Tag: DCCI

Recap: Feltmakers Ireland at Bloom 2026

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
A group of people queuing at a market stall, surrounded by colourful bunting and a blue banner that reads 'Made Local - Made to Last'.
A craft fair stall featuring artisans demonstrating felt-making techniques. Several people are engaged in crafting at a long table adorned with colourful wool, handmade felt animals, and artwork displays.
A group of women engaged in a crafting activity at a table, using wool and colourful fibres. One woman in a floral shirt focuses on her work while another interacts with her. Others are visible in the background, with various crafting materials scattered across the table.
Two women engaged in a felting workshop at a craft fair, surrounded by colourful wool fibres and crafting tools. A mannequin displays a felt hat, and a sign for 'Feltmakers Ireland' is visible in the background.
Two women smiling and posing in a craft stall, one holding a sign that reads 'Created using Human Ingenuity'. A third woman sits at the stall in the background. The stall features colourful felt products and a banner for 'feltmakers ireland'.
A woman demonstrates a craft at a table, engaging with two participants, while colourful materials and a decorative backdrop are visible.
A group of women engaged in a crafting activity at a community event, with materials spread out on a blue table. One woman in a pink patterned dress and another in a blue shirt are working on a textile project, while a third woman assists behind them. Various handmade items are displayed on the table.

On Friday, the 29th, and Saturday, the 30th of May, a dozen volunteers from Feltmakers Ireland generously shared their love of the magic of feltmaking with the public at Bord Bia Bloom, an enormous, five-day festival in Dublin’s Phoenix Park, which focuses on gardening and sustainability.

As in previous years, we were located within the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland‘s (DCCI) Irish Craft Village – in the special Demonstration Area – just like the Irish Woodturners’ Guild and the other GANS Guilds.

On the second day, we shared the space with our friends from Fibreshed Ireland. It was great to see them spinning, weaving, dyeing, and sharing insights into the sustainable, local wool and linen textiles of Ireland.

Fibreshed Ireland

A craft demonstration booth featuring two women. One woman is spinning wool on a traditional spinning wheel, while the other is arranging materials on a blue table with various craft items and a schedule of demonstrations in the background.
Malú Colorín and Frederique Knits
Two women standing in front of a blue backdrop displaying 'MADE LOCAL'. One is holding a weaving loom with colourful yarn, while the other stands beside a display of local crafts and materials.
Malú Colorín and Kathy Kirwin

Hands Busy at Work

A colourful striped towel spread out on a table, with three hands positioned on it and a red rubber object placed in the centre.
A person using bubble wrap to felt colourful wool pieces on a work table, surrounded by towels and a bowl.
Close-up of two tattooed hands resting on a white towel, showcasing various intricate black tattoos including patterns and symbols on the fingers.
A hands-on demonstration at a craft fair with participants engaging in an activity. Several hands are positioned near a bottle of window and glass cleaner, with petals and craft materials scattered on a table.
Two people engaged in a felting workshop, using their hands to shape colourful wool on a table covered with protective material.
A group of hands engaged in a crafting activity on a multi-coloured striped table. Various materials, including bubble wrap and a piece of felt, are being manipulated.
A person with gloved hands is handling brown plush toy animals, in a market stall setting with a wooden display board. Soft toys resembling bears peek from the top of the display.
Hands of guild member Tamzen Lundy, as she creates faux-taxidermy foxes

Our volunteers led children and adults in creating wet-felted balls, 3D flowers, and flat wool paintings. They also demonstrated more complex feltmaking activities.

Tamzen Lundy created several of her 3D faux-taxidermy foxes, and Irina Lampadova showed how to make felted wristlets using a unique template method.

Our Volunteers

A woman working on felted art pieces at a booth, with various tools and materials displayed on a table. The background features a promotional sign for local arts and workshops.
Tamzen
Two women engaged in a crafting activity at a table, with fabric and tools arranged. One woman is standing and appears to be helping the other, who is seated. In the background, others are participating in similar activities. The backdrop features promotional material for 'Made Local'.
Deidre and Siobhán
A woman in a white shirt is animatedly speaking while gesturing with her hands at a craft demonstration table, surrounded by colourful wool and handmade bowls.
Fiona
A woman demonstrating felt-making techniques at a craft fair, holding a piece of wool while explaining the process. She is wearing glasses and a flower accessory, with a colourful textile display in front of her.
Hélène
A group of people engaging in a crafting workshop, focusing on felt-making techniques. Participants are working on tables covered with protective material, while instructors demonstrate the process. Colourful felted items are visible on the table.
Hélène and Fiona
A woman smiling while working on felt-making at a craft event, with various materials and completed felt items on a table.
Irina
An elderly woman with short white hair, wearing a colourful floral shirt, is demonstrating a felting technique to two participants at a crafting event. Various colourful wool fibres are spread out on a table, and the backdrop features promotional materials for felt-making workshops and exhibitions.
Claire
Two women demonstrating felt-making at a craft event, with one speaking to an audience while wearing a unique hat and the other preparing materials.
Loli and Linda
Two women smiling together at a craft fair, one wearing a floral hat and green sweater, and the other in a blue cardigan and scarf, standing in front of a decorated table.
Loli and Juliane
Two women engaged in a felting workshop, with one woman demonstrating how to work with wool while the other observes closely. The backdrop features a promotional banner for local crafts.
Mary
A woman demonstrating a crafting technique at a table covered with white towels and various craft materials, engaging with another person.
Siobhán
A craft market display featuring handmade felt fox head decorations wearing glasses, alongside artwork prints and a vendor showcasing their products.
Tamzen

Many thanks to our members, who donated time from their busy Bank Holiday Weekend to share their love of felting with the visitors at Bloom. In addition to displaying their felted work, many wore felted items.

Many thanks to the DCCI for inviting us to be part of the Irish Craft Village, and to the event organisers, Geraldine and Catherine Gray, who ensured we had what we needed for the event.

Delighted Attendees

A smiling woman in a yellow jacket and pink top holds a decorative item while sitting at a table with a white cloth.
A woman holding a piece of felted fabric featuring a colourful flower design, set against a background of festival tents and bunting.
A woman with a black headband and floral top gestures while sitting at a table, displaying a felted wool artwork with a floral design. Other attendees are visible in the background.
An elderly woman smiling while holding a handmade felt bow tie with floral patterns, wearing a patterned pink shirt.

Videos

There are two Instagram Reels for each day of Feltmakers Ireland’s participation at the Irish Craft Village:


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.

Of Interest: Panel Discussion – The Future of Irish Wool: Heritage, Sustainability & Innovation – At Bloom on Saturday

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Promotional banner for Bord Bia Bloom, Ireland's largest festival of gardening, food, and sustainable living, featuring event details and a focus on Irish wool heritage and sustainability.


This weekend, Irish sustainable fashion stylist and journalist, Roxanne Parker, will host two conversations about Irish textiles and fashion at the Sustainable Living Stage of Bord Bia Bloom 2026, in association with The Design and Craft Council of Ireland. Both events will explore the future of Irish textiles, heritage & endangered craft, and sustainability. 

Of particular interest to felters is Saturday’s event, “The Future of Irish Wool: Heritage, Sustainability & Innovation.”

This event will open with a fashion show celebrating Irish wool and Irish woven textiles, followed by a conversation on sustainability, heritage manufacturing, farming, fashion and textile innovation.

Joining Roxanne are the following:

When: Saturday, the 30th of May at 10:30 AM

Where: Sustainable Living Stage, at Bloom

On Sunday at 11:15 AM, there will be a fashion show and a panel discussion on linen.

Opening with a fashion show celebrating Irish linen and contemporary Irish linen design, followed by a discussion on weaving, endangered craft practices, sustainability and the evolving future of Irish linen.

Joining Roxanne are the following:

More information about events is on the Bord Bia Bloom website – https://www.bordbiabloom.com/whats-on/event-schedule/

Instagram: @roxanne_parker @dccireland @irish_grown_wool_council_ @bordbiabloom


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.

Of Interest: Feltmakers Ireland will be at Bord Bia Bloom 2026 – DCCI’s Irish Craft Village

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Map of Bloom 2026 event layout, showing various areas including the Conservation Area and entrances, with marked locations for facilities like restaurants and picnic areas.
Bloom 2026 Map

On Friday, the 30th and Saturday, the 31st of May, volunteers from Feltmakers Ireland will demonstrate wet and needlefelting at the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland‘s Irish Craft Village, at Bord Bia Bloom in Phoenix Park. We will be in Demo Area 3, near the Conservation Area. Our book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’, will also be for sale, along with some of our members’ works. Come by and say, ‘Hello’!

Here is a link that shows the schedule of all the guilds that are demonstrating –https://www.dcci.ie/whats-on/bord-bia-bloom/bloom-2026-demonstrations/

Member News

Group of people gathered for the announcement of Meath Made's participation in Bord Bia Bloom 2026, with promotional materials and artwork on display.
MeathMade Members, including Lucia Errity.

Feltmakers Ireland guild member Lucia Errity will display her felted work at the MeathMade booth.

More Information

This June bank holiday weekend (Thursday, May 28th– Monday, June 1st, 2026), Bord Bia Bloom, Ireland’s most unique gardening, food, and sustainable living festival, returns for its 20th year.

Filled with colour and creativity, the event heralds the start of summer with a dazzling display of glorious gardens, fabulous food, and enthralling entertainment to entice visitors of all ages.

Spanning a 70-acre site in Dublin’s leafy Phoenix Park, Bord Bia Bloom is one of the country’s largest outdoor experiences, attracting over 100,000 visitors annually. This year, visitors can soak up the sights, sounds, and tastes of summer over five buzzing days packed with live entertainment, talks, interactive workshops, dining, shopping, and so much more.

Bord Bia Bloom offers abundant opportunities to grow, taste, and learn. Tickets are on sale via Ticketmaster, and two children can go free with each adult ticket purchased. Concession tickets are available for senior citizens (66+) and students with a valid ID.

For more information, visit their website – https://www.bordbiabloom.com/

Their Instagram: @bordbiabloom @dccireland @luciaerrityart @meathmade

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.

Open Call: DCCI Future Makers Awards 2026

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
A promotional image for Future Makers 2026 featuring two models in creative outfits. One model wears a colourful, oversized pink dress with ruffles, while the other wears a multi-coloured top and patterned trousers, seated beside a small table with decorative items. The text announces that applications are open until 22nd June 2026.

Established in 2009, the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland’s Future Makers Award is one of Europe’s most extensive prize-funded award programmes. It showcases talent and provides much-needed financial support.

Divided into student and emerging practitioner categories, the awards support these crucial times.

The award categories include the following: sustainable design, studio equipping, residencies/training, and exhibiting/trade events.

There is also a mentoring package included in the award.

The deadline is the 22nd of June, 2026.

For more information and to apply, visit the DCCI website – https://www.dcci.ie/dcci-future-makers/

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.

Of Interest: Interactive Wool Crafts – European Wool Day in Tralee

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Promotional poster for 'Interactive Wool Crafts' event, featuring various wool crafts including felting, spinning, weaving, knitting, crochet, and Lumra rug making. Details include the date, time, location at Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee, and an invitation for individuals, families, and groups to attend.

On Saturday, the 28th of March, European Wool Day will take place at the Meadowlands Hotel in Tralee, Co Kerry. In conjunction with the Conference Talks, there is a full day of free interactive demos of woolcrafts from experts all over the country.

Volunteers from Feltmakers Ireland will be part of the Interactive Wool Crafts Room. We will demonstrate needlefelting and host hands-on felting circles for the public. The wool that we will use is Irish-raised and was purchased from Ériu and WoolstoreIE. We are grateful to have received some funding from the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland.

In addition to Feltmakers Ireland, other individuals and groups will be part of the Interactive Wool Crafts room. The list includes several members of Feltmakers Ireland: Karen Bowden (Fabulous Fibres), Lucia Errity, and Emily Thompson.

The lineup, with links to their Instagram:

There will also be a free-to-attend exhibition of artwork from Feltmakers Ireland and two other sister textile organisations:

When: Saturday, the 28th of March, from 10 AM to 5 PM.

Where: Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee, Co Kerry, V92DC83

For more information about European Wool Day, visit their website – https://ewe.network/ewd2026/

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.

Of Interest: Guild Member Emily A Thompson at Showcase Ireland – RDS

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Business card for needle felting artist Emily A Thompson, featuring a sheep design and details of her showcase stand at the Local Enterprise Office.

From the Showcase Ireland website: Each year, over 3,350 buyers from Ireland, the UK, the USA, Mainland Europe, and Asia attend the three-day to-the-trade event, which generates sales orders exceeding €25.6 million.

In previous years, several members of Feltmakers Ireland have participated in the annual trade fair.

This year, member Emily A. Thompson will be exhibiting her needle-felted work at Showcase Ireland in the Local Enterprise Office Hall. She will be at stand number L9.

“Emily Thompson is a needle felting artist whose aim is to create unique artworks that connect people to the beauty of the world around them. Using locally sourced Irish wool, washed and dyed with natural materials, Emily meticulously layers the dyed wool to create images of the beautiful Irish landscape.”

When: Showcase Ireland runs from the 18th to the 20th of January, 2026.

Where: RDS Dublin, Merrion Rd, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4

For more information, visit the Showcase Ireland website – https://showcaseireland.com/

Emily’s website – https://emilyathompsonartist.ie/

Her Instagram – @emilyathompson_artist

Other Felt-Related Businesses at Showcase Ireland

In addition to Emily A Thompson, a few other businesses at Showcase use felted wool:

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.

Open Call: Applications for the Homo Faber Fellowship 2026/27

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

The Homo Faber Fellowship is an eight-month, sponsored international craft training programme that pairs master artisans with emerging talents. Participants gain business and marketing expertise alongside design and hands-on practical skills through the intergenerational transmission of knowledge and craftsmanship.

Applicants are required to submit an application as a Duo (one master artisan and one apprentice/fellow)  – https://www.homofaber.com/en/nextgen/fellowship/

If you are interested in applying, but do not yet have a counterpart, you may register your interest here – https://dccoi.my.site.com/memberportal/s/event/a13W700000W3MJJIA3/homo-faber-fellowship-202627

There is an information webinar on Tuesday, the 13th of January 2026, at 4PM. Visit the DCCI’s website to register for it – https://www.dcci.ie/whats-on/homo-faber-fellowship-2/

Application deadline: the 1st of February 2025.

For more information, visit the Homo Faber website – https://www.homofaber.com/en/nextgen/fellowship/

Their Instagram @homofaber

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.

Event: Fibreshed Ireland Syposium & Textile Market – This Friday & Saturday

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

On Friday, the 21st of November, Fibreshed Ireland will gather at The Richmond Education and Event Centre, Smithfield, for their annual Symposium to hear from growers and practitioners who work in line with Soil-to-Soil principles of circularity, compostability, and agroecology.

Speakers

● Jennifer & Tristan Lienhard of @appleoakfibreworks
● Katarina Hruskova of @woolstoreireland (Katarina is a member of Feltmakers Ireland!)
● @kathykirwan_theartofnature of the Flax 405 project
● Mary Ann Williams, editor of the book @textilesofireland
● Michelle McCabe, researcher exploring the connections between textile craft and wellbeing with ATU Sligo
● @ryankoenigstudio — 16th-century experimental textile archaeology about the knitted Ballybunion wool cap
● Sarah Babiker — Threads of Story: Woolcraft a Language & Memory between Ireland and the Arab World

Textile Market

Saturday will be an Open Day of craft demonstrations, workshops, shopping opportunities, and community building at Richmond Barracks, Inchicore, from 10 AM to 3:30 PM. Admission to the demonstrations and shopping is free, but each workshop requires a ticket.

Feltmakers Ireland will demonstrate felting with Irish-raised wool!

Local fibres and textiles from a selection of Fibreshed Ireland members will be available: Included are two Feltmakers Ireland members –

  • Juliane Gorman of FeltHappiness will vend her Cyanotype-printed, Irish wool hats
  • Katarina Hruskova of WoolStore Ireland will vend locally raised wool that she has processed.

Workshops

● Upcycling workshop with Eimear Greaney (@upsew.ie), from 10 AM to 12:00 PM
● Aran knitting with @ryankoenigstudio, from 10 AM to 12:00 PM
● Weaving Circle with Lucy Hyland (@ourselfcarerevolution), from 1 to 3 PM
● Movement session for crafters with @aideen.macken, from 3:30 – 4:10 (FREE, with optional donations to support Fibreshed Ireland’s work)

Where: Dublin (different venues each day)

Optional social dinner in @fidelitydublin on Friday, the 22nd of November (book at checkout)

Discounts for students and Fibreshed Ireland members!

For more information and to reserve tickets, visit their website – https://fibreshedireland.ie/symposium-2025/

This event is part of Irish Design Week, & partly funded by the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland. https://www.dcci.ie/whats-on/irish-design-week-2025/

Awards: Applications Open – David Shaw Smith Legacy Award 2025

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

The Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) is delighted to announce the third year of the David Shaw-Smith Legacy Award.

This award was developed by DCCI to honour the legacy of David Shaw-Smith, the legendary Irish filmmaker. It has been created to recognise that Irish craft is driven by heritage and creativity. It will support and acknowledge the achievements of key master craftspeople in the creative development of their craft.⁠

Eligibility criteria –

  • Be registered with DCCI for 5 years or more
  • Be aged 50 or older
  • Not have previously received a DCCI bursary·

The deadline for applying is the 29th of November, 2025.

For more information, visit the DCCI’s website – https://www.dcci.ie/opportunities/applications-open-for-david-shaw-smith-award/

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 content-related questions, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.

Event: Fibreshed Ireland Symposium 2025

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

On Friday, 21st November, Fibreshed Ireland will gather at The Richmond Education and Event Centre, Smithfield, from 10 AM to 4:30 PM to hear from a diverse range of growers and practitioners who work in line with Soil-to-Soil principles of circularity, compostability, and agroecology.

They are the following:

  • Jennifer & Tristan Lienhard of @appleoakfibreworks
  • Katarina Hruskova of @woolstoreireland (Katarina is a member of Feltmakers Ireland)
  • @kathykirwan_theartofnature of the Flax 405 project
  • Mary Ann Williams, editor of @textilesofireland
  • Michelle McCabe, researcher exploring the connections between textile craft and wellbeing with ATU Sligo
  • @ryankoenigstudio — 16th-century textile archaeology
  • Sarah Babiker — Threads of Story: Woolcraft a Language & Memory between Ireland and the Arab World

On Saturday, there will be an open day of craft demonstrations, workshops, shopping opportunities, and community building at Richmond Barracks, Inchicore, from 10 AM to 3:30 PM. Admission to the demonstrations and shopping is free, but each workshop will be ticketed.

  • Upcycling workshop with Eimear Greaney (@upsew.ie), from 10 AM to 12:00 PM
  • Aran knitting with @ryankoenigstudio, from 10 AM to 12:00 PM
  • Weaving Circle with Lucy Hyland (@ourselfcarerevolution), from 1 to 3 PM
  • Movement session for crafters with @aideen.macken, from 3:30 – 4:10 (FREE, with optional donations to support Fibreshed Ireland’s work)


Dublin (different venues each day)
Optional social dinner in @fidelitydublin on Friday, the 22nd of November (book at checkout)

Discounts for students and Fibreshed Ireland members!

For more information and to reserve tickets, visit their website – https://fibreshedireland.ie/symposium-2025/

This event is part of Irish Design Week, partly funded by the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland. https://www.dcci.ie/whats-on/irish-design-week-2025/

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 content-related questions, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.