Tag: Guild

Reminder: Membership Renewal Time

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland


It’s now THAT time of year – time to renew your Feltmakers Ireland membership. Our membership is valid for a calendar year, from January to December.

Good News:

If you joined Feltmakers Ireland through the Dublin Fibre Festival in October (or later), your membership will automatically roll over and remain valid through 2026.

Why Renew? Member Benefits Include:

Monthly Sunday Sessions

Take part in our popular Sunday Sessions, featuring hands-on felting, Textile Journeys, and more opportunities to learn and connect. We now have monthly meetings in County Galway too!

Exhibitions and Shows

Members are eligible to participate in our annual exhibition and additional group shows. In 2026, we will be exhibiting at:

  • Phoenix Park Visitor Centre (April)
  • European Wool Day, Tralee (May)
  • A group exhibition at The Leitrim Design House later in the year

Public Demonstrations of Feltmaking

Eligible members can demonstrate feltmaking to the public. In 2025, we shared the magic of feltmaking at:

  • Bloom
  • Two August Craft Month Open Days
  • Tullamore Show
  • Dublin Fibre Festival
  • Fibreshed Ireland’s Textile Market

Workshops & Learning Opportunities

Members can register for Feltmakers Ireland workshops. In 2025, these included:

  • Two multi-day workshops with international tutors
  • Our annual Fine Felt Workshop
  • Our Basic & Beyond course

Promotion & Visibility

  • Have your felting classes listed on our Resources Page
  • Share your exhibitions, courses, and other news on our blog and social media*
  • Be part of our Guild’s raising the profile of Feltmaking

Community

Most importantly, membership means being part of the warm, supportive, and inspiring Feltmakers Ireland community.

*We aim to be inclusive and share all members’ news. However, due to time constraints, we may be unable to share all events. We are an all-volunteer organisation. Please send your news to feltmakersIE@gmail.com

Ready to Renew (or Join)?

To renew your membership (or join) Feltmakers Ireland, please visit our Membership Page –https://feltmakersireland.com/membership-application/

We look forward to another creative year!

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 - Sunday Session

Sunday Session Recap: Crafting Together, De-stash Sale & Mince Pies

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Treasurer, Sam Fagan, on the far left, ringing up sales.

On Sunday, the 7th of December, an excited group of felters gathered at our Sunday Session in the CIE Hall to purchase felting fibres and materials from our founder, Elizabeth Bonnar, and former guild secretary, Clare Brophy.

Elizabeth Bonnar, in blue sweater, chatting with Anne-Marie about Nunofelting
Clare Brophy, with blue scarf, chatting with Mairead

Although many of our members were unable to attend because they were vending at craft fairs or participating in other events, we still had an excellent turnout, as evidenced by the long line of shoppers. Elizabeth and Clare had hardly anything to bring home! HUGE thanks to our new treasurer, Sam Fagan, for taking the credit card payments.

Sam Fagan, on the far right, helping members

Happy Shoppers

Clodagh, wearing amazing felted accessories, and carrying her purchases
Elaine and Marie, holding their purchases

Members stocked up on fibres, novelty yarns, and fabrics to use in future projects!

Crafting Together

Annika needle felting
Hélène’s beading project
Hillary sewing the pocket on to her felted bag
Irina sewing on a felted bag
Kelly stitching felted pieces together

In addition to purchasing gorgeous wool and silks, members gathered to work on their unfinished projects. One member stitched pockets onto the purse she created in our Basic and Beyond Bagmaking Workshop. Another continued working on her Christmas Angel, the subject of our November Sunday Session. One member sewed the tiniest beads onto her needle-felted name tag, which was the theme of our September Sunday Session. Others simply enjoyed the warm atmosphere of being amongst feltmaking friends!

Dessert of the Session

Lorna’s ‘Pan Thirties’, a twist on the traditional Italian Panforte.

Our secretary, Lorna Cady, always makes the time to bring a vegan baked good. For this session, she made a version of panforte.

Appreciation

Thank you, Elizabeth and Clare, for sharing the treasures from your textile stashes—your contributions were truly appreciated by all our members. A big thank-you as well to our treasurer, Sam, for efficiently managing all the credit card payments. Lastly, thanks to all the feltmakers who attended the session and contributed to the warm, creative atmosphere. The event offered so many delights that we will certainly host another de-stashing sale in the future!

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Christmas holiday.

See you in the new year—on Sunday, the 11th of January. We will be mind-mapping on the theme for our 2026 Exhibition.

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: Crafting Together, De-Stash Sale & Mince Pies – THIS Sunday

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Crafting Together

Looking for the perfect opportunity to finish those incomplete or long-forgotten projects? Our upcoming Sunday Session is designed just for that! Bring along any works-in-progress (and the supplies you need) and enjoy a relaxed, supportive space to finally give your WIPs/UFOs (aka: works in progress/unfinished felted objects) the attention they deserve.

De-Stash Sale

This session comes with an added treat: our founder, Elizabeth Bonnar, and Clare Brophy, former guild secretary, will be hosting a very special de-stash sale. They are parting with some of their felting supplies —an inspiring assortment for makers, fibre artists, and curious crafters alike.

There will be bagged Merino fibre, Assorted other breeds of wool, ArtYarns, Curly locks, Tussah silk fibre, Silk fabrics, and more available for purchase.

All proceeds will be donated to the Guild toward a future educational project. We’ll be accepting both cash and credit cards for convenience.

Throughout the Session, Elizabeth will demonstrate feltmaking using the various fibres and fabrics available. Come and see!

The sale is open to ALL. One does not need to be a member of the guild.

Please spread the word amongst your textile-loving friends!

When: 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM

Where: CIE Sports Hall, Library Square, Inchicore, Kilmainham, Dublin, D08 PA07

Directions

If coming by car, turn off Grattan Crescent onto South Terrace, then right onto West Terrace, and arrive at the Square outside the Hall. It is the large building facing Library Square.

If taking public transit from the centre of Dublin, the G1, G2 and number 60 buses stop on Sarsfield Road. The stop on the route from town is 2643. Facing the stone wall, turn left and walk back approximately 16 strides from the bus stop to go through a ‘hole’ in the stone wall. Walk along Inchicore Terrace North past the houses, and you will see the CIE Hall as you come around the corner.(Do not walk forward from the bus stop towards the train underpass). 

Additional Information:

To add to the festive spirit, please bring mince pies or other festive desserts to share. Also, please bring a travel mug so we can reduce the use of disposable cups.

And, as this is the season of coughs and sneezes, please refrain from coming if you feel unwell. We do have the benefit of technology – there will be access via Zoom. We will email a Zoom link to members on Friday afternoon.

Questions or concerns about our Sunday Session? 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.

Of Interest: De-Stash Sale of Merino Roving, Silk Fibres, and Silk Fabrics – Sunday – CIE Hall Inchicore, D8

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

This Sunday, the 7th of December, Feltmakers Ireland is hosting a special De-Stash Sale for two of our longtime members: our founder, Elizabeth Bonnar and former secretary, Clare Brophy.

There will be bagged Merino fibre, Tussah silk fibre, Silk fabrics, and more available for purchase.

Throughout the Session, Elizabeth will demonstrate feltmaking using the various fibres and fabrics available. Long-time member Clare Brophy will assist with the sales.

The sale is open to ALL. One does not need to be a member of the guild.

Please spread the word amongst your textile-loving friends!

When: 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM

Where: CIE Sports Hall, Library Square, Inchicore, Kilmainham, Dublin, D08 PA07

Directions

If coming by car, turn off Grattan Crescent onto South Terrace, then right onto West Terrace, and arrive at the Square outside the Hall. It is the large building facing Library Square.

If taking public transit from the centre of Dublin, the G1, G2 and number 60 buses stop on Sarsfield Road. The stop on the route from town is 2643. Facing the stone wall, turn left and walk back approximately 16 strides from the bus stop to go through a ‘hole’ in the stone wall. Walk along Inchicore Terrace North past the houses, and you will see the CIE Hall as you come around the corner.(Do not walk forward from the bus stop towards the train underpass). 

Note: The Guild will also be having our monthly Sunday Session during this time. So, please do bring your in-progress crafting projects for a fun session together!

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: Crafting Together – Special De-Stash Sale by Elizabeth Bonnar (+ Mince Pies)

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland1 Comment
Apologies for the scary-looking sheep made of Merino and silk fibres!

Looking for the perfect opportunity to finish those incomplete or long-forgotten projects? Our upcoming Sunday Session is designed just for that! Bring along any works-in-progress (and the supplies you need) and enjoy a relaxed, supportive space to finally give your WIPs/UFOs (aka: works in progress/unfinished objects) the attention they deserve.

This session comes with an added treat: our founder, Elizabeth Bonnar, will be hosting a very special de-stash sale. Elizabeth is parting with her beautiful collection of felting fibres and materials—an inspiring assortment for makers, fibre artists, and curious crafters alike. Throughout the Session, Elizabeth will demonstrate feltmaking using the various fibres and fabrics available. Long-time member Clare Brophy will assist with the sales.

All proceeds will be donated to the Guild toward a future special project. We’ll be accepting both cash and credit cards for convenience.

To add to the festive spirit, please bring mince pies or another dessert to share. Also, please bring a travel mug so we can reduce the use of disposable cups.

When: Sunday, the 7th of December, 2025, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM.

Where: CIE Sports Hall, Library Square, Inchicore, Kilmainham, Dublin, D8

Note: This Sunday Session is open to non-members. Naturally, visitors are welcome to join us for the coming year! Joining or renewing your Membership can be done online – https://feltmakersireland.com/membership-application/

Additional Information:

And, as this is the season of coughs and sneezes, please refrain from coming if you feel unwell. We do have the benefit of technology – there will be access via Zoom. See below.

Zoom Access to the Sunday Session:

We will email a Zoom link to all members for those who wish to attend virtually. Please check your email on Friday afternoon.

Questions or concerns about our Sunday Session? Please email feltmakersIE@gmail.com

We can’t wait to craft, chat, and celebrate together!


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 content-related questions, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.

Of Interest: Feltmakers Ireland West – Meets THIS Sunday, at 11 AM in Gort, Co Galway

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Apologies for not sharing this sooner: Feltmakers Ireland West will meet tomorrow (Sunday, the 23rd of November), at 11 AM in Gort, Co Galway.

Please bring along a small bowl, towel, soap, bubble wrap, and wool. Extras will be available!

Where: Gort Town Hall, Ballyhugh, Co. Galway, H91 E0C8

If you have questions, please contact Belinda at chasingdreamsfeltart@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.

Recap - Sunday Session

Sunday Session Recap: Magical Fairies and Angels Take Flight at Feltmakers Ireland Workshop with Belinda Reid

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland1 Comment

By Loli Cox

Belinda demonstrates how to place the shawl.
In addition to approximately 30 students at the CIE Sports Hall, we had 5 members join us via Zoom.

On a crisp November morning, thirty enthusiastic members of Feltmakers Ireland gathered at the CIE Sports Hall in Inchicore for a truly enchanting workshop led by the talented Belinda Reid of Chasing Dreams Felt Art. Held on Sunday, the 9th of November, the session focused on crafting whimsical three-dimensional fairies and angels using the delightful art of needle felting—a meditative, sculptural technique that transforms loose wool fibres into firm, detailed shapes with the repeated poking of a barbed needle.

Belinda, a passionate felt artist and Feltmakers Ireland committee member, guided the group with warmth and expertise. Known for her intricate felted creations and patient teaching style, she ensured every participant felt supported, offering one-on-one advice tailored to individual projects.

The process began with the basics: shaping a solid head from soft carded Irish wool. Arms came next—pipe cleaners wrapped first in skin-toned, Merino Roving in ‘Dune’ from Belinda’s Shop, for structure, then layered with colourful wool to form the gowns. Bodies and dresses bloomed in a rainbow of hues, from soft pastels to vibrant jewel tones. Hairstyles added personality: flowing blonde or brunette locks, elegant buns, or playful curls. Finally, delicate wings completed each figure, turning simple materials into magical beings.

A sampling of some of the students’ Angels.

Optional embroidery thread allowed for extra sparkle: tiny stitched details on dresses, belts, or even miniature flowers. The room buzzed with quiet concentration and bursts of delight as fairies, angels, one witch and a Granuaile O’Malley Pirate Queen emerged, each one utterly unique.

Some of the students sharing their creations.

Participants left beaming, many already planning their next creations. “I can’t wait to make a whole flock for Christmas gifts!” one member shared. Others envisioned their new treasures perched on mantels or twinkling among fairy lights as part of seasonal décor.

A huge thank you to Belinda Reid for sharing her skill and infectious creativity, and to the dedicated volunteers who made the day run smoothly. Workshops like these remind us why we love felting: a few handfuls of wool, a little patience, and suddenly—magic!

To learn more about Belinda, who offers workshops, felting supplies, and felted art, visit her website – https://www.chasingdreamsfeltart.com/

Her Instagram: @chasing_dreams_feltart_

More Photos

Baked Goods with History

Guild member Lorna Cady brings a historic-themed baked good to share for our Sunday Sessions. Her contribution for November is Parkin.

Tip: Below are the pipe cleaners we used, available on Amazon. The company is called ‘Golden Beads’.

Pipe cleaners that worked well.

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 content-related questions, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.

Sunday Session

Sunday Session: THIS Sunday – Needle Felted Angel with Belinda Reid

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

This Sunday at Feltmakers Ireland, we will be making a Needle Felted Angel, led by committee member Belinda Reid of Chasing Dreams Felt Art. Her Instagram: @chasing_dreams_feltart_

She lives in County Galway and has generously offered to come to Inchicore, Dublin, to teach us!

Supplies

Please bring the following in Merino Roving:

  • 10 grams of wool per fairy in assorted colours: Dress colour x 2, Hair colour, Wing colour and Skin tone colour*. 
  • Felting Needles and Pad/Sponge.

*Belinda will bring extra skin tone coloured roving.

The Guild will provide pipecleaners.

The Details:

When: Sunday, the 9th of November, 2025, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM.

Where: CIE Sports Hall, Library Square, Inchicore, Kilmainham, Dublin, D8

Additional Information:

If you can, please bring a home-baked good to share and a travel mug (so we can reduce our use of disposable cups).

And, as this is the season of coughs and sneezes, please refrain from coming if you feel unwell. We do have the benefit of technology – there will be access via Zoom. See below.

Zoom Access to the Sunday Session:

We will email a Zoom link to all members for those who wish to attend virtually. Please check your email in the afternoon.

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 content-related questions, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.

Event: Dublin Fibre Festival 2025 – This Saturday

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Poster for Dublin FIbre Festival 2025

Feltmakers Ireland and 40 other local textile exhibitors will be at the Dublin Fibre Festival THIS Saturday, the 18th of October. This is THE opportunity to touch yarn and fibres in person, attend textile workshops, and watch spinning, felting, and other fibre arts demonstrations! To see a taste of last year’s event, there’s this blog post – https://feltmakersireland.com/2024/10/29/recap-fantastic-day-at-the-dublin-fibre-festival/

The Map and Vendor List

We will be there!

Have you wanted to purchase a copy of Feltmakers Ireland’s book ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’ but have not had the opportunity? Come to the Dublin fibre event of the year: The Dublin Fibre Festival. In addition, we will have several guild members demonstrating needle and wet felting. These include felting artists such as Eva Salamon @feltedvision and Irina Lampadova @irinalampadova1

  • When: 10 AM to 6 PM.

Feltmakers Ireland Members Exhibiting

Four guild members will be sharing their work –

Admission

Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.

For more information, visit the Festival’s website – https://www.dublinfibrefestival.com/

Their Instagram – @dublinfibrefestival

Recap - Sunday Session

Recap: October Sunday Session – Needle Felted Wrens – Sandra Coote

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

By Loli Cox

On Sunday, the 12th of October, 2025, Feltmakers Ireland Guild hosted a fully booked workshop for 25 members, led by Sandra Coote of Crafts of Ireland, based in Cavan.

Sandra, an accomplished feltmaker, raises Roscommon sheep on her farm, processing their wool for her felting projects. She offers workshops and sells felting kits, sharing her expertise with enthusiasts.

The Supplies

Clockwise from the top left: Roscommon needle felted wool for core of birds, grey-coloured felting pads, sharps container for broken needles, sample wrens, scissors, templates, bark with wires, and extra felting needles.
Roscommon wool dyed in Wren colours by Sandra

For our Sunday Session, participants crafted needle-felted wrens mounted on tree bark, using wool from Sandra’s sheep and materials she provided. Her clear instructions, detailed templates, and inspiring samples guided attendees in shaping the birds’ bodies, wings, and tails. Sandra’s hands-on teaching style, coupled with her warm, humorous demeanour, created a welcoming environment for all skill levels. She offered personalised support, visiting each table to assist.

Students Concentrating

Sandra recommended that students look at their phones to find photos of what a wren’s feathers looked like. As students layered on Sandra’s hand-dyed wool for the colouring of the birds’ feathers, Guild member Jane Fox shared about an app to identify birds’ songs: We downloaded the Merlin App so we could hear both the song and call of the Wren.

Here is where one can find more information about the bird song app – https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/

Many of the Students with their Wrens

More Information

The guild expresses gratitude for Sandra’s generosity and expertise; we are thrilled to have a renowned artist lead the session. The workshop’s success highlights her skill in teaching and the charm of her 3D felted sculptures, which left members inspired and eager for more.

To see more of Sandra’s work, purchase her kits or book a workshop, visit her business, Crafts of Ireland – https://craftsofireland.ie/ You can also find her at the Knit + Stitch The Eikon Exhibition Centre, in Lisburn, UK, stand D53.

You can also follow her on social media:

Biscuits (without) History

This month, committee member Lorna Cady brought ‘Biscuits without History’, the latest instalment in her ongoing series of baked goods, which she kindly brings each month.

We are once again grateful to Sandra Coote for travelling from Cavan to teach us, for the fully enrolled workshop, and for the students who generously brought baked treats to share. We also appreciate the committee’s help in organising this Sunday’s Session.

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.