Tag: Needlefelting

Of Interest: 4 Articles from the Felting and Fiber Studio

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Four recent blog posts from the Felting and Fiber Studio may be of interest to readers:

The first one is by Feltmakers Ireland member Hélène Dooley, who has written an article about her experiments with natural dyeing, using tea, pine cones, and the roots and bark of a plum tree. Of special interest is her experiment with felting WITHOUT soap! Instead, she used vinegar.

To learn more, visit her blog post at the Felting and Fiber Studio – https://feltingandfiberstudio.com/2025/06/19/experimenting-with-household-garden-stuff-and-fibre/

As it is sunny outside in Ireland (today), it may be a good time for wool washing. Or not. If you are wondering how to wash MORE wool, TWO blog posts from the Felting and Fiber Studio may be of interest. Canadian feltmaker, Jan, explores creative ways to use agricultural equipment for washing larger volumes of wool fleece.

To learn more, visit these posts – https://feltingandfiberstudio.com/2025/07/05/72651/ and this one https://feltingandfiberstudio.com/2025/06/25/upgrading-my-fiber-prep-system/

The fourth article, also by Jan, is relatively recent, dated August 4. It is about demonstrating needle felting and includes invaluable tips on how to engage in conversations with the public. She even describes how, when working on 2D pictures, the application of wool can be similar to using traditional art supplies such as pastel, watercolour, or acrylic paint. You will also have a laugh, as she writes in a humorous style.

To read this post, visit here – https://feltingandfiberstudio.com/2025/08/04/demoing-felting-question-how-dose-that-work/

Note: You can ‘subscribe’ to the Felting and Fiber Studio’s blog in order not to miss any posts. Just like our website, there is a sidebar with a box to enter your email address.

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.

Exhibition: Stephanie Robison Sculptures – Marrow Gallery – San Francisco USA

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Poster for art exhibition - Stephanie Robison - featuring a pale orange and white sculpture.

Artist Stephanie Robison combines stone carving with needle felting to create playful sculptures in which wool appears hard and stone appears soft. She is currently having a solo exhibition at the Marrow Gallery in San Francisco, USA. Titled “Incantations for the Average Person”, her work has been described as “What Happens When Stone and Wool Have a Party?” by We and the Color online magazine.

The exhibition runs until the 29th of March.

For more information on seeing the show, visit the gallery’s website – https://www.marrowgallery.com/

There is an interview with the artist on the ‘Art is Awesome’ podcast – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stephanie-robison-sculptor/id1688820758?i=1000698729397

To see more of Robison’s works, visit her website – https://www.stephanierobison.com/

Instagram – @squishystone


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: Soul Dolls Felting Retreat – Boyne Valley

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Feltmakers Ireland member Caoimhe Tuthill of Boann Irish Felt and Shelly Szigli of Soul Dolls CA are holding a two-day felting retreat set against the stunning backdrop of the World Heritage Site of Brú na Boinne in the stunning Boyne Valley in Ireland.

Participants will learn how to create their own Soul Doll using wet and needle felting techniques.

When: the 31st of August through the 1st of September.

For more information, visit the website – https://www.souldolls.ca/soul-doll-ireland-2024-retreat

Education: Landscape Felting Class with Sharon Wells

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Guild member Sharon Wells will teach a four-week Landscape Felting Class. The techniques covered include Needlefelting, Wet felting, Hand and Machine Embroidery, and Beading.

The classes run from Guild member Sharon Wells will be teaching a four-week Landscape Felting Class. 10:30 AM -1 PM, and are on the following dates:

  • the 8th of February
  • the 22nd of February
  • the 29th of February
  • the 7th of March

For more information, visit Sharon’s website – https://www.sharonwellsart.com/product-page/landscape-felting-class-4-weeks-feb-8th-22nd-29th-march-7th

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.

Education: Moy Mackay Online Class on Trees

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Moy’s books.

Artist and tutor Moy Mackay will teach ‘Trees in Felt & Stitch’.

Learn the processes and techniques for creating your own felted artwork through a four-week online course.

The lessons are pre-recorded and will guide you through additional techniques to increase your technical ability while developing your own artistic style. In addition to the learning resources and videos, there are in-person, weekly webinars with Moy.

When: 6th February – 4th March 2024

She also runs other online classes throughout the year and has published several books on needle-felted art.

For more information on the Trees Class, visit her website –
https://www.moymackay.com/courses/p/trees-in-felt-and-stitch-feb-2024

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.

Education: Mend Your Sweater Needlefelting with Ýrúrarí – Online Class

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

This is Colossal presents Ýr Jóhannsdóttir, better known as Ýrúrarí, for their first workshop of 2024. During this one-hour session, Ýrúrarí will offer insight into her process and teach the needle-felting technique she often uses in her creative mending projects that transform sweaters into friends.

When: Saturday, the 27th of January, 2024 · 4 – 5 PM GMT

For more information, visit this website – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/make-your-sweaters-into-friends-with-yruraris-cheeky-mending-workshop-tickets-769021683557

Recap - Sunday Session

Recap: December Sunday Session Needle Felting with Sharon Wells

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

On Sunday, the 10th of December, Feltmakers Ireland was fortunate to have artist and teacher Sharon Wells teach us how to create a needle-felted winter scene.

Sharon Wells used an upright easel to demonstrate her needlefelting. Usually, she works on a horizontal surface. She shared tips and tricks about perspective, tone, shadows and depth. It was a painting lesson with wool!

Some of Sharon’s Wool Paintings

Stay Awhile by Sharon Wells. This piece was part of the Guild’s ‘Bountiful’ exhibition in October.

You can find more of Sharon’s art on her website – https://www.sharonwellsart.com/shop

She also sells fibre, felting kits, and classes.

All Kited Out

All participants were provided with kits of warm-coloured wool, felting needles, and foam sponges. Christmas cheer was provided by holiday decor from the CIE Sports Club, and delicious treats came from the members. Holiday music was provided by the Committee, and, of course, tea and coffee were organised by our membership secretary, Fiona Leech.

Each kit was the same and contained Merino wool in shades of yellow and pink. There was also natural brown Jacob’s wool yarn, which Sharon had handspun. With a little work, these make fantastic trees.

Tiny Trees

More Photos

At the End of the Session

It was incredible to see how each student interpreted their winter landscape. No two were alike.

Elizabeth, Helene, Annika
Neasa
Lory and Clodagh
Liz and Suzette
Sandy and Sam
Mary and Clare
A selection of needle-felted paintings. Sorry if we missed yours.

To see close-ups of some of the pieces, visit Sharon’s Instagram page – https://www.instagram.com/p/C0rtFkFMYAO/?img_index=1

Feltmakers Ireland Archive

President and founder of the Guild, Elizabeth Bonnar, brought in much of the organisation’s archives from the past twenty years for members to read and enjoy. This treasure trove of felt-related information will be heading to the Special Collections & Archives at the NIVAL – the National Irish Visual Arts Library.

For more information or to make an appointment to visit this public research library, visit their website – https://www.nival.ie/

Elizabeth Bonnar
Binders full of information

In conclusion, many thanks to Sharon for sharing her knowledge about painting with wool!

November Sunday Session: Creating Elven Felted Christmas Boots

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Felted Elf Booties

November Session

First up, Deirdre Crofts is coming up trumps again and will show us how to make these cute elf booties at the next session on the 12th of November.

So there’ll be plenty of time to make multiples of them for family and friends before the 🎄trees go up!

The guild will provide the wool roving and various sparkly bits. All you need to bring is your felting kit = a towel, bubble wrap, and soap.

When: Due to circumstances beyond our control, we must start a half hour earlier than usual and finish up earlier – 10 AM until 11:30. Additionally, we will enjoy our coffee break on the go – while felting.

Where:

CIE Sports and Social Club
Library Square
Inchicore
Dublin 8, D08 PA07

Also, please bring a home-baked treat to share. There is a member contribution of 5 euros to cover the coffee/tea/hall rental.

Members who cannot attend in person can use the Zoom link that will be emailed out on Friday or Saturday. If the tech elves cooperate, the session will be recorded and will later be uploaded to our YouTube Channel.

December Session

On the 10th of December, guild member Sharon Wells will work with us to needlefelt a beautiful winter scene. There will be a charge of €10 for all the materials for this session. More details for later. But it could be another Christmas present ticked off the list!

Save the date!

JOB OPPORTUNITY, Co Louth

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Hi folks,

An Grianan ICA Educational College in Termonfeckin, Co.Louth has been in touch…

They are wondering if any of our members would be interested in doing a felt needlework class for the weekend of Friday 14th – Sunday 16thJune’19. They have a group of 9 members from Donegal who are looking to do Felt Needlework. They provide all tutors with accommodation and meals and have an hourly rate and also pay mileage costs. Please get in touch if you are interested or able to help.