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 Leiko Uchiyama was recently interviewed by Create Whimsy.
“At the foot of the Blackstairs Mountains in Ireland, Leiko Uchiyama turns wool into quiet, beautiful forms that feel alive. Her journey began with a love of sheep in Japan and led her across the world to farms, classrooms, and studios.”
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.
Good Bog, Bad Bog – Collaborative Felting Project – Enniskerry, Co Wicklow
‘Good Bog Bad Bog’ sees wool-based landscape representations of a functioning bog and an eroded one, highlighting the ecological importance of Wicklow’s peatlands, sparking conversation around biodiversity loss, climate resilience and water quality.
This exhibition features felted pieces by Sharon Wells, along with a collaborative community project guided by Sharon. Amongst the artists are guild members Loli Cox and Margaret Ryan Collins.
Gort Arts Second Annual Members’ Exhibition – Co Galway
Guild member Joanne Foley is exhibiting work as part of the Gort Arts second annual members’ exhibition, which opens on Culture Night at 7 PM, with live music and refreshments.
When: The show runs from Friday, the 19th to the 28th of September, 2025
FORMDesignMade Exhibition – Tullow Library – Co Carlow
FORM Designmade has a retrospective exhibition showcasing the exceptional talent of 10 craft practitioners from County Carlow. Guild member Leiko Uchiyama is among the artists.
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 Sunday, the 11th of May, Feltmakers Ireland marked a significant milestone, celebrating its 22nd year as an organisation. Twenty-nine members attended this AGM in person, and six joined via Zoom link. Our founder, President Elizabeth Bonnar, was also in attendance.
Address by Acting Chair
First, committee member Suzanne Phelan, acting on behalf of our Chairperson Deirdre Carroll, went over the Guild’s many accomplishments for the past year, which included the following activities and events:
Sharing our love of feltmaking at public events such as Bloom, the Tullamore Show and Dublin Fibre Festival.
Hosting Open Days in Dublin and Killbeggan, Co Westmeath as part of August Craft Month/Heritage Week Ireland.
First Lady Sabina Higgins opened our month-long exhibition of ‘Symbols of Ireland’ at the Phoenix Park Visitors’ Centre Gallery in March. 400 people attended the opening, and over a thousand people viewed the show.
Several hands-on events were held, including a revisit of the Fine Felt Workshop with Annika Berglund, the Pine Needle technique with Leiko Uchiyama, Needle-Felted Mushrooms with Nara Fritch, and Felt Christmas Stars with Annika Berglund.
In the past year, our Sunday Sessions also included learning about the creative journeys of members Maria McGarry, Deirdre Crofts, and Clodagh Mac Donagh.
Our hybrid Zoom class in October with Hungarian tutor Judith Pocs, where we made felted eyeglass cases.
Volunteers travelled to Belfast in November to demonstrate felting at the Knitting and Stitching Show, sharing a booth with the International Feltmakers Association and Feltmakers North.
Address by the Secretary
For the next part of the AGM, our secretary, Lorna Cady, discussed our upcoming activities for the coming year. Amongst the exciting events mentioned were the following –
Two international workshops: One in May with Marjolein Dallinga and one in July with Pam de Groot.
The Basic and Beyond Bag Making Workshop with Annika Berglund in June.
In August, the guild will again demonstrate felting at the Tullamore Show,and participate in August Craft Month / Heritage Week at the CIE Sports Hall in Inchicore, and Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath.
In October, we will demonstrate at the Dublin Fibre Festival
In November, we will hopefully again participate in the Knitting and Stitching Show, in Lisburn, with the IFA and Feltmakers North.
The Treasurer’s Report and Wool Project
Treasurer, Annika Berglund, reported on our finances, which were approved by the auditor, and the Wool Project, our book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’, which is also doing well and has been purchased by wool enthusiasts in Ireland and beyond, including the USA and Europe. She also introduced our new treasurer, Samantha Fagan, to the group.
The Bursary Draw
This year, Hilary Delaney was the fortunate member to win the 250 euro Bursary, which will be used for a felting workshop of her choice. We look forward to seeing what she learns through her short recap and photographs.
Committee News
The membership voted to approve Belinda Reid’s official joining of the committee. Two guild members, Irina Lampadova and Helena Mc Guinness, have offered to help the committee. We are so very appreciative of these members for putting themselves forward. We will have confirmations at the next committee session in June.
Guest Speaker
Our guest speaker, Leiko Uchiyama, shared her life and travels and how they influenced her sculptural artworks and functional felted objects, which range from playful to elegant. She spoke of the inherent Diversity of Feltmaking and how she enjoyed the play of textures and colour. It was a fascinating talk, and so interesting to learn more about her.
Leiko also filled the stage with her gloriously beautiful wool from her fibre dyeing business LeikoFelt, which proved very popular with the members!
Thank you, Leiko, for being part of our 2025 AGM!
Spoiled for choices of Merino, Corriedale and Silk/Merino roving from LeikoFelt.
Felt Displayed
In addition to the Committee proceedings and Leiko’s Textile Journey, several of our members displayed their artwork, and a few had pieces for sale. These members included Loli Cox, Irina Lampadova, Fiona Leech, and Evija Mezaka. Apologies if we have missed anyone.
Video of the Day
A medley of our day at AGM 2025.
Many thanks to all those who attended Feltmakers Ireland’s 2025 AGM, whether in person or via Zoom! And we understand if you could not make it – the weather was so lovely outside!
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.
By starting promptly at 10:30 AM, we aim to complete the meeting’s formalities promptly, allowing us to listen to the Textile Journey of our Guest Speaker, Leiko Uchiyama, an artist, educator, and master dyer, who lives in Co Carlow.
Additionally, we will feature a Sellers’ Area and a Display Area this year.
Leiko brought a selection of her gorgeous hand-dyed fibres during the Pine Needle Felting Workshop in January. She will have similar supplies available to purchase this Sunday. Other guild members will be bringing felted artwork and supplies too. IF you want to be included in this Vending Opportunity, please RESERVE a spot by emailing feltmakersIE@gmail.com
Thereis no cost for members to sell at the AGM.
Agenda
1. Address by the Chair, opening the AGM (Suzanne Phelan will act on behalf of chairperson Deirdre Carroll, who is away)
2. Address by Secretary (Lorna Cady)
3.Treasurer’s Report (Annika Berglund)
4.Wool Project Wool Report (Annika Berglund)
5. Motions for AGM
6.Election of Chair and Committee 2025/26. Election of other Officers will be held at the June Committee Meeting. We always welcome new faces on the Committee—if you’re interested in helping to keep our Guild active and thriving, your support would be greatly appreciated!
7.Guest Speaker is Leiko Uchiyama, a feltmaking artist originally from Japan and now living in Borris, Co Carlow. Her journey has taken her from Japan to New Zealand, Indonesia, and France, where she developed her feltmaking techniques. Leiko creates wearable pieces made of wool and silks, which she dyes using her own colour recipes. She also makes functional pieces for the home. She teaches Felting workshops throughout Europe, America, Australia, and Japan, and has exhibited her work in many countries.
Leiko will also have her dyed wool roving for sale at the AGM. She will bring Merino, Corriedale and a Silk/Merino mix of roving, which is ideal for the craft of felting.
8.A Bursary Draw for €250 is open to all paid-up members and will take place at the AGM. The winner can participate in a Felting course and then provide a short recap article with photographs. (In 2024, guild member Adrienne Dempsey won the award. You can read about her experience in this blog post.)
9.Sellers’ Area: Members can sell their work, fibres or supplies at the AGM. Methods of receiving payment, whether by cash, credit card, Revolut, or PayPal transactions, are the seller’s responsibility. The guild will provide tables, but NOT coverings or other displays. Please RSVP to participate in the Sellers’ Area. feltmakersIE@gmail.com
10.Display Area: Members can also take the opportunity to display and discuss a small selection of their work with other members. Members will need to bring props to display their items. Make sure that your name is on your piece. The guild will provide two table coverings. There is no need to RSVP for the Display Area.
11. Refreshments and chat. Refreshments will follow. If you could bring a little something, home-baked or not, we’d be delighted. We always appreciate goodies with our cuppa. If you have a travel cup, please bring it so we can reduce the waste of single-use paper cups. As always, we will provide the coffee and tea!
*We kindly ask non-members to become members in order to attend the AGM.
Zoom Access
Members who cannot attend in person can use the Zoom link, which will be emailed to members today. This session will not be recorded.
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.
The 10th Anniversary exhibition of FORM Designmade Carlow will be on the 18th of May, at The Granary, Borris House.
FORM is a group of designers, makers, and craftspeople living and working in the Carlow region of Ireland. Feltmakers Ireland member Leiko Uchiyama is a member of FORM.
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.
By starting promptly at 10:30 AM, we aim to complete the meeting’s formalities in a timely manner, allowing us to listen to our Guest Speaker, Leiko Uchiyama, an artist, educator, and master dyer, who lives in Co Carlow.
Additionally, this year we will feature a Sellers’ Area and a Display Area. See below for more information.
Agenda
1. Address by the Chair, opening the AGM (Suzanne Phelan will act on behalf of chairperson Deirdre Carroll, who is away)
2. Address by Secretary (Lorna Cady)
3.Treasurer’s Report (Annika Berglund)
4.Wool Project Wool Report (Annika Berglund)
5. Motions for AGM
6.Election of Chair and Committee 2025/26. Election of other Officers will be held at the June Committee Meeting. We always welcome new faces on the Committee—if you’re interested in helping to keep our Guild active and thriving, your support would be greatly appreciated!
7.Guest Speaker is Leiko Uchiyama, a feltmaking artist originally from Japan and now living in Borris, Co Carlow. Her journey has taken her from Japan to New Zealand, Indonesia, and France, where she developed her feltmaking techniques. Leiko creates wearable pieces made of wool and silks, which she dyes using her own colour recipes. She also makes functional pieces for the home. She teaches Felting workshops throughout Europe, America, Australia, and Japan, and has exhibited her work in many countries.
Leiko will also have her dyed wool roving for sale at the AGM. She will bring Merino, Corriedale and a Silk/Merino mix of roving, which is ideal for the craft of felting.
8.A Bursary Draw for €250 is open to all paid-up members and will take place at the AGM. The winner can participate in a Felting course and then provide a short recap article with photographs. (In 2024, guild member Adrienne Dempsey won the award. You can read about her experience in this blog post.)
9.Sellers’ Area: Members will have the opportunity to sell their work, fibres or supplies at the AGM. Methods of receiving payment, whether by cash, credit card, Revolut, or PayPal transactions, are the seller’s responsibility. The guild will provide tables, but NOT coverings or other displays. Please RSVP if you wish to participate in the Sellers’ Area, as space is limited. feltmakersIE@gmail.com
10.Display Area: Members can also take the opportunity to display and discuss a small selection of their work with other members. Members will need to bring props to display their items. Make sure that your name is on your piece. The guild will provide two table coverings.
11. Refreshments and chat. Refreshments will follow. If you could bring a little something, home-baked or not, we’d be delighted. We always appreciate goodies with our cuppa. If you have a travel cup, please bring it so we can reduce the waste of single-use paper cups.
Zoom Access
Members who cannot attend in person can use the Zoom link, which will be emailed beforehand on Friday. This session will not be recorded.
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.
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.
