Tag: Felting Workshops

RECAP – Feltmakers Ireland’s Open Day – Dublin

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

By Deirdre Carroll

Recap - August Craft Month - Feltmakers Ireland

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 fibre
Laying out the wool
Student 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 demonstrating
Annika wetting the fibre
Annika 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 Eva
Eva

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.

On Sunday, the 24th of August, committee member Elizabeth Redding will lead a similar Open Day in Kilbeggan, County Westmeath. https://augustcraftmonth.org/acm-event/feltmakers-ireland-open-day-discover-the-magic-of-wet-felting-westmeath/ Note: This event is fully booked up. If you would like to volunteer to help, please email feltmakersIE@gmail.com

Good luck to Elizabeth and the volunteers helping her.

UPDATE: There’s a fantastic blog post by Douglas of the CIE Sports Hall in Inchicore that features even more photos and tons of interesting information. – https://inchicoresportsandsocialclub.com/2025/08/19/feltmakers-ireland-open-day-sunday-17-august/ 🌿🐏🌿

Our banner.

There is a fantastic article with TONS of photos about our Open Day on the CIE Sports Hall’s website – https://inchicoresportsandsocialclub.com/2025/08/19/feltmakers-ireland-open-day-sunday-17-august/

Additionally, we had a second Open Day in Kilbeggan on Sunday, the 24th of August. There is an article (with a paywall), here on Topic – https://topic.ie/from-wool-to-wonder-feltmakers-open-day-draws-all-ages/

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.

Education: Pam de Groot – Fibre Jewellery Workshop – A Few Spots Available – FULLY BOOKED

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

As of the 9th of July, the workshop is FULLY BOOKED. If you want to be put on the waiting list, please email Sam – see below for her details.

Workshop Description from Pam:

“In the workshop, we will learn several skills useful for fibre jewellery making. We will make one or more pieces of felted jewellery depending on the complexity of the individual design. We will look at how to design the piece for wearing, and how to construct various closures and attachments. You can also learn how to incorporate foreign objects if necessary.”

More Information about the Tutor:

There is an interview from 2019 with Pam de Groot on our blog – https://feltmakersireland.com/2019/07/03/interview-pam-de-groot/

Pam de Groot’s website – https://pamdegroot.com/

HOW TO REGISTER

To apply for PAM de GROOT’s workshop, please email committee member Sam Fagan at samantha.d.fagan@gmail.com

Please include Pam de Groot’s name in the ‘Subject Line’ of your email.

All participants will be notified via email and provided with a payment link for secure payment using a credit or debit card.  The cost is 250 euros for members / 265 euros for non-members.

Additional Information

Supplies are not included in the workshop price. Once registered, we will email students the supply list provided by Pam.

Cancellation & Refund Policy for Workshops

If you need to cancel your place in a Feltmakers Ireland workshop, please notify the Guild by email at least 7 days before the start of the class. A €10 handling fee will be deducted from your refund.

Cancellations made less than 7 days before the workshop are not eligible for a refund. However, if you can find a replacement student to take your place AND inform the Guild within this period, you will receive a refund (minus the €10 handling fee).

Please note: In exceptional or unforeseen circumstances, the committee may consider refund requests at its discretion.

More Photos of pieces by Pam de Groot

Feltmakers Ireland is grateful to have received grant money from the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland to partially cover costs.

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: Fantastic 3 Day Workshop with Marjolein Dallinga

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Marjolein Dallinga demonstrating

On Friday, the 16th of May, twelve members of Feltmakers Ireland enthusiastically came together for our first in-person workshop with an international tutor since the COVID pandemic. Our teacher was the esteemed Canadian artist and teacher, Marjolein Dallinga, who has a wonderful hands-on teaching style, where students experienced the sculptural possibilities of wool.

We learned how to create three unique felted sculptures, each incorporating many stages of the complex techniques Marjolein uses in her artwork. As specific processes needed to be followed when the projects were dry, it was a choreographed dance!

Here is a lovely photo of some students gazing with adoration on their damp, in-progress work.

Students Watching

Throughout the three days, there were step-by-step demonstrations of techniques.

Everyone is hard at work.

Students Felting

Exhibition

At the end of the course, we had a mini-exhibition in the sunshine. It was wonderful to see how each student’s work came out!

Thanks to the Many

Many thanks to Suzanne Phelan for taking care of so many details and keeping everyone caffeinated. A tip of the hat to Elaine Peden for recommending Kilteel Hall – isn’t it beautiful? Also, thanks to Elizabeth Redding and Breda Fay, guild members who came by to lend a hand. ENORMOUS thanks to Elizabeth for bringing the tubes that we used to raise the tables—it was such a treat to have those! Of course, thanks to all the students who helped create such a focused learning community and knew how to laugh!

The warmest thanks go to Marjoelein for sharing her warmth, wisdom, and talents. We look forward to her return to Ireland!

Marjoelin Dallinga in Kilteel, Co Kildare.

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.

Education: Hanging Felted Spiral Online Class – Hélène Dooley

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Helene Dooley - Hanging Felted Spiral Online Class

Registration is open for the Felting and Fiber Studio‘s ‘Felted Hanging Spiral Course‘, taught by Feltmakers Ireland member Hélène Dooley. Adding movement to an art piece takes it to a new dimension. The shape becomes fluid, even mesmerising.

Have you been interested in learning more about sculptural felt? This is a great way to learn about laying out fibre for increased elasticity, using a book resist with multiple ‘leaves’, and Hélène’s ideas on how to further develop these concepts into future projects.

This is a four-week course, and it is delivered through the following media:

  • A series of short videos which take students step-by-step through the process. Each video forms a single unit in the process. The result is that students can easily pick up where they left off and do not need to devote huge chunks of time to making their spirals in one or two sessions.
  • A set of PDF files which tie into the videos.
  • Daily access to the classroom chatroom for the duration of the course.

The course starts on Friday, the 2nd of May.

For more information, visit the Felting and Fiber Studio’s website – https://feltingandfiberstudio.com/2025/04/22/registration-opens-for-hanging-felted-spiral-online-class-2/

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.

Education: Registration Open for two in-person Wet Felting Workshops – Marjolein Dallinga and Pam de Groot – ONLY Pam’s Workshop is still open

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

NOTE: MARJOLEIN’S CLASS IS NOW FULL – as of 28th of April.

Feltmakers Ireland is thrilled to announce that we will be hosting TWO exclusive, wet felting workshops this year with renowned international tutors! We haven’t hosted an international workshop in a long time and are super excited!

Each workshop runs for three days and is limited to twelve students.

Registration is now open to non-members of Feltmakers Ireland. (Guild members have already received emails announcing the workshops.)

  • The workshop with Marjolein Dallinga is appropriate for intermediate to advanced feltmakers.
  • The workshop with Pam de Groot is appropriate for most feltmakers.

Marjolein Dallinga – Beyond resist – Sculptural felting workshop

Poster for Marjolein Dallinga 3 Day workshop - 16th-18th of May - 25 euros non-members.

Workshop Description from Marjoelin:

It is from the dance of often conflicting emotions that creativity and art are born. Though sculpture is usually perceived as static I see it more as movement, and in this workshop the movement of wool fibers into felt.

And as long as there is movement there is life and possibilities.

This 3-day workshop will deepen the consciousness about experiences learned from sculpting with wool and other fibres. We will explore different techniques for sculptural form ideas, with themes like: folding and unfolding, building relief clamping, binding, etc. All to become more aware of how and why we want to use this medium. This workshop is inspired by different ideas to make three-dimensional sculptures with conceptional, intuitive and sensual sources to create from.  We will play with the processes of shortening, thickening, tightening, shrinking, and other transformations of the felted surfaces.

All out of the experience of discovery and surprise when working with this surprising wool medium.

WHEN: Friday, the 16th through Sunday, the 18th of May, 2025, 9 AM to 5 PM

WHERE: Kilteel Hall, Kilteel Lower, Co Kildare

COST: 255 euros per person.

Pam de Groot – Fibre Jewellery

Workshop Description from Pam:

“In the workshop, we will learn several skills useful for fibre jewellery making. We will make one or more pieces of felted jewellery depending on the complexity of the individual design. We will look at how to design the piece for wearing, and how to construct various closures and attachments. You can also learn how to incorporate foreign objects if necessary.”

WHEN: Friday, the 18th through Sunday, the 20th of July 2025, 10 AM to 5 PM

WHERE: Bayside Community Centre, Bayside Square N, Sutton, Dublin, D13 X8H4

COST: 250 euros for members / 265 euros for non-members

More Information about the Tutors

Marjolein Dallinga’s website – https://www.bloomfelt.com/?lang=en

There is an interview from 2020 with Marjolein Dallinga on our blog – https://feltmakersireland.com/2020/01/30/interview-with-marjolein-darllinga/

Pam de Groot’s website – https://pamdegroot.com/

There is an interview from 2019 with Pam de Groot on our blog – https://feltmakersireland.com/2019/07/03/interview-pam-de-groot/

HOW TO REGISTER

NOTE: As of 28th of April, Marjolein’s workshop is NOW FULL.

To apply for PAM de GROOT’s workshop, please email committee member Annika Berglund at annika@annikaberglund.com

Please include the tutor’s name in the ‘Subject Line’ of your email.

All participants will be notified via email and provided with a payment link for secure payment using a credit or debit card. 

Additional Information

Supplies are not included in the workshop price. Once registered, we will email students the supply list provided by each tutor.

Cancellation & Refund Policy for Workshops

If you need to cancel your place in a workshop, please notify the Guild by email at least 7 days before the start of the class. A €10 handling fee will be deducted from your refund.

Cancellations made less than 7 days before the workshop are not eligible for a refund. However, if you are able to find a replacement student to take your place and inform the Guild within this period, you will receive a refund (minus the €10 handling fee).

Please note: In exceptional or unforeseen circumstances, the committee may consider refund requests at its discretion.

Feltmakers Ireland is very grateful to have received grant money from the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland to partially cover the costs of these two workshops.


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.

Education: Members with Upcoming Workshops

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Several members of Feltmakers Ireland teach their skills.

Here are some of the upcoming workshops they offer. We’re sorry we missed many of the March events—we were busy with our exhibition!

Gelli Plate Workshop with Mel Bradley – Co Louth

Mel Bradley is running a Gelli Plate printing workshop in her studio, Gallery 13, Millmount Craft Quarter, on Saturday, the 12th of April.

For more info & to contact- https://melbradleysilks.ie/contact/

IFA’s Discovering Feltmaking – Online Courses

Guild member Hélène Dooley is among the tutors for the International Feltmakers Association’s five online felting courses, which start on May 1st and end on June 30th.

For more info – https://www.feltmakers.com/discovering-feltmaking-course/

Needle Felting Workshop with Lucia Errity – Co Meath

Guild member Lucia Errity is teaching a needle felting workshop on the 11th of May.

Contact her via Instagram @luciaerrityart

2nd Annual Soul Dolls Retreat – Co Sligo

Guild member Caoimhe Tuthill is again pairing up with Shelly Ann Szigli for Sould Dolls Retreat in November 2025.

For more info – https://www.souldolls.ca/ireland-2025-soul-dolls-gathering

If you are a member of Feltmakers Ireland and offer workshops, please get in touch with us at 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.

Exhibition: Dr Niki Collier – Symbols of Mobility – The Hunt Museum – Limerick

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Dr Niki Collier's 'Symbols of Mobility' a multidisiplinary work at the Hunt Museum in Limerick - runs until the 23rd of March, 2025.

Dr Niki Collier’s Symbols of Mobility is a multidisciplinary, ambitious body of work that explores mobility as a change of state or place. The exhibition incorporates large-scale felt sculptures, film, and photography. The work is informed by exploring bird lore in proverbs, fairytales, and intangible cultural traditions. 

Where: Garden Gallery at The Hunt Museum, Limerick.

When: The Launch is at 4 PM on the 6th of March.

Opening remarks will be given by H.E. Vanya Andreeva Malakova, the Ambassador of Bulgaria in Ireland.

The show runs until the 23rd of March.

For more information or to book a place at the family-friendly craft workshop in the morning or at the artist talk in the afternoon of the 15th of March, visit the museum’s website – https://www.huntmuseum.com/whats-on/symbols-of-mobility-with-niki-collier/

Dr Collier’s Instagram: @nikicollierfelt


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.

Education: Felted Hat Class via Felting School Online

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

We realise we shared an education course yesterday. However, many tutors are announcing their upcoming class schedules for the new year. This class from Felting School Online focuses on creating ‘Magical Hats’. It is a prerecorded, downloadable ‘video’ with English subtitles and an English voiceover.

There is an early bird price for the class until the 16th of December.

For more information, visit their website – https://tvfelt.com/magichat


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.

Sunday Session: Felting a Holiday Star with Annika Berglund

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland1 Comment

Felted Holiday Star

Examples of Wet Felted Holiday Stars, designed by Annika Berglund

On the 17th of November, our Sunday Session will be a mini-workshop with artist and guild member Annika Berglund.

We will make a wet-felted Holiday Star for window decoration – perfect for Christmas or year-round!

There will be a choice of three finished models using wool yarn, Merino wool, and, for one version, Wensleydale locks.

What to bring:

  • One large and one small towel.
  • Sewing pins
  • Small sharp scissors
  • Bubble wrap – approximately sized at 25 by 50cm
  • Soap and water bowl
  • Ball brause or sprinkler
  • A plastic bag

Bio of Annika Berglund

Portrait of Annika Berglund

Annika Berglund, a graduate of NCAD, has shown work in solo and group exhibitions nationally and abroad and has won several awards, including the Crafts Council’s price for Best Craft in the Garden 2008 and the NUI Art and Design Prize 2010.

Moving from ceramics, glass, and bronze to felt in 2020, one of her earliest felt pieces depicting the COVID-19 virus was acquired by the National Museum of Ireland. Having had one solo show and many group shows featuring Felt, Annika was a primary contributor to Feltmakers Ireland’s research project around Irish wool and the resulting book, Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking. She is currently Treasurer of Feltmakers Ireland.

Annika’s upcoming solo exhibition, Tapestry, opens on the 17th of November at 15:00 in the Olivier Cornet Gallery (after the Sunday session). She would like to welcome you all to attend if you have the opportunity.

For more information about her exhibition, visit the gallery’s website –https://www.oliviercornetgallery.com/tapestry-annika-berglund


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.

Education: Hanging Felted Spiral – Online Class – Hélène Dooley

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Registration opens today for the Felting and Fiber Studio‘s ‘Felted Hanging Spiral Course‘, taught by Feltmakers Ireland member Hélène Dooley. Adding movement to an art piece takes it to a new dimension. The shape becomes fluid, even mesmerising.

This is a four-week course, and it is delivered through the following media:

  • A series of short videos which take students step-by-step through the process. Each video forms a single unit in the process. The result is that students can easily pick up where they left off and do not need to devote huge chunks of time to making their spirals in one or two sessions.
  • A set of PDF files which tie into the videos.
  • Daily access to the classroom chatroom for the duration of the course.

The course starts on Friday, the 11th of October and runs through the 8th of November.

For more information, visit the Felting and Fiber Studio’s website – https://feltingandfiberstudio.com/classes/hanging-felted-spiral/

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.