11^th Southern Hemisphere Felting Convergence 2011

The Bunbury Felting Group hosts put together a full program which got off to an impressive start when 150 attendees assembled in the auditorium of the Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School in West Australia on Monday 3 October to hear a group lecture delivered by one of the Master Class tutors, Liz Clay from Dorset, England (www.lizclay.co.uk).  Liz talked about her work, having commissions with Givenchy, Stella McCartney and Harrods London and showed slides of her luxurious light fluffy black boas and a printed long felt coat – all wonderful. Later that week, the other Master Tutor, Anita Larkin from Woollongong, NSW (www.anitalarkin.com) talked about her dry felted sculptural work. Just 20 lucky people were balloted to do these two classes. Never mind, the rest of us had 33 tutorials to go to – all generously offered by Oz, NZ and overseas felters - as demos, power point presentations or hands on. The choice was very wide - from traditional, raw wool, laps, batts, hats to dolls, bags, rugs, buds, masks,  pattern making – something for everyone. The classrooms were packed every session to enjoy the creative exploration, diverse techniques with ever-broadening styles, given by well-known and newer artisans.

The fashion parade on Tuesday night was superb, I didn’t go as I was a day attendee, perhaps Pam Robinson will report on that event or has the tape of the Show to lend to NZ Felting groups in future.

The school campus buzzed every day, the sky was blue all the time and temps were still just about cool enough to don our felting gear.  We’d been asked to wear specific items - outrageous, bling, favourites or old felted clobber to fit the Theme for the Day – Wild Felt on Monday, Jewellery on Tuesday, Scarf on Wed, and Recycled on the last day. The scope of designs and outfits was inspiring, the best being awarded a prize daily for their skillful interpretation of the theme.  Lots of colour and fun garments were everywhere.  It definitely had motivated me to make new outfits and upgrade my woollen attire to suit the daily trends.

The Traders Hall had loads of goodies on offer, also Bazaar Night caught the $ fever and selling amongst members with open suitcases was brisk.      

Banners were made as usual in A4 size, then exhibited in great numbers and later sold with the profits being passed onto the next hosting group, which is the Illawarra Felters group, located in Woollongong, 2 hours south of Sydney.  The date of the next Convergence will be confirmed by Anita Larkin and her committee later.

The Bunbury Organising Committee was a very energetic bunch and put on a marvellous event which everyone thoroughly enjoyed.  For me personally, it was a nostalgic trip as I first learnt to felt in Perth in 1998.  I remember the beginners class (mandatory before joining Feltwest) where I showed my own earlier attempts, to be told every piece was still a pre-felt! Luckily I was soon on a retreat weekend (in the bush somewhere near Bunbury) so learnt quickly. I went to my first convergence in Caloundra, Queensland, in 2001 but now live in Sydney and return to NZ often to visit family and enjoy felting with Tara Felters in New Plymouth. 

Maggie Atkins

http//feltconvergencebunburywa.blogspot.com