Otaki Felting Retreat 2013 report.

 Creative Fibre Festival  - Fabric of Life

25 -28 April 2013 @ Te Rauparaha Arena Porirua

We would like to have a structured meeting at the special interest group meeting to be held on Friday 26 April @ 12.30.

If you have any issues to raise at this meeting, please log your concerns via the blog. We will make an agenda. As there is only an hour we will have to structure this meeting tightly.

                            

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The North island branch of NZ Felters had another successful, but above all a most enjoyable gathering at Bridge Lodge Otaki during February.

---At the retreat we took time out to discuss the future of this NZ Felters blog. As Jill Gunn now lives in PNG and will continue to do so for the next few years, we raised again the need for another person to take control of the blog with Flo. Ellen Looij is very capable as she has run her own blog for a number of years and rose to the challenge to give the blog a spruce up. Welcome on board Ellen.

Questions that were raised and discussed on the NZ Felters as a national group:

---Will we still charge new members $10 to join? Why do we charge when we have little outgoings?

A number of reasons why we do this, is to pay for postage for those not on email and those who have difficulty receiving a good regular connection as they live in rural areas. Most of us have access to computers or at least have a family member, friend or access to youngsters who are able to help. Even, as was rightly pointed out, local libraries are more than eager to help out.

---There was also the question of what to do with our financial funds.

The general feeling of those present was to spend the money we have in the bank.

The following ideas were raised:

*Tutor at retreat; 

*having a separate retreat; 

*subscription to a magazine; 

*buy fibre for all to use at retreats; 

*Scholarship.

Feedback on these ideas and how to implement them would be great! Remember that these funds have accumulated over at least a 10 year period and have a national as well as international membership.

---Unfortunately this is the last time we will have the retreat at Otaki Lodge, as the Lodge has been sold to make way for the proposed roading changes.

The big question is where to hold the next North Island Retreat?

We made a list of necessary criteria to make a successful venue. We are all to look around in our respective areas for a suitable inexpensive venue. 

Please report back with your findings. Via the blog would be great.

The following is what the group decided would make a good venue:

*Able to comfortably have space for 40-50 people to felt.

*It needs to sleep 40-50 people.

*It needs to have an area to have breakfast, lunch , dinner, and 24 hour access to hot drink making facilities

*Somewhere to sit and natter, read, hold impromptu workshops;

*Laundry facilities drying areas.

*Access to workspace for late night felters,

*Enough space for our traders area,

*Unlimited hot/cold water

*Near public transport,

*Access to shops.

*Alcohol permitted

*And of course at a very reasonable price.

We have paid $170 for three nights accommodation and full meals. Beat that. We don't want five star, and we don't want pup tents either. It needs to be clean, tidy, dry and warm.

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What did we get up to at this year’s retreat? 

Now it's time for a photo reportage!

Everyone had their own numerous projects to tackle.

Audrey, Marilyn & Isabel

As we had beautiful weather, many kept their hands busy outside.

Everyone shared their ideas and advice.

One of our overseas guests; Heike Krueger from Germany,
who felted with us 2 years ago as well.

If you would like to see some lovely things Heike has made in the past, here is a link to her blog, although it is, of course, in German!

And Cheryl and Martin Cracknell from the U.K.

Cheryl is a member of the U.K. International Feltmakers society, and she decided to tackle a large project, while her patient husband went for long walks past hardware shops. Cheryl, we hope your felted whole gotland fleece has gotten past customs inspections...!

The traders' area was well visited throughout the retreat time.

Our day visitors  took lots of supplies home as well.

And soon newly felted projects started appearing.

The grounds looked either like an amazing art installation,
or an up-market chinese laundry waving in the breeze.

We had various impromptu workshops.

Marilyn King, our retreat organiser for the past few years, showed us silk paper making.

Marilyn King demonstrating silk paper with spray-starch. 

Lynne Evans showed us how to use Earth Palette dyes.

Shirley, Lynne and Sheena.

Karen Workman gave a talk about a Liz Houghton’s workshop she and Colleen Thompson attended in England.

Karen Workman .

Cilla Kuzmanov demonstrated her excellent intricate needle felting techniques, her creations were amazing and endearing.

Cilla and her elven queen.

Cilla, with Rita and Caroline.

Pet-able fluffies.

And a naughty pixie on a toadstool.

Pru Durrant showed many her development of needle stitched shibori-style folded felt.

You may well ask what this is. Take a closer look at the photos by clicking on them, they may show a little of the hours of love that goes into this technique.

Shimmering silks.

Begging to be touched.

Vibrant colour.

This was a long post.  But the Otaki Retreat 2013 story is not finished at all!!

 SO... 

     TO BE CONTINUED IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS!

Finally,  as always we want your input into the blog. Send us your photos of what your group is up to, what you have learnt and like to share. Upcoming public events that you want us to attend, info about your group, who should we contact.

Looking forward to seeing you at Festival,

Florence de Ruiter & Ellen Looij.