. There was a really good Nationwide programme last week about the show and here is a picture of Clodagh and Sheila looking at “Profiles in Felt” which was hot off the presses.  You can view the show (in Ireland only) on http://www.rte.ie/player/#!v=1121715

There are two fabulous felt events this week – our annual participation the the Knitting & Stitching Show in the RDS starting on Thursday morning November 10th. Come and visit the Feltmakers Ireland stand where there will be continuous demonstrations, an exhibition of felt vessels made from rare and native wool and lots of information about felt activities. We are teaching in the Learning Curve making beautiful felt brooches designed by Holly Angle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The other big event of the week is the launch of our first book “Profiles in Felt”, a collection of the work and stories of 44 feltmakers in Ireland. It is a beautiful publication and has been made possible by the generosity of the Crafts Council of Ireland as part of the celebration of the Year of Craft 2011. The book is being launched by Sonya Lennon (Stylist, TV presenter and CCoI Board Member)  on Friday 11/11/11 at 6.30 in the Culture Box in Temple Bar in Dublin. If you are interest in felt please come along and join the celebration – and here is your invitation

 

There was a really good report about wool production in Ireland on the Pat Kenny Show on RTÉ radio which included a piece with the wonderful Freda McGuill form the Wool Initiative. You can listen here:

Our next Sunday Session will be on November 6th in the Studio in the Phoenix Park from 10.30-13.00. We are going to demonstrate how to make felt brooches, anyone who  would like to join in the making please bring along you basic kit (bubble wrap, towel and some wool fibre). There is a charge of €5 to cover cost of heat, tea & coffee and everyone is welcome. The December session will be held on the 11th when we will be looking at how to make small felt pieces using traditional Hungarian designs with a Christmas twist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s a chance to keep you warm and cozy.

Recession Session schedule, Saturday October 22nd.

Hat Making with Holly Angle

This session will give you experience working with a basic hat pattern and manipulating it to other shapes.  Adding unusual fibres, fabrics and textures makes your creating interesting and personal.

Workshop will take place in  Feltmakers Ireland Studio in the Phoenix Park from 10-4, cost €40 incl tea & coffee (materials extra cost  – €5 approx).  Minimum 5 people – maximum 8.

To book a place contact hollyangle1@eircom.net