The International Feltmakers Association (IFA) offers online workshops through the Discovering Feltmaking series, designed to help feltmakers, both new and experienced, understand the process of making wet felt.
Part 1- Discovering Feltmaking
Part 2 – Using Colour
Part 3 – Surfaces and Edges
Part 4 – 3D Felt
Each course focuses on a different aspect of feltmaking and gives ample opportunity for practice and experimentation.
For example, if you want to learn about colour mixing, surface design, getting exciting edges, 3D felting, and shrinkage rates for different breeds? All these topics, plus much more, are covered in the courses.
Each course pays particular attention to the quality of the finished felt. All are fully supported by mentors, who check in twice daily with the students to offer advice and encouragement. The courses also offer great value for money, and you will have unlimited access to the material.
Feltmakers Ireland guild member Hélène Dooley will assist with Parts 2 and 3.
On Sunday, the 10th of December, Feltmakers Ireland was fortunate to have artist and teacher Sharon Wells teach us how to create a needle-felted winter scene.
Sharon Wells used an upright easel to demonstrate her needlefelting. Usually, she works on a horizontal surface. She shared tips and tricks about perspective, tone, shadows and depth. It was a painting lesson with wool!
Some of Sharon’s Wool Paintings
Stay Awhile by Sharon Wells. This piece was part of the Guild’s ‘Bountiful’ exhibition in October.
All participants were provided with kits of warm-coloured wool, felting needles, and foam sponges. Christmas cheer was provided by holiday decor from the CIE Sports Club, and delicious treats came from the members. Holiday music was provided by the Committee, and, of course, tea and coffee were organised by our membership secretary, Fiona Leech.
Each kit was the same and contained Merino wool in shades of yellow and pink. There was also natural brown Jacob’s wool yarn, which Sharon had handspun. With a little work, these make fantastic trees.
Tiny Trees
More Photos
At the End of the Session
It was incredible to see how each student interpreted their winter landscape. No two were alike.
Elizabeth, Helene, AnnikaNeasaLory and ClodaghLiz and SuzetteSandy and SamMary and ClareA selection of needle-felted paintings. Sorry if we missed yours.
President and founder of the Guild, Elizabeth Bonnar, brought in much of the organisation’s archives from the past twenty years for members to read and enjoy. This treasure trove of felt-related information will be heading to the Special Collections & Archives at the NIVAL – the National Irish Visual Arts Library.
For more information or to make an appointment to visit this public research library, visit their website – https://www.nival.ie/
Elizabeth BonnarBinders full of information
In conclusion, many thanks to Sharon for sharing her knowledge about painting with wool!
On Sunday, the 12th of November, committee member Deirdre Crofts led guild members in creating wet felted Elf Booties. Under her excellent tutelage, we enjoyed seeing how quickly these tiny Christmas decorations came together. And she had thought of everything – even bringing in tiny jingle bells and ribbons for us to sew onto our boots!
There is also an informative video recording from a couple of years ago of Deirdre explaining how she created her wet and needle-felted, bee-inspired piece for the Guild’s ‘Endangered’ exhibition at Phoenix Park. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K17qpwX0osQ&t=14s
Tiny Boots
Look at all the samples that she brought in to inspire us!
Tools
There were several questions about a couple of helpful wet felting tools.
The above tool is called a ball brause, which is a sprinkler for moistening wool fibre. It can be found at DHG, Wolknoll or sometimes at garden supply shops, as it is used for watering bonsai plants.
Similarly, there were questions about the above sprinkler tops, which the guild purchased for workshops. You can find similar ones HERE. Note: they do not fit all bottles.
Also, one can always go down the DIY route and pierce holes into the lid of a plastic water bottle or use a plant mister.
Culinary Inspiration
Homemade Custard Cream Biscuits made by member Lorna Cady.
Lastly, as always, there was a yummy spread of home bakes. A shout out to Neasa Ryan for bringing her beautiful Pavlova and to Lorna Cady for her‘Great British Bake Off’ inspired Custard Cream Biscuits!
Christmas is coming! There is always the question of ‘What to Give’, as well as that of ‘What to Receive’. Share with your loved ones that you would like the Gift of Education – that of a felting class! Or your other request could be the Gift of Membership – to Feltmakers Ireland! {Our annual membership runs from January to December, so renewal time is coming soon!}
If you are stumped on finding teachers, below are some information sources with multiple online feltmaking classes.
Fibre supplier Living Felt has an online felting school with wet and needle felting courses taught by prominent tutors from around the world – https://feltingtutorials.com/shop/
Felting School Online has instructors who teach felted wearables classes. Note: these classes are usually dubbed into English from their original language. – https://tvfelt.com/
There are certainly more feltmaking instructors out there on the internet! If you know of online felting courses that you recommend, please email 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.
Our November Sunday Session will start earlier due to circumstances beyond our control – 10 AM.
Guild member Deirdre Crofts will show us how to make these cute elf booties. So, you have the rest of the month to make multiples of them for family and friends before the 🎄trees go up!
The guild will provide the wool roving and various sparkly bits. All you need to bring is your felting kit = a towel, bubble wrap, your chosen soap, and a basis for water.
When: Due to circumstances beyond our control, we must start a half hour earlier than usual and finish up earlier – 10 AM until 11:30. Additionally, we will enjoy our coffee break on the go – while felting.
Also, please bring a home-baked treat to share. There is the usual member contribution of 5 euros to cover the coffee/tea/hall rental.
Members who cannot attend in person can use the Zoom link that will be emailed out on Friday or Saturday. If the tech elves cooperate, the session will be recorded and will later be uploaded to our YouTube Channel.
Due to circumstances beyond our control (involving a new manager and a double booking), we have to start our November Sunday Session half an hour earlier this weekend.
It will now start promptly at 10 AM and will have to end at 11:30 AM.
Please arrive a little early so we can promptly start our session with Deirdre Crofts at 10 AM. She is teaching us how to felt Elf Booties, which will make charming Christmas decorations.
Lastly, we will have our ‘coffee break’ without a break…. On the go, so to speak….😊
Thank you, and we sincerely apologise for this unexpected inconvenience.
First up, Deirdre Crofts is coming up trumps again and will show us how to make these cute elf booties at the next session on the 12th of November.
So there’ll be plenty of time to make multiples of them for family and friends before the 🎄trees go up!
The guild will provide the wool roving and various sparkly bits. All you need to bring is your felting kit = a towel, bubble wrap, and soap.
When: Due to circumstances beyond our control, we must start a half hour earlier than usual and finish up earlier – 10 AM until 11:30. Additionally, we will enjoy our coffee break on the go – while felting.
Also, please bring a home-baked treat to share. There is a member contribution of 5 euros to cover the coffee/tea/hall rental.
Members who cannot attend in person can use the Zoom link that will be emailed out on Friday or Saturday. If the tech elves cooperate, the session will be recorded and will later be uploaded to our YouTube Channel.
December Session
On the 10th of December, guild member Sharon Wells will work with us to needlefelt a beautiful winter scene. There will be a charge of €10 for all the materials for this session. More details for later. But it could be another Christmas present ticked off the list!
The teaching of Anikó Boros inspired Feltmakers Ireland member Annika Berglund to enrol in the Hungarian Felting Camp this past September. (You can read about Annika’s fantastic experience on our blog or watch her presentation on our YouTube channel.)
Anikó will be teaching an online Ginkgo Earrings and Necklace Workshop in November.
Date: Saturday, November 11th, 2023 (6PM CET, which equals 5 PM Irish Time).
What you will learn:
Creating a jewellery set with ginkgo leaves in the spotlight.
The characteristic ginkgo leaves are created using fine-micron wool.
Making earrings by felting in the smallest possible scale.
Making a thin cord with a slip knot, with the help of which the length of the necklace can be adjusted.
“Planting” a ginkgo leaf onto the cord, using the encased pebble technique.
Creating a gradient/ombre effect ginkgo leaf.
Special, unique design solutions, ideas and inspiration for your very own ginkgo necklace design.
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 