Opportunities

The IFA takes no responsibility for these items, please make your own enquiries. Until the website is rewritten, we will simply be putting the latest news at the top irrespective of date order.

 

500 Handbags - Call for Entries (Extended Deadline)

Lark Books seeks images of striking, stylish, and out-of-the-ordinary handbags for a juried collection of work from artists, makers, and designers from around the globe for the upcoming book 500 Handbags. Professional fashion designer Jay McCarroll, winner of Bravo's debut season of the hit show Project Runway, will be jurying images submitted for this book. A diverse assortment of bags will be considered-from teeny evening clutches to rugged bags designed for men-with one-of-a-kind, handmade, and/or limited edition pieces strongly preferred. A wide range of materials, techniques, and looks are desired. To be released in January 2009, this book aims to showcase a fabulous, fun, and funky collection that will inspire amateur crafters, professional designers, and everyone in between.

To be considered for inclusion, please submit high-quality transparencies, slides, or digital images with entry forms. There is no entry fee - entries must be postmarked by 15th October 2007.

Guidelines & entry forms can be found on Lark Books website.

Flemish Felt Artisans

From the 12th until the 14th of October Flemish felt artisans meet each other at "Verloren Bos" in Lokeren. Visiting lecturers are István Vidák and Mari Nagy, Hungarian felt pioneers. (poster)

Info : Carla Poppe tel. 00 32 9 348 83 18
e-mail : carla.poppe@skynet.be

Workshops in Formby (north of Liverpool)

Jo Scott is an IFA member in region 11, living Formby. She runs feltmaking workshops at her studio there. The next workshops are on Friday 20th July, 8th September and 12th September. She will also be running a craft week in France from 7th-14th October. www.coachhousecrafts.co.uk

The Wool 'n' Dance Artsfest, Birmingham, September 2007

The Wool 'n' Dance is looking for textile makers/designers/artists to take part in an "Extreme Felting" spectacle event, which will premier on 15-16 September at Artsfest 2007, where the public audience will be invited to lend their feet on a giant 8 metre diameter, soapy, wool fibre dance floor. More Details (this is a PDF file; click here if you need to install a reader).

Textile workshops at Fibrefest

A press release from The Blackdown Hills Fibre Group...

Plans for the Fibrefest 2007 at Bridwell Country Fair are progressing well with fantastic companies commiting to come. The Fair promises the additional attractions of majorettes, music, a funfair and a classic car show, with many more side shows and stalls.

Now is the time to start booking your place on one of the fantastic workshops taking place from Wednesday 29th August in the historic setting of Coldharbour Mill the working wool museum which is at the heart of the festival. Workshops include traditional felt making, tapestry weaving over 2 days with Pat Johns, and spinning with a variety of fibres. There will also be an unmissable hat design workshop with the amazing Ruth Paisley, The Woolly Wormhead, who is flying in specially! The locally based Woolly Shepherd will be running a pegloom workshop and there are two fascinating talks, one about indigo with Jenny Balfour-Paul one of the countries leading indigo experts and another about the history of the mill and the local woollen industry!

Coldharbour mill will be steamed up with its historic boilers and water wheel working to give a glimpse into the unique history of spinning and weaving in the area. This is a chance not to be missed! A spinning and knitting evening will take place on the evening of the 1st Sept at a nearby village hall, with entertainment, all for the sum of Ł2, bring your wheel or knitting needles and come and have fun!

Full details of the programme and a booking form are available online at www.fibrefest.co.uk or from The Fibrefest Office, 1a New Road, Ilminster, Somerset. TA19 9AE. 07926 170389. Tickets for those wishing to book in advance to visit the event or book workshops are available from the website

UK - Call for Media

Here's an email we received...

I wondered if you can help. I'm researching a story about people with visually interesting homes for a magazine called Inspired living (www.inspiredlivingmagazine.com). The aim is to write a story about someone who has decorated a part of their home in an unusual and inspiring way. Do any of your members fit the bill? Perhaps they have decorated an area of their home in way that displays their talents or craft skills? Or perhaps you know of someone personally?

Jenni Cawley (jenni. cawley @ theforwardgroup. com)

AUSTRALIA [updated]

Southern Hemisphere Feltmakers Convergence. This international event is held every second year, usually in Australia or New Zealand. It is coming up in Victoria, Australia 19-25 May, 2007. www.feltconvergence.com.

The Convergence is shaping up to be an incredibly fun-filled event, but what else would you expect from a "flurry of feltmakers"? Annette Jauhari and the Entertainment Team have cooked up a great range of fantastic fancies:

• An occasion for wearing a hand-made, preferably felty, hat and another, interestingly, for sporting a decorated bra (or underwear for those who don't wear bras)!
• An intriguing afternoon tea, to which you are asked to bring a piece of Op Shop clothing, and a bit of haberdashery. You will be asked to deconstruct/reconstruct a piece of clothing suitable for a very special occasion..What occasion, ah, that would be telling - you will just have to come to the Convergence to find out!
• Our Party Night - the theme is "Not Quite Right" and, yes, we will see if we can get NQR Man to make an appearance! Dress up in a little disaster were never quite brave enough to wear; UFOs; that Christmas or Birthday present, well-meaning but ill-fitting; anything a bit wrong, somewhere, that seemed a good idea at the time; whatever your interpretation of the theme. There is only one proviso: you need to be able to dance in it.

Just a taster, but also warning that you need to start shopping, and maybe creating, to get those extraordinary requirements ready!

There will be an exhibition of felting apart from the Fashion Parade. You do not have to do anything administrative for this, just bring the piece with you (one per attendee). However, make sure that your work comes with some sort of mechanism for hanging and displaying your work, if this is needed.

If you have been thinking of coming to the Convergence but haven't registered yet, now is the time to start getting serious. There are places still available, but applications need to be finalized by ASAP. So get your registration in today (forms available from the website www.feltconvergence.com).

AUSTRALIA

Attention all craftees.... here is a market day for you!

ART AND CRAFT MARKET
VICTORIA PARK CENTRE FOR THE ARTS
28TH APRIL 10-3 PM

This market day is a great opportunity to sell your objects d' art and craft to people looking for something special for thier Mum on Mothers Day. Stall holders costs: only $15 for members of the art centre or $25 for non members. Widely promoted as part of the Victoria Park Art Walk event 2007; presented by Be Active Application details contact Lesley King on 9470 5520 or pop into the Victoria Park Centre for the Arts at 12 Kent Street East Victoria Park.

UK AND FRANCE (Lyn Griffiths)

Mixed media feltmaking
- July 14th/15th at Hampen factory, Andoversford, Glos

Summer Schools in SW France
- Sept 10th-14th Earth friendly dyeing
- Sept 24th-28th Mixed media feltmaking

Details from lyn@lyngriffiths.fsnet.co.uk

Earlier Opportunities

Australia

Studio workshops Wendy Bailye Australia Monthly social felting day Group workshops twice monthly 50 McDowalls Rd Yugar, Queensland 4520 wendybailye@ozemail.com.au

- - -

ACT Textile Network Australia Second Thursday monthly Upper Lecture Theatre Canberra School of Art barbara.jackson@canberra.act.edu.au

- - -

Canberra Region Feltmakers Australia 1-2 introductory workshops monthly Westwood Farm, Kambah Pool Road Kambah Edwina.jans@homemail.com.au

- - -

Victorian Feltmakers Australia 1-3 day workshops monthly Uniting Church Hall, Normanby Road Kew, Victoria Lin Hughes

- - -

FeltWest inc Australia 3rd Saturday each month at Craft House Clyde Road, Menorca, WA 6050 nancy@treetopscolours.com.au

- - -

Jorie Johnson Japan/Australia 8 -13 April Textiles Horsham Longerenong College, State of Victoria The April Forum 2007 TAFTA 15 - 21 April, Kinross-Wolaroi School in Orange, (NSW) Seductive Surfaces in Felt & Shifting Shapes www.JoiRae.com

- - -

Art to Wear Australia The Stirling Street Arts Centre categories for the challenge are fantasy, wearable and functional, accessories, recycled or rejigged wearables. Separate prizes for professionals. 10 - 12 November 2007. Stirling arts.my southwest.com.au

- - -

Conferences Southern Feltmakers Australia 19 - 25 May 2007 convergence Felt, friendship & frivolity Beechworth, Victoria stacey@studioastarte.com.au

- - -

Millinery Forum Australia 4 - 9 February 2007 International beginners/advanced Charles Sturt University Wagga Wagga, NSW commed@csu.edu.au csu.edu.au/student/community-ed

- - -

April Forum Australia 15 - 21 April 2007 including felt with Anita Larkin & Jorie Johnson Orange, NSW at Kinros-Wolaaroi School tafta@uq.net.au

- - -

9th Feltmakers Convergence Australia 19 - 25 May 2007 Latrobe at Beechworth, Victoria, Sirxst2005@yahoo.co.au

- - -

Anita Larkin - Australia Felting for groups at Rainbow Farm Jamberoo NSW 2533; E:Anita Larkin@hotmail.com

- - -

ACT Textile Network - Australia Second Thursday monthly Upper Lecture Theatre Canberra School of Art; E:barbara.jackson@canberra.act.edu.au

- - -

Canberra Region Feltmakers Australia 1-2 introductory workshops per month Westwood Farm, Kambah Pool Road Kambah ; E:Edwina.jans@homemail.com.au

- - -

Victorian Feltmakers Inc., Australia: hold regular workshops, bi-monthly meetings, at Uniting Church Hall, Normanby Road, Kew, see www.vicfelt.org

- - -

FeltWest inc - Australia 3rd Saturday each month at Craft House , Menorca, WA 6050; E:nancy@treetopscolours.com.au

- - -

ACT Textile Network - Australia Second Thursday monthly; Upper Lecture Theatre, Canberra School of Art; E:barbara.jackson@canberra.act.edu.au

Denmark

Grima workshops Denmark Every August; week 33 or 34 Kirsten Vejlemand vejlemand@get2net.dk

Finland

Artist in Residency - Finland Only professional or well-known, experienced felters are invited to apply. Possibility to work in a well-equipped 200 sq.m. workshop, organize advanced courses for felters, create and promote domestic and foreign contacts, organize and create a felt exhibition and an exchange programme of exhibitions and donate a new felt work to the school’s collection. Self-catering accommodation supplied. Period to be agreed by contract. Jyväskylä Vocational Institute, College of Arts & Crafts, in Petäjävesi. Apply by email to leena.sipila@jao.fi

FRANCE

FELTING WITH ALPACA FIBRE. Jenny Mackay will tutor a residential course at a magnificent 13th century chateau located in the countryside near La Rochefoucauld in the Charente, France.

Dates: Saturday 10th to Monday12th March 2007 (arrive Friday evening, depart Monday afternoon).
Cost: £260.00 for a single room or £220.00 sharing – course, full board and drinks included.
Course
     DAY 1: Flat felt with surface effects – pre-felt, inlay and mosaic techniques
     DAY 2: 3D technique using a resist
     DAY 3: Needle felting
Contact: Enid Anderson, Ty Andre,29150 St Coulitz, France (email: enidanderson@msn.com)

- - -

Lana Stratus France Atelier Laine: Feutre Artisanal, Place de L’eglise, 38710 Cordeac, Mens zofall.christina@wanadoo.fr

- - -

Pfaff Art France Biennial competition for works made entirely by sewing and or embroidery machines. Any material to be used; no patchwork or quilts; theme: ‘Still Life’. To be shown at various venues including K&S 2007 in London. Contact Jacqueline Govin, 3 rue du Rosey, F-27120 Fontaine-sons-Jouy. Jacqueline.govin@free.fr. Deadline: 15 February 2007.

- - -

La Fayette France France Patchwork Association offers a competition: La Fayette, héros de deux mondes + La Fayette et Washington. Write to the Association française du patchwork, BP 214-07, F-75325 Paris Cedex 07. Deadline: 15 April 2007.

Germany

Inge Bauer Germany Felt workshops - Am Sommerberg 49 D-73252 Lenningen-Schopfloch www.ibtextiles.de

- - -

Filzrausch Germany Frieder Glatzer Studio, Hagenweg 2b D-37081 Göttingen www.filzrausch.de

- - -

Werk Raum Textil e.V. Germany 1-3 days - international tutors monthly D-73252 Lenningen-Schopfloch www.werkraum-textil.de

- - -Threads unite Women - Germany Kabul women’s self help project involves squares of 8 x 8cm. The competition aims to incorporate their embroidered pieces into textile works produced in Europe to mark the bond between the two cultures. Email: goldenberg-freiburg@t-online.de. Deadline: 21 March 2007

- - -

Filz Network Germany 22 - 25 February 2007 19 - 22 February extra workshops Arendsee [Havelland - west of Berlin] ten workshops with felt tutors sigrid@bannier-messe-consulting.de www.elbhavelnatur.de

- - -

ETN Assembly Germany Advance notice for 2009 Berlin www.ETN-net.org

- - -

Neuburg Hat Show - Germany Five thousand hats were shown in a sales exhibition in all colours, forms and materials, including hand rolled felt. The aim is to hold ‘the largest and most beautiful hat show in the world . To register for the annual hat show, due to take place in September 2006, fax Ute Patel Missfeldt www.patel-missfeldt.com

- - -

Werk Raum Textil e.V. - Germany 1-3 days - international tutors monthly D-73252 Lenningen-Schopfloch. www.werkraum- textil.de

- - -

Distance Learning - Southern Germany including Feltmakers’ meetings: Contact Britta Müermann E:schmetterlingswerkstatt@gmx.de

Mongolia

Opportunity in Mongolia The Mongolian Textile Institute is planning a felt seminar/summer school in 2007. Activities in the countryside and capital, including stays in gers [yurts], an introduction to local felt- making, seminars, an exhibition and fashion show will be organised by the institute. Delegates would have opportunities to experiment with fine local fibres - cashmere, camel, sheep's wool and yak.

Wanted: feltmakers, artists and/or educationalists to talk about and/or exhibit their work, conduct practical sessions and, hopefully, help investigate exchange possibilities for Mongolian staff and students. Mongolia is a developing country and would expect interested parties to fly themselves out there.

Contact: alanflux2000@yahoo.co.uk Alan Flux just spent two years through VSO with various organisations in Mongolia ie Labour Foundation and NLM in support of the local wool industry, as a volunteer textile designer, assisting many producers using machine- and hand-made felt. He hopes to return there next summer.

Netherlands

Nuno Workshop with Dagmar Binder from Berlin (www.textillabor.de). 24th - 25th March in Amersfoort, The Netherlands. For information, please contact Joke van Zinderen

*Moeder Aarde Netherlands 20 January flat felt & pockets or figures with Annemie Koenen 10 February Mother Earth with Annemie Koenen 2 - 4 March Felting with Children with Mari Nagy 9 - 11 March Felt Bag & Leather with Mari Nagy 24 - 25 March with Inge Bauer 21 April Story Bag with Inge Evers. NL-6136 EB Sittard Moeder Aarde, Overhoven 71 www.wolwerkplaatsmoederaarde.nl

- - -

Joke van Zinderen Netherlands Monthly workshops in Amersfoort Felting group and visiting tutors (jokevanzinderen@casema.nl)

New Zealand

Creative Fibre Fest New Zealand 12 - 15 April 2007 Taranaki www.creativefibre.org.nz

Spain

Textile Art Spain Collaborators wanted for new project to start in 2007. Small interpretation area on historical and contemporary textile art. Workshops to investigate new textile media, means of expression and international exhibitions. Contact Andrea Milde. Email: amilde@andreamilde.com

Switzerland

Ballenberg Centre Switzerland Accredited three year feltmaking course six modules over three years CH-3855 Brienz www.ballenbergkurse.ch

- - -

Filzschule Switzerland New courses Postfach 5755, CH-3001 Bern

- - -

Markus Gerber filzschule.bern@bluewin.ch www.filzschule-bern.ch

- - -

Humanità Art Center Switzerland Maya Stenz monthly workshops Familie Stenz, CH-6558 Cabbiolo www.humanita.ch

- - -

Felt Art Arena - Switzerland Individual felt projects wanted for permanent outdoor exhibition. Proposals wanted from felt tutors/artists to use our workshop, 2- 3 days of free board and accommodation plus free supply of local wool. Maya Stenz, Humanita Art Center, 6558 Cabbiolo. info@humanita.ch

- - -

Felt Art Switzerland In 2007 the town of Bern will have its first felt exhibition; prizes will be awarded. Filzschule Bern is a member of the Filzverband Schweiz www.filzverband.ch. Contact Markus Gerber, Postfach 5755, 3001 Bern; email: filzschule.bern@bluewin.ch Deadline: 30 June 2007 for documentation and visuals.

UK

Clare Diprose UK 27 January 2007 Felt Vessels Black Swan Arts, Frome, Somerset E: office@blackswan.org.uk

- - -

Sheila Smith UK 19 - 23 February 2007 Felt Hats Glaramara, Cumbria wingwool@clara.net

- - -

Anne Belgrave UK Felting with rare breed wool The Chapel on the Welsh Border E: anne@moralfibre.uk.com

- - -

Omi Pharncote UK 16 December Feltmaking for Beginners Fi Fie Fo Fum Gallery, nr. Corbridge, Northumberland www.fifiefofum.com

- - -

Margaret Docherty UK Monthly nunofelt & indigo dyeing Felting at Ruskin Mill, Nailsworth, GL6 0LA

- - -

Lizzie Houghton UK 13 January Basic Felt making 14 January 3D Purses & Pots 27 Network Scarves 28 January Corsages 3 February Sumptuous Surfaces 4 February Fine Felt Gloves 24 - 25 February Chic & Frivolous Hats Felting in London lizzie@lizziehoughton.com

- - -

Heather Belcher UK 25 - 29 March 2007 Feltmaking for bags, hats & slippers 01243 811301 www.westdean.org.uk 27 April – 25 May Friday evenings Felt making into 3D forms Covent Garden, London www.citylit.ac.uk

- - -

Sculpture Trail - UK Ongoing project to exhibit work, figurative or abstract, of all sizes in any media that is suitable for locating outdoors, whether free standing or wall hung on a farm geared largely for children at the Bucks Goat Centre Sculpture Trail & Garden. Work must be for sale. Commission charged; no entry or hanging fee. Contact: Info@obsidianart.co.uk

- - -

IFA Conference & AGM UK 27 March - 1 April 2007 Felt workshops, Gala Night, Exhibitions Swansea University, Wales swanseafelt@tiscali.co.uk

- - -

ETN 14th Conference UK 14 - 17 September 2007 Conference Motto: Digital/Craft London Metropolitan University [MET] Seminar at the Constance Howard Centre Goldsmith College, London Acting host: Prof. Janis Jeffries www.ETN-net.org

UK City & Guilds feltmaking courses (listed by IFA education officer)

Gorseinon College, Swansea 7822 Level 2 Certificate

Adult Community College, Richmond 7822 Level 2 and 7922 Level 3 Certificate

South Nottingham College, Nottingham 7822 Level 2 and 7922 Level 3 Certificate 7923 Level 3 Diploma with Christine Standen

NE Lincolnshire Council Community Learning Services, Grimsby 7822 Level 2 and 7922 Level 3 Certificate

Craven College, Skipton, North Yorkshire 7822 Level 2 and 7922 Level 3 Certificate 7923 Level 3 Diploma with Kate Horner

College of Further Education, Stafford 7822 Level 2 Certificate and 7922 Level 3 Certificate

Totnes C&G as a week's course Easter 2007 with Carol Timms

Glos College of Arts & Technology, Cheltenham GL51 7SJ 7822 Level 2 and 7922 Level 3 Certificate weekly meetings and distance learning

Distance Learning - UK City & Guilds 7822 Gloscat, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire with Lyn Griffiths

Feltmaking course - Scotland Drummond Community High AE, Edinburgh with Charlotte Haines

Ukraine

Miniature Textiles Ukraine The third judged exhibition will be held in Kherson, 14 - 22 June 2007. Organisers are Ludmila Egorova and Andrew Schneider. Email: anschnei@public.kherson.ua

USA

Chad Alice Hagen USA Sat. & Sun. felting for 4-6 people 3-5 Day Intensive Study chad@chadalicehagen.com

- - -

Suzanne Pufpaff USA Weekends & evenings on the farm Nashville, Michigan 49073 feltlady@yurtboutique.com

- - -

Mind & Body USA Early June 2007 Kansas City Surface Design Association www.surface design.org

- - -

Wild Fibres USA 14 - 17 June 2007 Red Deer College, 100 College Blvd, Red Deer AB T4N 5H5

- - -

3rd Biennual Felters' Fling - USA. If you are an experienced instructor with something new to offer to US and Canadian felt makers, please send me your workshop proposals for end of August 2007, New England Craft School, Snow Farm in Williamsburg, Massachusetts. Sharon Costello sharon@blacksheepdesigns.com