1. Reflecting on Your Tenure:
I became secretary at the end of 2019 and met the committee in person only once before the lockdowns of 2020 happened. Thereafter most of our meetings took place on Zoom so I think I missed the personal connection with the committee I would have had if we were able to meet in person. That said, we all had to adapt to the changes brought about by the
pandemic and one of the positive things to come out of this is that we have now become accustomed to meeting online and it has made it easier to open up the organisation to
members outside the UK. The organisation has had to adapt and grow in changing times and my role as secretary has changed too. Initially my primary task was to take the
minutes, type them and circulate them. I also file a report of what I’ve been doing since the last meeting and I circulate everyone else’s reports too in advance of the meetings. I’ve enjoyed being part of the IFA, seeing it change in positive ways, and playing a part in the decision making that has helped the organisation to grow.
2. Duties and Responsibilities:
As well as taking the minutes, I am responsible for ensuring the committee members’ emails are forwarded from their IFA mailbox to their personal email account. I also update the contact details of the Regional Coordinators and Committee Members for Felt Matters. This has to be done to a deadline in time for the publication of each edition. Each time a
copy of Felt Matters is produced I receive a digital copy which I store on a hard drive for the IFA. Finally, I am often the first port of call for members who have an enquiry but are
not sure who to send it too. I forward their messages to the best person to answer their query.
3. Challenges and Learnings.
It is important when taking the minutes of our meetings that an accurate record of the discussions is recorded. I therefore have to concentrate throughout the meetings so that I don’t miss anything! When typing up the minutes I have to make sure it all reads well and makes sense to the reader.
4. Journey into Felting:
I first discovered that feltmaking was more than thick slippers (lovely though they are!) in about 2012. I had been creative since my teenage years, sewing and knitting mostly. I saw some felt work on display at a local Knitting and Stitching show and I was inspired to enroll on a course and join the IFA. I was particularly drawn to nuno felting techniques and the beautiful fabrics that could be made using wool and silk. Over the years I have participated in workshops with lots of wonderful tutors, both from the UK and further afield. I have tended to focus on making wearables: coats, jackets, dresses, waistcoats, scarves. More recently I have explored other surface design techniques, such as adding embroidery to felt, and including other materials such as paper. The things I make are characterised by a strong use of colour. I have now also learned to weave and spin and I like exploring how different textile techniques can be combined to create something new and interesting. What I love most about felting is that with a few simple materials you can make such a huge range of things, from clothing to sculpture, from lampshades to carpets.
5. Favourite Projects:
I think one of the most exciting discoveries for me was of nuno felting techniques because of the beautiful textures and drape. I love making garments in silk and wool on a resist with no stitching. When I discovered mixed media techniques, such as including paper in my felt, adding colour before and after felting, and stitching, this opened up a new range of creative possibilities. and I’ve used these techniques to make books, wall hangings and scarves. I never really know where my inspiration is going to come from, but mostly it’s my garden and the sea and countryside around me. I also read a lot and explore other artist’s work from different disciplines online and in galleries.
6. Community and Creativity:
Being a part of the IFA from early in my exploration of felting has been a very positive experience. It has brought me into contact with other like-minded creatives in my area, and it has introduced me to inspirational feltmakers from around the world. Over the years I have attended a lot of workshops to learn new techniques and I still enjoy acquiring new skills although it is more often on a digital platform these days.
7. Encouraging New Volunteers:
I’ve enjoyed being part of the IFA committee because it has kept me in contact with other feltmakers and a broad range of makers with their own unique creative perspective. It feels good to be part of a community of creative people, and to be involved in shaping the organisation for the benefit of members. It is a particularly interesting time to be a part of the IFA as a volunteer as the organisation now attracts a membership from around the world with all the cross fertilisation of ideas that result from this wider and more diverse community. I would encourage members to consider volunteering with the IFA in order to become immersed in feltmaking, and in shaping the future of the organisation. Each prospective volunteer has the opportunity to shadow the role they are considering taking on to get a clear idea of what is expected of them before they fully commit.
Belinda Delany
Secretary
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Article by Belinda Delany