Tag: Feltmakers Ireland

Exhibition Recap: First Lady Sabina Higgins Opens ‘Symbols of Ireland’ Art Exhibition – Phoenix Park Visitor Centre

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland1 Comment
First Lady Sabina Higgins looking at Claire Merry’s ‘Hares in the Meadow’

Dublin, Ireland: Over 400 attendees gathered at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre for the opening of ‘Symbols of Ireland’, a stunning exhibition from Feltmakers Ireland.

First Lady Sabina Higgins, wife of President Michael D Higgins, officially opened the event with an inspiring address, marking a celebration of Irish craftsmanship and sustainability.

The exhibition featured the work of 47 guild members, showcasing many pieces crafted from Irish-raised wool fibre.

Mrs Higgins expressed her awe in her speech, saying, “I’m overwhelmed. I really haven’t seen a felt exhibition before… I have seen individual pieces in craft shops, but I haven’t ever seen anything like THIS! The innovation of the felt, how it is made from the start, is incredible.”

She went on to recommend transferring the exhibition to the National Gallery of Ireland, underscoring its cultural importance.

As Patron of the Wool in Schools Program, Mrs Higgins highlighted wool’s role as a sustainable
material, noting its durability and self-cleaning properties. She also connected the exhibition’s
themes to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals, calling them “the 10
Commandments of our times.” To learn more about the Goals, visit here – https://sdgs.un.org/goals

‘Symbols of Ireland’ was open to the public at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre until the 30th of March, 2025. Visiting hours were 10 AM to 4 PM, Wednesday through Sunday, with free admission.

The Exhibition

  • Entering the Exhibition
  • Sabina Higgins and Loli Cox viewing Amanda Robinson Kelly’s artwork
  • Loli and our chairperson, Deirdre Carroll
  • The Committee. Left to right, Juliane Gorman, Deirdre Carroll, First Lady Sabina Higgins, Suzanne, Phelan, Lorna Cady (in front row), Annika Berglund in back row, Loli Cox, Adrienne Dempsey, and Elizabeth Redding. (Sam Fagan missing from photo)
  • Mrs Higgins talking with Lorna McCormack, head of Wool in Schools. Arwork by Heather Byrne
  • Mrs Higgins and Loli viewing Annika Berglund and Sandra Chase’s artwork
  • Astrid Tomprop-Hofmann and Suzanne Phelan
  • Mrs Higgins chatting with Helene Dooley
  • Mrs Higgins signing the guestbook
  • The room from above
  • A big crowd attended the opening

Photos taken by Robert Cox

To see all the fantastic photos (150!) of the launch, taken by Robert Cox, spouse of guild member and exhibition coordinator Loli Cox, please visit this website – https://www.icloud.com/photos/#/icloudlinks/00dU16AKlBy8bGRZ11kv0mi7Q

(You can download individual photos or all of them. Please credit Robert and include Feltmakers Ireland when sharing).

The video of First Lady Sabina Higgins’s speech can be watched on our YouTube Channel- https://youtu.be/j0u6qiopTUg

There is a ‘B Roll’ of 16 additional videos, which includes artwork and the visitors at our opening, on Robert Cox’s iCloud – https://share.icloud.com/photos/0f4mtmSfXq2iNbuX6Enf6x1ig

Digital Catalogue

If you are unable to come to Dublin, we have an online version of the exhibition via our catalogue – Catalogue- Symbols of Ireland

The Poster

The exhibition ran from Wednesday, the 5th of March, to Sunday, the 30th of March 30th, 2025, at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre Gallery. Please note: the Centre is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. 

The gallery is conveniently accessible by Dublin Bus number 99 and is located within the historic Phoenix Park. For further details, including maps and directions to the park, visit https://www.phoenixpark.ie/directions.

The artwork featured on the exhibition poster is ‘Brigid’s Legacy’ by Jane Fox.

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.

News: Applications Now Closed – Symbols of Ireland

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

WOW!

Dear Members,

Thank you for all of your excellent submissions! We are overjoyed to receive such an outpouring from you. There will be almost 50 pieces in our group show, ‘Symbols of Ireland’.

This Open Call is now shut – the deadline was extended a week to the 21st of February.

Email Confirmations Sent

Each artist should have received an email informing them where to drop off or mail their artwork. If you are NOT dropping it off at the gallery on the MORNING, 10:30 – 11:30 AM of the installation on the 1st of March, you should ensure your piece has been received by Thursday, the 27th of February.

{If you are dropping off your piece on the morning of the installation at the gallery, please let us know beforehand}.

If you have NOT received an Email Confirmation, please email ASAP – feltmakersIE@gmail.com

More Information

Answers to the myriad of details about the exhibition are still available on the Exhibition Submission Page on the website – https://feltmakersireland.com/exhibition-application-symbols-of-ireland-2025/

With warm appreciation,

The Committee of Feltmakers Ireland

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.

News: Feltmakers Ireland’s Open Day – National Heritage Week Awards – County Winner, Dublin City

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

On the 15th of November, Feltmakers Ireland was awarded the County Winner in the National Heritage Week Awards for the Dublin City Council local authority area. We now have a beautifully framed award to share.

Every year, the Heritage Council celebrates the work of communities and organisations that hosted National Heritage Week events, which kick off on the third weekend of August and run until the end of the following weekend. Feltmakers Ireland hosted two Open Days, where we shared the magic of wet felting with the public. One event was in Kilbeggan, County Westmeath, and the other was in Inchicore, County Dublin, at the CIE Sports Hall and Social Club, where we typically hold our monthly Sunday Sessions. In addition to sharing how wool fibres transform into felt, we displayed felted wearables and artwork created by members. A second display area had information on Irish wool, how it can be used for feltmaking, and copies of our book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’.

To see a photo-filled recap of our event in Dublin, visit here on our blog – https://feltmakersireland.com/2024/08/22/recap-august-craft-open-day-felted-vessels-inchicore/

A video of our Open Day can be found on our social media:

The video is also on our YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/shorts/edUGtYr94_g

Thank you to the Heritage Council for recognising feltmaking as a cultural heritage. Additionally, we want to thank the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCI) for supporting our guild throughout the years.

We don’t know who kindly nominated our event for the County Dublin Award, but we are ever so appreciative! Go raibh míle maith agaibh, (which is ‘Thank you very much’ in Irish).

The Awards

In addition to County Awards, there are eight other categories:

  • There is a category that relates to the theme of the year. The theme of 2024 was ‘Connections, Routes and Networks’
  • Wild Child Event Award
  • Water Heritage Award
  • Inclusive Heritage Award
  • Irish Language Award
  • Sustainability and Climate Heritage Award
  • Intangible Cultural Heritage Award
  • Heritage Hero Award

To learn more about award categories, visit the Heritage Week website- https://www.heritageweek.ie/awards

Awards Ceremony

To watch a full video of the National Heritage Week 2024 Awards Ceremony, visit RTE’s YouTube page here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IziFzpG3ltM

To see a photo-filled recap of our other Open Day in Kilbeggan, visit here on our blog – https://feltmakersireland.com/2024/09/04/recap-feltmakers-ireland-open-day-in-kilbeggan-co-westmeath-august-craft-month/


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: This Sunday – Preparing for Exhibitions

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Upcoming Sunday Session

Our December Sunday session on the 8th, Feltmakers Ireland, will help to get members’ creative juices flowing for our 2025 exhibition. The theme is ‘Symbols of Ireland’, and the show opens in March, which is relatively soon. To learn more about our upcoming exhibition theme, please visit this page on our website – https://feltmakersireland.com/exhibition-application-symbols-of-ireland-2025/

We encourage you to bring any previous artwork you have questions about framing or presenting. This will provide us with examples while we discuss possible ways to frame or display pieces for an exhibition.

  • Committee member Dee Crofts will supportively lead a Mind Mapping exercise around the exhibition’s theme to spark our creativity.
  • Guild member Ramona Farrelly, a talented photographer, will share how to photograph work for online submissions.
  • Guild Member Marie Dunne, who is also a member of Element15 and has artwork in their inspiring group exhibition, Roots: A Dialogue in Textile and Poetry, at the Coach House Gallery, Dublin Castle, will discuss the preparation and framing of artwork.

When:

This Sunday, the 8th of December, from 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM.

Where: 

CIE Hall/Inchicore Sports and Social Club,
Library Square
Inchicore
Dublin 8, D08 PA07

Additional Information:

As this Sunday’s Session is in December, it would be lovely if everyone wore some ‘Felted Festive Cheer’! (It need not be red or green).

Also, this session will require lots of tea, coffee, cake, and chat, so there will be an abundance of this. Of course, homebakes are always welcome! Mmm, mince pies….

There is the usual 5 euro fee, (which in 2025 will be waived for all members).

Wishing all the best to our members who are busy vending their work at Christmas Markets and Craft Fairs. The website has two blog posts on our members’ events: Part 1 and Part 2.

Lastly, as this is also the season of coughs and sneezes, please do not attend if there is a chance that you are unwell. A Zoom link will be emailed to members on Friday so members can participate via this method.

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: The 8th of December – Exhibition 2025 Preparations

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

For our December session, on Sunday, the 8th of December, Feltmakers Ireland will help to get members’ creative juices flowing for our 2025 exhibition. The theme is ‘Symbols of Ireland’, and the show opens in March, which is relatively soon. Exciting!

We will do a Mind Mapping exercise around the theme of ‘Symbols of Ireland’, discuss the preparation and framing of artwork, and share how to photograph your art for online submissions.

When: 8th of December, from 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM.

Where: CIE Hall/Inchicore Sports and Social Club,
Library Square
Inchicore
Dublin 8, D08 PA07

As this Sunday’s Session is in December, it would be lovely if everyone wore some ‘Felted Festive Cheer’! (It need not be red or green).

Also, this session will require lots of tea, coffee, cake, and chat, so there will be an abundance of this. Of course, homebakes are always welcome! Mmm, mince pies….

There is the usual 5 euro fee, (which will be waived for members at our 2025 Sunday Sessions).

Lastly, as this is also the season of coughs and sneezes, please do not attend if there is a chance that you are unwell. A Zoom link will be emailed to members the Friday before the Sunday Session.

To learn more about our upcoming exhibition theme and what is needed to submit, please visit this page on our website – https://feltmakersireland.com/exhibition-application-symbols-of-ireland-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 questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

News: Feltmakers Ireland’s Open Day – National Heritage Week Awards – County Winner, Dublin City

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland


On the 15th of November, Feltmakers Ireland was awarded the County Winner in the National Heritage Week Awards for the Dublin City Council local authority area.

Every year, the Heritage Council celebrates the work of communities and organisations that hosted National Heritage Week events, which kick off on the third weekend of August and run until the end of the following weekend. Feltmakers Ireland hosted two Open Days, where we shared the magic of wet felting with the public. One event was in Kilbeggan, County Westmeath, and the other was in Inchicore, County Dublin, at the CIE Sports Hall and Social Club, where we typically hold our monthly Sunday Sessions. In addition to sharing how wool fibres transform into felt, we displayed felted wearables and artwork created by members. A second display area had information on Irish wool, how it can be used for feltmaking, and copies of our book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’.

To see a photo-filled recap of our event in Dublin, visit here on our blog – https://feltmakersireland.com/2024/08/22/recap-august-craft-open-day-felted-vessels-inchicore/

A video of our Open Day can be found on our social media:

The video is also on our YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/shorts/edUGtYr94_g

Thank you to the Heritage Council for recognising feltmaking as a cultural heritage. Additionally, we want to thank the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCI) for supporting our guild throughout the years.

We don’t know who kindly nominated our event for the County Dublin Award, but we are ever so appreciative! Go raibh míle maith agaibh, (which is ‘Thank you very much’ in Irish).

The Awards

In addition to County Awards, there are eight other categories:

  • There is a category that relates to the theme of the year. The theme of 2024 was ‘Connections, Routes and Networks’
  • Wild Child Event Award
  • Water Heritage Award
  • Inclusive Heritage Award
  • Irish Language Award
  • Sustainability and Climate Heritage Award
  • Intangible Cultural Heritage Award
  • Heritage Hero Award

To learn more about award categories, visit the Heritage Week website- https://www.heritageweek.ie/awards

The guild appears at 1 minute 35 seconds in this five-minute video clip.

Awards Ceremony

To watch a full video of the National Heritage Week 2024 Awards Ceremony, visit RTE’s YouTube page here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IziFzpG3ltM

To see a photo-filled recap of our event in Kilbeggan, visit here on our blog – https://feltmakersireland.com/2024/09/04/recap-feltmakers-ireland-open-day-in-kilbeggan-co-westmeath-august-craft-month/


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.

Recap: Celebrating Felting at The Knitting and Stitching Show – Belfast

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Photo of the Titanic Exhibition Centre by Cindy Chang – Textile Art Design and Fashion / BSOA-Ulster University

From Thursday, the 7th of November, to Sunday, the 10th, 2024, feltmaking enthusiasts gathered at the Knitting & Stitching Show in Belfast. It was an exciting first for the city, as this beloved event had previously been held at the RDS in Dublin until 2019. This year, three passionate felting guilds—Feltmakers Ireland, Feltmakers North, and the International Feltmakers Association—came together to celebrate and share the magic of feltmaking with the public.

Appreciation to Jane

The event was organised by the wonderful Jane Fox, a dedicated member of all three guilds, who brought together a group of enthusiastic volunteers.

Jane Fox, who patiently organised the three groups of felters.

The Volunteers

Our team of helpers included Sandy, Hélène, Susan, Maighread, Ann, Fiona, Jayne, Beverley, Leah, Deirdre, Sharon, Eva, Sam, Elizabeth, Dympna, Juliane, Lorna, and Lissy. (Our apologies if we missed anyone!).

Some of our Work

Throughout the event, we demonstrated both wet felting and needle felting techniques, enchanting visitors with the transformative process of turning wool into vibrant, textured creations. The colours, textures, and creativity on display captivated the public.

Photos of felted creations taken by Cindy Chang – Textile Art Design and Fashion / BSOA-Ulster University

Members with Booths

Two members of our guilds displayed their work at the Knitting and Stitching Show.

Louisa Kelly, a member of Feltmakers North, exhibited her needle-felted and embroidered creations.

Louisa Kelly – on the far right of the image.

Member of Feltmakers Ireland, Sandra Coote, exhibited with her business Crafts of Ireland. She displayed her needle felting kits, Lumra pillow kits, and pick-and-mixes of her hand-dyed wool. All of Sandra’s fibre comes from her own Irish-raised sheep.

Sandra (on the right) and her two adult children in dark blue, who helped at the event,

Connecting with feltmakers from different organisations was a true joy as we shared tips, stories, and inspiration, while introducing our craft to new audiences.

The Future

Here’s to more gatherings, more creativity, and more opportunities to share the art of feltmaking!

Next year, The Knitting & Stitching Show will be held at the Eikon Exhibition Centre in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, from 13th–16th November 2025.

Registration to Early Access Tickets to the Show can be found here – https://www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com/belfast/2025-sign-up/

Editor’s Note: Except for the TEC building and the close-ups of our felted creations by visitor Cindy Chang, the photographs come from the volunteering guild members. Thank you to all!

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.

News: Feltmakers Ireland – Instagram Over 500 Followers

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Our Instagram account

Perhaps not the biggest news of the day, but Feltmakers Ireland’s Instagram account, which we ‘renamed’ in January, now has over 500 Followers. This is exciting news!

Our former Instagram was @feltmakersireland, and we had over 1,000 followers. However, due to circumstances beyond our control, we did not have proper access to the backend, so we could not share Members News on our Stories or access any direct messages (DMs) sent to the account.

Consequently, we set up a new account on the 24th of January, 2024. Our ‘new’ account is @feltmakers_ireland ! Please add us to the artists and organisations that you follow. We aim to post daily, from Monday through Friday. {Editor’s Note: Our Facebook account was and still is FeltmakersIreland – https://www.facebook.com/feltmakersireland/

Feltmakers Ireland is a voluntary craft guild with members throughout Ireland and a few in Northern Ireland and beyond!

We try to cater to ALL types of felt-making: wet felters, needle felters, professional feltmakers, hobbyists, and ANYONE with interest in wool, fleece, or felt.

We have our Sunday Sessions on the second Sunday of the month at the CIE Sports Hall in Inchicore. Our upcoming session will be THIS Sunday, the 17th, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the CIE Sports Hall in Inchicore, Dublin 8. We will be wet-felting a Christmas Star with guild member Annika Berglund. There is a blog post about it here – https://feltmakersireland.com/2024/11/04/sunday-session-felting-a-holiday-star-with-annika-berglund/

Feltmakers Ireland is a Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) GANS community member.

If you have news or events that you think would be of interest to our community, please email feltmakersIE@gmail.com

If you are a Guild Member with an Instagram account and we have not followed you, please let us know so we can do so.

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.

Event: Knitting and Stitching Show Opens Next Week – Belfast – Members and Friends Will be There

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland


Members and friends of Feltmakers Ireland will be exhibiting at The Knitting and Stitching Show in Belfast. This includes Tamzen Lundy, Sandra Coote, and a raft of volunteers from Feltmakers Ireland, Feltmakers North, and the International Feltmakers Association.

  • When: The 7th through the 10th of November.
  • Where: The Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast.

Say ‘Hello’

Tamzen Lundy Designs

Guild member Tamzen Lundy‘s felted Brussel sprouts and other Christmas ornaments will be available at the CraftNI Gallery Showcase – Booth E86.

Crafts of Ireland – Sandra Coote

Guild member Sandra Coote’s business, Crafts of Ireland, will display her Irish wool Needlefelting kits, Lumra kits, and other creations at Booth D53.

Three Felting Guilds

Volunteers from Feltmakers North, The International Feltmakers Association, and Feltmakers Ireland will collaborate to demonstrate wet and needlefelting at Booth G30. Editor’s Correction: We will be at G34.

Discount Code

Lastly, the Knitting and Stitching Show has arranged a discount code for us: Use code FELTMAKERSIR  to save £2* at checkout! 

T&Cs: Save £2.00 on adult and concession tickets. This is for Standard Single-Day Adult tickets. It is not valid on VIP, Two-Day, or group tickets. Codes expire at 11:59 PM, November 3rd, 2024. £3.50 transaction fee applies per e-ticket order.

For more information and to book tickets, visit the Show’s website – https://knittingandstitchingshowbelfast.seetickets.com/content/ticket-options?

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.