Photo of Deirdre Crofts at the January Sunday Session- Leiko Uchiyama’s Pine Needle Felt Workshop. (Apologies to Jane Fox and Fiona Leech, who have been cropped out of the picture).
On Sunday, the 9th of February, Feltmakers Ireland guild member Deirdre Crofts will share her creative journey with us during our Sunday Session. In addition to feltmaking, Dee works in ceramics, weaving, and horticulture. She is particularly interested in automata – creating sculptures that can move!
On the left is Deirdre’s piece from the ‘Building Bridges’ exhibition, 2022, and on the right, the artist and her piece from the ‘Bountiful’ exhibition in 2023
Deirdre’s piece from the ‘Endangered’ exhibition in 2020
Additional Details
Complimentary tea and coffee will be served at this Sunday’s Session. Home-baked goods to share are always welcome! If you can, please bring a travel mug to replace the use of disposable paper cups.
As a member perk for 2025, we will no longer charge 5 euros per session. (If you still need to renew your Annual Membership for 2025, you can now pay online here – https://feltmakersireland.com/membership-application/ )
This Sunday’s Session will have a Zoom link, and we hope to record Deirdre’s presentation. The Zoom link will be mailed to members today, Friday, the 7th of February.
As this is the season of coughs and sneezes, we would prefer if you do not share these. Please do not attend if you may be unwell.
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.
Photo of Deirdre Crofts at the January Sunday Session- Leiko Uchiyama’s Pine Needle Felt Workshop. (Apologies to Jane Fox and Fiona Leech, who have been cropped out of the picture).
On Sunday, the 9th of February, Feltmakers Ireland guild member Deirdre Crofts will share her creative journey with us during our Sunday Session. In addition to feltmaking, Dee works in ceramics, weaving, and horticulture. She is particularly interested in automata – creating sculptures that can move!
Her piece from the 2020 exhibition, ‘Endangered’Deirdre’s piece from the ‘Building Bridges’ exhibition, 2022Deirdre with her piece from the ‘Bountiful’ exhibition, 2023
Complimentary tea and coffee will be served at this Sunday’s Session. Home-baked goods to share are always welcome! If you can, please bring a travel mug to replace the use of disposable paper cups.
As a member perk for 2025, we will no longer charge 5 euros per session. (If you still need to renew your Annual Membership for 2025, you can now pay online here – https://feltmakersireland.com/membership-application/ )
This Sunday’s Session will have a Zoom link, and we hope to record Deirdre’s presentation. The Zoom link will be mailed to members on the Friday preceding the event.
As this is the season of coughs and sneezes, we would prefer if you do not share these. Please do not attend if you may be unwell.
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.
Leiko Uchiyama modeling one of her felted Pine Needle Technique shawls.
For Feltmakers Ireland’s Sunday Session in January, we enjoyed learning how to create the Pine Needle Felting Technique with guild member and artist Leiko Uchiyama. Our session was only two hours long, so each student concentrated on making a sample square.
A Full House
It was a popular session, as seen in the photos. Leiko, who teaches all over the world, is based in Carlow, Ireland, and we are incredibly fortunate that she was willing to share her expertise with us.
Beautiful Fibre
Leiko brought a gorgeous array of fibres for us to purchase – so many colours! The 50% Silk/Wool bundles glittered and drew us in.
At the end of the class, students lined up to purchase wool bundles from Leiko. She also sells online; here is a link to her shop – https://www.leikofelt.com/shop/
Leiko’s Art Work
Leiko brought samples and garments created with her iconic Pine Needle Felting Technique. As she makes both wearable and fine art felt using wool, she also brought thicker, sculptural felted works for members to see all the possibilities of wet feltmaking.
Hands-On Learning
An experienced tutor, Leiko, chose to demonstrate to small groups of students so members could more easily see what she was doing. She explained all the steps so clearly.
Members Working Away
While we concentrated and worked hard, we also had fun! It was good to catch up after the holidays!
More Photos
Finished Samples
All of the students completed their Pine Needle Sample within the allotted time. Displayed above is a selection of the samples created—some vibrant and multi-coloured, others quietly monochromatic. Judging by the smiles, it’s clear we had a fantastic time!
One of the students, Deirdre Crofts, went home and started making a series of table mats – only seven more to go!
Conclusion
This Sunday Session was a fantastic way to kick off our felting year. A heartfelt thank you to Leiko Uchiyama for sharing her inspiring craft with us.
The CIE Sports Hall buzzed with activity as we welcomed 27 hands-on students and more than a dozen observers. Some of our members travelled significant distances to join us, and it was nice to finally meet them in person.
Special thanks also go to the members who generously shared their delicious home bakes with the group. The Pavlova was a standout hit, and the cleverly renamed “Brexit Biscuits” (formerly known as ‘Empire Biscuits’) brought plenty of smiles. Apologies for not having a photo of the refreshment table.
A warm and sincere thank you to everyone who contributed to making the day successful.
Here’s to a creative and fulfilling year ahead!
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 upcoming Sunday Session on the 12th of January, there are a few spaces for observers of Leiko Uchiyama‘s Pine Needle Technique. The hands-on workshop is fully booked up.
Update the 9th of January: We are now fully booked up.
Class Description
We will make a small sample of the ‘Pine Needle Technique’, Leiko’s iconic wet felting technique used to create lacy felt.
Leiko will bring her beautiful hand-dyed mix of 50% 17.5 micron Merino and 50% silk, which she usually uses for this technique. It is €7/25g, and two to three people can share one bundle. This could be a good opportunity to try this material. Normal merino can also be used.
She will also bring some other types of hand-dyed fibre (21, 18, and 16 micron of Merino and Corriedale) for those interested in purchasing.
About Leiko
Leiko Uchiyama pictured with some of her hand-dyed roving.
Leiko Uchiyama is a felt-making artist based in the rural county of Carlow, Ireland. She has lived and worked in France, New Zealand, and Indonesia, as well as her native Hokkaido, the north island of Japan. She has exhibited and given workshops in many different countries.
Leiko initially studied Animal Science and developed an interest in sheep before studying textiles.
Her work ranges from functional pieces, such as tableware and rugs, to wearable items like tunics, scarves and wraps, to more esoteric felt work that inhabits the growing space between craft and fine art. She believes the origin of craft lies in creating something for someone special, not only to serve a function but to make our lives more colourful and rich.
To learn more about her work or purchase her hand-dyed wool roving, visit her website – https://www.leikofelt.com/
Complimentary tea and coffee will be served at this Sunday Session. Home bakes to share are always welcome! As a member perk for 2025, we will no longer charge 5 euros per session.
As this is the season of coughs and sneezes, we would prefer if you do not share these. Please do not attend if you may be unwell.
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 first Sunday Session of the year will be exciting and only open to Feltmakers Ireland members. It is a hands-on sampler workshop where 27 members can make a sample using Leiko Uchiyama’s ‘Pine Needle Technique’.
Only 27 members can participate in this Sunday’s hands-on session. If we receive more than 27 requests, participants will be selected through a random draw from a ‘virtual hat.’ Additionally, 10 to 15 more members are welcome to attend as observers. These will also be selected randomly.
Important: To participate, attendees must renew their Feltmakers Ireland Membership for 2025. To renew, visit our Membership Page, where debit and credit card payments are now accepted. After renewing, email us directly to be entered into the ‘virtual hat.’
Class description from Leiko:
We will make a small sample of the ‘Pine Needle Technique’, one of my iconic works. This is a wet felting technique used to create lacy felt.
I will bring my hand-dyed mix of 50% 17.5 micron Merino and 50% silk, which I usually use for this technique. It is €7/25g, and two to three people can share one bundle. This could be a good opportunity to try this material. Normal merino can also be used.
I will also bring some of my other types of wool (21, 18 and 16 micron Merino and Corriedale) for sale.
If you need any particular colours, please let Leiko know beforehand by emailing feltmakersIE@gmail.com
What to bring:
Fine Merino wool top (10g), or you can purchase Leiko’s 50/50 silk mixed wool.
Small sharp scissors
Small bowl for cereal, soup… or Tupperware, etc, to dip the wool.
Bubble wrap 35-40cm square (1)
Liquid or grated soap
Rolling pin (about 3cm diameter x about 30cm long) (1)
Small towel or cloth for rolling (2)
A small towel to dry your hands
A plastic bag
Biographical Information on Leiko Uchiyama Feltmaker
Leiko Uchiyama is a felt-making artist based in the rural county of Carlow, Ireland. She has lived and worked in France, New Zealand, and Indonesia, as well as her native Hokkaido, the north island of Japan. She has exhibited and given workshops in many different countries.
Leiko initially studied Animal Science, and she developed an interest in sheep, before going on to study textiles.
Her work ranges from functional pieces, such as tableware and rugs, to wearable items like tunics, scarves and wraps, to more esoteric felt work that inhabit the growing space between craft and fine art. She believes the origin of craft lies in creating something for someone special, not only to serve a function, but to make our lives more colourful and rich.
This first session of the year will require lots of tea, coffee, cake, and chat, so there will be an abundance of these. Of course, home bakes are always welcome!
We will NOT have a Zoom link for this Sunday Session.
To have the opportunity to attend this event, please renew your annual Membership and then directly email us with an expression of interest.If you are not a member, we welcome you to join usat Feltmakers Ireland!
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
All other materials will be provided.
Additional Information
A Sunday Session like this will require lots of tea/ coffee/cake and chat, so there’ll be an abundance of that. Of course, homebakes are always welcome! Please bring a ‘keep cup’ or mug from home if possible. That will lessen the amount of paper cups thrown away.
There is the usual 5 euro fee.
Note: Since this is the season of colds and coughs, let’s not share them. However, we welcome you to join via Zoom Link, which we email to all members on Friday afternoon.
Annika Berglund Exhibition
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 Sunday, the 17th of November at 15:00 in the Olivier Cornet Gallery (after the Sunday session). She welcomes you all to attend. The show runs until the 15th of December.
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.
On Saturday, the 26th of September, volunteers from Feltmakers Ireland shared feltmaking with visitors to the Dublin Fibre Festival. We increased awareness of our guild, demonstrated feltmaking (wet and needlefelting), sold many copies of our book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’, and sold felted pieces created by some of our volunteers.
We were so busy at times that you could barely see our table!
It was a fantastic day! Many thanks to indie yarn designer Mira Isan, the Dublin Fibre Festival’s organiser, for seeing the need for a Dublin-based textile event and for her skills in pulling off this endeavour! Also, thank you to committee member Adrienne Dempsey for organising our two tables and volunteers. Additional thanks to our volunteers: From A-Z, Lorna Cady, Deirdre Carroll, Loli Cox, Sam Fagan, Irina Lampadova, and Evija Mezaka.
Our Book
Here is a photograph of Adrienne sharing ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’ with Ann Gunning of Beechwood Blues Texel Sheep – her wool is in the book!
Adrienne and Ann Gunning
Our Display
Here are some of the many photographs from the lovely experience.
All ready!
Adrienne, Loli, and Irina
Sam sharing the craic with Eva
Sam and Eva
Adrienne
Deirdre
Eva and Lorna
Loli wearing a felted neckpiece
More display
Adrienne with display
Loli with a happy customer
Loli with her needlefelted work
Our Members with Stalls
Two members of Feltmakers Ireland also participated at the Dublin Fibre Festival: Sandra King from Irish Fibre Crafters and Juliane Gorman from FeltHappiness Hats.
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.
This Saturday, the 26th of October, a group of volunteers from Feltmakers Ireland will share the miracle of feltmaking and our excellent book,‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’ at the Dublin Fibre Festival!
The festival’s inaugural edition will bring together fibre fans, artisans, and exhibitors for a day of creativity, inspiration, and community.
Some of our members will also be exhibiting and vending at the show: Irish Fibre Crafters (Sandra King) and FeltHappiness (Juliane Gorman). In addition, our friends from Fibreshed Ireland (co-founder Malú Colorín spoke at our AGM in May), will sell undyed and naturally dyed 100% Irish wool yarn, and knit kits. They will also sell tickets to their upcoming symposium – ‘Reimagining Textiles for an Equitable Future’, one of the exciting events scheduled during Irish Design Week in November.
Tickets to the Dublin Fibre Festival are available at the door via cash or card: 10 euros, free for children under 12 and disabled people.
Where: Richmond Barracks, Inchicore, Dublin 08
When: 10 AM – 5 PM, Saturday, the 26th of October.
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.
Have you wanted to purchase a copy of Feltmakers Ireland’s book ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’but not had the opportunity? Come to the Dublin fibre event of the year: The Dublin Fibre Festival.
Feltmakers Ireland and almost 30 other local textile exhibitors will be at the Dublin Fibre Festival on Saturday, the 26th of October. This is THE opportunity to touch yarn and fibres in person and watch spinning, felting, and other fibre arts demonstrations!
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 