The IFA website
For an overview of the features on our website, including the areas that are exclusive to our members, please watch Mandy Nash, our Chair, as she takes us on a tour of its features.
How to Make the Most of the IFA Website
Felt Matters
Felt Matters is a 40-page, full-colour journal published 4 times per year in March, June, September and December. Reports of workshops, symposia and international events regularly appear in the journal, as do reviews of books about feltmaking and related textile techniques. It has been the voice of IFA members since 1986.
Gallery
As a member, you can show up to five images of your work together with a short biography for everyone to see, plus a link to your own website. The gallery gives you a perfect place to expose your talent worldwide.
List your Events
Do you have an upcoming exhibition or workshop? If you are a member, you can easily list In-Person events in our calendar or Online Events. These events are available to members as well as non-members. Your private workshops and events can also be listed in Felt Matters at reduced rate.
Public / Products Liability Insurance
Public and products liability insurance, for all UK members, is included in the membership fee. The scope of the liability insurance cover is broad-ranging, sufficient to cover not just felt, but associated textile work – making, exhibiting, selling, teaching and demonstrating.
Public liability insurance for eligible members of The International Feltmakers Association is arranged by Howden Insurance Brokers Limited trading as Hencilla Canworth, a specialist insurance intermediary for the creative sector. The policy provides £10,000,000 of Public liability insurance for its qualifying members.
The policy is underwritten by Hiscox Insurance Company Ltd and is for members of The International Feltmakers Association as a benefit of membership for qualifying members, subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy.
Qualifying members are:
All members with a membership that has been purchased or renewed during the Period of Insurance and who are normally resident in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
You can find the following insurance documents available for you to review:
- Insurance Summary – this summary provides a simple overview of the cover provided by the insurance policy in a shorter format document to read than the Policy Wording.
- Insurance Policy Wording – this details the full cover provided including terms, conditions and exclusions. This document should be read with your Insurance Policy Schedule as this forms the basis of your insurance contract.
- Insurance Policy Schedule – this details the cover provided under the policy and will note any specific terms, conditions or exclusions applied.
Should you have any further queries in relation to this insurance policy you can contact Hencilla Canworth at 0208 686 5050. Hencilla Canworth is acting as the insurance intermediary in arranging this cover and does not provide advice or a personal recommendation on the suitability of the insurance for individual members. Members should consider their own circumstances to determine whether the cover meets their specific needs.
Howden Insurance Brokers Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority No. 309639. Registered in England and Wales under company registration number 00725875. Registered Office: One Creechurch Place, London, EC3A 5AF. Calls may be monitored and recorded for quality assurance purposes.
For a generic certificate you can download from the ‘Members Area’ / ‘Insurance Certificate’ tab. For a personalised certificate, please contact the IFA Admin.
We are sorry that we can’t offer this benefit to non-UK members – the insurance company tells us it is not possible under UK law.
Exhibiting Opportunities
From time to time, the IFA organises exhibitions open to all members. These exhibitions are sometimes juried, but open exhibition opportunities are also offered. Some exhibitions such as On The Map, Crowning Glory and The Climate is Changing toured international venues and were organised in collaboration with other textile organisations. At a local level, it is possible for members to display work at events where the IFA is represented.
We have online exhibitions too, which are open to all members.
Networking Opportunities
The IFA runs a Facebook page which is added to regularly. This has articles and videos about feltmakers all around the globe, as well as inspiration from other textiles, arts, crafts, and the world around us.
To aid communication between members, the IFA also runs a Members-only Facebook Group, where members can interact and upload images and information. To access this group, log into Facebook and request to become a member. You will need your IFA membership number to join.
As a member you also have a great opportunity to meet people who share your interest at our Annual General Meetings, regional events and workshops.
IFA member logo
As a member, you can use the IFA member logo on your website and social media. In fact, we encourage you to do so. The logo is updated annually and is a great way to spread the word about the association. Please download yours from ‘Members Area’ / ‘IFA Member Logo’ tab.
Discounts and Reduced costs
Members receive occasional discounts that we negotiate with different firms and suppliers. Please note that discounts we negotiate may vary from time to time.
Members also benefit from reduced costs to attend IFA workshops, mainly in the UK, where you can learn from the experts.
Voting Rights
As members you have full voting rights at the Annual General Meeting and have a say in how the Association is run. The location for the Annual General Meetings vary from year to year and are often held in Europe as well as the UK.