FELTMAKERS IRELAND

Happy New Year

felters — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 10:51:17 +0000

Happy New Year to you all. We are looking forward to kicking off the new year with our annual Introduction to Feltmaking workshop on Saturday 21st January. It is always a busy and exciting day and is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to learn all of the basic techniques of felt. As well as the classes there will be a shop selling wool fibre and a display of members work. The application form can be found just below in an earlier post.
All our members should have received the latest issue of our magazine. We have included your membership renewal form. Membership now runs from January for 12 months and costs €25 – among the many benefits of membership you will receive copies of our quarterly magazine in the post, reduced price for workshops, access to our studio and library, opportunity to participate in exhibitions and events, a real bargain!

Profiles in Felt

felters — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:33:48 +0000

The first ever book about Feltmaking in Ireland was published this month. It is a beautiful 100page hardback book profiling the work of 44 makers living in Ireland. The book comprises of stories of how the makers became involved in felt and their inspiration and is illustrated with photographs by Joanna Tomaszewska (www.visiblemoments.com) The book is available to buy at all Feltmakers Ireland events (Drop In Sunday Sessions, Workshops etc) and also in the Yarn Room in Ashford, Co Wicklow. If you would like to get a copy of the book by post please email sheila.ahern@ireland.com (the cost is €15 + P&P). A great gift for anyone interested in craft, textiles and felt. We received financial support from the Crafts Council of Ireland which allowed us to produce a really good quality book that we are very proud of.

For more pictures of the book launch check out our Facebook page

Introduction to Feltmaking

felters — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 10:27:59 +0000

We are holding our annual Introductory workshop “Basic & Beyond” next January 21st for anyone new to feltmaking or indeed anyone who would like a refresher course. It’s is a busy day filled with fun and learning. Each participant will be given details instruction in the various types of feltmaking by experienced tutors. They will also get a goody bags with a range of different wool fibre to work with on the day and experiment with later at home.

For more information and an application you can download the form below.

Introduction to Feltmaking Application Form

The Knit & Stich 2011

felters — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:29:15 +0000

The Knitting & Stitching Show in the RDS in Dublin had record attendance figures this year and we certainly could feel the “buzz” at our stand. There was a really good Nationwide programme last week about the show and here is a picture of Clodagh and Sheila looking at “Profiles in Felt” which was hot off the presses. You can view the show (in Ireland only) on http://www.rte.ie/player/#!v=1121715

An exciting week ahead

felters — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 20:45:09 +0000

There are two fabulous felt events this week – our annual participation the the Knitting & Stitching Show in the RDS starting on Thursday morning November 10th. Come and visit the Feltmakers Ireland stand where there will be continuous demonstrations, an exhibition of felt vessels made from rare and native wool and lots of information about felt activities. We are teaching in the Learning Curve making beautiful felt brooches designed by Holly Angle.

The other big event of the week is the launch of our first book “Profiles in Felt”, a collection of the work and stories of 44 feltmakers in Ireland. It is a beautiful publication and has been made possible by the generosity of the Crafts Council of Ireland as part of the celebration of the Year of Craft 2011. The book is being launched by Sonya Lennon (Stylist, TV presenter and CCoI Board Member) on Friday 11/11/11 at 6.30 in the Culture Box in Temple Bar in Dublin. If you are interest in felt please come along and join the celebration – and here is your invitation

The State of the wool industry in Ireland

felters — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 15:28:22 +0000

There was a really good report about wool production in Ireland on the Pat Kenny Show on RTÉ radio which included a piece with the wonderful Freda McGuill form the Wool Initiative. You can listen here:

http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-17101112m50stodaywithpatkenny-pid0-770688.mp3

: Freda (in white coat on the right) with her prize winning Wensleydale sheep at the recent Gosford rare breed show

Sunday Session

felters — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 10:25:12 +0000

Our next Sunday Session will be on November 6th in the Studio in the Phoenix Park from 10.30-13.00. We are going to demonstrate how to make felt brooches, anyone who would like to join in the making please bring along you basic kit (bubble wrap, towel and some wool fibre). There is a charge of €5 to cover cost of heat, tea & coffee and everyone is welcome. The December session will be held on the 11th when we will be looking at how to make small felt pieces using traditional Hungarian designs with a Christmas twist.

Recession Session – Hat Making

felters — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 19:21:59 +0000

Here’s a chance to keep you warm and cozy.

Recession Session schedule, Saturday October 22nd.

Hat Making with Holly Angle

This session will give you experience working with a basic hat pattern and manipulating it to other shapes. Adding unusual fibres, fabrics and textures makes your creating interesting and personal.

Workshop will take place in Feltmakers Ireland Studio in the Phoenix Park from 10-4, cost €40 incl tea & coffee (materials extra cost – €5 approx). Minimum 5 people – maximum 8.

To book a place contact hollyangle1@eircom.net

Sunday Session

felters — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 12:15:40 +0000

The Autumn edition of our Magazine will be landing in your letterbox in the next day or two with lots of information about forthcoming events. The Magazine is posted four times per year to all our current members.

Our next Sunday Session will be on October 9th 10.30-13.00 when we will be looking at some of our felt disasters and sharing tips and advise about how and why things don’t always go according to plan. We do have a great motto that there is no such thing as a felt “mistake” as they can almost always be turned into a “feature”. However there are times when the project you have planned so carefully can go desperately wrong. Please bring along your disasters and there will be a panel of felt agony aunts to help solve your problem. The session takes place in the Feltmakers Studio in the Phoenix Park. From the 3rd Oct there are major road works taking place on the Main Road in the Phoenix Park, the Gate beside our studio at Knockmaroon is unaffected.

Mette Roche's work in Sculpture in Context

Recession Sessions

felters — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 16:30:07 +0000

We have added another date to the Recession Session schedule, Saturday October 1st.

Felting for beginners with Gina Faustino

This workshop provides a useful introduction to the craft of feltmaking. Discover different types of wool to use and learn how and why wool felts. We will experiment with decorative fibres to add surface colour and texture.

Workshop will take place in Feltmakers Ireland Studio in the Phoenix Park from 10-4, cost €40 incl tea & coffee (materials extra cost TBC – €5 approx).

To book a place contact ginafaustino@gmail.com