Category: News

Discovery Days

Play Explore Learn

Discovery Days are days of informal tuition and activity held on both the first Tuesdays throughout the year. Each session has a tutorial about the skill or technique we are focusing on with all of the appropriate equipment and resources required. The rest of the session would then be about doing – putting those skills and knowledge into practice.

How does it work?

Discovery Days is like paying for a regular Feltwest workshop but if you miss a session it won’t matter as after each Discovery Day the relevant tutorial will be posted on the Feltwest website in a new online learning section. If you can’t attend any of the Discovery Days that doesn’t matter either! The online tutorials are included in the cost whether you come to Craft House or not.

Access to the online tutorials is not time limited – you will have full access to the course for as long as you are a current financial member. Even if you aren’t a member for a while and rejoin your access will be restored.

During 2024 we will be discovering polymer clay techniques to make your own buttons, toggles and beads. All of which can be utilised in, on or upon felt.

The day will comprise of knowledge sharing, technique instruction, and most importantly doing!


Starting April 2024

Poly Clay Play Days

We will explore the fundamentals of polymer clay along with 3 exciting techniques that will allow us to compose beautiful buttons, toggles, beads, focal pieces and fasteners for felted wearables. Participants will be able to make a variety of items from the included clay depending on their choices. 

For example the included clay made these combinations 8 buttons of varying sizes, a closing ring, buckle tie and spear.

But!  These are the types of fasteners you can chose to make:

You may decide to make bigger pieces but less of them, or smaller ones and more of them – all depending on your requirements.

Skills covered:  Conditioning clay, Skinner blends, Stroppel patterns, Complex canes, and texture application.  Fastener types and purposes.

HANKY PANKY WORKSHOP June 2022

by Fleur Riley

Nancy gave a very interesting talk about how the silk hankies were made and I’m sure the ladies went away with a different point of view about the silk worm.

Many methods were demonstrated by Nancy on how to use this very versatile little piece of silk.  They also learned the trick (to stop them sticky to every part of your hand) was to iron them.

Many different variations of scarves and wraps were achieved over the 2 day workshop. Some completely covered their silk with hankies whilst others chose to leave some silk exposed, giving a totally different result.

Hat Workshop with Sue Eslick

by Fleur Riley

The choice for the hats was endless.  As you can see by the many different styles of hats made.

Many different variaties were used to get the final look on their hats. Some choose to use silk tops, silk tissue or variegated wool.  The look was individual to each person who partipated.

The workshop ran very smoothly and fun was had by all.

All the ladies went home with their hats fully felted and drying of their hat blocks.

Christmas Party 2020

With such a turbulent year it was lovely to see so many of our long term members at the Christmas Party. Wonderful company, delicious food, and amazing felting.

SOFT FIGURE NEEDLE FELTING

Vimol Imsanguan presented a wonderfully busy workshop on her soft figure needle felting techniques.

The day started with learning the basics about needles, wool and essential techniques. A 3D ladybug was created with Vimol demonstrating how to create the main body shape with additional detail of eyes, feelers and legs. Her tips and tricks were were very effective and intriguing.

Moving on to making birds with wings, it wasn’t long before a flock of birds had been created, all as individual as their makers.

Fairies were the theme for the afternoon. With much more complexity with arms, hair, wings and ‘dressing’ the fairy, this was more time consuming. The never-ending details that could be added had participants enthralled at Vimol’s ingenuity.

This was an exciting workshop packed full of ideas that also highlighted the versatility and scope of working with wool fibre. Most participants were new to needle felting, but all went away with an array of creatures and loads of inspiration.

Thank you Vimol.

FELTED BANGLES, RINGS & THINGS

Katrina Virgona is running a felting workshop (FELTED BANGLES, RINGS & THINGS) on Saturday Sept 5th from 10am-1pm at the Mundaring Arts Centre. If doing the workshop, you can also view a range of artworks relating to wool in the SHEEP SHOW exhibition in MAC’s main gallery space. Other workshops are happening in association with the Sheep Show including a yarn spinning workshop run by Anne Williams. The Sheep Show opens July 24th. For more info on the felt workshop, please see: https://mundaringartscentre.myshopify.com/products/felted-bangles-rings-and-things-with-katrina-virgona

November Toss n Tell & Christmas Party

We had a wonderful 2019 FeltWEST wrap up at TNT on Saturday 16 November with an abundance of beautiful, felty Christmas ornaments brought in and sold to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis; a delicious shared lunch and lots of lovely items brought in for Toss N Tell.  Thank you very much to Jean for presiding over the day in Soosie’s absence. 

Both Peta Korb and Jean McKenzie were presented with flowers to thank them for their outstanding contribution to the success of FeltWEST’s stall at the Royal Show in 2019.

Martien announced the sad passing of Peggy Buckingham, long-time FeltWEST member and tireless advocate for the educational aspect of the arts and crafts in Western Australia and nationally.

Best wishes to all for a very happy Christmas and a great start to the new year.  We look forward to seeing you all in February.

February 2020 Toss n Tell

by Renita Mroz

We kicked of our first TNT of the year with a wonderful Mini Demonstration from Sue Eslick on Making and Attaching Tubes.  Thank you, Sue, – as always, you were fabulously instructive and entertaining!  The March mini demo, by Soosie Jobson, will be on Differential Shrinkage Rates.

Soosie announced that the Extension Program would be back in 2020, run by Sue Eslick and Jean McKenzie.  These are three-hour long, samples-based workshops aimed at learning or honing a particular skill.  Six or so of these workshops will be run during the year, some on Saturdays after TNT, others on regular Tuesday felting days.  The first extension workshop will look at Three-Dimensional Felt with participants working on making a small vessel.  It will be run on Saturday 21 March following TNT – bookings are open on the website.

Our first Monthly Workshop for 2020 was Peta Korb’s Needle Felted Woylie workshop which was booked and very well received with a whole herd of adorable woylies heading off to new homes at the end of the day.

CAROL MULHEARN
CAROL MULHEARN
CAROL MULHEARN

Our March offering, Sue Eslick’s Fantasy Hat or Tea Cosy workshop, is fast approaching.  The workshop is almost fully booked with only two places remaining – sign-up on the website now for a great weekend and a stylish hat or sensational tea cosy!

CLAIRE RUSSEL
FLEUR RILEY – USING RESISTS

Also open for bookings is Anita Larkin’s Design Ideas for Felt workshop in April.  Martien described Anita as someone to get out of bed for!  Coming from a background in sculpture, Anita is inventive and offers unique techniques to shift, shuffle and shake your ideas, new perspectives and a wonderful and expansive approach to design.  This is a workshop not to be missed!

Soosie sought expressions of interest in a 2020 FeltWEST Retreat in May/June, the planning for which is underway.

SOOSIE JOBSON
SOOSIE JOBSON

Soosie also encouraged all members to engage with FeltWEST’s Facebook page.  Please like it, share it, and contribute to it.

Peta spoke about the Toodyay Fibre Festival on Sunday 7 June.  If you would like any of your felted garments included in the fashion parade, you will need to fill out an Expression of Interest form on the website.  http://www.toodyay.wa.gov.au/Community-Visitors/Events/Upcoming-Events/Toodyay-Fibre-Festival

FLEUR RILEY
FLEUR RILEY

Martien drew our attention to Felt Matters magazine, produced in the UK by the International Feltmakers’ Association.  This is a wonderfully inspirational magazine with an international focus.  Two FeltWEST members, Martien van Zuilen and Katrina Virgona, are featured in the current issue.  You’ll find copies of Felt Matters magazine in the FeltWEST library.

JAQUELINE GIBSON
MARTIEN VAN ZUILEN
MARTIEN VAN ZUILEN

Virginia let us know that FeltWEST member, Marie Marshal, is down-sizing and has, very generously, donated her felting books and a beautiful wooden hat block to our library.  She also offered fabric and a gorgeous felted christening gown to anyone who would love and use them well.

Katrina spoke about the Lust for Lustre exhibition at Ellenbrook Art Gallery which looks at our fascination with pearls.   Katrina’s work was included in this exhibition.

WOYLIE – 3D NEEDLE FELTING WITH WIRE ARMATURE

On Saturday 1 February, 12 Feltwest members were treated to an excellent one day workshop,
presented by Peta Korb. At the end of the day all participants commented on how much they had
enjoyed the workshop and how well organised it had been. The consensus was that it was a great
start to the 2020 Feltwest year.


Peta explained that the Woylie is a small Australian marsupial, which would serve as a suitable
project for demonstrating the techniques of needle felting onto a wire armature. The intention was
to try to finish the project during the workshop, but sufficient materials and tuition were given to
allow participants to finish their projects at home, if need be.


Peta supplied a kit to each participant, containing all the materials needed for the workshop, which
made it easier and faster to start the workshop. Participants were given a list of a small number of
tools they would need to bring with them to assist in the process.


Peta displayed samples of her work to illustrate the different stages of work involved in needle
felting to an armature. During the workshop, participants learned a range of techniques, including
wrapping, shaping, felting and sculpting wool around a wire armature. They also learned colour
blending with wool, creating a realistic animal pelt in felt finer finishing details.


Thank you Peta for an enjoyable, informative and inspiring workshop!