Our Fabulous Tutors

When we were compiling the information on our tutors for your registration packs we realised how many of them have had their work included in magazines.

In fact if you are flicking through the pages of the latest issue of Textile Forum you will find Anne Foy's work on page 22.

 

Then, while sitting having a quiet moment with our new book "500 Felt Objects" we  spotted the work of two of our tutors - Maude  Bath  and Liz Clay. 

If you are not familiar with these publications then rush out and get them now.  500 Felt Objects has just been published and is an absolute gem. 

We have a very talented group of tutors to delight you with next week.  Thank you to all who have agreed to tutor.  Without you there can be no Convergence.

Welcome Maybrook Designs to the Traders Hall

Maybrook Designs is Convergence Convener Val Hornibrook's business producing 100% Merino black wool rovings.

Let's meet the staff -

Yes, as you can see Val grows her own wool supplies which probably explains why she is such a prolific felter and frequently includes black in her designs!

If you would like some of the Val magic in your felt work then visit Maybrook Designs in our Traders Hall next week.

In the meantime if you would like to see some of Val's felting click here.

What to Pack

With only a few days to go before the Convergence begins, you will probably be getting your bags packed so we thought we would remind you of a few things to bring.

The newsletters have included a packing checklist but one item not on it was Personal Insect Repellant.  There have been quite a lot of mosquitos in the Grammar School Grounds – particularly in the evenings,  wo we  suggest you bring some personal insect repellent to help prevent bites. 

Here's the rest of the checklist.

Bring your felt making gear if you would like to do some felting on site.

Wool and other provisions will be available every day from our Traders Hall.  Traders Hall consists of a range of textile oriented suppliers and will be open daily.  Many Traders will share their expertise through ongoing demonstrations.  Stock up here with all your felting needs.

Plastic bags will be useful for transporting any still wet sample pieces.

Notebook and pens/pencil for taking notes at tutorials and lectures and jotting down all those felting ideas.

Some business cards will be useful – both for passing on to new friends with your contact details and also for labelling your work on our Display of Work area – details below.

Your felt garments and accessories for the Fashion Parade.

Your felt creations for the Display of Work area.

Your felt Banner.

Your suitcase full of creations for the Suitcase Bazaar Night.

What you need for the Days Theme .

Don’t forget your camera.

There have been quite a lot of mosquitos in the Grammar School Grounds – particularly in the evenings.   We suggest you bring some personal insect repellent to help prevent bites.

Please be aware that there is not a bank or ATM close to the school.  There will be plenty of goodies to buy at the Convergence in the Traders Hall and our Bazaar Night so remember to bring plenty of cash in your wallet but keep it safely on you at all times.

The Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School is not licensed to sell alcohol so if you want to share a glass of wine at dinner with your felting friends you’ll need to bring your own.

Looking forward to seeing you all.

The Bizarre Bazaar - Suitcase Exhibition

At 7.00pm on Wednesday 5th October the Cafeteria at the Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School will be transformed into a busy eastern souk .

This is a great opportunity to sell your work. Bring your suitcase full of creations and open it up for sale. Even combine with others if you have only a few items.

Items do not need to be felt, they can be any medium.  If you have some special things in your stash that are excess to your needs consider bringing them along so that others get the chance of enjoying and using them.  You can then use the money you raise to buy more things for your stash!!  

There is no charge for participating – we want lots and lots of suitcases to create a fun enjoyable evening for all.

 Please remember to invite your friends and family to join us. Just direct them to this blog - the information regarding the event is all at the top of the right hand side bar.

See you there.

Silksational

A big thank you to Sylvia Riley of Silksational for sending us a 3 metre prefelt in a natural colour for us to use in one of the fabulous prize draws we have arranged for Convergence participants next week.

Sylvia told us that she had only recently found out about the Felt Convergence and would have liked to be a trader if there had been a bit more time to get organised.   However as she really wanted to be part of things she was going to send us the prefelt and some flyers on Silksational.

Do have a look at the information on them.  Silksational are a wholly owned Australian company based in Sydney. Their aim is to make textile art affordable and within easy reach of everybody. They supply mostly by mail order a wide range of items for the textile artist including silk painting supplies such as silk and dyes; dyeing supplies such as powdered dye, chemicals, beakers, pots; silk clothing blanks, silk scarves and sarongs, silk cushion covers and of course silk, wool, cotton, silk-bamboo and linen by the metre. A new addition to their range are fibres and woollen prefelts.

Pop over to their website by clicking here.  You will be amazed at the range just a click away.  Gosh we do love Internet shopping.

Thanks Silksational.

Unique Perspectives

Opening today at the BUNBURY REGIONAL ART GALLERIES , UNIQUE PERSPECTIVES: TWO SOLO EXHIBITIONS – Felted work by Helen O’Hare (Ireland), and Joomchi Paper Works by Jiyoung Chung (USA/Korea).

Brilliant, expressive, inspiring work representing the diversity of textile and fibre art across the world. This exhibition is brought to us by Bunbury Regional Art Galleries in partnership with Fibres West 2011.

Convergence attendees will be enjoying a trip to view it as we have organised a break from felting to visit.

Helen O'Hare Gallery Shot

Helen O'Hare Detail

Jiyoung Chung Information Courtesy TAFTA

UNIQUE PERSPECTIVES opens today and runs from 23 September – 13 November 2011. 

Please Dress Matilda

As we have mentioned, we really need your help to make the Convergence Fashion Parade a success.

We have the auditorium, photographer, models and music but only 49 attendees have so far  indicated that they will be providing garments for it! We need you to bring your creations to make this a fabulous night of fashion.

You don’t need a complete outfit to participate. Remember that accessories are the key to fabulous dressing so please bring your scarves, bags, hats and wraps. These will all create amazing looks for the catwalk.  There is no limit on the number of pieces you can enter into the Fashion Parade so pack plenty as the more pieces there are the bigger and better the event will be.   Don’t be shy, this is your fashion night so be part of it.
We really don't want to hear those dreaded words "my stuff's not good enough".  So be confident in your creations; you will be so pleased you participated when you see your things out out on the catwalk.
 You can model your own garment or have it paraded by the models that we will be providing. 

Matilda will be so pleased to have something to wear.