The start of a new year and a new season of FELTED GARDEN workshops ahead....Including some exciting NEW topics which I hope will inspire both seasoned feltmakers and those of you keen to learn a new craft!
Last year I came across a brilliant little book FILZ EXPERIMENT, written by a German couple, which really excited me and got me thinking about experimenting with shape and texture in my work. By using simple 'shibori' techniques - gathering, stitching and binding - before the final stages of felting you can coax the felt into amazing contortions... And once felted in they remain permanent, giving some totally unexpected results!!
It literally opens up another dimension to feltwork. Areas of texture can be introduced into flat felted pictures—possibly enhancing a foreground or emphasising details which can be worked further with stitches and beads…
In 3-D work patches of texture on vessels and bags add so much interest and are also reversible—giving a different effect to either side — convex one way, concave the other! The folds, ridges, bumps and pointy tendrils create some wonderful organic shapes.
The SHIBORI TEXTURES workshop on Saturday 18th March is a chance for everyone to spend a day experimenting with these unusual techniques, sharing ideas and results. It’s aimed at felt makers with some experience and I’m suggesting everyone comes along well-prepared with plenty of pre-felts so we can start immediately with the shibori stages, make the most of the time and go home armed with lots of amazing samples and inspiration!
Sometimes it’s good to take a day out and allow yourself time to play and experiment with something new. No pressure to achieve a finished piece, just trying out different materials and effects and enjoying the day with like-minded people… It should be fun!
I'd really like to thank Annette Quentin-Stoll & Robert Quentin the authors of
FILZ EXPERIMENT for sharing their work in this inspiring book. Although the text is in German, which I don't read, the brilliant photography is self-explanatory
and speaks wonders!
FILZ EXPERIMENT for sharing their work in this inspiring book. Although the text is in German, which I don't read, the brilliant photography is self-explanatory
and speaks wonders!
There are more details about all the new workshop dates coming up in March
at Seely Hall, Brook Village, IOW if you follow this link...
at Seely Hall, Brook Village, IOW if you follow this link...