Tag: Helena Mc Guinness

Recap - Sunday Session

Recap: ‘Heart on Your Sleeve’ – Helena Mc Guinness – February Sunday Session

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
A group of people engaged in a crafting session, with a woman demonstrating a technique at the forefront, surrounded by participants seated at tables with various materials.
Helena Mc Guinness helping a student
A woman in a white sweater working at a table covered with crafting materials, including a brown bowl and pieces of fabric.
Helena demonstrating

On Sunday, the 8th of February, members of Feltmakers Ireland were delighted to have the multitalented artist, storyteller and committee member Helena Mc Guinness show us how to create felted hearts using a combination of wet and needle felting.

A variety of handmade felt decorative items, including colourful stones, a starfish, and a polka-dotted red piece, arranged on a grey table surface. Some items are wrapped in bubble wrap.
Helena’s samples that use the combined technique

Helena shared many interesting tidbits about how one can approach felting. Here are some of our favourites:

  • Thanking the Sheep for their wool
  • Allowing oneself not to think one needs a huge towel or a big setup
  • Using small sponges to wet the felt instead of more expensive tools, such as ball brausers
  • Adding the olive oil soap after wetting allows more control
  • Rubbing more reduces the need to roll
  • Adding a small metal ring by using needle felting instead of stitching

Scroll to the bottom to watch the video of our session.

A plastic container filled with yellow and green sponges, with some sponges stacked and others lying flat.

Students at the Session

A group of women engaged in a crafting workshop, seated around several tables covered with various materials and tools for creating felted items.
A group of people engaged in a craft workshop, focusing on felting techniques. One woman in the foreground gently works with materials on a pink towel, while others are seen in the background, participating actively.
A group of people engaged in a craft workshop, working on felt-making at a long table. Various tools and materials are spread out, including sponges, felting needles, and bowls with mixed media. Participants are focused on their projects, showcasing a collaborative and creative environment.

Completed Hearts

A heart-shaped keyring made from felt, featuring colourful flower designs in purple, pink, and green.
A handmade felt heart in shades of green, featuring a small red heart on one side.
A colourful felted wool heart shape placed on a grey foam pad, with a felting needle beside it.
A decorative felt heart shape embellished with red gemstones along the bottom edge.
A heart-shaped object made of felt, featuring green and orange patterns.
A smiling elderly woman with glasses holding a handmade felt heart with a face, sitting at a crafting table.
A handmade felted heart with an eye design, featuring the text 'I got 4'. The heart is predominantly white with red and black details, displayed on a textured background.
A handmade felt heart keychain with a cream background, featuring red and teal floral patterns.
A felted heart-shaped decoration featuring a colourful abstract design in shades of green, blue, and red.

Heart Photos kindly taken by Adrienne Dempsey

If your heart was not included, or you were working alongside at home via Zoom, please email us a photo of your completed heart. feltmakersIE@gmail.com

A Group Photo

A diverse group of twelve people, mostly women, smiling and posing together in a community centre, each holding colourful handmade crafts, with a banner visible in the background.
A photo of some of the students – taken at the very end of the session. Sorry if we missed everyone.

Biscuits with History

A tin filled with heart-shaped iced shortbread biscuits, accompanied by a handwritten sign explaining their significance linked to St. Valentine.

‘Biscuits with History’ is an ongoing series of baked goods created by committee member Lorna Cady. They are always so fun!

Appreciation

Many thanks to Helena Mc Guinness for leading us in an educational and enjoyable Sunday Session. Thank you to the members who helped set up the room and who assisted in guiding some of our newer felters.

Video

Sunday Session Video

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: ‘Heart on Your Sleeve’ – Wet & Needle Felting with Helena Mc Guinness

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Poster for a felting workshop titled 'Heart on Your Sleeve' on a colourful background, featuring a heart shape and details about the session led by Helena Mc Guinness.
Artwork on poster from Helena Mc Guinness

THIS Sunday, the 8th of February, we will have our second Sunday Session of 2026.

Committee member Helena Mc Guinness will lead us in creating small hearts, using both wet and needle felting techniques. The Theme is ‘Heart on Your Sleeve’.

Please bring your wet and needle felting kits. The committee will have extra felting needles for those who do not have them, along with ball brauses (sprinklers).

We will also provide Merino wool. But if you have specific colours you prefer to use, it would be helpful to bring them along.

Your Wet Felting Kit should include:

  • an old towel to catch water, plus a smaller one to dry your hands
  • bubble wrap
  • bowl for water
  • felting soap of your choice
  • sprinkler or ball brause

Your Needle Felting Kit should include:

  • felting needles
  • sponge or brush or needle felting pad to felt into
A handmade felt heart with vibrant purple, orange, and pink colours, featuring a metal ring attached for hanging or keychain use.

The Details:

When: Sunday, the 8th of February, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

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

Additional Information:

If you can, please bring a home-baked treat to share and a travel mug (to 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, although it is not quite as lovely as being with us in person.

Zoom Access to the Sunday Session:

We will email the Zoom link to all members on this afternoon

Membership Renewal:

If you have already renewed your annual membership, we thank you for your support!

If you still need to renew, you can do so quickly and easily by visiting our Membership Page online: https://feltmakersireland.com/membership-application/

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.

Exhibitions: Two Members have Work in Group Shows

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Feltmakers Ireland members exhibit their artwork in group and solo shows.

Two of our members have artwork in exhibitions.

FGU Art Group

An invitation card for the opening of the 'Waterways Dublin 8' art exhibition by the FGU Art Group, featuring a collage of water-themed illustrations including ducks and swans, with event details.

Helena Mc Guinness has artwork in ‘Waterways Dublin 8’. She is part of a group exhibition of artists who create with the Fatima Groups United Family Resource Centre.

When: The show opens this Friday, the 7th, and runs through February.

Monday: Closed, Tuesdays through Saturdays: 9 AM – 7 PM, and Sundays: 11 AM – 6 PM.

Where: Small Changes, 120 Emmet Rd, Inchicore, Dublin 8, D08 Y962

Changing Ireland Galleries

A Crolly Doll named Moira in a striped dress, accompanied by its packaging displaying the name and description.

Helena also recalls her ‘Crolly Doll’ at the exhibition ‘Changing Ireland: Changing Stories’ at the Decorative Arts & Military History Museum of the National Museum of Ireland.

Where: Collins Barracks, Benburb St, Stoneybatter, Dublin 7, D07 XKV4

If you are unable to see the exhibition in person, you can read about her recollections on their website – https://www.museum.ie/en-IE/Museums/Decorative-Arts-History/Projects/Changing-Ireland-Changing-Stories/Helena-McGuinness

And you can listen to Helena, here – https://ci-tour.nmi.eu/1/635/15123/index.html

Made in Wicklow

Image gallery image

Sharon Wells has sculpture, wall art, and wearable art in Made in Wicklow’s ‘Head, Heart & Hands’ group exhibition, which has the work of 41 members of the organisation.

Free entry to the show. 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

When: the 31st of January through the 8th of February.

Where: The Entrance Hall, Powerscourt House, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow, A98 W0D0

For more information, visit the Made in Wicklow website – https://madeinwicklow.com/powerscourt-2026/

Their Instagram – @made_in_wicklow @sharonwellsart

If you are a current member of Feltmakers Ireland and you have an upcoming exhibition or workshop, please get in touch with us at 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.

Sunday Session

Sunday Session: ‘Heart on Your Sleeve’ – Wet & Needle Felting with Helena Mc Guinness

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Poster for a felting workshop titled 'Heart on Your Sleeve' on a colourful background, featuring a heart shape and details about the session led by Helena Mc Guinness.
Artwork on poster from Helena Mc Guinness

On Sunday, the 8th of February, we will have our second Sunday Session of 2026.

Committee member Helena Mc Guinness will lead us in creating small hearts, using both wet and needle felting techniques. The Theme is ‘Heart on Your Sleeve’.

Please bring your wet and needle felting kits. The committee will have extra felting needles for those who do not have them, along with ball brauses (sprinklers).

We will also provide Merino wool. But if you have specific colours you prefer to use, it would be helpful to bring them along.

Your Wet Felting Kit should include:

  • an old towel to catch water, plus a smaller one to dry your hands
  • bubble wrap
  • bowl for water
  • felting soap of your choice
  • sprinkler or ball brause

Your Needle Felting Kit should include:

  • felting needles
  • sponge or brush of needle felting pad to felt into
A handmade felt heart with vibrant purple, orange, and pink colours, featuring a metal ring attached for hanging or keychain use.

The Details:

When: Sunday, the 8th of February, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

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

Additional Information:

If you can, please bring a home-baked treat to share and a travel mug (to 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, although it is not quite as lovely as being with us in person.

Zoom Access to the Sunday Session:

We will email the Zoom link to all members on the afternoon of Friday, the 6th of February.

Membership Renewal:

If you have already renewed your annual membership, we thank you for your support!

If you still need to renew, you can do so quickly and easily by visiting our Membership Page online: https://feltmakersireland.com/membership-application/

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.

Exhibition: Helena Mc Guinness – The Journey – Solo Show – Ballyfermot Library – Dublin

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Feltmakers Ireland guild member Helena Mc Guinness is presenting a solo exhibition of her multidisciplinary work at the Ballyfermot Library Gallery in Dublin. The exhibition, titled ‘The Journey,’ reflects her creative path, which began at the age of nine when she sold her first three knitted garments. Over the years, Mc Guinness has explored a variety of artistic media, now coming full circle as she returns to working with wool.

When: The exhibition runs from the 4th to the 28th of February, with the official opening on Saturday, the 8th, from 2 to 4 PM. Feltmakers are warmly invited to attend!

Where: Ballyfermot Library, Art Space 1 – Ballyfermot Rd, Kylemore, Dublin, D10 WV02.

For more information on the venue’s hours, visit the website – https://www.dublincity.ie/residential/libraries/find-library/leabharlann-bhaile-formaid

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.

Exhibition: Artists’ Inspiration – Opposites Attract

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland6 Comments

Each artist in the ‘Opposites Attract’ exhibition interpreted the theme uniquely.

The Series

The complete series of posts on our Members’ Inspiration can be found here:

  1. Includes: Sandra Reynolds, Sandra Coote, Patricia Conroy, Hélène Dooley, Maria Mc Garry, and Audry Murray.
  2. Includes: Astrid Tomrop-Hofmann, Breda Fay, Lory Cotti Cottini, Neasa Ryan, Ramona Farrelly, and Ursula Heiting-Wiese.
  3. Includes: Heather Byrne, Tamzen Lundy, Bernie Hennessy, Adrienne Dempsey, and Joanne Turner.
  4. Includes: Claire Merry, Caitríona Nolan, Margaret Ryan Collins, Caoimhe Tuthill, and Fiona Leech.
  5. Includes: Jane Fox, Elizabeth Redding, Joanne Foley, Sandra Chase, and Loli Cox.
  6. Includes: Valerie Nowak-O’Ceallaigh, Helena Mc Guinness, Eithne O’Dea, Eva Salamon, and Juliane Gorman.
  7. Includes: Irina Lampadova, Karena Ryan, Annika Berglund, Marie Dunne, Elaine Peden, and Marika Miklosi Manning.

Valerie Nowak-O’Ceallaigh

Valerie Nowak-O’Ceallaigh – ‘A circle in a square’

Without opposites, there is no life
For without darkness, there is no light
For without roughness, there is no softness
For without inside, there is no outside
For without rain, there is no rainbow.
Opposites attract to create life

My piece is created to surprise, intrigue and engage the visitors. Each visitor is encouraged to use their flashlight to investigate the inside of the wool felted tunnel. They will then discover the harbour of Dalkey under a rainbow after the rain. The front of the frame is voluntarily dark to reveal an explosion of colours while you venture inside. Using those contrasts, I show how opposites attract and create a new dimension.

Helena Mc Guinness

Helena Mc Guinness – ‘Eye of the storm’

‘Opposites Attract’- based on a raindrop caught between two weather fronts. A storm on one side of the piece and bright sunshine on the other. A rainbow forms, made up of many raindrops. In this piece, ‘The Eye Of The Storm’, we see a double rainbow. So joyous in the sky!

Eithne O’Dea

Eithne O’Dea – ‘Night and Day’

When I thought about the exhibition theme, ‘Opposites Attract’, the term ‘Night and Day’ came into my mind- you can’t have one without the other. The recent solar eclipse developed this thought further, and the fanciful image of the Moon passing the Sun was born!

Eva Salamon

Eva Salamon – ‘Law of Nature’

Something new is always born out of decay: Death follows Life, and Life follows Death…

These two elements are constantly at work, form an eternal cycle, drawn to each other because they cannot exist without one another…

I dedicate this piece/artwork to my mother, who just returned to this cycle.

Juliane Gorman

Juliane Gorman – ‘Balancing’

My artwork, ‘Balancing’, delves into the dual nature of our dependence on oil. Just as opposites attract, our reliance on oil draws us in with promises of convenience, power, and economic prosperity while simultaneously repelling us with the ecological devastation and social inequality it perpetuates. Through my piece of felted headwear, I encourage reflection on this complex relationship and the need for sustainability.

We hope that you enjoyed learning about what inspires these artists. ‘Opposites Attract’ is at the Phoenix Park Visitors Centre until the 26th of May.

The gallery is open from 10 AM until 4 PM daily.

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.

Exhibition: ‘Opposites Attract’ Opens Today

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Feltmakers Ireland’s group exhibition, ‘Opposites Attract,’ opens today at 3 PM. Tom Watts of the Design and Craft Council of Ireland (DCCI) will inaugurate our exhibition.

Here are the last of the sneak peeks: Sandra Reynolds, Helena Mc Guinness, Sandra Coote, Valerie Nowak-oceallaigh, Patricia Conroy, Hélène Dooley, and Juliane Gorman.

  • Sandra Reynolds
  • Helena Mc Guinness
  • Sandra Coote
  • Valerie Nowak-oceallaigh
  • Patricia Conroy
  • Hélène Dooley
  • Juliane Gorman

Thank you for accompanying us on this Sneak Peek Journey. Learning about our members and their inspirations has been a fascinating part of organising this exhibition! We cannot wait to share more artwork during the show’s run from May 5th to 26th.

Remember: The Phoenix Park Visitors’ Centre is shut on Mondays and Tuesdays. However, the lovely cafe across the way is open.

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.