Felting workshops 2021 with Bernice Mitchell

 Hi everyone, I have been flat out with our Taranaki Fibreworks Exhibition lately plus other things, but I plan to offer some workshops in 2021, perhaps march to May, here in Taranaki. 

We have a great venue at Eltham Presbyterian Campsite,  offering both accommodation and large hall, where we've run several workshops before.

I hoped to have everything sorted to post about workshops now but family happenings have come up (such as Napier flooding of my daughter's property) so I can't put the full info yet, but I thought I'd put some things out there to see if people are interested.

With accommodation onsite we can easily do 2 days or even 3

I thought sleeveless tops and or tunics might be something fun to do, I don't have pics on laptop right now but will add later.

Or an embellished waistcoat like I'm wearing and the black and red one

Or the silk painted Floral Art wrap/wall art

Or for single days, the Felt to Dye painted scarf  as in photo below with me, floral Art scarf, or Ruffled scarf as in photos below

 or even make 2 nuno felted silk scarves, one of which we can do a Botanical Print/dye on and while we wait for that to cook and cool we make the second scarf to take home 2 scarves in one day!

 Interested?

email me at heartfeltbernice@gmail.com

Clematis Felt and Dye Scarf Workshop with Bernice Mitchell (Heartfelt Bernice)

Clematis Felt and Dye Scarf Workshop with Bernice Mitchell (Heartfelt Bernice)

THIS WORKSHOP IS SUITABLE FOR BEGINNER FELTERS

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ARRANGE A WORKSHOP IN YOUR AREA PLEASE CONTACT BERNICE

Create a unique sheer silk tissue scarf using 50/50 Silk Merino blend fibre in my Clematis layout style, then paint your creation with dyes.

3 ladies enjoyed this class in Stratford last weekend and late last year a group of 11 felters in Masterton also had a great time with design and colour creating their scarves.

I'm travelling in the South Island soon and there are a couple of workshops happening.

If you'd like to join in one of them, there is one in Hokitika on 28 Feb and one in Mosgiel on 2nd March.

There is also interest in Timaru, which would have to be around 11/12 March, but please contact me if you're interested. Via contact the Conact by email link to the right of the page beneath the Editor..

 

 
 

Request

 I am an interior designer looking at finding someone to create a large wool drape room divider for an interior project.

I have attached a concept if what I am looking for. These images are from international craftspeople. It seems to be that I should be able to find someone in NZ to work with. 

If you are interested in this please contact me, sonya@sonyacotterdesign.co.nz

Kind regards

Sonya Cotter

http://www.sonyacotterdesign.co.nz

COOTS Exhibition, Arrowtown 16 march - 15 April 2018

COOTS

Central Otago fibre artists exhibit again this year, after the usual 2 years
creating new work, and responding to the challenges set by members.

Living in Lawrence (Angela)  and Alexandra, Queenstown, Glenorchy, Wanaka,
and south of Lake Wakatipu, they create work with a range of techniques and
materials, and exhibit only their own designs.

Formed in about 2002, and exhibiting together first in 2004, the group limits
itself to 12 members maximum, and during  most years now meet about
4 times, including retreats at Bannockburn where tutors may be invited,
and new techniques tried and shared.

Several members exhibit and are recognised nationally, also attending
international events and courses.

Angela is the main feltmaker, though others have used this too, but now
usually work in other fibre media. Amanda works creating layers of
machine stitching to form subtle and dramatic pictorial images, Jenny Tayler
uses strong vivid colour and increasing amounts of handstitching, while
Jenny Greer enjoys the book arts, with layered techniques. Anne is a
specialist papermaker, from plant materials when she gets the opportunity.
Most of the others work with fabric and stitch, usually machine piecing
and stitching of fabrics.

The last two years have seen experiments with indigo and other dyes,
which will no doubt be evident in the work presented. Like visitors to the
exhibition, I will no doubt be surprised by some of the entries.
We don’t always see each other’s work until just before the exhibition!

If you live near enough, why not have a day in Central and visit Arrowtown
while this exhibition is on?

For those further away, watching for previews and later reviews
shared on our blogs, Instagram, and Facebook may be the best option.

angmeecham  on Instagram is sharing all her  23 felt entries, so find a
young person to help you look for her photos, if you are not a regular user!
Search the other names online to find pages with their work and travels.

Angela   art2enjoy.blogspot.co.nz    
and Wendy on  The Tactile Journey blog, are two you may enjoy.

We try to have one of us on duty at the exhibition for most of each day,
to talk to visitors about the work. We would love to see you there!

Angela

MASTER CLASS WORKSHOPS WITH NATALYA BRASHOVETSKA

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FOR MASTER CLASS WORKSHOPS WITH NATALYA BRASHOVETSKA

MAKING SHOES OR BOOTS AND BAG PROPOSED FOR OCTOBER 2018

Hi, I'm  Barbara King and I am a Creative Fibre member in Canterbury and belong to Southern Felters. I have approached Natalya in regard to her being able to hold workshops in New Zealand. Natalya did three workshops in Australia later this year and travels around Germany, Paris, London etc  teaching these classes.

The boots and shoes made in the workshops are just like any outdoor shoes or boots you would buy, solid soles with heels, heel boxes at the back, innersoles, tongues, laces etc.

There will be 2 5day boot and bag workshops in Christchurch and one 3 day shoe workshop in Blenheim in the 3^rd week of October.

If anyone is interested in attending or arranging workshops in their areas, please contact me  via email barbara.king@bdo.co.nz

Natalya Brashovetska- Proposal for Master Classes

Master Classes Options

1.                  "Boots and a bag" – 5 days. Christchurch

2.                  “Shoes on a block". 3 days.  Blenheim

 The specifics of making felted boots is complex and requires few days. Boots must be completely dry in order to continue working with accessories and to assemble all boots parts, sole, heel and insole. This is the reason I run master class creating two products boots and a matching bag. We first felt boots, leave it to dry, meanwhile felt a handbag. When the boots are dry, we then spend one day to finish boots and a felted bag installing all accessories.

PLEASE CONTACT ME VIA EMAIL: arly@xtra.co.nz if you are interested in attending a workshop and require further information. I have lots of photos from Natalya. Her Facebook page is GriNat and that is also her Etsy name should you wish to look at more of her work.

It is anticipated that the 5 day workshops will be approx $650 and the 3 day one approx $550. This is very cheap for a workshop of this calibre with the materials included (apart from any embellishments being silk, shoelaces etc that you may wish to put on your boots

Thank you for your time.

Barbara King

You get to keep your shoe last and awl. With the shoe last you can make slippers, boots and shoes without having to finish felting on your foot and we all know how difficult that is!

About Natalya: I was born in Ukraine and have been living in Cyprus over ten years. I have always been creative and was making clothes even when I was a child. 

 Currently, I work as a medical theatre nurse during the day and feltmaking occupies nearly all my free time. I am a self-learner. However, I have been also attended master classes which help me to polish my feltmaking skills developing my style and own technique which I have been teaching in various European countries.

Feltmaking for me is not just a hobby it is a life style, which helps me to control my stress level due to extremely tense work I do and connect with many talented feltmakers around the World. It lets me to express myself  and fly my creativity, creating not just beautiful but functional footwear. I also like to create matching items, such as footwear, bags and scarves. 

Wool and feltmaking became a major part of my life. My world of wool has no limits for me and my creativity, just unfortunately, there is limit in time. I can confidently say that I am experienced and highly skilled craftsman, feltmaker and a shoemaker. Quality is a major and first priority for me. Felted shoes must be very durable. This is not an easy process, often no one believes that my shoes are handmade.

I have also been searching a long time how to create comfortable shoes. After numerous experiments, I found this method, which I also teach during my master classes.

Amongst all feltmaking articles I have been designing and creating, felted bags and especially boots became my passion and  became a priority amongst other felted items which I am able to do very well.  When I started felting, my goal was to create not just beautiful shoes but functional and durable. For this purpose, I developed my own technique. It is a balance of classic shoemaker craftsmanship and felting. With my technique, you will be able to perform all the steps of creating shoe without involving a shoemaker, achieving orthopaedic shoes.

 I also have been designing and created felted clothes, bags, shawls and scarves using various felting techniques during self-learning and learned while undertaking few master classes learning from the best well known feltmakers and designers.

I have been promoting feltmaking and sharing my knowledge and experience running various feltmaking workshops, master classes  and taking part in various exhibitions.

Elaine & Kath's Felt & Knit Exhibition, Napier

 There are still a few days to visit Elaine McGregor and Kath O'Halloran's exhibition at CAN in Napier. Closing 2nd Feb so be in quick to catch a look of their wonderful felted and knitted creations.
You may find a wonderful new creation for yourself.

Charity van der Meer Long Coat Workshop 2018 NZ

Hey fabulous felters, the delightful Charity van der Meer (aka Sharit Meer) is planning a trip to NZ in April 2018.
We are planning a
 LONG COAT WORKSHOP Thurs12th - Sunday15th April 2018 in Eltham, Taranaki..
This long coat workshop runs over 4 days and you will learn to add flair to garments, using pleats and godets to make a beautiful coat. You will design your coat to suit your own body shape, using Charity's design expertise.

The workshop is limited to 12 students and I'm taking expressions of interest now.
The cost is estimated at around $475 including tutor fees, accommodation, all coffee/tea and lunch and dinner Thursday - Saturday and lunch on Sunday.
Materials requirements to be advised.
email me via the Editor email nzfelters@gmail.com

Bernice Mitchell
Heartfelt Bernice

Fibrant Auckland Exhibition & Fashion Awards report

The New Zealand Creative Fibre annual festival was recently held in Pukekohe, Auckland. What a wonderfully exciting 4 days was had by all who attended. "Fibrant Auckland" was a very apt name with vibrant, colourful fibre displayed in a variety of ways and numerous workshops held, covering a huge variety of techniques, from harakeke weaving, spindle spinning, eco dyeing and of course FELTING!
MANY THANKS TO THE HARD WORKING TEAM WHO ORGANISED THIS EVENT!

I personally had a fabulous time throughout the loong weekend and attended Dagmar Binder's Chiffon Painting workshop. After the previous 3 day workshop with Dagmar here in Taranaki learning 3D techniques, this workshop was totally different and equally wonderful.  I enjoyed Dagmar's tutoring and inspiration. I also peeked through the windows at a couple of other of Dagmar's felting classes and could see others also enjoying their time. There were even more felting workshops available which gave a wider expression of the wonders of the craft.
There were  a large number of felt entries in both the Exhibition and the Fashion Awards with each one holding it's own charm.
I don't have photos of most of the entries, but will post a link below to access the Creative Fibre Website where you can see them all on display. Congratulations to the winners of the Felt and Nuno Felt awards, and others who won other awards with felted entries, Felting featured very strongly in the Fashion Award winning garments. I hope I have all your names here, if not let me know and I can add them.
In the Exhibition: Julie Lumsden, Carolyn Burton, Christine Hart, Ailie Snow and Lyn Hefky
In the Fashion Awards: Carolyn Burton, Rene Corder-Evans, Sabin Imhasly, Julie Dowland, Raewyn Penrose, Dot Wildman and... Bernice Mitchell! Yes, Me! I was SOOO EXCITED and everyone could tell!
That really put the icing on the cake for me.
Here is the link to the website and here are some photos, if you have photos of your work please email them to me so I can add them to the blog. http://www.creativefibre.org.nz/

Love Me In Red, Too! by Bernice Mitchell
2016 NZ Felters Award - Nuno Felt

Bernice Mitchell's piece in
Dagmar Binder's Chiffon Painting class

Caroline Burton's workshop piece "Bromeliad"
in Dagmar Binder's 3D felt workshop

Caroline Burton's workshop piece in
Pam De Groot's Sculptural Jewellery class

Elizabeth Armstrong Workshops in June, Inglewood, Taranaki

Some spaces have become available on the Fabulous Felting Feast workshop, 3 days of felting inspiration, Friday 19th through Sunday 21st June.

Still a few spots left in a "Colour & Design" class with Elizabeth Armstrong from Melbourne.  Class is in Inglewood on 17th June & runs from 9.30am - 4pm. 

For details & bookings email Beth Pottinger-Hockings by emailing the editor of this blog (email link to your right >) who will pass on your info asap.

 

CALLING NEW ZEALAND FELT MAKERS!

Are you interested in attending a workshop with Thomas Horst of USA? If there is enough interest to run several workshops, making it financially affordable, then I would ask Thomas if he would like to come here (actually I know he would, if he could). Maybe 2015? Send in your comments and I will know if we can proceed with this. Thomas makes very arty long coats and dresses but also makes smaller garments and accessories you can see on his website here

Send your interest by emailing me as editor of the blog on our email tab on the right.

Canadian Felt/Feutre Festival.

A link was received from Marjolein Dallinga, via Bernice Mitchell. 
The Canadian Felt/Feutre Festival there had a wonderful fashion show, and Marjolein wanted us to see what kind of things they make over there.
 Do follow this link to the fashion show photos and have a look. 
The garments are beautifully fitted, and very elegant.

Felting artist Marjolein Dallinga.

Felting artist Alexandra Keely MacLean.

If you have visited our national museum Te Papa recently, you might have seen one of Marjolein Dallingas' creations in the exhibition on W.O.W. garments.( World Of Wearable art) 

 It is the very art-work that appears on the front cover of the new Wearable Art book.

Report number 2 on the Illawarra Convergence 2013, with links!

And we have received another report on the last Southern Hemisphere Felters Convergence, this time from Pru Durrant, a wonderful texture felter, who loves wearing green.

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Pru Durrant - Sept 2013

 “My Experience at the 12^th Southern Hemisphere Feltmakers Convergence, hosted by the Illawarra Feltmakers at Stanwell Tops in New South Wales” …

The Tops Conference Centre is located 70kms (1 hour’s drive) south of Sydney, and is situated on 200 acres of bushland overlooking Illawarra's northern coastline. It was awesome to be there, and to experience the generous hospitality of the Australians, especially the Illawarra Felters Convergence Committee.

There were comments from some Australians that by hosting the last Convergence in NZ at the Copthorne Hotel in Masterton, NZ Felters had set a very high standard of venue an accommodation – a hard act to follow, in other words. The Tops may not have offered such comfort, luxury and choice of food as the Copthorne, but I enjoyed sharing a room with two Australian women. There was easy access to separate loo and shower.

It was rather chilly at night in September, but the bunk-beds were warm and comfortable. We were glad to get out into the sun in mornings before breakfast. The food was good, although fairly basic; there was plenty of it, three times a day. There were complaints from some, who were on special diets and may have been a little picky.

It was great to share in the exchange of techniques and ideas, and to join in the fun. To see the high standard of most of the work on display.

To take part in the hands-on felting with guest tutors:

                  Leiko Uchiyama

                  Anna Gunnarsdottir

                  Martien van Zuilen.

They demonstrated some amazing felting techniques, and were very generous in sharing their ideas and showing us examples of their work. For access to some of their work, check out the following sites:

·      www.leikofelt.com

·      www.annagunnars.is

·      www.martienvanzuilen.com

The daily programme included many felt-knowledge-sharing sessions every morning, involving a large number of the attendees. Some of the shared felting methods were original and fun; for example ‘felting by bike’ with Melissa from the USA.

A highlight of the week was a visit to Wollongong University for the opening of the exhibition “Feltportation”. This was curated by Anita Larkin and show-cased contemporary felt works by 13 artists, including one from NZ. We travelled in three buses down the coast, and enjoyed some spectacular scenery.

Check out a selection from the photos taken during the Convergence, covering all aspects, on this blog-site.

On the final evening the Fashion Parade, followed by a Party with dancing to the band took place. The week finished with an hilarious and successful auction of left-over items – thanks to the highly talented and amusing auctioneer!

Roll on the next Convergence in NZ 2015 …

The very tactile bag and wine bottle holder below are by Pru Durrant.

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Thank you Pru for your great report! 

We really like to hear and share peoples' experiences in this World of Felt.

Below are some links that you can follow to some amazing photos of the last convergence.There are far too many for us to publish on this blog, so have a look yourself. Don't forget to "like" their facebook page! 

Feltportation Exhibition

Fashion parade

Illawarra Convergence surroundings

3D Objects

The Amazing Yurt

Convergence Attendees' Talent

Exhibition at Arrowtown, and how to see it online.

We were sent an update from Angela Meecham about an interesting exhibition: 

Hello Felters

Check out the Fibre exhibition on now at the Lakes District Museum and Gallery in Arrowtown, 15^th March to 7^th April 2013.

11 members of COOTS join together for their biennial exhibition titled this year ‘Upstream of the Herd’ Exploring fresh new streams in mixed media and Fibre Art.

Several works in this exhibition include or are completely made with felt – Angela Meecham and Amanda Hasselman are names well know in New Zealand feltmaking circles, but there are interesting new combinations of fibre work, in a colourful and vibrant well displayed exhibition. If you want to see some of it, but are too far from Central Otago to visit in person, then check out www.art2enjoy.blogspot.com to see a little of what you are missing. This blog often includes things of interest to felters, so why not become a follower?

 

Regards to all my felter friends around New Zealand,

Angela Meecham.

  

Daybreak, by Angela Meecham

Thank you Angela for keeping us up to date, and we have added your blog (Ang and Mags) to our list on the sidebar on the right. 
All you need to to do readers, if you are still a bit new to "surfing the net" is to click on one of the blogs listed and the computer will take you there. Then by clicking on the back arrow at the top of your computer page you will come straight back here again.