Pictured: Feltmatters co-Host Heather Potten as she interviews Vivienne Morpeth and Alun Kirby about their collaboration with Cyanotype and Nunofelting.
The International Feltmakers Association (IFA) has just released the first podcast of its third season: The Blueprint of Art: Cyanotype Meets Felt. In this episode, Heather Potten interviews her co-host, Vivienne Morpeth, and artist Alun Kirby about their collaboration with Cyanotype and Nunofelting.
As always, the FeltMatters podcast is fascinating, as they discuss the trial-and-error process, artistic exploration, and the interplay between established techniques and modern art forms.
Pictured: Poster for upcoming online course – ‘The Magid of Natural Dyes & Cyanotype Printing’ with Ashleigh Ellis.
Unrelated to the IFA’s podcast, there is a timely opportunity to study cyanotype printing on paper, fabric, and other substrates with Irish artist and instructor Ashleigh Ellis. The course, ‘The Magic of Natural Dyes & Cyanotype Printing,‘ combines Cyanotype with Natural Dyeing to create further colourways.
The Welcome Module opens on the 19th of March, and the Live Zoom is on the 26th of March, at 4 PM. There are five live Zoom sessions, all of which are recorded and sent to students.
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AppleOak Fibreworks’ Natural Dyers & Growers Academy Gazette (NDGG) will hold an online graduation and gallery exhibition of the work created by students in their yearlong course. Students’ portfolio samples will be on display.
When: Saturday, the 7th of December at 6:30 GMT.
Please visit the website to register and receive the link to the online graduation and gallery exhibition. (You will need to create an account with them). – https://the-natural-dyers-academy.mn.co/sign_in
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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Ashleigh Ellis will give a free online talk and Q&A to preview her 2025 three-module workshop on ‘Cyanotypes using Natural Dyes’, which is part of the Natural Dyers & Growers Academy.
National Organic Training Skills (NOTS) is partnering with The Natural Dyers and Growers Academy and AppleOak FibreWorks to offer all Irish residents a 40% discount on the Natural Dyeying Course 2025 fees and a further 10% reduction on the dye and fabric boxes for the year.
The course is fully online and consists of 12 modules, scheduled over 12 months, starting mid-January 2025. Each module will open on the first of the month, giving access to written and illustrated material to guide through its topic. Each module also contains a quiz and a project, which will result in recipes and samples for students’ portfolios on that topic.
The booking gate for the one-year Natural Dyeing Course 2025 will officially close on Saturday, the 30th of November.
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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Chairperson Deirdre Carroll speaking about the Guild’s achievements.
As so MUCH happened at our recent AGM, this will be a two-part blog post! Here is the first one.
On Sunday, the 12th of May, Feltmakers Ireland marked a significant milestone, celebrating its 21st year as an organisation. Twenty-seven members attended this AGM in person, with an additional five joining via Zoom link. Our founder, President Elizabeth Bonnar, was also in attendance.
First, Deirdre Carroll, our Chairperson, went over the Guild’s many accomplishments for the past year, which included the following activities and events:
Our AGM celebrating our 20th Anniversary of founding by our president, Elizabeth Bonnar,
Creating a Floral Banner to celebrate our 20th.
Publishing our long-researched book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’,
Sharing our love of feltmaking at public events such as Bloom, the Tullamore Show and Dublin Maker,
Hosting an Open Day as part of August Craft Month/Heritage Week Ireland.
Our month-long exhibition in October 20203 of ‘Bountiful’ at the Phoenix Park Visitors’ Centre gallery, which was opened by Minister Pippa Hackett.
Several hands-on events, including Sharon Well’s needle felting a winter scene, Deirdre Crofts’ felting elf booties, Annika Berglund’s Fine Felt, and Juliane Gorman’s Nunofelted cowl.
In the past year, our Sunday Sessions also included learning about the feltmaking journeys of members Elaine Peden and Claire Merry.
Next, Lorna Cady, our Secretary, went over the Guild’s upcoming events, which include the following:
Our exhibition at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre Galery, which runs until the 26th of May,
Demonstrating feltmaking on the 31st of May and the 1st of June at Bloom,
Guild member Maria McGarry sharing her feltmaking journey at our June Sunday Session,
A booth at the Tullamore Show on the 11th of August,
Our Open Day as part of August Craft Month/Heritage Ireland,
Our workshop in October with international tutor Judit Pocs.
Annika Berglund, our Treasurer, presented a comprehensive report on the guild’s finances, reassuring us that all is well in that department. This is a testament to our members’ continued support and our prudent financial management.
Then, Annika detailed the finances related to our book, Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking, which we published last year. We continue receiving orders for the book and will soon cover our publishing expenses.
Chair Deirdre Carroll spoke about the new Code of Conduct and Ethics, which the members voted to approve.
Appreciations
Then, Annika recognised the much-appreciated work of the three committee members who are stepping down:
Membership secretary Fiona Leech for serving us so well AND keeping us in cuppas and cakes,
Marian Fagan for bringing her knowledge and resources,
and lastly, Valerie Nowak o’ceallaigh, who had only recently stepped in, for her enthusiasm.
Three guild members, Suzanne Phelan, Sam Fagan, and Loli Cox, have offered to serve on 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
One of the highlights of our AGM was our guest speaker, Malú Colorín, co-founder of Fibreshed Ireland and owner of Talu Earth. She shared her journey working with textiles and colour and the projects that she has been involved in.
Malú Colorín with a slide showing her contribution to the Galway Wool Co-op’s Meitheal. Photo by Sam Fagan
Fibershed Ireland
Just as a watershed collects its water locally, the Fibershed Movement takes its inspiration from wearing clothing made with locally grown natural fibres, dyed locally and made with local labour. Founded in 2009 in California by Rebecca Burgess, there are now over 65 regional organisations worldwide. Fibreshed Ireland seeks to create collaborations and links between farmers and designers throughout Ireland. Their website has an interactive map showing the farmers, processors, designers, and makers who are part of Ireland’s fibre network. You can find the map HERE – https://fibreshedireland.ie/projects/fibre-networks-map/
Map showing locations of designers, makers, farmers, and processors throughout all of Ireland.
Malú spoke about Fibreshed Ireland’s achievements and goals; one of the latter is that the organisation wants to have a verification system for farms that use environmentally regenerative methods in the next five years.
Additionally, she shared her warm humour and practical wisdom that making needs to be an iterative process and that “Perfect is the Enemy of Good”.
The above slide struck a chord with several members who have also faced the challenges of creating a business with feltmaking, which, like most textile-making, is not a speedy technique. We tend to feel like we need to work faster or more efficiently, but as she says, “We Need to Change the Model”.
Malú also shared information about her business, Talú Earth, which has a lovely motto – ‘From Seed to Second Skin’. Via Talú Earth, she offers a natural dyeing service, sells naturally dyed wearables, and teaches workshops in person. An upcoming one is ‘Flavours, Stories and Colour’, which is happening soon – on the 23rd of May. Click here for more information – https://www.fonditamestiza.com/dyeworkshop
Additionally, she is organising the ‘Archipelago Festival of Colour’ in Antrim, on the 27th and 28th of July. It will be “An immersive weekend celebration of all things natural colour! This intimate festival is the first of its kind in Ireland and the UK, dedicated entirely to natural dyes, pigments, and inks, honouring the Land that provides them.”
Samples of her Work
Samples from her Dye Notebooks
Cochineal Samples
Naturally Dyed Yarns
Large Naturally Dyed Sample Cards
As you can see from the photographs above, a wide range of colours are available via natural dyeing.
A warm thank you to Malú Colorín for being such an inspiring guest speaker at our AGM 2024. Also, a special thank you to the committee for all of its work in setting up the AGM.
Part two of this two-part recap will be tomorrow.
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.
Join Wildflowers and Wool in Wicklow Workshop in Blessington, overlooking the lakes, for an immersive day. Meet the alpaca, pigs, and sheep that reside nearby. Forage in Miriam Brady’s garden for medicinal and dye plants. Make your own natural teas and sample an organic, natural lunch. In the afternoon, Feltmakers Ireland member Sharon Wells, will share about the heritage of wool in Ireland and how to use natural dyes.
There is a discount for anyone in Feltmakers Ireland, the Irish Guild of Weavers, Spinners, and Dyers, or The Wicklow Craft Foundation. Just add a note at checkout, and you will receive a little gift refund.
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.
With Apple Oak Fibre Works, students will learn how to harvest dye plants from the field and process them in the dye studio. They also participate in dye plant trials and dye a small item to take home.
A talk by Tristan Lienhard
Harvesting Woad in the field
Making Woad balls for our fermentation Vats
Setting a woad pigment extraction, which takes a number of days to extract
Testing the blue content of over 20 different varieties of Woad, using the Japanese cold direct dyeing technique
Tour of the dye house
A talk by Jennifer Lienhard on fermentation vats, their differences and historical backgrounds.
When:
Friday 12th & Saturday 13th of July 2024 Monday 15th & Tuesday 16th of July 2024
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.
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Feltmakers Ireland member Mel Bradley, a professional artist and teacher, will teach a series of five textile workshops this spring: silk painting, Nuno felting, indigo dyeing, and transfer printing. You can take one or multiple classes.
Classes are small and tailored to suit those attending.
Next year, Jennifer Lienhard of Apple Oak Fibre Works will teach a year-long online course in natural dyeing. She has a course-specific mailing list if you are interested.
The timeline is the following:
January – portfolio building, learning about fibres and fibre prep
February – mordants, and first module in ‘Growing your own dye’
March – tannins
April – blue dyes with 3 different indigo vats, and second module in ‘Growing your own Dye’
May – yellow dyes
June – red dyes, and third module in ‘Growing your own Dye’
July – purple dyes
August – combining primary colours to create secondary ranges
September – other techniques, such as lake making, resist paints and maya blue making
October – eco printing and fourth module of ‘Growing your own Dye’
November – project work
*The schedule might be subject to change. Supplies are included in the class.
‘The Fibre of Our Being‘ is a series of events exploring contemporary textiles which draw on tradition to reinvigorate their process. It will encompass an exhibition of the same title displaying a wide variety of contemporary Irish Textiles and two full weekends of events and workshops that will allow people to learn techniques in dyeing and crafting with textiles.
The highlight will be a day with talks and displays about the source of our fibres and Irish wool production, with displays from small businesses looking to find new ways to use our indigenous materials sustainably. We will finish with an alternative fashion show in the lively cultural hub of Levis Bar in Ballydehob, Co. Cork.
The event runs from the 12th through the 10th of September.
On Sunday the 27th, there is a talk about Irish Wool, including sheep breeds, processing, history and the need to bring back its value, by Fibreshed Ireland member Kit Christina Keawwantha and other panel guests. Booking is needed for this (and other) events.
Feltmakers Ireland 