Knitting/Felt Workshop, Co. Kildare

Knitting not just for Needles

Beginners Knitting/Felt Workshop:
Learn to dye wool and wool tops with food colouring, use knitting dollies, roving yarns, circular needles and make a fabulous felt flower

When:12th Sept, 12pm-5pm
Cost:€70 incl. materials

The Mill,
Johnstown,
co. Kildare

To book, or for more information:

T: 045 876991
M: 086 2530392

Festival of World Cultures, Dublin

2009: Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th August

Immersed in folk, traditional, eclectic, tribal, digital and the experimental, the dlr Festival of World Cultures presents a kaleidoscopic programme of concerts & club nights, fairs & markets, performances, street events, workshops and so much more. Ireland’s first Global Carnival!!

The Festival of World Cultures has become one of the highlights of the Irish festival calender and grows in size every year. A sizable part of their programme is free to all, from concerts to workshops making it one of the most popular family friendly festivals.

They run several textile orientated workshops from Russian Beadwork, Traditional Costumes of the Near East, to Native American Tipi Making.

Check out the website for details and booking information on these workshops and more....

dlr Festival of World Cultures
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council
Marine Road
Dún Laoghaire
Co. Dublin
Ireland

T: (+353) 1 271 9555
E: info@fwc.ie
W: www.festivalofworldcultures.com

The Chester Beatty Library, Dublin

The Chester Beatty Library holds a few textile artefact's, such as Chinese textile robes and Buddhist painted scrolls and banners. Mostly it is a library, a collection of manuscripts and books said to be the finest made by a private collector in the 20th century. You may not be into books, or the history of books, but if you like to be inspired by design, by the skill, beauty and devotion these anonymous craftsmen put into their work, look no further than this Library. It is not a gallery, or a museum, but a library. Quiet, unassuming, and full of wonder, it definately deserves to be put on our Places to Visit list.

They also host temporary exhibitions, run workshops and events, to foster better understanding of our European, Middle Eastern, Asian and East Asian collections. Oh, and it has an interesting bookshop which usually has some textile reference books and a cafe. Always helps to sit down and have a coffee when you are left in awe, this collection is at times awe inspiring.


Here is a very brief history of the Chester Beatty Library.

Alfred Chester Beatty was born in New York in 1875, the youngest of three sons, he graduated as a mining engineer and started, literally, at rock bottom, shovelling in mines in Denver, Colorado. He soon built up a reputation as a mining engineer, and the rest is a path to riches and success.

As a child he started collecting things such as minerals, stamps, snuff boxes. As he travelled around the world with his mining consultancy, he started to collect manuscripts and books. He moved to Ireland after being knighted in the war, and became Ireland's first Honorary Citizen, building a library on Shrewsbury Road. After his death, the priceless collection was bequeathed to a trust, for the benefit of the public. It is now housed in the Clock Tower building in Dublin Castle.

The first floor houses the Arts of the Book, from the Egyptian Book of the Dead, to medieval European and Asian masters, to 20th Century publications with illustrations by the likes of Picasso.

The second floor houses The Sacred Traditions Gallery. Sacred texts, illuminated manuscripts and miniature paintings from the great religions and systems of belief represented in the collections - Christianity, Islam and Buddhism with smaller displays on Confucianism, Daoism, Sikhism and Jainism.

It includes representative samples of the world’s heritage (artistic, religious and secular) from about 2700 BC to the present century.

If you are in Dublin, and have a spare hour (or several!), don't miss the chance to view this amazing collection.


Chester Beatty Library
Dublin Castle
Dublin 2
Ireland

T: (+353 1) 407 0750
W: www.cbl.ie

Creative Textiles course in Cork

"This course has been developed to satisfy the demand for textile training on a local and national level. It will provide excellent tuition for those who have an interest in the diversity of materials and techniques associated with textiles. This multi-disciplined course is both ideas and craft-based. It provides the skills, creativity and facilities to produce a broad range of finished products. The choice of subjects allow for exploration in drawing and design. Ideas will progress into practical projects giving the student confidence and hands-on experience before their final self-directed work".

Creative Textiles FETAC Level 6 Award
One year full-time (with option of second year).

More info on their website and their blog

Interviews will be held on the 31st August 2009.
Application forms must be received prior to the interview date.

Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa,
Tramore Rd,
Cork City

T: 021 4961020
E: info@csn.ie
W:www.csn.ie

Part-time classes in Textiles

It might seem a bit early to be thinking about Autumn and Winter courses, but it's well worth looking into now, to make sure you get onto the course you want. Most of the collages, from Universities to VEC's (Vocational Educational Collages) run a range of classes starting from September. These include knitting, crochet, dressmaking, patchwork, etc

The best way to find out is to just contact your nearest college, and get their prospectus. If they are not running a class you are interested in taking, why not ask to see if they would run it. They keep a database of teachers, and if the numbers are there, they will organise a class.

www.nightclasses.ie is a good website for doing a general search to see what kind of classes are on.

Autumn Workshops at Liz Nilsson Textile Studio, Co. Dublin

Textile printing inspired by colourful feasting - six week topic lead printing class
Fridays: 10.30 - 15.30
Starting date: Friday 11th September 2009 - 6-week course
Cost:Price: €300 (30 hour course)

Tutor: Liz Nilsson, Textile artist and designer
Techniques used will be block printing, mono printing and screen printing. The course is suitable for beginners as well as for those familiar to with process.


Textile printing - six week introduction evening class
Mondays: 18.30 - 21.30
Starting Date: Monday 7th September 2009 - 6-week course
Cost: €180 (18 hour course)

Tutor: Liz Nilsson, Textile artist and designer
This is a course that will introduce you to textile printing, covering the basics skills and thinking behind surface design as well as different printing techniques on to fabric. No previous art training is needed, only an interest for colour and pattern. Small group, only six places available.


Photoshop course for multi surface designers
Wednesday evenings: 18.30 - 21.30
Starting date: 8 sept 2009 - 6 week course
Price: €180 (18 hour course)

Tutor: Paget Scott-McCarthy, textile designer.
This course aims to provide designers, craftspeople and artists with a full range of Photoshop skills and knowledge. It is open to both beginners and those with a limited knowledge of the program.


Advanced Photoshop workshop for multi surface designers/ artists - 3 day workshop
Wednesday evenings: 18.30 - 21.30
Starting date: 8 sept 2009
Cost:€180 (18 hour course)

Tutor: Paget Scott-McCarthy, textile designer.
This course aims to provide designers, craftspeople and artists with a full range of Photoshop skills and knowledge. It is open to both beginners and those with a limited knowledge of the program.


Venue:
LONGBORD Printing Studio,
54 Kenilworth Square,
Rathgar,
Dublin 6.

For more detailed information on the courses here

www.liznilsson.com

Felting Workshops at Clasheen, Co. Carlow

An update for a variety of felting workshops taking place at Clasheen, Co. Carlow, the felting studio of Nicola Brown.

Mosaic nuno felt
When:5th August
Cost:€90
Discover the possibilities of creating your own unique fabric for clothing using the mosaic nuno technique.

Incorporating found objects into your felt
When:6th August
Cost: €85
Learn how to incorporate natural and found objects into your felt whether as a focal point in a piece of jewellery or to add embellishment to flat felt or 3 dimensional bags and sculpture.

Incorporating found objects into your felt
When:7th August
Cost: €85
Learn how to incorporate natural and found objects into your felt whether as a focal point in a piece of jewellery or to add embellishment to flat felt or 3 dimensional bags and sculpture.

Felt lampshades
When: 8th and 9th August (a two day workshop)
Cost: €160
Learn how to plan, design and create quirky and stylish lampshades or wall lights!

All materials, (unless otherwise stated), lunch and hot drinks are included in the price. Please contact me to book your day.

For more information contact:

Nicola Brown,
Clasheen,
Ballybrack,
Borris,
Co. Carlow


T:00353 (0)87 2789740
W:www.clasheen.wordpress.com

The Yarn Room, Ashford, Co. Wicklow

Previously you could shop at The Yarn Room through their website, or chat in person to Stephanie, on Sunday's, at her lovely stand in the Dun Laoighaire Farmers Market. But now, you can visit The Yarn Room in their brand new shop in Ashford Co, Wicklow!

The shop is currently open on Fridays from 10am to 5:30pm and Saturdays from 10am to 6pm. From September it will be extending to include Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Stephanie, who is one of the masterminds behind the hugely successful Pick Up Your Needles workshops, that have been going on in Wicklow over the past year, will be offering a wide range of classes in Knitting, Crochet, Felting and other yarn crafts, at the new shop.

As well as stocking a fantastic selection of yarns, fibres for felting and spinning, equipment, books, patterns, etc, she is also a great promoter of Irish yarn and stocks a range from Kerry Woollen Mills, Craftspun, Kilcarra, Cushendale etc.

The Yarn Room,
Ashford Village,
Co. Wicklow
Open:
Fridays - 10am to 5:30pm
Saturdays - 10am to 6pm.


Dunlaoighaire Farmers Market
People's Park
Open:
Sunday - 10:30am to 4pm - weather permitting.


T: 085 1303762
E: Stephanie@theyarnroom.com
W:www.theyarnroom.com

Summer Exhibition in CABOTS Source, Co. Mayo

Wednesday 22nd July 7pm

CABOTS Source invites you to the opening of their summer exhibition on Wednesday 22nd July at 7.00pm. Artists Heather McKay and Suzie Sullivan will delight you with their work inspired by the beautiful Mayo landscape.

Heather McKay is a Dublin based designer and illustrator, who is most widely known as the illustrator behind the greeting card company Head in the Clouds Ltd. However, it was during a trip to Achill that she discovered a flare for drawing landscape in her own unique style, the beginning of an extensive portfolio of images depicting scenes from East to West followed. She will be showing a selection of images from that same trip at Cabots.

Suzie Sullivan runs a small craft business, Derryaun Crafts, in the wild surroundings of her home in the mountains of South West Mayo. She gets her inspiration from the surrounding countryside, and over the years has developed her craft techniques to cross the boundaries of craft and art. Her collections can be seen in Sea, Sky, Shore Gallery, James Street , Westport , Cabots Source, Leaping Lizard, and in her newly built studio near Westport .


For further information contact:

CABOTS Source,
The Demesne
Westport
Co. Mayo

T: 098 50546
W: www.cabotssource.com

Climate Camp 09, Co. Offaly

Join Irish people from all walks of life to share ideas, make friends and start taking collective action at Climate Camp in Offaly this August.

Climate Camp is a place where anyone who cares about climate change and can meet, live, learn and take direct action together. It's happening this August 15th-23rd, in Co. Offaly. 9 days of great food, live music, workshops and action for a just, sustainable future.

They are currently looking for people to run a variety of workshops, especially children's workshops, if you are interested contact the organisers campprogrammeATgmailDOTcom

Or take a look at their website www.climatecamp.ie

Purple in the Park

Purple in the Park is an exhibition of Contemporary Textile Art by '04 Textile Group (This is a group of City and Guild graduates of 2004 mainly from Eastern Branch of the Irish Patchwork Society).

Date: 6th July to 30th July 2009
Time: Monday - Sunday 10am - 5pm.
Location: Visitors' Centre in Phoenix Park, Dublin.

Workshops at Craftspun Yarns, Co. Kildare

Craftspun Yarns are hosting a variety of workshops at their shop in Johnstown, Co, Kildare.

Feltmaking Workshop with Kathrina Hughes
When:Saturday 5th September 10.00 to 5.00
Cost: E70.00, all materials supplied
(An advanced Feltmaking workshop is planned for a later date)

Knitting Workshop with Liadain de Buitlear(which will include some Feltmaking & Dyeing )
When: Saturday 12th September 10.00 to 5.00

Crochet Classes with Margaret McEvoy
When: Beginners Every Thursday starting 3rd September
Advanced Every Friday starting 4th September
Classes are from 10.30 to 12.30

Creative Tapestry and Handloom Weaving
Professional Weaver & Experienced Teacher Muriel Beckett will be giving short courses also commencing in September in creative tapestry & Handloom Weaving for beginners & those with some experience. Learn lots about design, yarns & patterns. Make your own scarves, wall hangings & rugs.

For more information contact Craftspun Yarns:

Craftspun Yarns
The Mill
Johnstown
Naas
Co. Kildare

T:045 -876881
E:craftspun@eircom.net
W:www.craftspun.ie

Craftspun Yarns, Co. Kildare

Celebrating 30 years in the textile craft business, Craftspun Yarns supply all types of yarn and materials, most of it produced from Wool and other natural fibres. The Mill is a Treasure Trove for Hand Knitters, Machine Knitters, Feltmakers, Crochet Workers, Weavers and Spinners.

Craftspun Yarns stock a range of materials and equipment:
YARNS: Aran, Donegal Tweed,, Cotton/Linen Boucle, Cotton DK, 'Homespun' Yarn
INDUSTRIAL YARNS
CRAFT EQUIPMENT: agents & stockists of Ashford Spinning Wheels,
Looms etc
TOPS
ROVINGS
NEEDLES

As well as selling supplies, they run a variety of workshops and courses. See their website for more details. (We have some of their courses listed in the Workshops and Courses section and Diary Dates).

Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday 9.30 to 5.30
Saturday 10.00 to 2.00
or by appointment.


Craftspun Yarns
The Mill
Johnstown
Naas
Co. Kildare

T:045 -876881
E:craftspun@eircom.net
W:www.craftspun.ie

Feile na Feilte, Co. Mayo

This is the 3rd year of Feile na Feilte, organised by the Museum of Country Life with Feltmakers Ireland.

There will be an exhibition of felt work and two workshops during the day. Also, there will be a demonstrations on a variety of feltmaking techniques.

Workshops:
Wetfelting 11.30am-1.00pm
3D Felting 2.30pm-4.00pm

To book a workshop, contact the Museum directly, using their online booking form, here or by phone: +353 94 903 1755

Museum of Country Life
Turlough House,
Castlebar,
Co. Mayo

T: 094 903 1755
W:www.museum.ie

www.feltmakersireland.com

Cloghjordan Re-skilling Festival

Transition Town Cloghjordan, the Village and Cultivate in association with CELT and Muintir na Coille, present a new festival, The Cloghjordan Re-skilling Festival, from 21st-23rd August 2009.

A Transition gathering offering a taste of community living for three days in the summer with the opportunity to learn some vital new skills in Permaculture and a number of crafts and trades.

They are currently looking for crafts-persons interested in delivering a range of workshops, as part of this 3 day festival.

For more information on the email: davie@cultivate.ie

Cloughjordan Ecovillage
North Tipperary
Ireland

Swallow Studio's, Co. Monaghan

Overlooking the beautiful hills of Co. Monaghan, Swallow Studios is the weaving studio of Liz Christy.

"Liz Christy Hand-Woven Scarves & Throws are wearable art; beautifully crafted with wide appeal as a special gift. Each scarf or throw is an original, special, and guaranteed hand-woven in Ireland".

Liz hand-weaves a range of scarves, wraps and throws that are inspired by the landscape around her and her favourite painter, Monet. In the bright and airy workshop, she also shows some work by other local textile artists, and runs a variety of textile courses and workshops.

You can buy direct from the studio, or through her website. Keep an eye on her blog for more info on the various courses happening in the studios.

Liz Christy
Swallow Studios
Annyalla
Castleblayney
Co. Monaghan
Ireland

T: +353 4297 46614
E: info@lizchristy.com
B: www.swallowstudios.wordpress.com
W: www.lizcristy.com

Monaghan County Museum

Opened in 1974, the Museum has been widely acclaimed for its commitment in displaying Monaghan's rich culture and heritage. Archaeology, Local History, Folk Life, Crafts, Transport, Coinage and Industry are among the principal areas of interest. Two of the Museum's most prominent awards have been the coveted Council of Europe Museum Prize in 1980 and the Gulbenkian - Norwich Union Award for Best Collections Care in 1993.

They have on display, some examples of the Lace which made Monaghan famous; Clones Lace, and Carrickmacross Lace. Althought they have only a small display of lace, they do have a quantity in storage, which can be seen on appointment.

Admission Free.

Opening hours:
Monday - Friday 11am – 5pm
Saturday 12pm – 5pm

Monaghan County Museum
1-2 Hill Street,
Monaghan

T: 047 82928
E:comuseum@monaghancoco.ie
W: www.monaghan.ie/museum

An Exhibition of Fibre Art in Co. Monaghan

Elemental Strands is an exhibition of Theresa Kelly and Bernie Gallagher, that is currently on in the Monaghan County Museum.

From July 9th to September 18th 2009

Monaghan County Museum
1-2 Hill Street
Monaghan

T: 047 82928
W: www.monaghan.ie/museum

Knitting and Crochet Group in Co. Sligo

A new Knitting and Crochet group has just started up in Forthill, in Co. Sligo. All ranges of experience are welcome. Classes are also available for beginners.

It is on Tuesday evenings from 7pm till 9pm in the Northside Community Centre, Forthill.

Simply call in on the night or email Natasha: natasha_cawley@yahoo.co.uk, for more details.

Colour and Form in Textiles, 2010

A two Day Festival of Textiles from Britain and Ireland's
Leading Contemporary Textile Artists

Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th March 2010

Jewelery, Print, Papercasting, Ceramics, Felt, Patchwork, Wire Forms, Workshops

Due to the huge success of the one day Textile Conference last year, the Cork Textiles Network are staging a two day Festival of Textiles in 2010. The brochures are now out, and workshops get booked up fast, so if you are interested in attending, book now!

€80 for Day 1
€70 for Day 2
€140 for both days

Colaiste Stiofain Naofa, Tramore Road, Cork
6th-7th March 2010

More info is available on the Cork Textiles Network website, or you can download the brochure here


Here is the schedule in brief:

Saturday 6 March - Talks and Workshops
9.15 - 1.00pm: Talks
Connections with Colour Lecture / Ruth Isset
10.15 Process & Form; a Visual Diary / Angela O’Kelly
11.45 Flights of Discovery Lecture / Nicola Henley
2pm – 5pm: Workshops
Layers of Colour & Paper Surfaces / Ruth Isset
Mixed Media Wearable Art / Angela O’Kelly
Introduction to Silk Screen Printing / Nicola Henley
Paper Casting / Dominic Fee
Felt / Elizabeth Bonnar
Knit, Wrap & Bind / Lesley Stothers
Exploring Design Processes / Pauline Burbridge

Sunday 7 March — Workshops 10am – 4pm
Print Crazy on Paper & Fabric / Ruth Isset
Paper Clay Creations / Mary Timmons
Mariners Compass / Mary Palmer
Book Binding / Barbara Hubert
Exploring Design Processes / Pauline Burbridge


E:ctn@oceanfree.net
W:www.corktextiles.com

Wilde and Wooley

Tucked just behind the Burren Woollen Mills, in Co. Clare, is a beautiful knitwear studio run by Antoinette Hensey. Wilde and Wooley produces unique hand-loomed knitwear using vibrant colours and natural yarn.

Not only is the lovely knitwear showcased in this bright studio, it is also made there. You can see a wonderful array of the yarns she uses, stacked on the shelves, which will melt every fibre-minded persons heart.

The studio is located behind the Burren Woollen Mills, just follow the bright green signs.

Open all year 10am-6pm

Wilde and Wooley
Mortyclough
Burrin
Co Clare

T: 065 7078042
E:ahensey@eircom.net
W: www.ccoi.ie

We're Back!!

The Woolly Way is back from its hols, and all ready and refreshed to update you with lots more wonderful fibre things going on around Ireland...

We will be updating some previous posts where new information has come in, and we will be writing up loads more over the next week or so.