Sunday Sessions will resume, with our next one on the following Sunday, the 14th of September, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM.
Guild member Jane Fox will lead us in creating our own Name Badges. Above is a photo of her badge, which she wore to demonstrate at this year’s Bloom. It is both beautiful AND sustainable!
Please bring the following items:
Your usual Wet Felting Kit, which includes a hand towel, soap, a small bowl, and a medium-sized piece of bubble plastic.
Felting needles and a sponge or felting mat. (We will have some extra felting needles on hand).
Sharp scissors.
Small bamboo mat – if you already have one. We have some for members to use during the session.
Optional: Bits and bobs such as beads, sequins and thread – if you would like to sew these in.
Optional: Embellishment fibres, if desired.
The Guild and Jane will provide the other materials needed.
Complimentary tea and coffee will be served at our Sunday Session. Home-baked goods to share are always welcome! If you can, please bring a travel mug to replace disposable paper cups.
As this is the season of coughs and sneezes, we prefer you not to share these. Please do not attend if you may be unwell.
On Friday, we will email a Zoom link to all members for those who wish to attend virtually.
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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.
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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.
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Dublin is buzzing with creativity this week as two milestone exhibitions open, each celebrating decades of artistry and community.
Sculpture in Context – 40th Anniversary Show at the National Botanic Gardens
One of Ireland’s most beloved annual art events, Sculpture in Context, has returned after a hiatus to the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin for its 40th year. The exhibition transforms the gardens into an open-air gallery, with sculptures of every scale and style nestled among the trees, glasshouses, and landscaped grounds. Visitors can expect a vibrant mix of work from established and emerging artists, with pieces that playfully interact with their natural surroundings.
Three of Feltmakers Ireland’s members have pieces in the show: Ramona Farrelly, Juliane Gorman, and Fiona Leech.
When: Thursday, the 4th of September to Friday, the 10th of October.
Irish Guild of Weavers, Spinners, and Dyers – 50th Anniversary Show at the Lexicon Library
Meanwhile, in Dun Laoghaire, the Irish Guild of Weavers, Spinners, and Dyers (IGWSD) is marking its 50th anniversary with a special exhibition at the dlr Lexicon Library. Showcasing the craft traditions of weaving, spinning, and dyeing, the exhibition highlights both heritage techniques and contemporary textile art.
Visitors will see a rich variety of textures and colours—handwoven fabrics, intricate patterns, and natural dyes that speak to the Guild’s commitment to preserving and evolving Ireland’s textile heritage.
Two of Feltmakers Ireland members have work in the show: Juliane Gorman and Sharon Wells.
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For feltmakers looking to work with more Irish-raised wool, there’s a special opportunity this week. Texel-cross wool, sourced from Margaret of Kilmullen Farm in Wicklow and carefully cleaned by Feltmakers Ireland guild member Katarina of WoolStoreIE, is on sale.
According to our book ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’, Texel-cross is particularly well-suited for needlefelting, so this is a great chance to try something new with local fibre.
This Friday, bundles will be available at €7 each (regularly €9) or 3 for €20.
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These courses are not feltmaking specifically, but they may be of interest to add to one’s textile-related skills. The Joomchi workshops are in Dublin, and the Paper Casting Workshop is online.
2 in-person Joomchi Workshops in Dublin
Art in Layers is offering two in-person workshops in September on how to create Joomchi, which is a traditional Korean paper-crafting technique that involves layering hanji (Korean mulberry paper) by hand.
“In this class, you’ll learn the meditative process of bonding paper fibers without adhesives, creating stunning pieces with depth and dimension. Perfect for all skill levels, joomchi offers a beautiful way to explore texture, color, and form while connecting with a centuries-old craft.” – from the Art in Layers website.
The Surface Design Association (SDA) offers an online paper casting course taught by Leah Aegerter.
In this foundational paper-making workshop, students transform pulp into unique cast-paper sculptures. Starting with dry abaca pulp, they will delve into the process of reconstituting, blending, dyeing, and casting sheets using a traditional mould and deckle. Abaca paper is characterised by long fibres with impressive wet strength, making it ideal for manipulation. Students mould wet sheets onto objects at home, around the studio, or in the environment. This method of papermaking and casting exemplifies a DIY approach to adapting the traditional craft for a personal studio setting, as described on the Surface Design Association website.
When: Three live Zoom sessions in October/November, with recordings available for a year.
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On a bright sunny day in Dublin, Feltmakers Ireland members held an ‘Introduction to Wet Felting Workshop’ at the CIE Sports and Social Hall in Inchicore on Sunday, the 17th of August. Our event was part of August Craft Month, and also part of National Heritage Week, which runs from August 16th to 24th.
The aim of our event was to introduce participants to the art of wet felting and provide hands-on experience in creating a felted vessel. The skills gained included an understanding of the felting process, tactile engagement, creative confidence, and the joy of having fun.
Selecting fibreLaying out the woolStudent felting
Two sessions were held, with 12 participants attending the first session from 11 AM to 1 PM and 8 participants attending the second session from 1 PM to 3 PM. All participants were provided with wool and the equipment needed to felt a vessel using a choice of colours. Guild member Annika Berglund gave a demonstration on starting the process before the participants went to their positions, where they were assisted in completing the process by members of Feltmakers Ireland.
Annika demonstratingAnnika wetting the fibreAnnika rolling the felt
Photos of the students felting away.
In addition to the hands-on wet felting workshop, guild member Margaret Ryan Collins shared about Irish wool. She demonstrated how to card wool from Irish sheep’s fleece, showing that the wool could be used for felting or knitting. A few years ago, Feltmakers Ireland successfully self-published a book on felting with Irish wool, titled ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking.’ This book is available for purchase on our website – https://feltmakersireland.com/exploring-irish-wool-for-feltmaking/
As part of our Open Day, we showcased the sample board from our research on Irish Wool. It shows how specific breeds of sheep’s wool can be needle-felted and wet-felted.
Samples wet felted and needle felted from the sheep breeds tested for our book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’.
Guild member Eva Salamon demonstrated how to needle-felt her fantasy figures. Hilary shared some of her works-in-progress.
Hillary and EvaEva
Several members displayed their felted creations.
Annika, Irina, Marie, and Elizabeth demonstrated and helped participants to create wet-felted vessels. The verbal feedback from the participants was very positive, and each person left with a completed vessel.
Annika and some of the students share their felted vessels.
Isha from the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland and photographer Sasko arrived to view the workshop. They were very interested in the various pieces on display and the processes demonstrated by the members.
In conclusion, Feltmakers Ireland’s Open Day successfully engaged participants in the creative process of wet felting, enabling them to express their artistic side. It was a great day and a great success.
Adrienne and Deirdre welcoming students
Thanks to the members of Feltmakers Ireland who helped on the day. Thank you to Sam Fagan and Margaret for the photographs. Additional appreciation to Sam, Annika, and Lorna, who organised a very successful event. Feltmakers Ireland is grateful for the support received from the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland.
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.
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Every year, the Olivier Cornet Gallery invites an artist to reflect on one of their works in the context of the theme chosen by the National Heritage Week organisation. The theme this year is about “Exploring Our Foundations”, so they have asked David Fox to consider his painting ‘The Ridge of Capard’.
The discussion will take place on Thursday, the 21st of August 2025, at 6:30 PM.
David Fox will be joined by some of the artists whose work features in our current group show, ‘Out of Lines’. They will also say a few words about their work. The artists confirmed so far are Annika Berglund, Hugh Cummins, Colin Eaton, Nickie Hayden, Miriam McConnon, Yanny Petters and Vicky Smith.
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.
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To celebrate August Craft Month, our fibre-friends, the Irish Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers (IGWSD) will host a Big Spin event at the Beckett Locke Hotel on Dublin’s North Docks on Sunday, the 17th of August, from 11 AM to 4 PM.
The Big Spin is open to all and is free; simply drop in at any time. Tea and coffee will be provided. Bring your spindle, spinning wheel or small loom.
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.
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Soil Your Scarf project at DublinMaker – Join Fibreshed Ireland’s co-director, ecologist Jess Leonard, on Saturday, the 30th of August, at Dublin Maker.
“Come knit a tiny scarf made from native Irish-grown wool from The Galway Wool Coop, while learning about soil ecology and how to protect and care for your own garden soil. See magnified mesofauna living in previously buried scarves. When you’re done, you can take your tiny scarf away with you to bury it within the topsoil and find out who’s living there!”
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Long-time Feltmakers Ireland member, Deirdre Crofts, has two ceramic pieces in the Ceramics Ireland group show Clay/Works 2025 at the National Botanic Gardens. The exhibition showcases the work of over 80 makers from across the country. A diverse range of ceramic pieces is displayed, including functional, decorative, wall panels, and sculptural forms.
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.
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Questions: For questions about the content, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.
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