Workshop in Irish Crochet Lace, in Co. Sligo

This workshop is being organised by the Grange Crochet Workers Group as part of their heritage project ‘The Craft of Crochet’ supported by the Co. Sligo Community Heritage Grant Award 2009.

Saturday 6th June 2009
from 11am to 4 pm
in Cliffoney, Co. Sligo

Bring your own lunch - tea & coffee provided

Cost: €20
Tutor: Máire Treanor

This workshop will suit beginners as well as more experienced crochet lace makers. Please feel free to bring any thread, crochet hooks and/or crochet lace you might have. Materials and patterns will also be available to purchase on the day.

For more information and bookings
phone Karen McCullagh on 087 9177274
or email karenmccullagh@gmail.com

Cork Textiles Network presents 'Elemental' an exhibition of textiles in St Fin Barre's Cathedral, Cork.

Una Parsons, the Chief Executive of the Crafts Council of Ireland officially opens an exhibition of the Cork Textile Network at 6pm on Thursday, 4th June 2009, in St. Fin Barres Cathedral, Cork City.

The CTN is Ireland's most active textile group, regularly staging exhibition, workshops, and conferences. Made up of members from all over Ireland, not just Cork, their exhibitions are a display of the diverse and vibrant nature of textile art in Ireland today.

The exhibition is on from Wednesday 3 June to Thursday 18 June 2009.
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10am to 7pm.

St. Fin Barres Cathedral
Bishop Street
Cork City

For more info on CTN, visit www.corktextiles.com

The Lina Stein Milliner Summer Workshop Program

World renowned Lina Stein runs a variety of workshops from her studio in Westport, Co. Mayo, and in other venues. Here is her 2009 summer schedule.For more information on these workshops, or to contact Lina check out her website.

Wed 27th May FEATHERED CREATIONS
When is a hat not a hat? When it is a feathered creation. So easy to make and delightful to wear. During the one day course, you will learn to sculpt Sinamay to create exotic and stunning head pieces
Cost;€190
Deposit: €50
suitable for beginners with basic sewing skills. Sinamay /feathers and Crin supplied


Saturday – Sunday 30-31st May GOING TO THE RACES? - Make a Stunning Straw hat
“Where did you get that hat ?”You raise your eyes with pride to meet theirs, knowing that you have received the ultimate compliment …….
During this 2 day course, we will go through the basics of couture millinery using Sinamay, the main material along with fabrics such as silk and satins, crinolines and flowers we will discover the different techniques necessary for creating a hat, or something else altogether exotic and you will have the opportunity to
create a trimming suitable for the occasion
Cost: €300
Deposit: €150
suitable for intermediate to advance, sewing skills essential


Thursday 11th June AN INTRODUCTION TO MILLINERY
Take a day out of your hectic program and put those idle fingers to some use.
Get creative and learn to make a beautiful Headpiece, be it with feathers, straw, veiling, flowers or beads. Have fun creating your very own hat, bonnet or chapeau, and learn about the classic art of Millinery design and technique
During the one day course, you will learn to sculpt Sinamay to create exotic and stunning head pieces
Cost; €200
Deposit €50


Friday-Saturday 12th-13thJune SOPHISTICATED COCKTAIL STUNNERS.
Dazzle the crowds with your own incredible masterpiece. During this two day workshop, you will acquire the skills to block your own shape, using Buckram as your base material cover it with fabric of your choice, and finish it to a high level. choose from a variety of covering techniques including the tailored pleated finish or experiment using distressed fabrics
Cost : €350
Deposit €50
suitable for intermediate to advanced. Sewing skills essential


Thursday-Saturday 17th/18th/19th June MID-SUMMER MILLINERY MADNESS.
3 Days of intense Millinery Magic – make 2 hats
If you are interested in Millinery as a profession, then this intense 3 day Workshop is for you! Your roller-coaster ride into the Millinery world will take off with making a head piece or fascinator, then you get more technical and expand your knowledge by designing and making a straw hat that would be suitable for any fancy wedding or race meeting
On day one under Lina’s expert guidance, you will learn how to;
- recognize which style of hat would suit different people
- design your own creation
- work with sinamay
- make and finish your own head piece
On day two you will;
- design a basic shape of a hat
- shape straw over a wooden block
- stiffen and wire the different parts of the hat
On day three
- your hat will come together and you ill trim and finish it

WHATS INCLUDED: all materials and reading notes will be supplied, light lunch, teas/coffee and afternoon tea will be provided each course day a complimentary hat-box to take home your creations!!

WHAT'S NEEDED? intermediate to advanced sewing skills. Lots of imagination and buckets of energy!!
COST €550
Deposit €100
Note: this course is the first of its kind in Ireland and will be giving the students an intense creative work out, so if you have itchy fingers and really want to plough into a new profession- then this is the one for you!!!!!


NEW
Saturday 20th June SCULPURED SINAMAY HEAD PIECES
During the one day course, you will expand your knowledge on how to work and manipulate the versatile material, sinamay by hand to create elaborate pieces, embellish them with beads, feathers or flowers to create exotic and stunning head pieces
Cost; €200
Deposit; €50
suitable for beginners and intermediate with basic sewing skills, sinamay /feathers and crin supplied


NEW
Saturday 4th July SCULPTURED SINAMAY HEAD PIECES
during the one day course, you will expand your knowledge on how to work and manipulate the versatile material, sinamay by hand to create elaborate pieces,
embellish them with beads, feathers or flowers to create exotic and stunning head pieces
Cost; €200
Deposit; €50
Suitable for beginners with basic sewing skills. Sinamay /feathers and Crin supplied


Wednesday 8th July FEATHERED CREATIONS AND SINAMAY HEADPIECES
Take a day out of your hectic program and put those idle fingers to some use. Get creative and learn to make a beautiful Headpiece, be it with feathers, straw, veiling, Flowers or beads. Have fun creating your very own hat, bonnet or chapeau and learn about the classic art of Millinery design and technique. Lina will demonstrate some basic techniques and then you can let your imagination run wild
Cost: €200
Deposit €100
Materials and light lunch supplied


Friday- Saturday 17th-18th July WORKING WITH SINAMAY AND STRAW
Going to the races or a fancy wedding, make a beautiful hat that will steal the show and stun the crowds. During this 2 day course, we will go through the basics of couture millinery
using sinamay as the main material. We will discover the different techniques
necessary for creating a hat, and you will have the opportunity to create a trimming suitable for the occasion
Cost: €300
Deposit: €50
Suitable for intermediate to advanced


NEW
Wednesday 22nd July SCULPURED SINAMAY HEAD PIECES
During the one day course, you will expand your knowledge on how to work and manipulate the versatile material, sinamay by hand to create elaborate pieces, embellish them with beads, feathers or flowers to create exotic and stunning head pieces
Cost; €200
Deposit; €50
suitable for beginners and intermediate with basic sewing skills, sinamay/feathers and crin supplied


Friday-Saturday 24th-25th July RACES SPECIAL
"Where did you get that hat?” You raise your eyes with pride to meet theirs,
knowing that you have received the ultimate compliment. During this 2 day course you will create a stunning hat to match your special outfit and that will definitely grab the judge’s attention!!
The basics of couture millinery-Using sinamay as the main material. Along with fabrics such as silk and satins, crinolines and flowers. We will discover the different techniques necessary for creating a hat, or something else altogether exotic and you will have the opportunity to create a trimming suitable for the occasion
Cost: €350
Deposit: €150
Suitable for intermediate to advanced , basic materials included


NEW
Friday-Saturday-Sunday 31st-1st- 2nd July 3 DAYS OF HAT MAKING!!!!!
Bank Holiday hats! 3 Days of intense Millinery Magic – make 2 hats
If you are interested in Millinery as a profession, then this intense 3 day Workshop is for you! Your roller-coaster ride into the Millinery world will take off with making a head piece or fascinator, then you get more technical and expand your knowledge by designing and making a straw hat that would be suitable for any fancy wedding or race meeting
On day one under Lina’s expert guidance, you will learn how to recognize which style of hat would suit different people
- design your own creation
- work with sinamay
- make and finish your own head piece
On day two you will;
- design a basic shape of a hat
- shape straw over a wooden block
- stiffen and wire the different parts of the hat
On day three
- your hat will come together and you ill trim and finish it

WHATS INCLUDED? all materials and reading notes will be supplied, light lunch, teas/coffee and afternoon tea will be provided each course day, a complimentary hat-box to take home your creations!!

WHAT'S NEEDED? intermediate to advanced sewing skills. Lots of imagination and buckets of energy!!
Cost; €550
Deposit; €100


Saturday 15th August FEATHERED CREATIONS AND SINAMAY HEADPIECES
An Introduction to Millinery. Take a day out of your hectic program and put those idle fingers to some use. Get creative and learn to make a beautiful Headpiece, be it with feathers, Sinamay,straw, veiling, flowers or beads. Have fun creating your very own hat, bonnet or chapeau and learn about the classic art of Millinery design and technique with renowned Westport based Milliner Lina Stein. She will demonstrate some basic techniques and then you can let your imagination run wild
Cost: €200
Deposit: €50
Suitable for beginners, materials supplied


NEW
Sunday 16th August SCULPURED SINAMAY HEAD PIECES-
During the one day course,you will expand your knowledge on how to work and manipulate the versatile material,sinamay by hand to create elaborate pieces, embellish them with beads, feathers or flowers to create exotic and stunning head pieces
Cost; €200
Deposit; €50
Suitable for beginners and intermediate with basic sewing skills, sinamay /feathers and crin supplied


Friday-Saturday 21st 22nd August WORKING WITH SINAMAY AND STRAW
During this 2 day course we will go through the basics of couture millinery using sinamay and sisal as the main materials. We will discover the different techniques necessary for creating a hat, and you will have the opportunity to create a trimming suitable for the occasion
Cost: €300
Deposit: €50
Suitable For Intermediate To Advanced. Basic materials included


DETAILS
If none of the course dates are suitable or you have particular wishes, do not hesitate to contact Lina regarding your wishes. There will be a minimum of two participants in each class advertised, Lina is however available for special one-to-one master classes at a negotiated rate. The dates given in the program are flexible and can be changed with reasonable notice to course participants by Lina stein.

• All materials are supplied by myself other than a few essentials ,such as thimbles, scissors, needles
• Depending on numbers, the workshops will be held in her studio (Rosmoney) or alternatively in an alternative venue in Westport town.
• All courses include materials, which can also be purchased separately afterwards should you want to continue with your work
• Light refreshments will also be provided ,
• Courses run from 10am to 5 pm
• A deposit is required with bookings.
• Deposits are non-refundable but your booking can be transferred with 7 days notice.
• Should Accommodation be required ,Lina will recommend you a selection of B&B’s and Hotels in the town
  

Fore more information on these workshops, or to contact Lina check our her website

Lina Stein Millinery,
Uisce Saol,
Rosmoney,
Westport,
Co. Mayo,

Tel. 098 28449
Email: linasteinhats@eircom.net
www.linasteinmillinery.com

Westport milliner receives prestigious International Award

Westport based milliner Lina Stein, has been selected as one of the inaugural Hatty Award winners, given each year to designers or companies that have shown leadership and inventiveness in the headwear industry. Lina Stein is one of just 20 people worldwide to receive this prestigious award. The Hatty Awards will be given each year to outstanding talent in the headwear industry.

Hat Life magazine, the awards organiser, is the only headwear publication in the USA and has been publishing since 1872. This years’ winners were chosen by a panel of judges from a large group of nominees. Although creativity is an important ingredient in the Hatty Award mix, it takes more than just a pretty hat to make the grade. It takes a bit of bravado and a lot of dedication to be singled out among your peers.

Hat Life said, “We salute the Hatty Award winners for 2008 and hope that their passion runs as deep as our respect for them. Hat making has an illustrious past that often gets overshadowed by the modernity of our time. At Hat Life we want to bring hat making out of the closet and shine a light on the great talent that exists among us.”

Lina Stein originally hails from Australia but has been based in Rosmoney, near Westport for many years. She has developed a reputation as an up and coming light in the world of Irish millinery through her flamboyant and extravagant creations. Her hats have been exhibited from Stuttgart to Los Angeles, and are always a sensation at racing meetings and special events both in Ireland and abroad. Lina Stein trained under milliners Connie Kerr and Anabell Ingall at the Australian Opera in Sydney and in Stuttgart, Germany. Lina designs and makes hats as private commissions and once off pieces.

She also trains aspiring hat makers in the millinery arts. She is running master classes at Yellow Brick Road in Dublin on 14/15 February (now there’s a Valentine’s present with a difference!), and in Westport in March and April (3 and 5 day courses). See her website for details

Hats are making a big comeback on both fashion catwalks and the high street. Lina Stein was in good company in the Hatty Awards, other winners include Kokin, whose hats are a favourite of Barbra Streisand (who wears them when gardening), Bette Midler (she dons them on bad hair days), Beyonce, Queen Latifah and Julia Roberts. Other winners are Angela Coupe and Carol Robinson who invented a do-it-yourself hat-making kit and Legendary Headwear, the inventor of a ball cap with slide out bottle opener.

Despite the gloomy retail forecast, the hat industry is experiencing a revival not seen since John F. Kennedy took office. Hats and accessories have become material matter that defies the ups and downs of the current economic climate. Some call hats the best way for a quick pick-me-up or mood elevator (think Prozac for your head).


Lina Stein,
Rosmoney,
Westport,
Co. Mayo

Tel: 098 28449
Email: linasteinhats@eircom.net
www.linasteinmillinery.com

The Poetry Society - Knitted Poem

2009 is the 100th anniversary of The Poetry Society in the UK.

To celebrate, they are going to create the world's first giant knitted poem. Knitters everywhere are invited to knit a poem one letter at a time. The final poem, in all its knitted glory will be revealed at the end of the centenary year.

Over 500 people are needed, participating knitters will be sent a template for an individual letter (more if they are super-keen). They will knit their letters at home, and all the squares will then be combined later in the year into a huge poem. Knitters will use their own odds and ends of wool (double knit) to complete the work. Letters can be sent in to the Society, but knitters will also be invited to a big knit-together event. A small booklet of 'poems to knit by' will be sent to every participant.

Packs will be available soon, featuring knitting templates, and instructions. There will be opportunities for experienced knitters and beginners alike.

To register your interest, send your contact details to:

Rebecka Mustajarvi
Email: officeassistant AT poetrysociety.org.uk
(please use @ instead of AT when sending your email).

Or (if you don't have email)

Post: PLEASE INCLUDE AN SAE
Rebecka Mustajarvi
Knit a Poem
The Poetry Society
22 Betterton Street
London
WC2H 9BX

www.poetrysociety.org.uk

Why Design?

The Institute of Designers has produced a great little booklet Why Design. It gives you a short description of different types of design, from graphics to textile. It also gives a list of what courses are available in Ireland, with all the college contact details.

"The Institute of Designers in Ireland is the professional body representing the interests of Irish designers. Its function is to promote high standards of design, to foster professionalism and to emphasise designers' responsibility to society, to the client and to each other."

Institute Of Designers In Ireland
The Digital Hub
Roe Lane
Thomas Street
Dublin 8
Tel: 01.489 3650

Email: info@idi-design.ie
www.idi-design.ie


Why Design PDF

Yarn and Sail Unite - Exhibition

Thur 8th May - Mon 8th June 2009

Ceadogán Rugs and TRIPODIII have teamed up to celebrate the Galway stop-over of the Volvo Ocean Race by staging an exhibition of 11 custom-designed, hand-made rugs inspired by all things nautical. The source of inspiration was endless with eventual themes being weather patterns, sail details, vessels, tidal charting and sailing instrumentation. The collection of bespoke rugs, entitled ‘Yarn and Sail Unite’, will be exhibited at the Radisson SAS Hotel, Galway City.

Radisson SAS Hotel
Lough Atalia Road,
Galway
Ireland


TRIPODIII
14 Canal Road Upper,
Galway,
Ireland.
Tel: 087 7444 881
Email tripod3@ireland.com ,
www.tripod3.ie

Ceadogán Rugs
Barrystown,
Wellingtonbridge
County Wexford,
Ireland
Tel: 353 51 561349
Email: ceadogan@eircom.net
www.ceadoganrugs.ie

Bealtaine - Celebrating creativity in older age

Bealtaine 2009, an Irish National Festival celebrating creativity in older age. A month of activities is co-ordinated by Age & Opportunity and includes events organised by hundreds of partner organisations.

There are simply loads of great crafts activities going on around the country in the month of May, from workshops to exhibitions. Check out the Bealtaine website to see what's going on in your area. Here are a few we like...


Cork
Mise agus Oileán Chléire: Stitching Together; Cape and I – stitching together’,
23 May - 6 June,
West Cork Arts Centre, North St, Skibbereen, Co. Cork
Tel: + 353 28 22090 - Justine Foster


'The Universe: Yours to Discover’; opening the door to new worlds & celebrating the International Year of Astronomy.
Ballyphehane/Togher Community Arts Network
c/o Ballyphehane / Togher CDP.
Cork City
Tel: 021 431 9085 - Siobhán Dowd

‘Art of Hats’; display of colourful hats, hand-knitted by residents of the Deerpark Nursing Home will be part of the library art exhibition
Seafield,
Bantry
Tel:027 52 711 - Bernie Cronin

Waterford
Re-enactment of Waterford’s medieval Fair of St Peter ad Vincula: all welcome, come in medieval costume;
Waterford Museum of Treasures
The Granary,
Merchants Qy.,
Waterford
Tel: 051 304 500 Rosemary Ryan

Limerick
Exhibition including silk painting and Venetian masks.
Milford Care Centre
Castletroy
Limerick
Tel:061 485 800 Sheila Stone

Galway
‘Late Blooming – but not bloomin’ late’, workshops & demonstrations of craft work, knitting, tapestry, crochet, embroidery.
Knocknacarra Active Retired Association
49 Clybaun Hgts
Knocknacarra,
Galway
Tel: 091 524 782 Pat Lally

Dublin
Ladies Day at the National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History
Tours of the museum’s collections; exploring Mayday Traditions, and a tour of the Neilli Mulcahy exhibition. (See here for more detail)
Collins Barracks,
D7
tel: 01 648 6453

Neillí Mulcahy – Irish Haute Couture of the 50s and 60s

This temporary exhibition, in the Museum of Decorative Arts and History, Dublin, looks at the work of the Irish fashion designer, Neillí Mulcahy.

From 1951 to 1969 Neillí ran a successful Dublin salon producing haute couture garments. She was known for her innovative use of Irish tweeds and collaborated with hand weavers to produce fabrics in lightweight weaves and vibrant colours. Neillí’s use of fabrics, the presentation of her annual collection, and her success in America are some of the themes explored. The exhibition includes a selection of day and evening wear supported by contemporary photography, fashion illustrations, newspaper cuttings and items from Neillí’s archive.

More details here

Museum of Decorative Arts and History
Room 9,
Second Floor,
West Block,
Collins Barracks,
Benburb Street,
Dublin 7.

For general enquiries:
Tel: +353 1 6777444
Fax: +353 1 6777450

www.museum.ie

Opening Hours
Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00 - 17:00
Sunday: 14:00 - 17:00

Closed Mondays (Including Bank Holidays), Christmas Day and Good Friday


Ladies Day at the National Museum: Neillí Mulcahy
On 26th May 2009, at 12pm, there will be a tour of the exhibition. This is part of the Bealtaine Festival; celebrating creativity in older age.

Decorative Arts & History Museum, Dublin

Part of The National Museums of Ireland, the Decorative Arts and History Museum is home to a wide range of objects, which include weaponry, furniture, silver, ceramics and glassware; as well as examples of Folklife and costume.


It houses a permanent exhibition, The Way We Wore. This exhibition displays clothing and jewellery worn in Ireland principally from the 1760s to the 1960s. Although many still think of ‘Irish Dress’ in the context of woollens worn in the West of Ireland, this exhibition shows that in the past the majority of Irish people, even those who wore locally woven fabrics (silk, linen, wool and cotton), dressed in styles that competed with the fashion conscious of Europe. The exhibition of jewellery features some of the materials from which jewellery has been made, the variety of reasons for wearing jewellery, and the range of styles that people have bought and worn over the last few centuries.

National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History,
Collins Barracks,
Benburb Street,
Dublin 7.

For general enquiries:
Tel: +353 1 6777444
Fax: +353 1 6777450

www.museum.ie

Opening Hours
Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00 - 17:00
Sunday: 14:00 - 17:00

Closed Mondays (Including Bank Holidays), Christmas Day and Good Friday

Knitted Village in Kent, UK

A group of women have spent the last 23 years knitting a replica of their village. This includes cars in driveways, wheelie bins, vegetable patches, teenagers smoking in bus shelters...

The model of Mersham, near Ashford, has been knitted by members of the village's 40-strong Afternoon Club. The group has raised about £10,000 for their village hall by exhibiting it.

But unfortunately, the creation is now to be split up and sold off because it has become too large to be transported.

Pictures and video, from the BBC

Feltmaking Workshops, in Co. Cork

Helen Stringer will run a series of 1 day and 2 day feltmaking workshops, over the summer. If you have never tried feltmaking and just want a taster, she is also running several afternoon taster sessions.

1 Day Workshops:
9th May,
13th June,
11th July
8th August

Time: 10am-4.30pm
Fee: €60 per person (max 5 students)
Includes materials and lunch.

2 Day workshops:
23/24th May,
27/28th June,
25/26th July,
22/23rd August

Time: 10am-4.30 on Saturday, 10am-5pm on Sunday
Fee: €150 per person (max 4 students)
Includes materials and lunch.

Afternoon taster sessions:
15th July
29th July,
5th August
12th August
19th August

Time: 2-4.30pm
Fee: €20 per person max 6 students

Helen Stringer
Ballybane West
Ballydehob
Co Cork
Ireland

For bookings and further information
tel: 028 37594

Helen Stringer is a member of the West Cork Craft and Design Guild

Machine Stitching and Mixed Media, Co. Cork

Organised by the Cork Textiles Network, this is a specialised two day course taught by artist Lynn Kenny.

13/14th June 2009
Fota House,
Co.Cork


The cost will be €170 and includes lunch on both days.

Places are limited so booking is essential

For more information phone 086 6095656.

Email: ctn@oceanfree.net

www.corktextiles.net
www.lynnkenny.com

Papermaking Workshops with Tunde Toth

Event: Silk Papermaking II - Experimental Fibre Art, with tutor Tunde Toth
Where: Studio 1, Airfield House, Upper Kilmacud Road, Dundrum, Dublin 14
When: Sunday 14 June 2009, 9.30/10.30am to 4.30pm
Fee: E90 / E80 (full-time students) includes all art materials
A follow-on course for participants who have taken part in previous beginner's workshops or for those with experience in Silk Papermaking techniques. The workshop focuses on experimental processes, alternative incorporated materials and fibres and on 3D sculptural projects.

Event: Hand Papermaking Techniques I, with tutor Tunde Toth
Where: Castlerin Studios & Workshops, Bennettsbridge, Co. Kilkenny
When: Saturday 23 May 2009, 10.30am to 5.30pm
Fee: E80 / E70 (full-time students) includes all art materials
Hand papermaking techniques using natural fibres of cotton, bamboo, abaca and esparto grass combined with recycled material. Suitable for beginners or participants with some experience in Hand Papermaking.

Event: Silk Papermaking Techniques I, with tutor Tunde Toth
Where: Castlerin Studios & Workshops, Bennettsbridge, Co. Kilkenny
When: Saturday 20 June 2009, 11am to 5.30pm
Fee: E85 / E75 (full-time students) includes all art materials
Using a variety of natural materials – raw silk and bamboo fibres, cocoon strippings, hand dyed silk tops, throwsters fibres, silk threads... – participants will create plain or colourful, textured, decorative papers. Suitable for writing, painting, textile and collage works, stitching, embroidery and sculptural projects.

Non-refundable booking deposit of E40 secures bookings.
For further details and for bookings please contact Tunde at:
T: 087 2543362

E: tundetune@gmail.com
www.kozogallery.com

Kozo Gallery, Co. Kilkenny

Tunde Toth is a Hungarian born artist practicing in Ireland since 1998.
Working as a Fibre and Paper Artist, her practice evolves around the transformation of observed, collected and found visual material, unearthed from natural forms/formations, vegetation, landscapes, and from fragments and changing images of these landscapes.

She has been working with natural plant fibres (cotton, abaca, esparto, bamboo, rush, straw, grass…etc), handmade papers, raw silk fibres, textiles and found objects (old fabrics, lace, shells, soil…) for the past twelve years. She also combines recycled, re-used materials with techniques of painting and dyeing – through an exciting and experimental process of layering and sculpting fibres.

For the past few years, Tunde has been running the Kozo Gallery in Thomastown. The Gallery is no longer operating from those premises, Tunde now organizes an extensive programme of specialized art workshops and courses for adults and children in other studios and arts venues in Ireland.

The workshops are facilitated by professional, established artists, for small groups with a strong focus on experimental learning – on a variety of mediums and techniques:

• Hand Papermaking,

• Silk Fibre Paper Making,

• Experimental Textile Art,

• Printmaking Techniques (Dry point and Carborundum)

• Batik.

Courses are available for beginners and for those with previous experience or with their own artistic practice, and in most cases can be tailored for the needs of the participants.

The KOZO ART CLUB – an ongoing arts programme for children from 5 to 12 years of age – also continues at The Watergarden Gallery, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny.

For updates on these programmes, check out the Courses and Workshops page on her website

KOZO Studio and Gallery will also continue to organize visual art exhibitions in the future, featuring contemporary art works and individually designed pieces by national and international artists and makers working in various mediums and contexts.


Tunde Toth
Artist, Arts Facilitator

Email: tundetune@gmail.com
www.kozogallery.com

GLUCKSMAN Craft Fair 09, Cork

Following the success of the Lewis Glucksman Gallery's first Craft Fair in November 2008, the Glucksman Gallery invites craftspeople to apply for their second, expanded Craft Fair which will take place over three days from 6 to 8 November 2009.

The final selection will be made in June and all those selected will be notified by post by early July 2009. Further details are available online and applications marked for the attention of Eileen Kearney, should be sent by email or postal mail to:

Lewis Glucksman Gallery,
UCC ,
Cork

E: info@glucksman.org

www.glucksman.org/shop_CraftFair.htm

Deadline for applications: 2 June 2009

The Newbridge Silverware Museum of Style Icons

This is Ireland's newest museum, which opened in June 2007. It has already attracted great attention, not only for its permanent collection of iconic dresses and gowns once worn by stars such as Bette Davis, Marilyn Monroe, Ingrid Bergman, Jean Simmons, Audrey Hepburn, Bette Davis, Gloria Swanson, the Beatles and many more, but also from its temporary exhibitions.

Since opening they have had a few coups in the memorabilia world. From staging the near-auction of Michael Jackson's bits and bobs, over a 1,000 items went on display for a month, (the auction was cancelled). Over 30,000 people from all over the world came to see the exhibition which included crystal-encrusted gloves, iconic fedoras, bejewelled crown, a full-length, ermine-trimmed red velvet cape.

Their current exhibition consists of 150 items from the Californian home of Marilyn Monroe. They are going on show here before being auctioned back in the United States.

So whether you are a follower of fashion, the movies, the whole Hollywood superstar thing, this is a place to visit. You might also buy some nice silver while you are there...

The Museum of Style Icons is located at the Newbridge Silverware Visitor Centre.

Style Icon Museum
Newbridge Silverware Showrooms,
Newbridge
Co. Kildare
Ireland.

Tel. (+353-45) 431301
Fax. (+353-45) 432759
Email. internetsales@newbridgecutlery.ie

Museum Opening Hours:
Open 7 days
Hours: 9-5.30pm

No entrance fee

www.newbridgesilverware.com

Sheelin Antique Irish Lace Museum, Co. Fermanagh

The award winning Sheelin Antique Irish Lace Museum houses over 700 exhibits dating from 1890-1920. It houses approximately 700 exhibits, illustrating all the five main types of Lace which were made in Ireland. On display are Wedding Dresses, Wedding Veils, Shawls, Parasols, Collars, Baby Bonnets, Christening Gowns, Flounces, Jackets and many more items. The exhibits can be split up into five categories: Irish Crochet Lace, Youghal Needlelace, Inishmacsaint Needlelace, Carrickmacross Lace and Limerick Lace.

The adjoining Sheelin Lace Shop offers many beautiful antique Irish lace items for sale as well as bags, belts and chokers, handmade using vintage pieces.


Opening times:
10am-6pm Mon-Sat. All year round.

Museum Prices:
£3.00 (parties of 15 people or more £1.50

Bellanaleck,
Enniskillen,
Co.Fermanagh,
Northern Ireland
Bt92 2BA

Phone: +44 (0)28 6634 8052

rosemary.cathcart@virgin.net

www.irishlacemuseum.com

The Traditional Lacemakers Group of Ireland

TLI was formed in 2005 to celebrate Cork's year as European Capital of Culture with several working and living exhibitions. Since then we have exhibited both at home and abroad.

Our Lacemakers and Collectors regularly display, teach and promote the very highest standard of Irish laces made here in the South of Ireland including Carrickmacross, Limerick, Youghal, Bandon laces and Irish Crochet.

TLI has classes on the first Saturday of the month (except January and August) in the Nemo Rangers Complex, Douglas, Cork. New members are always welcome; visitors are especially welcome.

info@traditionallaceireland.com

www.traditionallaceireland.com

Summer School for Lace Makers, Co. Cork

The Gougane Barra Hotel will host a residential summer school for lacemakers from May 25th to 29th, 2009.

Beginners pack costs 10 euro each for all types of lace - Carrickmacross Lace, Limerick Lace (both needle run and tambour), Youghal Needlepoint, Bandon Lace (a princess lace) Sprigging and Mountmellick work.

As the school is located in Cork County, there will be time to discover the surrounding countryside.

The hotel, its facilities and local amenities can be viewed on www.gouganebarrahotel.com Phone +353 26 47069.

4 B&B + 4 evening meals,
€350 euro.


To book or if you require any further information, please contact

Veronica Stuart
Phone +353 21 4371152
Fax +353 21 4371152
email: veronicastuart@gmail.com

This is organised by the Traditional Lacemakers Guild of Ireland.

World Wide Knit in Public Day, 13th June 2009

Better living through stitching together.

WWKIP is the largest annual knitter run event in the world. It takes place on the 2nd Saturday of June each year, and this year it is the 13th June 2009. It's about showing the general public that knitting can be a community activity in a very distinct way. In some places there are many different knitting groups that never interact with each other, on WWKiP Day they come together in one place, making them hard to miss. More info on the history of WWKIP Day on their website


It is very easy to set one up, just decide on a venue, and alternative plan in case it rains, and then simply list it on the WWKIP website, here. They have all the promotional material you need already organised. You can download press kits, posters, flyer's, etc - here



Here is a list of all the Irish events listed so far
We will add more to the list as the date approaches...

Dublin
Location: St. Stephens Green: South bandstand
Time: 2pm
Date: June 13, 2009
Hosted by: Sinead Reynolds
How to get there: We will be gathering at the bandstand near the south gate of the green, opposite University Church to knit, crochet, spin etc. We hope to have morning events in This is Knit in the Powerscourt Centre too!
Please bring: Advisable to bring something to sit on as the ground can be damp/hard. A brolly is a good idea if not a little bit pessimistic! There are plenty of places to get food/drink.
The backup plan is: Rain plans are for This is Knit in the Powerscourt Centre.
This KIP is not knitting exclusive. There are free bathrooms available nearby.

Kerry
Location: The Crafty Alley Shop, 6B Scotts Street, Killarney
Time: noon-ish
Date: June 13, 2009
Hosted by: The Crafty Alley Shop

How to get there: Located on East Avenue Road at the Scotts Street development (Heatons and Peter marks). Carparking available beside and below the shop. Please bring: Water, a chair, umbrellas, snacks, etc. Your knitting bits and bobs! The backup plan is: If it rains dont worry as we will move into the shop to knit away! This KIP is not knitting exclusive. There are free bathrooms available nearby

Roscommon
Location: Roscommon Castle
Time: 10.00 am
Date: June 13, 2009
Hosted by: Michelle Fallon
How to get there: Meet us in the park at Roscommon Castle
Please bring: Your knitting, lunch, a chair/rug to sit on.
The backup plan is: If it's raining we will meet upstairs in Harrisons Coffee Shop (near Tescos)
This KIP is not knitting exclusive. There are free bathrooms available nearby

Wicklow
Location: Glendalough
Time: 12 pm
Date: June 13, 2009
Hosted by: Irene
How to get there: We meet to work yard at the Labyrint at the Visitor's Centre car park in Glendalough, Co Wicklow.
Please bring: Bring your own food and drink. Also bring blankets for sitting comfortably or a chair even, suncream would be obvious to bring too and a small umbrella in case of showers - this is Ireland after all.
The backup plan is: Should it rain we will de-camp to the Glendalough Hotel.
This KIP is not knitting exclusive. There are free bathrooms available nearby.

Knittaplease...in New York

KnittaPlease is excited to annouce:

69 Meters

A public art installation commissioned by the
Montague Street Business Improvement District.

Magda Sayeg, celebrated textile artist and founder of the original knit
graffiti crew KnittaPlease, has tagged everything from city buses to the
Great Wall of China. On May 13th, KnittaPlease will join forces with NYC's
community of knit enthusiasts to invade Brooklyn Heights after dark,
tagging every parking meter in the business district.

Wake up Thursday, May 14th, to sixty-nine meters of knitted cozies along Montague St. in Brooklyn Heights.

This event was only made possible by the submitted works of over
50 collaborating knit artists in the NYC community and around the world.

Volunteering in Ireland

Although the economic forecast is a bit doom and gloom, there has never been a better time to supports the Arts in Ireland. Latest figures show a huge rise in the number of people signing up to be volunteers. You can volunteer with an already established group, or set up a new one. Here is a few groups, organisations, websites, that provide great information on all things volunteer in Ireland. Although it is rare to find any specific textile voluntary opportunities, they do occasionally come along. You can always give the arts and crafts group a little nudge onto the textile side of things...

If you are setting up a group, or running some event or activity, they are great places to advertise for free, to reach a much larger audience. Apart from us, of course!

If you can't physically volunteer, but want to help out in some small way, you can always make some items for the very worthy projects, eg ISANDS, Oxfam, etc, listed in our Help a Charity page.



Volunteer Centres Ireland
VCI are a one-stop shop for people looking to volunteer and for volunteers. There are 20 local volunteer centres around Ireland, and they provide an invaluable link between volunteer-involving organisations and individual volunteers and are a vital element of the volunteering infrastructure of any country. All the info, and location of the centres are available on their website.

DMG Business Centre,
9/13 Blackhall Place,
D 7.
Tel: +353 1 799 4519
Fax: +353 1 799 4501
Email: info@volunteer.ie.
Website: www.volunteer.ie


Voluntary Arts Ireland - is a great organisation dedicated to promoting arts in Ireland.
Arts & crafts have immense power to make lives richer & communities better. Based in Northern Ireland they provide amazing resources to those either running groups, or wanting to set up new ones, on both sides of the border. They are also affiliated with VANS in Scotland, Wales, England

12 English Street,
Downpatrick,
BT30 6AB

Tel: (NI -028) / (RoI - 048) 4483 9327
Fax: (NI -028) / (RoI - 048) 4483 9192
Mob: + 44 (0)7764 182966
E-mail: info@vaireland.org
Website:www.vaireland.org


Active Link
Although not an arts organisation, it is a fantastic network site for Irish non profit organisations
They have information on Employment and Volunteering opportunities in the non profit sector and various Training Courses / Workshops, that are going on around the country. Since most arts groups are non-profit making, you will always find some kind of arts info here.

Rear 6 Upper Grand Canal Street,
Dublin 4,
Ireland.
tel +353 +1 667 7326
fax +353 +1 + 667 7377
e-mail info@activelink.ie
Website: www.activelink.ie

This list will be constantly updated as we come across new groups. You can also send us any info you think we should add to this list: woollywayATgmailDOTcom

Body & Soul Village at Electric Picnic

Call for proposals - The Body & Soul Village are currently accepting proposals for projects that will take place during Electric Picnic in Stradbally, Co. Laois, this year (4 to 6 September 2009). They accept proposals from all types of artists for both small and large scale installations in various mediums from sculpture and ceramics to audiovisual multimedia work and land art.

Artists are invited to consider their proposals in terms of the context of Body & Soul - an impermanent village created temporarily during the festival. Particular points to consider are your project's intention, colour, size, location, illumination, interactive capacity, weather resistance etc. Artists interested in applying should also consider the budget of their proposed project, which is necessary for application. Successful artists will be fully compensated for expenses and in some cases a fee may be paid to artists for creating and displaying their work.

An application form is available online at the Body & Soul website, which includes artist guidelines and recommendations. For more information please visit:
www.bodyandsoul.ie

Deadline for proposals: mid-May 2009


Last year there was some great textile work going on at the Festival. In the Body and Soul area, This is Knit, held some knitting classes, and in the The Craft Village there was 3 different textile tents. Two doing felt and one with crochet and weaving. But we need more!!

It is a fantastic festival, and is a great opportunity to promote both yourself and your work. So, get a crazy woolly idea together, (the crazier the better!), and send in a proposal.