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
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.
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’.
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’
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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’.
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’
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 – BoothE86.
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.
Lastly, the Knitting and Stitching Show has arranged a discount code for us: Use codeFELTMAKERSIR 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.
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.
Volunteers from Feltmakers Ireland started at 11 AM with a large group of participants. Our students showed great interest in the felting process and were delighted to bring home a new felted creation.
Additionally, our visitors were very impressed with our display of felted artworks and our interactive display on the Irish Wool project. In the afternoon, we taught a second group of participants.
The Irish Wool Project
As part of our Open Day, guild member Annika Berglund carded and spun Irish-raised wool fibres. If you want to learn more about felting with wool from local sheep, check out our book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’ – https://feltmakersireland.com/exploring-irish-wool-for-feltmaking/
During the event, a photographer from a local newspaper came to take photos, and the Westmeath Heritage Officer also popped in to say hello. An exciting video of Westmeath Heritage events is on the OPW’s Facebook page. Feltmakers Ireland appears at approximately the 8-second mark – https://fb.watch/uloKvaesCY/
More photos of the day
Elizabeth with students.Deirdre with students.Annika demonstrating Irish wool.Maria teaching students.
Happy Feedback
We were delighted to receive such warm feedback from our students!
Appreciation
We thank Elizabeth Redding for organising the Kilbeggan Open Day on behalf of the guild. It was vital for us to share feltmaking with an audience beyond Dublin.
Additional thanks to all the members who so kindly donated their Sunday to help share the love of feltmaking: Annika, Deirdre, Denise, Fiona, Loli, Lorna, Maria, and Marie. Their contribution to felting is deeply appreciated! We could not have taught over forty students without their help!
Wearing a red-orange t-shirt, Loli is surrounded by some students.
It was a successful day all around.
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.
