The International Feltmakers Association is a global community full of talented, passionate, and inspiring members. Every person brings their own story, skills, and creativity, and we believe these deserve to be shared more widely.
That’s why we are launching a new social media project: Meet a Member.
Each week, we’ll feature a member profile from the IFA website, beginning with our incredible volunteers – the committee, regional coordinators, and team members who give their time to keep the association running mixing up with the highlight of other members whose profiles are up to date.
The aim is simple: to showcase the people who make up the IFA, to celebrate their achievements, and to inspire others through their feltmaking journeys.
Behind the Scenes – Meet Mary Pilsworth
We’re delighted to introduce Mary Pilsworth, the volunteer behind the beautiful visuals for this project.
Mary discovered feltmaking nearly a decade ago at a Christmas needle-felting workshop with her mum. What began with giggles and snowmen quickly grew into a deep passion for wool and its magical possibilities. After completing a City & Guilds course in feltmaking, Mary developed her own vibrant and embroidered textile art practice while continuing to explore new styles and techniques.
Mary told us:
“I volunteer with the IFA because I wanted to feel part of something bigger, and feel a bit less isolated. I love it when I find Felt Matters on my doormat, and have been enjoying the new podcast, so it feels good to contribute towards this great community of feltmakers, where I am continually inspired.”
We are incredibly grateful for Mary’s generosity and creativity in helping us bring this project to life. Her dedication will ensure that more members’ stories are seen and celebrated.
How It Works
* Profiles will be drawn from the IFA website.
* Posts will be designed in a consistent style to celebrate each maker’s story and share their images.
* Featured members’ social media links will be included where possible so you can follow and connect with them.
* A new member will be introduced once a week across IFA’s social channels.
👉 With over 500 profiles on the website and only 56 weeks in a year, it may take time for everyone to be featured. To give your profile the best chance of being included, please make sure it is up to date with images, text, and links.
Why It Matters
Feltmaking is as much about people as it is about wool. Through Meet a Member, we want to:
– Give our members greater visibility and recognition.
– Inspire the global feltmaking community by sharing diverse stories and practices.
– Celebrate the generosity of volunteers and the creative spirit at the heart of the IFA.
So, keep an eye on our social media channels for the very first Meet a Member feature. We hope you’ll be as inspired as we are by the people who make the IFA such a vibrant, international community.
You can also visit the members’ gallery on our website and explore all our members talents: https://www.feltmakers.com/gallery/
👉 Would you like your profile to be featured in the future? Make sure your member profile on the IFA website is up to date – with images, text, and links – so that we can share your story too.
Article by Nadja [Nadia] Rein - Publicity Officer