Felt for Arts Sake

There are often debates on what is art and what is craft and lets face it, many find the whole concept of textile art confusing.  We think felt vessels fall firmly in the art category and we are pleased to be showing these in our gallery today -

Artist J Williams

Artist V Hornibrook

Artist H O'Neill

What's your view?

Felt Masters - Lizzie Houghton

We received an email  today  from the talented Lizzie Houghton today wishing us well for the 2011 Felt Convergence. 

Lizzie is a fashion designer based in England who loves working with felt.  If you haven't read her excellent book Felting Fashion then go out and buy it today.

It's full of beautiful creations but even better there are lots of instructions on how to go about your own projects.  It is so nice to have a book that is really useful and not just pretty pictures.  The jackets in it are particularly stunning and just the inspiration needed to get making one of our own for these chilly winter days.

Thanks for the good wishes Lizzie.

Colour

There are times when we want to work entirely in neutral shades with greys and taupe and cream but at the moment we have been getting the dye pots out and indulging in colour.  Just take a look.

 This is a close up of the dyed silk on a nuno scarf-

Designer D Palmer

A colourful sample piece from a "painting with colour" workshop.

Designer V Hornibrook

Back to the dye pots with this close up of a large piece of merino felt with embellishment of wool yarn and silk fibres.

Designer J Gibson

No such thing as a grey day for a felter!

The Amelia Project

Meet Amelia -

Amelia Bearhart in the grounds of Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School 1994

Back in October 1994 the 3rd Southern Hemisphere Felting Convergence was held in Bunbury Western Australia.  This was the first Convergence to be held in Australia as previously they had all been held in New Zealand.  

Amelia was created to enable those New Zealand felters who were unable to come to Bunbury to still  attend in spirit.  She was made of felt by one of the New Zealand felters and we think you will agree she is a rather special character.

 Left -Margie Bern (SA) with Ozzie Friend

Right Derryn Pittar (NZ) with Amelia

Amelia was accompanied by her diary.  She attended all the talks and workshops at the Bunbury Convergence and kept a day by day record of all she did.  The diary was taken  back to New Zealand  with her so that those who could not attend would still be able to participate by knowing what went on.

Amelia (with diary in backpack) on way to Convergence tutorial.

Unfortunately we have lost touch with Amelia and we would really like to have her as our special guest at the 11th Southern Hemisphere Felting Convergence to be held in Bunbury WA in October 2011.  Do you know where she is?  IF her diary is still in existence it would make interesting reading - we believe Beryl Denton (pictured below) was active in helping Amelia keep her records. 

Amelia with Beryl Denton (NZ)

Can you help us find Amelia?  Do you know where Amelia's diary is?  Please send any information on to us and email feltconvergence@gmail.com with any news.

We Love Felt

This gorgeous collar says it all.

Designer K Pearce

Brrrr it's winter!

1st of June is officially the start of winter in Australia, so to welcome in the winter chill we thought we'd have a look at some great jackets to rug up in.

Sleeveless is always practical for layering -

Designer D Palmer

Fancy grey?

Think again.  This one also has amazing results from using multiple resists.

Designer L McArthur

This one is reversible - this is our favourite side -

Designer D Palfrey-Jones

This one started life as a cardigan -

And then a felter got hold of it and transformed it into something very special -

Designer D Palmer

Here we have the look of indigo dying -

Designer D Palfrey-Jones

Perfectly set off with the right accessory -

But that's another story.