Taking a wee break

This poor blog has been terribly quiet of late. I feel very guilty to the readers and also the lovely craftspeople who have always emailed me with info and details to post.

The reason the blog has been neglected is because I have started doing a MA in Digital Culture through UCC. Although it was supposed to be part-time, I fear it is overwhelming me, and I can say it is nearly full time! A whole world of digital has opened up,  sucking up my time either directly or indirectly. In a good way though! I would like, while I have the opportunity to do this course, to devote as much time to it as possible. So rather than let this blog just linger, I am going to close it for a few months. while I work on my project. But fear not, I hope the blog comes back bigger, and better than before!

I am directing my research into the area of activism. Using arts and crafts as a means of communication, using digital tools, to make our world a better place. Craftivitsm! So, I am not entirely devoid of craft! But more reading into the academic side of it, in the hope of becoming more proficient about being able to write and talk about it. And about why I feel it is so important for us, in this overpowering digital age. I hope to do a lot of research on social media and design tools that can help craftspeople, promote our work, and use our skills for community activism. Conservation of crafts is also a key issue for me, the conservation of skills. So history and heritage are also key points in my research.

I have had to start a new blog, and write about my research throughout the year, so I feel I must step back on the other blogging fronts,such as this blog.

If you would like to follow my research, make suggestions, state opinions. etc, as ever, you are most welcome to join me at my new blog  Fite Fuaite  (Gaelige for intertwined) or a new Facebook page I have set up for my research Fite Fuaite.

I am very interested to hear from anyone, their views on technology, digital culture, for good or bad. The email is still in use, so simply email me at woollyway@gmail.com

Thank you for all your support for the blog to date, and hopefully we'll be chatting again soon!

Orla

Woolly Way News: Sorry!

Apologies, for not having blogged for a few weeks! I have just been super busy, and just did not have the chance or energy to update the blog. My apologies, to the readers, but especially to anyone who emailed me with event notices that I didn't post!

Normal services resuming from now. And since its Autumn and prime learning season, (always my favourite!) I'm sure there will be a lovely bunch of courses and classes starting soon...

NEWS: Blog Awards 2015

 

We just got word we have been nominated for The Blog Awards Ireland 2015! 

Thank you to you, our lovely readers, who nominated us. 

Sadly there doesn't seem to be a Best Craft Blog section this year, so we under Best Art and Culture Blog, so there will be stiff competition!! Fingers crossed....

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Wishing all Woolly Way readers a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

We really appreciate everyone who helps make this blog possible, that's all you stitches out there! To the folk that regularly email use with goings ons, workshops, and suggestions. We love getting emails, so please feel free to email us any kind of textile titbit's anytime!

Big thanks to Mercier Press and The Knitting and Stitching Show for generously donating prizes.
Congrats to Mercier Press and Associated Editions on the publication of two fantastic Irish craft books. We will have reviews coming soon in 2015!

All the best for 2015!!

Longlisted!!

 

We're absolutely delighted to have been nominated for Best Arts and Culture Blog! Thank you to everyone who nominated us, and fingers crossed!!

Apologies!!

My deepest apologies for the tardiness of the updates of late! The break I took, has extended itself all the way into June. As well as being busy with work, I had a series of unfortunate events, such as my bag getting stolen, my car breaking down, days in bed with a serious headcold and sinus infection. Hopefully, my years worth of misfortune, all used up in one month. So, I was finding it difficult both mentally and physically to get the time to update the blog. If you have sent information and I missed the dates for posting, my sincere apologies. I hop it wont stop you from sending me information in the future.

BUT, lets not dwell on the past month (so glad its over!!), I am ready and raring to go with updates for the Woolly Way. I am working through the emails, sending apologies to anyone whose event I missed, and then I'll move onto the updates.

Please send any of your textile relevant information to woollywayATgmailDOTcom. Even if you yourself are not hosting an event, let us know of any events in your area. I regularily recieve emails from people looking for events and workshops to go to, and your help in scouting out information is invaluable!

I will leave you with this incredible, beautiful stop-motion video from BAFTA-nominated animator, writer, and director Ainslie Henderson. The clip was created as a music video for British rock band James and tells a story of life and death through characters depicted with yellow yarn. Sad, but wonderfully done.

Moving On from ainslie henderson on Vimeo.

Spotlight!

 

I've been trying to find a background image that will suit the blog and have failed miserably. Nothing seems to suit it, so I've decided to use this opportunity to do something I had intended on doing ages ago. This blog was set up to unite and promote the textile folk of Ireland, to get Textile and Fibre Artists out there, to share the love...

So, instead of having a permanent background, I'm going to use it to promote our wonderful artists and groups. Each month (or thereabouts!), I'm going to turn the spotlight on a craftsperson, exhibition or event, run a profile, add pictures, and use one image as the background of the blog. (Images for the blog background must be of good quality)

If you are interested in being 'in the spotlight' or would like to tell us about your work, or if you would like to write a preview/review of their work, event, exhibition, etc, anything with a textile nature, please get in touch! Simply email woollywayATgmail.com.

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year folks!

Its been a month since the last post! My sincere apologies to all you lovely readers. As usual I blame dodgy internet connection, faulty hardware, and general Christmas craziness. I hope you all had a lovely time over the Christmas and New Year.

The good news is I am finally changing internet provider, the dongle days are over, and hello landline! (About time, I hear you say!). The weather over the past few weeks has been wreaking havoc with my internet access, and living on the edge of the Atlantic, well, its time for a change.

I am raring to go with the changes I have been dreaming for this blog over the past few months. Thank you to everyone who contacted me via email, with ideas and suggestions for the future of the blog (read about it here). Please keep them coming, the more input we have, the better the blog will be at catering for your needs. I'm really looking forward to hearing and sharing, all about the fantastic fibre activities that will be happening in Ireland, and abroad this year.

Here's to an exciting 2014!!

The Future!

Although we got shortlisted for this years blog awards (a little pat on the back), we're feeling a bit on the shabby, antiquated side, compared to all the glitzy beautiful blogs out there. A bit saggy like Nora Battys socks. So, over the next few months, we are going to be making some major changes to The Woolly Way blog. It is going to get a total makeover! (About time, you say)

...And we need your help!

We'd like you to suggest changes, additions, etc. What do you want to see more of, for example, listings of exhibitions, events? Easier navigable tabs? Easier to read on mobiles/ipads? More about places to visit, suppliers?

To date we have just been posting information, but would you like more chat? Pictures from openings, fashion shows, workshops, Interviews with the makers and shakers of the the textile industry? More international news? More social media link up eg Facebook/Twitter, etc? Competitions? Newsletter?

You tell us what you want to see on the blog, because after all, that's why its here and still going, because of all you lovely readers and crafters. 

All feedback is welcome, good or bad.  

You can either leave comments below with ideas, suggestions, or you can email woollywayATgmailDOTcom

Shortlisted! Blog Awards Ireland 2013

Well folks! It is lovely to wake up to some good news on a Monday morning. (Especially after a frustrating week of blogger problems). The Woolly Way blog has made it to the shortlist of the Blog Awards in Best Arts and Culture blog!! We are absolutely delighted! 

Best of luck to all the other nominees. The full list is http://www.blogawardsireland.com/best-arts-and-culture-blog-shortlist/


Also, congrats to all those shortlisted for Best Craft Blog Best Craft Blog – Shortlist.

• The Tale of the Ale
• Sew Mental Mama
• Paper Vines
• Molly Moo
• Hydrangea Girl
• Evin OK
• Craftea
• Caricatures by Carmel
• Buzz and Lola
• Busy Mama
• Behind Green Eyes

Blog Awards Ireland 2013

Big thanks to anyone and everyone who nominated us for this years Blog Awards Ireland!

We're absolutely delighted our humble blog has been nominated for Best Arts and Culture Blog. We may not be the prettiest blog on the block, but we follow the Ronseal mantra 'it does exactly what it says on the tin'.

There's some fab other nominees in the Arts and Culture Blog, but also the Best Craft Blog, go and check them out at Blogs Awards Ireland.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to one and all. 

A big Happy Christmas to everyone who have helped, over the last 4 years, in the running of this blog. Because without you, the makers, sending in your info and without you, the readers; there would be no blog.

Our 5th birthday will be in June 2013, and we going to celebrate by making plans, big shiny plans for 2013, with more features, easier navigation and an updated map! (The poor map has been neglected of late).

If anyone has any suggestions, or thoughts on what features they would like to see, please feel free to drop us a line. Positive or negative, feedback is great!

All the best to you and yours for 2013!!

Apologies! and Christmas Shows

Sorry folks for the lack of updates all November. I've been super busy, and just not had the chance to update.

Apologies to anyone who got in touch. I will be going through the emails and replying to everyone, so bear with me!

Christmas Shows
I decided last year, and will be doing the same this year, to not advertise Christmas Craft Fairs on the blog. There are too many for me to cope with, and unless its specifically textile, I wont be advertising them.

If you are running a Christmas Craft Fair, and want to spread the word, I suggest contacting the following:

The Crafts Council www.ccoi.ie
Irish Craft Update www.irishcraftupdate.com
                            www.facebook.com/IrishCraftUpdate

Blog Awards Ireland 2012

In this weeks Crafts Council of Ireland ezine, there is a little error. They have us listed as having won the Blogs Ireland Award. As much as we'd love it, we haven't...We have been shortlisted, (see side panel for the 'ohh, we've been shortlisted'). The finalists hasn't been announced yet. We have emailed them to point out the error, and have suggested they write a little piece about craft bloggers in the future, (about how great we are!).

There are some fantastic other craft bloggers in the category, and each one not only deserves to win, but to be praised for the amazing work they do in promoting crafts in Ireland. Some are trying to eek out a living in these incredibly hard times, some are just spreading the love. More credit and appreciation should be given to craft bloggers as the majority of us use our spare time, valuable crafting time, to promote our various fields and interests.

Here are the finalists in the category, give each one a visit, a like, a comment (we love comments, especially nice comments). Its also going to start something we've been meaning to get together for ages, a list of Irish textile bloggers.

So good luck to each and every one of you. Pat yourself on the back, for working tirelessly for the cause!

• The World Of Kitsch
• Barefoot Pavee
• Irish Craft Update
• Knit, Inc
• La Creature and you
• Michelle Made This
• Mollymoo
• Nestled Under Rainbows
• Nice Day Designs
• Oh, my fabric heart
• Patent Pending Projects
• Reckless Knitting
• Soaperstar
• Spring Stitches
• Stitchlily
• The Brightness Project
• The Patchwork Quill
• The Woolly Way of Ireland
• The Wool Shop
• This is Knit
• Yarn Classes by Irene Lundgaard

Apologies!

Apologies for the delay in blog posts, we've been having a few technological disasters of late, and hopefully we're back in business now!

Thanks to everyone who has been emailing information, we'll try get back to you as soon as we can, and post your info on the blog. If you emailed us, and we don’t reply within the next week, please contact us again.

Here are some great quotes which describe our last few weeks...

To err is human, to really foul things up requires a computer ~ Bill Vaughan, 1969

The problem with troubleshooting is that trouble shoots back.  ~Author Unknown

Never let a computer know you're in a hurry.  ~Author Unknown 

Computers are like Old Testament gods; lots of rules and no mercy.  ~Joseph Campbell 

Happy New Year!!

Fireworks on New Years Eve, Dingle Harbour, Co. Kerry

Greetings, good gentles/ladies and apologies for the belated blog updates. We've been in slow mode over the festivities but hope to get back into regular postings asap! 

The Year of Craft may be over, but it’s going to be an exciting year for textiles in Ireland.  As well as lots of markets, craft fairs, courses, workshops, summer schools, and exhibitions being organised, there are a few major events taking place this year, which include:

• Showcase: the annual showing of Irish designers, manufacturers and craftspeople takes place at the end of the month. There has been some great coverage in Irish newspapers: The Independent "Fashionistas jump for joy at our gorgeous-geansai" The Examiner Orders of more than 20m expected at design and craft showcase 2012 The Irish Times Showcase expo: The best of Irish designers 
• The annual Cork Textiles Network Conference takes place in UCC, Cork in March  
• The 1st International Quilt Festival of Ireland takes place in UCG, Galway in June
•  and of course The Knitting and Stitching Show will be back in November

The Woolly Way blog is run completely on a volunteer basis, and is working towards becoming a grassroots organisation for promoting textiles, of all kinds, to everyone, inclusively. It is with great enthusiasm and fibre love, that we try to bring you all the information about what is going on in Ireland, to help promote new and established individuals, businesses, groups, guilds, studios, mills, etc, you name it. If its textile we're interested! So, please mail us with information and updates to woollywayATgmailDOTcom.

Updates for the Blog

We've been having some connection/spamming trouble over the past 2 weeks, so if anyone has sent emails and we haven't replied, could you please re-send them.Thanks!

If you want to put a listing up on the Woolly Way, just send your news, with contact details, times, venue, etc, and a jpeg image if you have it to woollywayATgmailDOTcom.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS and NEW YEAR!!

Apologies for the lack of updates, over the past few weeks. Anyone in Ireland, or even watching from afar, will know we are going through unprecedented bail outs and blizzards.

However miserable the country is, the state of our government and the weather, we expect 2011 to be a very exciting year indeed! There are very interesting textile projects, workshops and events coming up next year, and we hope to keep you updates on all things textiles in Ireland and from around the world.

So, to all of our readers, thank you so much.

Have a HAPPY CHRISTMAS and NEW YEAR!!

COMPETITION! Win a copy of 'Clones Lace' by Maire Treanor

The Woolly Way is celebrating! We have now past the 30,000 hit mark, with people from all over the world reading our little blog. To say thanks to everyone and anyone who has read/commented/suggested/helped we have decided to run our first competition.

Máire Treanor has kindly donated one of her newly re-printed books, Clones Lace, The Story and Patterns of an Irish Crochet. We are proud of this prize for many reasons, having twice attended The Cassandra Hand Summer School of Lace, in Clones, Co. Monaghan, and have met and been taught by the lovely Máire Treanor herself, it is an honour to be given one of her books for our very first competition.

The book itself is a gem, not just for the crochet techniques and patterns but the wonderful historical research Máire has included. She is recognized internationally for her Clones Lace book and her expertise on art of lace-making. This year alone Máire has run workshops in Ireland, the USA and even Kiev, Ukraine. Due to a demand for copies of her book, it has been re-printed by Lacis Publications, part of the Lacis Museum, California, USA.

The book is also available from Maire, she is running a weekend workshops 27-28th November 2010 in the Cassandra Hand Centre, Clones, Co. Monaghan. For information on the workshop contact maireslaceATgmailDOTcom. For more information on Clones Lace visit www.cloneslace.com

COMPETITION CLOSED
The Winner is CHEYENNE


Thank you to everyone who entered! Hopefully we'll run a few more in the New Year...

Back from our Holidays

Apologies for the delay in getting things up and running again, blogging will now resume as normal!
Lots of workshops, events, exhibitions and all things woolly to catch up on,so please bear with us while we shake off holiday mode..