As part of August Craft Month, the Irish Guild of the Weavers, Spinners and Dyers is holding the ‘Second Big Spin’, tomorrow, Saturday, the 24th of August.
Access: There is a multi-storey car park nearby and there is a set down area in front of the hotel.
Spinners of all levels are welcome, bring your wheel or spindle. Weavers are also very welcome to bring their inkle looms, rigid heddle looms, etc. There is no charge to attend the Big Spin. Both members and non-members are welcome.
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.
On Sunday, the 18th of August, Feltmakers Ireland hosted its first of two open days in the CIE Sports Club for August Craft Month 2024. Our second event will be this Sunday, the 25th of August, at the St James Hall in Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath. This upcoming event promises to be busy – visitors who have not pre-booked may need wait for an available tutor.
Hands on Learning
Curious students gathered around guild members and learned how to create a wet felted vessel using fine Merino wool, soapy water, a flexible resist, and their hands.
Finished Vessels
Visitors were able to work with wool and take home their completed vessels.
A Lovely Day
Photographs by Guild Member Evija Mezaka
Irish Wool
In addition to learning feltmaking, there was a carding demonstration and display of raw fibre and finished pieces made from Irish wool. Volunteers Annika Berglund and Margaret Ryan Collins chaired this table. Copies of our book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’, were also available.
Artwork Display
A display of wet and needle felted artworks, which included wall art, sculptures, vessels, jewellery, hats, scarves, dresses, and even an octopus, was available for viewers to admire.
With Appreciation
Many thanks to the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCI) for setting up August Craft Month and helping to fund our event. With appreciation to Heritage Ireland for listing our event on their website and helping us connect with our community. Also, thanks to guild member Leiko Uchiyama for dyeing such beautifully coloured wool roving.
A huge thank you to Deirdre Crofts and Loli Cox for helping to organise the Inchicore August Craft Month open day. Lastly, the Guild appreciates all the volunteers who ensured the day ran smoothly: Adrienne, Annika, Clare, Deirdre, Elizabeth, Eva, Hilary, Juliane, Lorna, Margaret, Marie, and Sam.
A video of our Open Day can be found on Instagram and/or on Facebook.
Note: We have received some questions about the green-coloured sprinkler devices that go onto plastic drinking bottles. This item was found on AmazonUK and is often used for gardening. Not all brands of bottles fit the devices – a good opportunity to do a selective clean-up near a local school. 🙂
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.
Image from the Feltmakers North via August Craft Month website
As part of August Craft Month,members of Feltmakers North are facilitating a short workshop, creating felted flowers. The venue is Lisburn Library, Lisburn, County Antrim, and the event is free.
Experienced felt maker and Feltmakers North member Deborah Woolsey, will deliver the workshop, assisted by fellow Feltmakers North member Deirdre Gallagher. Enjoy learning about wet felting, a fun and hands-on textile craft combining wool fibres, water and friction to create unique and beautiful pieces. Participants will have the opportunity to make a wet felted flower to take home.
All materials provided. Please bring a hand towel and plastic bag for taking your piece home.
When: Friday, the 16th of August.
Feltmakers North are a group of feltmaking enthusiasts aiming to promote the art of felting, by sharing knowledge, skills, ideas and support in a relaxed and friendly setting. Everyone welcome.
This workshop is suitable for adults and is free of charge, but must be booked in advance by emailing feltmakersnorth@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 questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.
The Wicklow Craft Foundation is holding a craft market this weekend featuring ceramics, glass, textiles, leather, wire sculptures, and bookmarking. Miriam Brady will be there with her felted artwork, and she and some of the other makers will demonstrate their craft.
Where: The Schoolhouse for Art, Enniskerry Village, Co Wicklow. Date: Saturday and Sunday, 17th and 18th of August 2024 Time: 10 AM- 4:30 PM
Correction: Miriam Brady will be unable to attend the event due to a death in the family. Our thoughts are with her. Other makers will be holding demonstrations.
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.
Step into the world of Wonderful Wool, where we will delve into the potential of Irish-grown wool as a sustainable natural material. Attendees can look forward to a thought-provoking panel discussion featuring keynote speakers from the Irish Grown Wool Council (IGWC). There will be a presentation and interactive seminar featuring craftspeople from across Ireland who champion the benefits of wool in various ways.
The keynote speakers are members of the Irish Grown Wool Council, a dedicated body that promotes Irish-grown wool both locally and globally. Be inspired by their insights and learn about the innovative efforts to advance the standard and create markets for Irish-grown wool.
There will be a networking lunch after the talks for attendees to engage with the panel and peers on all things wool. There will also be a maker’s demonstration and exhibit celebrating all things wool!
When: Friday, the 16th of August 2024, from 10 AM – 1:30 PM. Where: Conor Lecture Theatre, Ulster University
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
Panel Discussion: Dive into the world of wool with keynote speakers from the Irish Grown Wool Council (IGWC).
Interactive Seminar: Engage with talented craftspeople from across Ireland.
Networking Lunch: Connect with our panel and fellow wool enthusiasts.
Maker’s Demonstration & Exhibit: Celebrate the beauty and versatility of wool.
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.
Two guild members of Feltmakers Ireland will teach at Meath Made Creates, which is part of this year’s celebration of August Craft Month.
The Meath Made Creative Collective will be at the Swift Cultural Centre for a two-day event. They will take over the entire building with demonstrations, workshops, talks, a craft fair, an exhibition, and live music.
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.
As part of August Craft Month, discover the delicate art of Irish Lace! Join Guild of Irish Lacemakers members for a morning filled with tradition and craftsmanship that the whole family can enjoy.
When: Saturday, the 3rd of August from 11 AM to 1 PM.
Where: The Museum of Decorative Arts and History in Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7.
Live Demonstrations:
Watch in awe as our skilled lacemakers weave intricate designs right before your eyes, demonstrating the precision and artistry passed down through generations.
Interactive Displays:
Get up close to beautiful, historic laces and contemporary designs in our displays. See the supermini to the super-sized!
Try It Yourself! Roll up your sleeves at our hands-on stations, where you can learn to stitch your own stitches and use children’s crafting needles and embroidery hoops. Guided by expert lacemakers, you’ll work with a pillow, bobbins, and hexagon netting —perfect for beginners and children alike.
Explore the Collection:
Visit ‘The Way We Wore’ exhibition to discover how lace has been interwoven with Irish culture and identity over the centuries.
This drop-in family event will occur from 11 AM to 1 PM in the Palatine Room off Clarke Square in Collins Barracks in the Decorative Arts and History Museum.
No booking is required. For more information, call 01 648 6453 or contact bookings@museum.ie
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.
On the 18th of August from 11 AM to 3 PM at the CIE Hall/Inchicore Sports and Social Club Library Square, Inchicore, Co. Dublin, D08 PA07
On the 25th of August from 11 AM to 3 PM at St James Hall, Dublin Road, Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath, N91 XA32
Time: Both events run from 11 AM to 3 PM.
This year, we will be teaching how to felt a small round vessel out of wool roving using soapy water and your hands!
Curious about sheep and Irish wool varieties? Explore the unique reactions of different Irish wool types that have been needle and wet felted. There will be an opportunity to browse and purchase our book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’, a rich resource on forty breeds of Irish-raised sheep.
There will be a display of felted artworks and wearables crafted by our talented members, showcasing the beauty and versatility of feltmaking.
If you are a member of Feltmakers Ireland and you are having a felt-related event as part of August Craft Month, please contact us so we can include you in our August Craft Month posts – 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 questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.
August Craft Month 2024 is for makers, communities, families, collectors, and enthusiasts across the island of Ireland. Event applications are welcome from the following:
Individual craft makers
Guilds and networks
Galleries, retailers and museums
Councils and arts centres, cultural venues
Further and higher education institutions and crafts educators
Heritage organisations
The deadline for registering your event is Friday, June 14th.
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.
“So this happened! Thank you, @craft.ni and curator and guest judge Annie Cattrell, for the “emerging maker award”!! That’s my ‘are they serious, did I hear that right?’ face… and the picture secretly snapped by my mentor and friend @veramcevoy …
A gorgeous exhibition, Pathways, in the heart of Belfast… a wonderful shop too full of great goodies for Christmas and birthdays, supporting local makers… I wish every county in Ireland had a hub of support like this one!
Thanks again for the recognition; so proud and delighted… it’s not often a wee piece of textiles gets to share the platforms with ceramics, glass and jewellery … but there you go. Happy days.”
Feltmakers Ireland 