On Sunday, the 11th of June, Feltmakers Ireland was fortunate to learn about FI member Claire Merry’s amazing felted creations.
Claire creates felt works in numerous formats, including gossamer wearables, enormous, felted wall pieces, and whimsical three-dimensional sculptures. Impressively, she uses multiple feltmaking techniques, including needle felting, Nuno felting, wet felting, working in white and then dyeing. The list goes on – she is unafraid to explore and is a master of new techniques.
There were so many unique pieces. One of the highlights was a silk rose-covered wedding gown with a very long train. Knowing we would be interested, Claire unfurled the huge underlayment resist she used to make the dress. Someone asked if she made the garment in sections. She explained that she did not – she felted it all together. There are two resists: one for the front AND one for the back.
Claire Merry and the resist that she used to create the wedding gown on the left.
A close-up of the two wedding pieces.
The wedding gown and bridesmaid dress
A Gallery of some of the photographs from the June Sunday Session.
Claire sharing her work with the viewers – including those coming in via Zoom.A thee-dimensional wall piece.Several of her framed pieces.Peacock inspired hanging with transparent netting.Garments that were felted and then dyed afterwards.A felted jacket and vest.Claire with a felted wall hanging inspired by Oscar Wilde’s poem – Nightingale and the Rose.
The Guild wants to thank Claire Merry for coming to our Sunday Session and sharing her inspiring work. We have a fascinating, photo-filled interview with Claire from 2020.
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In the second half of the meeting, member Deirdre Crofts shared Mind Mapping for Creative Idea Generation. We will have this as a separate blog post.
Claire Merry will bring along some samples from her vast collection to show us and do a short presentation. It’s definitely not one to miss. Claire has a wealth of experience, and it goes without saying that her work is truly amazing. (There is a nice interview with Claire on our Feltmakers Ireland website).
Upcoming Exhibition
We will also launch our new exhibition, “Bountiful”, which will open at the beginning of October.
We will have a discussion and a mind mapping session about the meaning of the word “bountiful” and talk briefly about framing etc. (In the autumn, there will be a future Sunday Session dealing with framing and hanging our felt work.)
So hope to see a big turnout for our last session (before the summer break).
Claire Merry will bring along some samples from her vast collection to show us and do a short presentation. It’s definitely not one to miss. Claire has a wealth of experience, and it goes without saying that her work is truly amazing. (There is a nice interview with Claire, here on the Feltmakers Ireland website).
We will also launch our new exhibition, “Bountiful”, which will open at the beginning of October.
We will have a discussion and a mind mapping session about the meaning of the word “bountiful” and talk briefly about framing etc. (In the autumn, there will be a future Sunday Session dealing with framing and hanging our felt work.)
So hope to see a big turnout for our last session (before the summer break).
Feltmakers Ireland held their Annual General Meeting on Sunday to celebrate our 20th Anniversary. Founder and former guild president Elizabeth Bonnar shared her story, including the group’s inception and its journey over the past two decades. Her speech was moving and inspiring, and the members were fascinated to learn about the events she participated in during her time as president.
Elizabeth Bonnar
Additionally, Elizabeth brought some of her beautiful felted creations to share. More of her work can be seen in an upcoming blog post. Many thanks to Clodagh Mac Donagh and Kay McKenna for helping to artfully display Elizabeth’s work.
The outgoing guild president, Breda Fay, spoke about the accomplishments of the past year and expressed her gratitude to everyone who has helped to make the guild vibrant. Next, Lorna Cady spoke on behalf of the outgoing secretary, Clare Brophy, thanking her for her hard work during her time with the guild. Both Breda and Clare were recognised for all of their hard work.
Annika Berglund, the treasurer, gave a presentation on the guild’s finances, providing transparency and accountability to members. She also had on hand, printed copies of the new book, Exploring Irish Wool for Felting. Several members purchased copies of this important book.
Towards the end of the meeting, Secretary Fiona Leech drew names from a felted vessel. Ramona Farrelly was awarded the bursary prize of 250 euros to be used for a felt-making workshop.
Of course, there was tea, coffee and cakes to be enjoyed!
Some members brought pieces that they have created. Apologies for the lackluster photography.
Clare MerryAdrienne DempseyTeddy by Máiréad De Burca, Small Brooches by Elizabeth Redding, and Toxic Tear by Fiona LeechSandra ChaseVessel on the left by Helena Mc Guinness and the one on the right by Marian Fagan.
Overall, the meeting was a great success, with members coming together to celebrate the guild’s 20th Anniversary, reflect on the past year’s accomplishments, and plan for the future. It was also an opportunity for members to showcase their creativity and for the guild to recognize the contributions of its members.
Many thanks to all who were able to attend either in person, or via the Zoom link.
Apologies if anyone’s contributions have been overlooked.
This AGM is the beginning of the year of our 20th anniversary. 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, our founder Elizabeth Bonnar, give a short account of ‘Our Guild’s Beginnings’ and glimpse some of her fantastic work.
Members who cannot attend in person can use the Zoom link that will be emailed out on Friday or Saturday. The session will not be recorded.
YUMS Refreshments will follow – please bring some Home Bakes for us to sample. We always appreciate goodies with our cuppa.
SHARE ONE PIECE You are welcome to bring one piece of your own work from the last 20 years – new members, too, please – to display around the room.
(Please label your piece clearly and securely, and please, please, please bring the piece home with you).
AGENDA
Address by Chair, the opening of AGM (Breda).
Address by Secretary (Clare).
Treasurer’s Report (Annika).
Report of Wool Project Book (Copies may be available).
Election of Chairperson and Committee for 2023-34. The election of officers will be held at the 11th of June meeting.
Motions.
GUEST SPEAKER – Elizabeth Bonnar, the founder of Feltmakers Ireland, will address the meeting on the History of FI and may display some of her work.
Bursary Draw for €250 for all paid-up members will occur at the AGM. The award is to be used to attend a Felting Workshop (either in-person or online). Afterwards, a blog post reporting on the workshop/class would be most welcome.
Tea/Coffee Home Bakes.
NB: Motions for the AGM MUST be submitted in writing, to the Committee, 14 days before the AGM. This is to allow time to circulate all members in advance of the meeting.
THIS AGM IS THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR OF OUR 20TH ANNIVERSARY.
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, our founder Elizabeth Bonnar, give a short account of ‘Our Guild’s Beginnings’ and glimpse some of her fantastic work.
We hope to have an unofficial launch at the culmination of our brilliant research project, our wool book – Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking.
YUMS
Refreshments will follow – please bring some Home Bakes for us to sample. We always appreciate goodies with our cuppa.
SHARE ONE PIECE
You are welcome to bring one piece of your own work from the last 20 years – new members, too, please – to display around the room.
(Please label your piece clearly and securely, and please, please, please bring the piece home with you).
BURSARY AWARD
While we are delighted to announce that all members are eligible for the drawing of an award of €250 to put towards any workshop either in person or online, from any international tutor of your choice.
AGENDA
Address by Chair, opening of AGM (Breda).
Address by Secretary (Clare).
Treasurer’s Report (Annika).
Report of Wool Project Book (Copies may be available).
Election of Chairperson and Committee for 2023-34. The election of officers will be held at the 11th of June meeting.
Motions.
GUEST SPEAKER – Elizabeth Bonnar, the founder of Feltmakers Ireland, will address the meeting on the History of FI and may display some of her work.
Bursary Draw for €250 for all paid-up members will occur at the AGM. The award is to be used to attend a Felting Workshop (either in-person or online). Afterwards, a blog post reporting on the workshop/class would be most welcome.
Tea/Coffee Home Bakes.
NB: Motions for the AGM MUST be submitted in writing, to the Committee, 14 days before the AGM. This is to allow time to circulate all members in advance of the meeting.
This AGM is the beginning of the year of our 20th Anniversary.
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, our founder Elizabeth Bonnar, give a short account of ‘Our Guild’s Beginnings’ and glimpse some of her fantastic work.
We hope to have an unofficial launch at the culmination of our brilliant research project, our wool book – Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking.
Yums
Refreshments will follow – please bring some Home Bakes for us to sample. We always appreciate goodies with our cuppa.
Share One Piece
You are welcome to bring one piece of your own work from the last 20 years – new members, too, please – to display around the room.
(Please label your piece clearly and securely, and please, please, please bring the piece home with you).
Bursary Award
While we are delighted to announce that we will be giving one lucky member a whopping €250 to put towards any workshop either in person or online, from any international tutor of your choice.
Anyone whose 2023 membership is paid up before May 1st will be eligible for the draw at the AGM on May 7th.
Report of Wool Project Book (Copies may be available).
Election of Chairperson and Committee for 2023-34. The election of officers will be held at the 11th of June meeting.
GUEST SPEAKER – Elizabeth Bonnar, the founder of Feltmakers Ireland, will address the meeting on the History of FI and may display some of her work.
Bursary Draw for €250 for all paid-up members will occur at the AGM. The award is to be used to attend a Felting Workshop (either in-person or online). Afterwards, a blog post reporting on the workshop/class would be most welcome.
Tea/Coffee Home Bakes.
NB: Motions for the AGM MUST be submitted in writing, to the Committee, 14 days before the AGM. This is to allow time to circulate all members in advance of the meeting.
It was the turn of another talented Feltmakers Ireland member Hélène Dooley, to lead April’s hands-on Sunday session. Hélène is a member of the IFA’s (International Feltmaker’s Association) team of online tutors. You can find her online on Instagram as FeltZen.
Again, we were all looking forward to another practical hands-on session, FI having had the good luck to secure a venue with plenty of table space, access to hot water, etc., to accommodate our needs.
The theme of this month’s session was Surface Decoration or surface design, and the two techniques that Hélène chose to demonstrate to us were ones that she had learnt from two wonderful feltmakers, Lyda Rump of Holland and Marjolien Dalinga of Bloomfelt, who came to run a workshop on the invitation of FI some years ago.
Hélène had very kindly created packs for everyone and handed out at least 25 of them, so we had a full house of eager feltmakers, both beginners and some more seasoned makers. Hélène also made lots of lovely samples and finished projects of the techniques, which she shared with us.
We started off with a show and tell by Hélène, who explained what was in store for us.
An AMAZING owl created by Hélène.Photos by Clodagh Mac Donagh
The Cracked Mud Technique
The first technique was one called Cracked Mud.
The joy of creating in a group means there are many different suggestions from everyone on what materials to use: in this case, there were ideas on the narrow resists to place between the layers of wool. Hélène provided a plastic bag for everyone to cut up, but other suggestions to use were low tack masking tape or narrow pieces of ribbon. The main principle is that the resists should be long enough to protrude beyond the main body of the piece so that you can pull them out easily afterwards.
Personally, I really enjoyed this Cracked Mud technique, having tried it before with disappointing results. The difference was that I had used homemade prefelts in my previous attempts, and the results were very furry and uneven when I cut around them. In contrast, Hélène had used commercial prefelts in her packs, and the result was a much more pleasing, graphic result with a clean look and strong shapes against a strongly contrasting background.
Cracked Mud Samples were created during the Sunday Session. Photos courtesy of Hélène.
The Geode Technique
Hélène showed us finished pieces using The Geode Technique
Technique no 2 is called The Geode Technique. I have also seen this referred to as The Felt Carving technique. This technique was taught to FI participants by Marjolien Dalinga of Bloomfelt. This method involves creating ridges (or pleats) in the thick felt surface (made of six layers or so of homemade prefelts) and stitching a line of tacking at the base of the ridge to help the layers to fuse together when felting. Then comes the ‘carving’; using sharp scissors, you make cuts into the top of the ridge, revealing the different coloured stripes to create the Geode effect.
The important thing is to use a strong thread at the base of the ridge (fold) so that it can easily be removed afterwards. Suggestions for the thread went from commercial spools of nylon thread to fish gut or dental floss.
The very enterprising Elizabeth, sitting next to me, gave me some plastic baling twine, which she had brought from her home on the farm in Westmeath, as that was what she had at hand. It’s also a very good alternative as it’s possible to unravel this twine and use a single strand of it for sewing…ingenious!!
FELTED GEODE SAMPLES WERE CREATED DURING THE SUNDAY SESSION. PHOTOS COURTESY OF HÉLÈNE.
It was great to take a walk around the room, looking at everyone’s work at the end and seeing all the different approaches. There is always so much to learn from looking at everyone’s individual creations.
Needless to say, we were kept constantly fed throughout with amazing homemade goodies and hot tea and coffee by membership secretary Fiona and her catering team.
Many thanks to Hélène for her wonderful organisation and facilitation of the session and to Fiona and the committee for the lovely warm hospitality that we all received.
For the Sunday Session attendees, Hélène had very kindly created a PDF of both techniques, with great photos to illustrate them.
This Sunday, the 2nd of April, Feltmakers Ireland member and tutor Helene Dooley will share with the group how to create the Cracked Mud Technique and the Felted Geode Finish.
You can either watch or create alongside; if the latter, please bring the following equipment and materials.
PARTICIPANTS NEED TO BRING THE FOLLOWING EQUIPMENT (ALL ESSENTIAL):
2 towels
Bubble wrap either one piece at 30 cm by 60 cm or 2 pieces that are 30 cm square (minimum sizes).
Water Sprayer or ball brauser
Bowl
Olive soap or preferred soap
Sharp scissors, as you will be cutting into both samples
Sewing needle, which is long enough to sew through very thick prefelt. Please ensure the needle’s eye is large enough to accommodate the thick thread.
Glass headed pins
Plastic bag for carrying wet gear home.
MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR EACH PARTICIPANT:
Merino superfine 5 grams each in three colours, two bright (sample 1) and one grey (backing for sample 2).
3 prefelts: two bright and possibly one black prefelt, approximate size 20cm square OR 1 x 6 layer of prefelt in this colour combination.
2 strips of light plastic approximately 30cm long
Strong thread, preferably nylon base, which will not felt into the sample (or break during felting).
Yesterday, our Guild Treasurer, Artist Annika Berglund, led the wonderful “Basic and Beyond” workshop. We made a versatile double-walled vessel.
An early start at 10am had us all rushing for coffee and tea, and the committee and some participants provided an array of lovely buns and cakes. Some participants had travelled from faraway places such as Galway, Kilbeggan and Slane.
Annika showed us samples of the finished piece, and asked us to choose 2 x10gr bags of tencel, a fibre which she had dyed in a variety of colours. Each participant was also given a kit bag of merino wool, with the resist already cut out in the shape needed for our vessels.
Annika then gave us a series of demonstrations to help create our vessels step by step.
1st: She showed us how we would lay out the tencel for our colour pop.
2nd: After another short demo and we then laid the white band and the black bands of our wool. (Layer one). This “inside-out” lay out was explained, and several committee members, Marian, Clare, Deirdre Crofts and Fiona helped the 18 participants.
Then, we had a lunch break on the premises with tea and coffee provided. This allowed a very warm-hearted social interaction between long standing Guild members and some new arrivals.
3rd: After lunch Annika again demonstrated the second layer of wool and how she wished us to rub and roll our pieces. Hard rollers were provided by the committee.
4th: The next demonstration was how to make slits or cuts with sharp scissors, after which we each designed how we wanted our final pieces to appear.
5th: This demo was how to “cure” our slit edges, and we continued to roll until the whole piece was well felted. This was a reminder to all of us how physically energetic actual felt-making is!
6th: This demonstration was how to style our pieces, showing us ways to strengthen the base and to give a stylish finish to the ‘frames’ of our window slits. Annika showed us further samples of the variety of ways to use this skill.
All of us were very satisfied indeed with our beautiful vessels when we finally saw the double wall with the inner pop of colour through the “Windows”. Each person’s piece was different to the next. Group photos were taken before we left for the journey home.
As a final bonus, Annika presented each of us with notes so we can make it again if we like!
A huge thank you to Annika and the committee for a wonderful day.
Feltmakers Ireland 