Tag: AGM

News: Feltmakers Ireland AGM – THIS Sunday

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
A family seated on grass, gently interacting with a lamb. The mother and daughter are smiling and petting the animal, while a man sits beside them. They are dressed in light knitwear, with a scenic landscape in the background.

Feltmakers Ireland will hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) THIS Sunday, the 10th of May, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the CIE Sports and Social Hall in Inchicore, Dublin, D08 PA07

We’re delighted to welcome Zoë Daly of Èriu Farm for a special talk on sustainability, heritage, and the future of wool.

Zoë’s journey began with a gift from her grandmother Kitsy: a hand-knitted Merino baby blanket made for Zoë’s newborn daughter. She was struck by its softness, breathability, and comfort, and began asking why a country so rich in sheep farming was not producing beautiful Irish wool products of its own. That question led her to research the decline of Ireland’s wool industry and ultimately to found Èriu.

Today, through Èriu Farm, Zoë and her husband Lionel Mackey champion natural fibres, biodiversity, fair value for farmers, and a fully traceable “Farm to Yarn” approach that reconnects land, craft, and community. Her talk will offer inspiring insights into how wool can play a key role in a more sustainable future.

Agenda

1 .    We will start promptly at 10:45 AM to facilitate our Guest Speaker Zoē Daly of Èriu Farm. 

2 .    Address by the Chair – Deirdre Carroll

3.     Address by the Secretary – Lorna Cady

4.     Treasurer’s Report – Samantha (Sam) Fagan

5.     Motions for AGM- No motions were put forward.

6.     Election of Chair and Committee 2026/2027. Election of other Officers will be held at the June Committee meeting

7.      A Bursary Draw for 250 euros, open to all paid-up members, will take place at the AGM. To be used to partake in a Felting Course, and afterwards, a short recap article with photographs would be much appreciated.

8.      Members will have an opportunity to sell their work at the AGM. Methods of receiving payment, whether cash, credit card, Revolt, or PayPal transactions, will be the seller’s responsibility.

9.      Members will have an opportunity to display and discuss their work with other members. Members will need to bring props to display their items. We will provide 2 table coverings.

10.    Time for refreshments and chat.


Yums

Refreshments will follow. If you could bring a little something, home-baked or not, we’d be delighted.

We always appreciate goodies with our cuppa.

Share Your Work

Members are welcome to bring along a few pieces of their own work to display during the AGM. If you wish to sell or display your work, we will have two tables set up from 10 AM to facilitate the display of artwork and creations. (Please label your work clearly and securely, and please bring it home with you.)

Methods of receiving payment, whether cash, credit card, Revolt, or PayPal transactions, will be the seller’s responsibility.

Zoom Link

Members who cannot attend in person can use the Zoom link, which will be emailed beforehand on Friday, the 8th. This session will not be recorded.

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.

News: Bursary Awarded to Hilary Delaney – Botanical Printing with Gabrielle Bishop at Mulranny Arts

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

At our 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM), guild member Hilary Delaney‘s name was pulled from the hat for the annual bursary to study a textile course of her choice.

As part of the award, bursary recipients share their experiences with the guild via our blog. In the past, those who have shared articles about their educational experiences include: Adrienne Dempsey in 2024, Ramona Farrelly in 2023, and Doris Reinisch in 2021. Editor’s Note: There wasn’t a bursary award in 2022.

Below, Hilary shares her wonderful experience with the three-Day botanical printing workshop, ‘Nature’s Palette’ with Gabrielle Bishop at Mulranny Arts in County Mayo.

Poster for 'Nature's Palette' Contact/Eco Print Workshop with Gabrielle Bishop, May 1st, 2nd & 3rd 2026, featuring images of eco-printed fabric and various plant materials.
Poster advertising the workshop

By Hilary Delaney

I chose the botanical printing course because I was captivated by the colours, textures, and creation of possibilities that leaves and seaweed can bring to cloth and paper. Plants contain their own pigments and structures, and the process of transferring their colours and shapes using mordants and natural dyes really interests me.

Various green leaves arranged on a piece of paper for printing purposes.

As a horticulturist and hobby felter, I find this feels like a natural extension of my practice. Both felting and botanical printing rely on water, pressure, and time to transform raw material. I’m excited by the opportunities to combine them: printing onto silks and fine wools before nuno felting, embedding seaweed silhouettes into vessel forms, or using the subtle leaf shapes on bowls.

The course has opened up new ways for me to capture a sense of place and season in my work — not just through form, but through the actual pigments and patterns of the landscape.

Artistic print created using seaweed collected from local beaches, featuring abstract designs and natural textures.

Tutor Gabrielle Bishop’s ability to facilitate learning was excellent; she created a space where curiosity was encouraged. Her deep knowledge of plants, process, and colour was always present; she gave room for each student to find their own dialogue with the materials.

What stood out most was how she encouraged us to slow down and really see — the vein of a leaf, the way seaweed releases pigment, the shift in tone from steam to cloth. Her guidance was practical, with stories about foraging and folklore, which added interest to the learning process. 

A close-up of printed paper displaying various leaf patterns in natural earthy tones.

This weekend has given me the confidence to carry these techniques into my felting, with a sense of play, exploring different textures and colours.

Future projects I hope to explore based on what I learned in this course. This will include seaweed prints on silk and botanical printing at various times of the year, paired with Nunofelting.

Thank you to Feltmakers Ireland for the bursary.

Close-up of printed fabrics showing botanical patterns in earthy tones.

Hilary studied at Mulranny Arts, The Old Convent, Mallaranny, Co. Mayo, F28 F8N8

For information on Botanical Printing and other creative arts classes on offer, visit the Mulranny Arts website – https://www.mulrannyarts.com/classesworkshops

Their Instagram: @mulrannyarts @gabriellemarybishop

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.

News: Feltmakers Ireland AGM – 10th of May, 2026

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
A family seated on grass, gently interacting with a lamb. The mother and daughter are smiling and petting the animal, while a man sits beside them. They are dressed in light knitwear, with a scenic landscape in the background.

Feltmakers Ireland will hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday, the 10th of May, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the CIE Sports and Social Hall in Inchicore, Dublin, D08 PA07

We’re delighted to welcome Zoë Daly of Èriu Farm for a special talk on sustainability, heritage, and the future of wool.

Zoë’s journey began with a gift from her grandmother Kitsy: a hand-knitted Merino baby blanket made for Zoë’s newborn daughter. She was struck by its softness, breathability, and comfort, and began asking why a country so rich in sheep farming was not producing beautiful Irish wool products of its own. That question led her to research the decline of Ireland’s wool industry and ultimately to found Èriu.

Today, through Èriu Farm, Zoë and her husband Lionel Mackey champion natural fibres, biodiversity, fair value for farmers, and a fully traceable “Farm to Yarn” approach that reconnects land, craft, and community. Her talk will offer inspiring insights into how wool can play a key role in a more sustainable future.

Agenda

1 .    We will start promptly at 10:45 AM to facilitate our Guest Speaker Zoē Daly of Èriu Farm. 

2 .    Address by the Chair – Deirdre Carroll

3.     Address by the Secretary – Lorna Cady

4.     Treasurer’s Report – Samantha (Sam) Fagan

5.     Motions for AGM- No motions were put forward.

6.     Election of Chair and Committee 2026/2027. Election of other Officers will be held at the June Committee meeting

7.      A Bursary Draw for 250 euros, open to all paid-up members, will take place at the AGM. To be used to partake in a Felting Course, and afterwards, a short recap article with photographs would be much appreciated.

8.      Members will have an opportunity to sell their work at the AGM. Methods of receiving payment, whether cash, credit card, Revolt, or PayPal transactions, will be the seller’s responsibility.

9.      Members will have an opportunity to display and discuss their work with other members. Members will need to bring props to display their items. We will provide 2 table coverings.

10.    Time for refreshments and chat.


Yums

Refreshments will follow. If you could bring a little something, home-baked or not, we’d be delighted.

We always appreciate goodies with our cuppa.

Share Your Work

Members are welcome to bring along a few pieces of their own work to display during the AGM. If you wish to sell or display your work, we will have two tables set up from 10 AM to facilitate the display of artwork and creations. (Please label your work clearly and securely, and please bring it home with you.)

Methods of receiving payment, whether cash, credit card, Revolt, or PayPal transactions, will be the seller’s responsibility.

Zoom Link

Members who cannot attend in person can use the Zoom link, which will be emailed beforehand on Friday, the 8th. This session will not be recorded.

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 AGM: Looking Back & Looking Forward on the Past Year – Plus Guest Speaker Leiko Uchiyama

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland1 Comment

On Sunday, the 11th of May, Feltmakers Ireland marked a significant milestone, celebrating its 22nd year as an organisation. Twenty-nine members attended this AGM in person, and six joined via Zoom link. Our founder, President Elizabeth Bonnar, was also in attendance.

Address by Acting Chair

First, committee member Suzanne Phelan, acting on behalf of our Chairperson Deirdre Carroll, went over the Guild’s many accomplishments for the past year, which included the following activities and events:

  • Sharing our love of feltmaking at public events such as Bloom, the Tullamore Show and Dublin Fibre Festival.
  • Hosting Open Days in Dublin and Killbeggan, Co Westmeath as part of August Craft Month/Heritage Week Ireland.
  • First Lady Sabina Higgins opened our month-long exhibition of ‘Symbols of Ireland’ at the Phoenix Park Visitors’ Centre Gallery in March. 400 people attended the opening, and over a thousand people viewed the show.
  • Several hands-on events were held, including a revisit of the Fine Felt Workshop with Annika Berglund, the Pine Needle technique with Leiko Uchiyama, Needle-Felted Mushrooms with Nara Fritch, and Felt Christmas Stars with Annika Berglund.
  • In the past year, our Sunday Sessions also included learning about the creative journeys of members Maria McGarry, Deirdre Crofts, and Clodagh Mac Donagh.
  • Our hybrid Zoom class in October with Hungarian tutor Judith Pocs, where we made felted eyeglass cases.
  • Volunteers travelled to Belfast in November to demonstrate felting at the Knitting and Stitching Show, sharing a booth with the International Feltmakers Association and Feltmakers North.

Address by the Secretary

For the next part of the AGM, our secretary, Lorna Cady, discussed our upcoming activities for the coming year. Amongst the exciting events mentioned were the following –

  • Two international workshops: One in May with Marjolein Dallinga and one in July with Pam de Groot.
  • The Basic and Beyond Bag Making Workshop with Annika Berglund in June.
  • In August, the guild will again demonstrate felting at the Tullamore Show,and participate in August Craft Month / Heritage Week at the CIE Sports Hall in Inchicore, and Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath.
  • In October, we will demonstrate at the Dublin Fibre Festival
  • In November, we will hopefully again participate in the Knitting and Stitching Show, in Lisburn, with the IFA and Feltmakers North.

The Treasurer’s Report and Wool Project

Treasurer, Annika Berglund, reported on our finances, which were approved by the auditor, and the Wool Project, our book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’, which is also doing well and has been purchased by wool enthusiasts in Ireland and beyond, including the USA and Europe. She also introduced our new treasurer, Samantha Fagan, to the group.

The Bursary Draw

This year, Hilary Delaney was the fortunate member to win the 250 euro Bursary, which will be used for a felting workshop of her choice. We look forward to seeing what she learns through her short recap and photographs.

Committee News

The membership voted to approve Belinda Reid’s official joining of the committee. Two guild members, Irina Lampadova and Helena Mc Guinness, have offered to help 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

Our guest speaker, Leiko Uchiyama, shared her life and travels and how they influenced her sculptural artworks and functional felted objects, which range from playful to elegant. She spoke of the inherent Diversity of Feltmaking and how she enjoyed the play of textures and colour. It was a fascinating talk, and so interesting to learn more about her.

Leiko also filled the stage with her gloriously beautiful wool from her fibre dyeing business LeikoFelt, which proved very popular with the members!

Thank you, Leiko, for being part of our 2025 AGM!

Spoiled for choices of Merino, Corriedale and Silk/Merino roving from LeikoFelt.

Felt Displayed

In addition to the Committee proceedings and Leiko’s Textile Journey, several of our members displayed their artwork, and a few had pieces for sale. These members included Loli Cox, Irina Lampadova, Fiona Leech, and Evija Mezaka. Apologies if we have missed anyone.

Video of the Day

A medley of our day at AGM 2025.

Many thanks to all those who attended Feltmakers Ireland’s 2025 AGM, whether in person or via Zoom! And we understand if you could not make it – the weather was so lovely outside!

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.

News: Feltmakers Ireland AGM 2025 – this Sunday

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Poster for Feltmakers Ireland's AGM 2025 - This Sunday with guest speaker Lieko Uchiyama - picture of Leiko and some of her hand-dyed wool fibres.
Leiko Uchiyama with a selection of her hand-dyed fibres

All members* of the Feltmakers Ireland Guild are invited to our AGM on Sunday, the 11th of May.

By starting promptly at 10:30 AM, we aim to complete the meeting’s formalities promptly, allowing us to listen to the Textile Journey of our Guest Speaker, Leiko Uchiyama, an artist, educator, and master dyer, who lives in Co Carlow.

Additionally, we will feature a Sellers’ Area and a Display Area this year.

Image of wool and wool & silk fibre that LeikoFelt sells and will provide at the AGM for members to purchase.


Leiko brought a selection of her gorgeous hand-dyed fibres during the Pine Needle Felting Workshop in January. She will have similar supplies available to purchase this Sunday. Other guild members will be bringing felted artwork and supplies too. IF you want to be included in this Vending Opportunity, please RESERVE a spot by emailing feltmakersIE@gmail.com

There is no cost for members to sell at the AGM.

Agenda

1.     Address by the Chair, opening the AGM (Suzanne Phelan will act on behalf of chairperson Deirdre Carroll, who is away)

2.     Address by Secretary (Lorna Cady)

3.    Treasurer’s Report (Annika Berglund)

4.    Wool Project Wool Report  (Annika Berglund)

5.    Motions for AGM

6.    Election of Chair and Committee 2025/26. Election of other Officers will be held at the June Committee Meeting. We always welcome new faces on the Committee—if you’re interested in helping to keep our Guild active and thriving, your support would be greatly appreciated!

7.    Guest Speaker is Leiko Uchiyama, a feltmaking artist originally from Japan and now living in Borris, Co Carlow. Her journey has taken her from Japan to New Zealand, Indonesia, and France, where she developed her feltmaking techniques. Leiko creates wearable pieces made of wool and silks, which she dyes using her own colour recipes. She also makes functional pieces for the home. She teaches Felting workshops throughout Europe, America, Australia, and Japan, and has exhibited her work in many countries.

Leiko will also have her dyed wool roving for sale at the AGM. She will bring Merino, Corriedale and a Silk/Merino mix of roving, which is ideal for the craft of felting.

8.    A Bursary Draw for €250 is open to all paid-up members and will take place at the AGM. The winner can participate in a Felting course and then provide a short recap article with photographs. (In 2024, guild member Adrienne Dempsey won the award. You can read about her experience in this blog post.)

9. Sellers’ Area: Members can sell their work, fibres or supplies at the AGM. Methods of receiving payment, whether by cash, credit card, Revolut, or PayPal transactions, are the seller’s responsibility. The guild will provide tables, but NOT coverings or other displays. Please RSVP to participate in the Sellers’ Area. feltmakersIE@gmail.com

10.  Display Area: Members can also take the opportunity to display and discuss a small selection of their work with other members. Members will need to bring props to display their items. Make sure that your name is on your piece. The guild will provide two table coverings. There is no need to RSVP for the Display Area.

11.  Refreshments and chat. Refreshments will follow. If you could bring a little something, home-baked or not, we’d be delighted. We always appreciate goodies with our cuppa. If you have a travel cup, please bring it so we can reduce the waste of single-use paper cups. As always, we will provide the coffee and tea!

*We kindly ask non-members to become members in order to attend the AGM.

Zoom Access

Members who cannot attend in person can use the Zoom link, which will be emailed to members today. This session will not be recorded.

Leiko’s Instagram: @leikofelt


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.

Events: Feltmakers Ireland AGM 2025 – 11th of May

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

AGM

All members of the Feltmakers Ireland Guild are invited to our AGM on Sunday, the 11th of May.

By starting promptly at 10:30 AM, we aim to complete the meeting’s formalities in a timely manner, allowing us to listen to our Guest Speaker, Leiko Uchiyama, an artist, educator, and master dyer, who lives in Co Carlow.

Additionally, this year we will feature a Sellers’ Area and a Display Area. See below for more information.

Agenda

1.     Address by the Chair, opening the AGM (Suzanne Phelan will act on behalf of chairperson Deirdre Carroll, who is away)

2.     Address by Secretary (Lorna Cady)

3.    Treasurer’s Report (Annika Berglund)

4.    Wool Project Wool Report  (Annika Berglund)

5.    Motions for AGM

6.    Election of Chair and Committee 2025/26. Election of other Officers will be held at the June Committee Meeting. We always welcome new faces on the Committee—if you’re interested in helping to keep our Guild active and thriving, your support would be greatly appreciated!

7.    Guest Speaker is Leiko Uchiyama, a feltmaking artist originally from Japan and now living in Borris, Co Carlow. Her journey has taken her from Japan to New Zealand, Indonesia, and France, where she developed her feltmaking techniques. Leiko creates wearable pieces made of wool and silks, which she dyes using her own colour recipes. She also makes functional pieces for the home. She teaches Felting workshops throughout Europe, America, Australia, and Japan, and has exhibited her work in many countries.

Leiko will also have her dyed wool roving for sale at the AGM. She will bring Merino, Corriedale and a Silk/Merino mix of roving, which is ideal for the craft of felting.

8.    A Bursary Draw for €250 is open to all paid-up members and will take place at the AGM. The winner can participate in a Felting course and then provide a short recap article with photographs. (In 2024, guild member Adrienne Dempsey won the award. You can read about her experience in this blog post.)

9. Sellers’ Area: Members will have the opportunity to sell their work, fibres or supplies at the AGM. Methods of receiving payment, whether by cash, credit card, Revolut, or PayPal transactions, are the seller’s responsibility. The guild will provide tables, but NOT coverings or other displays. Please RSVP if you wish to participate in the Sellers’ Area, as space is limited. feltmakersIE@gmail.com

10.  Display Area: Members can also take the opportunity to display and discuss a small selection of their work with other members. Members will need to bring props to display their items. Make sure that your name is on your piece. The guild will provide two table coverings.

11.  Refreshments and chat. Refreshments will follow. If you could bring a little something, home-baked or not, we’d be delighted. We always appreciate goodies with our cuppa. If you have a travel cup, please bring it so we can reduce the waste of single-use paper cups.

Zoom Access

Members who cannot attend in person can use the Zoom link, which will be emailed beforehand on Friday. This session will not be recorded.

Leiko’s Instagram: @leikofelt

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.

Recap: Part 2 of AGM 2024 – Including Members’ Felted Art

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Part 2

Malú Colorín of Talú Earth and Fibreshed Ireland pulling a member’s name out of a hat that Annika Berglund is holding.

This is the second article of a two-part series about Feltmakers Ireland’s recent AGM. To see part one, visit here – https://feltmakersireland.com/2024/05/15/recap-agm-2024-malu-colorin-talu-earth-fibreshed-ireland/

Click Member Exhibition to scroll down and see the artwork.

Bursary Draw

In 2023, Feltmakers Ireland had a Bursary Draw open to all paid-up members. The winner uses the award to attend an in-person or an online feltmaking class. Last year, Ramona Farrelly won; you can read about the online Pam de Groot class she attended here – https://feltmakersireland.com/2023/09/06/news-ramona-farrelly-enjoys-pam-de-groots-course/

During the AGM, Doris Reinisch’s name was pulled from the hat. However, a committee member recalled that she had won the Bursary Award in 2021. You can read about the Molly Williams class that Doris took here – https://feltmakersireland.com/2022/02/09/contemporary-dancer-felt-workshop-attended-by-doris-reinisch-winner-of-feltmakers-irelands-bursary-2021-report-by-doris-reinisch/

Doris graciously permitted us to randomly select another individual to receive this additional benefit of guild membership. Adrienne Dempsey is the lucky winner!

Cannot wait to see what class Adrienne takes with her award!

Fibre Swap

All members were asked to bring a 50-gram, opaque bag of fibre/fabric/embellishments, which would then be ‘swapped’ by passing to the person to the right.

Member Sam Fagan received a cool mix of Bershaf batts and woven ribbons.

The result of Sam’s Fibre Swap

Member Exhibition

Each member was asked to bring a piece of felted artwork to display as part of the AGM. This informal exhibition filled a table and beyond!

Pardon if the photos are slightly ‘off-colour’; the combination of natural light from the windows and indoor electric lights makes everything look ‘buttery’.

  • Group sharing – Bowl by Suzanne Phelan, Booties by Irina Lampova, Tall Vessel by Deirdre Carroll.
  • Bowl in foreground by Suzanne Phelan, Booties by Irina Lampadova, Tall Vessel by Deirdre Carroll…
  • Eva Salamon @feltedvision
  • Fiona Leech – @feltathome
  • Tamzen Lundy @tamzenlundydesigns
  • Tamzen Lundy @ @tamzenlundydesigns
  • Elizabeth Redding
  • Marie Dunne
  • Lorna Cady
  • Adrienne Dempsey
  • Loli Cox
  • Loli Cox – Full Irish Breakfast
  • Loli Cox
  • Helena McGuinness
  • Patricia Conroy
  • Unknown artist – if you know, please contact us.

Conclusion

A huge thank you to all the members who contributed to the success of Feltmakers Ireland’s 2024 AGM! Your active involvement and support were instrumental in making it a great event.

Here’s to another year of collaboration and creativity!

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: AGM 2024 with Malú Colorín of Talú Earth and Fibreshed Ireland – Part 1 of 2

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland2 Comments
Chairperson Deirdre Carroll speaking about the Guild’s achievements.

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.

Malú Colorín with a slide showing her contribution to the Galway Wool Co-op’s Meitheal. Photo by Sam Fagan

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/

Map showing locations of designers, makers, farmers, and processors throughout all of Ireland.

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

  • Samples from her Dye Notebooks
  • Cochineal Samples
  • Naturally Dyed Yarns
  • Large Naturally Dyed Sample Cards

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.

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.

News: Feltmakers Ireland AGM 2024 – This Sunday

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
This Fibre Swap example was created by Jane Fox for a Dublin-based International Feltmakers Association meeting in March.

AGM

All members of the Feltmakers Ireland Guild are invited to our AGM this Sunday, the 12th of May.

  • VENUE: CIE Sports and Social Club, INCHICORE, Dublin 8, Eircode D08X525
  • DATE: 12th May 2024
  • TIME: 10:30 – 12:30

By starting promptly at 10:30 AM, we hope to have the formalities of the meeting completed in good time so we can listen to our Guest Speaker, Malú Colorín, co-founder and co-director of Fibreshed Ireland.

We have decided to continue with our draw for a €250 Bursary to participate in a feltmaking workshop of your choosing. The only caveat is that you write a short report with photos so everyone can enjoy your experience.

We will also have a new activity – a Fibre Swap. If everyone could bring roughly 50g of fibre, embellishments, fabric, etcetera, of any kind in a small opaque bag, we can form a circle and pass your fibre to the right. It will be a little bit of fun with a surprise as well. Member Jane Fox made the lovely example in today’s post for a Fibre Swap, which was part of an International Feltmakers Association (IFA) meeting in Dublin in March.

Yums

Refreshments will follow. If you could bring a little something, home-baked or not, we’d be delighted.

We always appreciate goodies with our cuppa.

Share One Piece

Lastly, you are welcome to bring a piece of your work to display during the AGM. (Please label your piece clearly and securely, and please bring your piece home with you.)

Agenda

  1. Address by Chair, opening of AGM (Deirdre Carroll)
  2. Address by Secretary (Lorna Cady)
  3. Treasurer’s Report (Annika Berglund)
  4. Wool Project Book. (Annika Berglund)
  5. Motions
  6. Vote on adoption of new Code of Conduct and Ethics.
  7. Election of Chairperson and Committee for 2024-25. Election of officers will be held at the June
    committee meeting.
  8. Guest Speaker Malú Colorín – co-founder and co-director of Fibreshed Ireland, a
    community-supported social enterprise, building networks to craft a regenerative
    Irish textile system based on local fibre, local dyes and local labour.
  9. A Bursary Draw for €250 for all paid-up members will take place at the AGM, to be
    used to partake in a Felting Course. Afterwards, a short recap article with
    photographs would be much appreciated.
  10. Fibre swap of 50 grams in an opaque bag.
  11. Refreshments.

Members who cannot attend in person can use the Zoom link, which will be emailed beforehand on Friday or Saturday. This session will not be recorded.

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.

News: Feltmakers Ireland AGM – Next Sunday

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Elizabeth Bonnar, founder and President of Feltmakers Ireland
Members near and online at AGM 2023.
Examples of Elizabeth’s work.

Photos from last year’s AGM

All members of the Feltmakers Ireland Guild are invited to our AGM which is next Sunday on the 12th of May.

  • VENUE: CIE Sports and Social Club, INCHICORE, Dublin 8, Eircode D08X525
  • DATE: 12th May 2024
  • TIME: 10:30 – 12:30

By starting promptly at 10:30 AM, we hope to have the formalities of the meeting completed in good time so we can listen to our Guest Speaker, Malú Colorín, co-founder and co-director of Fibreshed Ireland.

We have decided to continue with our draw for a €250 Bursary to participate in a feltmaking workshop of your choosing. The only caveat is that you write a short report with photos so everyone can enjoy your experience.

We will also have a new activity – a Fibre Swap. If everyone could bring roughly 50g of fibre of any kind in a small opaque bag, we can form a circle and pass your fibre to the right. It will be a little bit of fun with a surprise as well.

Yums

Refreshments will follow. If you could bring a little something, home-baked or not, we’d be delighted.

We always appreciate goodies with our cuppa.

Share One Piece

Lastly, you are welcome to bring along a piece of your own work to display during the AGM. (Please label your piece clearly and securely, and please bring your piece home with you.)

Agenda

  1. Address by Chair, opening of AGM (Deirdre Carroll)
  2. Address by Secretary (Lorna Cady)
  3. Treasurer’s Report (Annika Berglund)
  4. Wool Project Book. (Annika Berglund)
  5. Motions
  6. Vote on adoption of new Code of Conduct and Ethics.
  7. Election of Chairperson and Committee for 2024-25. Election of officers will be held at the June
    committee meeting.
  8. Guest Speaker Malú Colorín – co-founder and co-director of Fibreshed Ireland, a
    community-supported social enterprise, building networks to craft a regenerative
    Irish textile system based on local fibre, local dyes and local labour.
  9. A Bursary Draw for €250 for all paid-up members will take place at the AGM, to be
    used to partake on a Felting Course. Afterwards, a short recap article with
    photographs would be much appreciated.
  10. Fibre swap of 50 grams in an opaque bag.
  11. Refreshments.

Members who cannot attend in person can use the Zoom link, which will be emailed beforehand on Friday or Saturday. This session will not be recorded.


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.