Pam de Groot has two wet felting classes, which start in May.
Surface Form and Space is an eight-week class that focuses on making samples using different techniques, including undulations, large foreign objects, buttons, warts, pimples, claws, lumps, bumps, brains, and connections.
Her other class, ‘Textures and Dimensions,’ runs over three weeks. It is a sculptural project-based class where students create the “Splash,” “the Spiral,” and “the Twistie.”
Irit Dulman has a new online class on eco-printing on silk and wool. The class has 33 lessons and is self-paced. She also has two other online eco-printing classes.
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Students will learn two ways to make 3-D forms: one with a resist and one with differential shrinkage.
During the workshop, students will learn the basics about choosing and using colours for specific effects and how laying out the wool in certain patterns and thicknesses affects the shape of one’s vessel. In addition, students will learn how the direction of rolling and how long a piece is fulled affects the final shape of a bowl. Students will explore using various fibres and materials in the surface design of their pieces. The instructor will bring samples of different kinds of wool to touch so students can learn what type works better for larger or smaller pieces and the difference in surface texture and rigidity.
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The theme of this Gift of Lambs international feltmaking symposium is ‘Immersion in the World of Felt Sculpting’. Students choose a three-day and two-day course from the four instructors. In addition, there will be a variety of cultural activities to explore.
Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.
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Feltmakers Ireland member Caoimhe Tuthill of Boann Irish Felt and Shelly Szigli of Soul Dolls CA are holding a two-day felting retreat set against the stunning backdrop of the World Heritage Site of Brú na Boinne in the stunning Boyne Valley in Ireland.
Participants will learn how to create their own Soul Doll using wet and needle felting techniques.
When: the 31st of August through the 1st of September.
Breda Fay’s felted purse was created in Aniko Boro’s/Baribon.HU’s online course.
Guest Post by Feltmakers Ireland member Breda Fay.
Pebble Shoulder Bag Workshop with Anikó (Baribon.hu)
Anikó’s Boros course, creating a felted Pebble Shoulder Bag, was designed to take place on the Zoom platform over two days (five hours daily). The learning goals were to make a small bag with a flap top and a closure with an enclosed pebble, to use organza as a surface decoration, and to dye the bag to create a gradient or ombre effect. The “enclosed pebble” is almost a trademark of the Baribon experience, and in this case, it would provide the weight for the bag flap to stay closed.
A list of materials and a clear and well-illustrated step-by-step PDF of the instructions were sent to all students in advance so that they had time to be prepared. There were also suggestions on colour choice, pebble size and weight, and dyeing. While my preferred option was to work alongside Anikó during the live Zoom meeting, there was also an option to receive the recorded material and work at your own time and pace.
Having previously done three courses with Aniko, I was well aware of the teaching competencies of the Baribon Community – Anikó, who is the tutor; Andrea, her wonderful humorous hostess/translator; and her hubby and son, who are in charge of the IT.
Day 1
After a short introduction, including technical info and a general description of the process, we started cutting out the template for the bag and the pebble closure from resist material, cutting the pattern for the embellishment, and then the fabric itself. Some participants could not find the needed embellishment fabric and instead substituted other fabric. Then, we proceeded to lay out the complex arrangement of fibres and wet them down, following along with Anikó’s instructions.
DAY 2
On the second day, we finished felting the bag and proceeded to fulling and shrinking. Anikó is a believer in being thorough and having no shortcuts. So hot water and vigorous rubbing were very much reserved only for the final shrinking process. Our bag was complete, rinsed and stuffed to dry before our coffee break.
The dyeing process began after the break. I used Leiko Uchiyama’s hand-dyed merino and silk for my outer layer of fibre and consequently did not want to dye. However, the dyeing provided a better gradient of colours in a much easier way than laying out fibres.
We then created the cord. I was delighted to achieve a wrinkle-free, strong cord – but it took well over an hour of felting, fulling and shrinking.
We all showed our work at the end and had a chat about what we had learned. There was also a raffle among the participants for a Baribon piece of jewellery.
What I Liked and Learned:
There was a second template of a small phone bag for those who wanted to work on a smaller scale.
Opportunity to ask questions and present your work during the course.
Loved the sheen and exciting surface of the embellishment fabric; it is similar to wood bark. But it did take work to get it incorporated – I can’t wait to try it again!
Opportunity to ask questions throughout the presentation and chat with participants during the breaks.
An opportunity to join a Facebook page to see the work of all – and for any further queries.
Editor’s Note: We recommend signing up for the email newsletters of instructors that you are interested in. That way, you are informed of upcoming courses.
Editor: Thank you, Breda, for your interesting article about your experiences with the Pebble Bag Workshop. If you are a member of Feltmakers Ireland and want to share your educational experiences with our readers, please email feltmakersie@gmail.com
Guild member Sharon Wells will teach a four-week Landscape Felting Class. The techniques covered include Needlefelting, Wet felting, Hand and Machine Embroidery, and Beading.
The classes run from Guild member Sharon Wells will be teaching a four-week Landscape Felting Class. 10:30 AM -1 PM, and are on the following dates:
Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.
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Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.
Anikó Boros (aka baribon.hu) will show all the details of making the ‘Pebble Bag’. In addition to its aesthetic role, the pebble acts as a natural closure for the bag. Following the step-by-step instructions, you will be able to create your own pebble bag design, which will be even more exciting with textile-enriched felted surface and gradient dyeing.
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.
‘Fine Felt in Wet Felting’ – Technical Workshop with Annika Berglund
THE CLASS IS NOW FULL – Contact Annika to be added to the waiting list.
When and Where
11th of February 10:30-16:00 in The CIE Social Centre.
The Fine Felt Technical Workshop
This year, we are doing an additional workshop focused on techniques aimed at beginner and intermediate wet felters. The course aims to look at “Fine Felt”, traditionally desired in the craft of felting.
The class has two sections: a square 2D sample and a small vessel.
The Schedule
In the morning, beginner wet feltmakers will learn how to lay out wool using a 10-inch template and how to felt, full, and shrink. We will look at the graduation of colour and shrinkage rates.
A team of helpers will be available to anybody needing support.
During the morning session, more experienced feltmakers can focus on creating a very light, even layout using 10 grams of wool for a 10-inch square. We will look at how to get the densest, finest felt possible while working on creating a perfect square sample with a shrinkage of 30%, 40%, 50% or possibly 60%, depending on our speed of felting.
This may not be how we would do felting on an everyday basis. But, this session spent truly concentrating on careful felting should improve our overall felting work.
We will break for lunch. Please bring something to eat as we will only have 30 minutes.
In the afternoon, we will apply our learnings from the morning to make the finest little vessel possible. We will use a different layout (spokes and wheel), laying out 10 grams of black and white wool around a 20 cm circular resist. The goal will be to create a very thin, fine vessel, that is well-felted and sturdy.
Supplies
We will supply wool and materials for the workshop.
We will have spares, but if you have the following items, please bring them with you:
One or two towels
A bowl
A water sprinkling brauser or similar (optional as we will have spares)
Small sharp scissors
Ruler with inches and cm
We will start at 10:30 on the dot as we have much to cover. Please try to be there a few minutes early to get settled in.
Cost
Feltmakers Ireland is keen to promote Fine Felting, and for this reason, we are offering this workshop at the low price of 25 euro for members and 35 euro for non-members.
Email annika AT annikaberglund.com to reserve your spot. (Remove change AT to @ and remove the spaces).
Payment Options
We have three options for payment for the Fine Felt Workshop:
• Electronic Transfer Lodgements (ETF) – bank tranfers • Republic of Ireland cheques • PayPal ~ we are charged a small percentage with this option* (Currently, we have technical issues installing PayPal on our website. See below for instructions.)
Bank Transfer
When making an ETF bank payment, please include your NAME and that the payment is for The Fine Felt Workshop in the reference or description field.
IBAN: IE53 BOFI 9012 3963 6087 93 BIC: BOFIIE2D BANK OF IRELAND, NAAS BRANCH.
Cheque
Cheques can be made payable to Feltmakers Ireland. If paying by cheque, please mail to: Membership Secretary, Feltmakers Ireland, 113 Seafield Road East, Clontarf, Dublin, D03 XW30
PayPal
We prefer bank transfers or cheques as no fees are involved, but we will also accept PayPal. *PayPal takes a per cent per transaction, so we receive less. If possible, please round up by adding 1.25 = €26.25. Non-members, please add 1.80 = €36.80 when paying with PayPal.
To pay via PayPal, use the following email: committeefeltmakersireland@gmail.com Make sure to include your NAME and that it is for The Fine Felt Workshop.
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.
Feltmakers Ireland member Leiko Uchiyama will teach her Pine Needle feltmaking technique this spring in the Netherlands. It is a four-day workshop at Atelier Fiberfusing, located near Amsterdam.
