A Convergence is Announced

Yes, we have gone full circle from our very first post on the 9th March 2010 when we started this blog as today we are thrilled to let you know that our good friends at The Illawarra Feltmakers have announced the dates of the 12th Southern Hemisphere Felting Convergence.

It will be held from 1st to 6th September 2013 in the Illawarra Region of New South Wales, Australia.

The 12th Southern Hemisphere Convergence Organisers have set up their blog at http://12thsouthernhemispherefeltingconverge.blogspot.com/  so tune in there to keep up with what's being planned.   The Bunbury Felting Group are proud to be their first blog followers.

We are so looking forward to it.  Wishing you all the best with the organising guys.  See you all again in September 2013.

Image from the 12th Southern Hemisphere Felting Convergence Blog .  Click here to view.

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.

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.

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.

Convergence Announcement - Travel Arrangements

We are aware that many of our overseas and interstate participants will be flying into Perth airport and then making their way down to Bunbury.

If you are arranging to travel to Bunbury by bus or train once you arrive at the Bunbury bus or train stations you will then need to make your way to the Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School which is about 10km south of Bunbury.

If you need assistance getting from the Bunbury train or bus station please let us know by emailing feltconvergence2011@westnet.com.au . Please head your email “Travel Arragements” and let us know how you are planning to travel to Bunbury and your estimated time of arrival.

Alternatively if you prefer to make your own arrangements taxis are usually standing at the Bunbury train and bus stations. Local taxi firms include:
Bunbury City Cabs (08) 9721 5558
Bunbury Taxis Co-Operative Ltd : 13 1008
South West Taxi Operators Association : (08) 9721 2300

Travel information is available on the right hand sidebar of this blog under "Convergence Information".

Location Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School

Have You Packed Your Suitcase for Bazaar Night?

On Wednesday 5th October at 7.00pm we will be opening up our suitcases for

The Bizarre Bazaar Suitcase Exhibition

The Cafeteria

Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School

5 Allen Road, Gelorup

We are asking all our participants to bring a suitcase full of creations and open it up for sale.  If you don't have enough pieces to fill a suitcase then bring them along and combine with your new convergence friends to run a combined suitcase.  Items do not need to be felt, they can be any medium so bring your handcrafted treasures and make this a really busy market place.

There is no charge for participating.

This event will be open to the public and we are busy promoting it - free entry and free parking.

If you have friends in the area make sure you let them know about it and encourage them to join us.

And most importantly - remember your suitcase.

Make Your Convergence Banner

In Bunbury we will be supporting the tradition of past Convergences for all attendees to felt a banner to be displayed and then sold to raise money to help finance the next Convergence.

We therefore need you to bring a felt banner to the Convergence. The size should be approximately A4 (that's the size of a standard piece of printer paper).

Here are some ideas from the 10th Southern Hemisphere Felting Convergence in Masterton, New Zealand -





Masterton Banners

Masterton Banners

You can add your name to it if you wish. They will all be for sale as part of the Convergence program at a fixed price of $15 per banner to raise money for the next Convergence in 2013.

Banner By Jacqui Gibson

So have some fun and fly your banner on our wall.
Make sure you buy a banner too. It's a wonderful souvenir and a great way to support future felt convergences.

The 12th Southern Hemisphere Felting Convergence - Where Will It Be?

With  only a month to go and the clock swiftly ticking towards the start of the 11th Southern Hemisphere Felting Convergence starting here in Bunbury the Organising Committee is busy putting together the final arrangements for our fabulous felting event. 

We hope you are enjoying sharing some of our tasks and arrangements through our blog and maybe even wishing you were part of things here at Felt Central.

Well the big question is where will the next Convergence be?

We have participants coming from all over the globe so who knows who will pick up the baton. 

Will it be somewhere new like Tasmania?  All that wonderful scenery for us to enjoy and the perfect felting climate.

Or perhaps New South Wales or Queensland.  All those active ACT felters may want to put their hands up perhaps?  Or the New Zealanders again?  What about Victoria?  Who felts in South Australia?

Are you game to run the next Convergence?

Photo Toni C

Traders Hall Update - Nannas Notions

Another new Trader attending the Convergence on Wednesday 5th October including the Bazaar Night is Lyn Bolton who runs Nannas Notions down in Bridgetown WA. 

Nannas Notions provides vintage sewing and knitting notions as well as turned wooden notions.   Exactly the sort of things we felters need to finish off our hand made garments  as so often modern commercial products really don't work for us do they?

We are really looking forward to seeing Lyn and her old sewing notions at the Convergence. 

The Wednesday of Bazaar Night looks as if it is going to be a great opportunity to stock up on all sorts of goodies so remember to bring your cash!

Please Dress Matilda

Our model - Matilda has nothing to wear to the Convergence.  Can you help dress her?

Matilda is one of the models appearing at the Convergence Fashion Parade but we are worried that she may have absolutely nothing to wear.

We have the auditorium, photographer, models, music and lightshow but so far only 49 Convergence attendees have indicated that they will be providing garments for it! 

So please bring your beautiful garments and wearable art for a spectacular night of entertainment with your work on show at this fashion event.

You can model your own garment or have it paraded by the models that we will be providing. Professional photographers will be taking pictures of the catwalk show and a CD of the event will be available for purchase at a nominal cost at the end of the Convergence.  

We need you to bring your creations to make this a fabulous night of fashion and to dress Matilda of course!

Traders Hall Update - Sheryl Chant

Things are getting busy in our Traders Hall and we are pleased to announce that Sheryl Chant has contacted us and is going to be joining us on Wednesday 5th October which is our  Bazaar Night.

Sheryl is a highly qualified artist and has exhibited throughout Australia for many years.  She specialises in primitive firing  saying

"I employ a variety of firing techniques, from oxides on green ware to Raku to pit and saggar and smoke firing. The thrill of the unpredictable, the excitement of heat and flame, each firing is an experiment, an adventure for me".  

See the clayfeet website - http://www.clayfeet.com.au/sheryl_profile.htm for more information.

To the Convergence Sheryl is bringing her unique hand made primitive and raku fired ceramic buttons.   We all know how hard it is to find buttons that compliment our felt garments  so be quick to visit her as we will certainly be hot footing it to her stand to buy them.

Thanks for joining us Sheryl.

Unique Perspectives Part I

Convergence participants may like to take a break from all the felting and have a trip out.

Bunbury Regional Art Galleries Photo By strasser©paul - Panoramio

We have therefore organised a trip to  BUNBURY REGIONAL ART GALLERIES , for you to enjoy  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, and runs from 23 September – 13 November 2011.

First lets look at Helen O'Hare who is a talented artist doing some amazing felt work as you can see from these photos which she very kindly sent us -

Gallery Shot

Detail

Detail

Detail

Gallery Shot

Gallery Shot

Look in tomorrow to see more of Helen's work.

Take a Break from Felting and Take a Trip of Bunbury

Photo - Tourism Western Australia

When you are at the Convergence you may like to take a break from all that felting and have a look around at some of the local attractions.

Photo - Tourism Western Australia

Local firm Royal Gala Tours operate a Bunbury Afternoon Tour every Wednesday afternoon.

Here's an excert from their brochure -

Join us at Royal Gala Tours and discover the history of Bunbury! 

Bunbury’s resident population of bottlenose dolphins are eager to make your acquaintance at the Dolphin Discovery Centre in Koombana Bay, Australia’s most ecologically aware dolphin experience.

Take in some local history at St Marks Picton Church, the second oldest church in Western Australia. Travel back in time when we visit the Dardanup Heritage Park, hosting one of Australia’s finest collections of heritage items, tractors and automobiles from our pioneering past.

We return to Bunbury via the panoramic views of the city from Boulters Heights.

The tour costs $55.00 and departs from Bunbury Visitor Centre 1.00pm and returns approximately 5.30pm

Photo - Tourism Western Australia

We'll be putting their brochure in your Convergence Registration Packet so if you want to play hooky you know where to go!

Convergence Announcement - Travel Arrangements

We are aware that many of our overseas and interstate participants will be flying into Perth airport and then making their way down to Bunbury for the Convergence.

If you are arranging to travel to Bunbury by bus or train once you arrive at the Bunbury bus or train stations you will then need to make your way to the Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School which is about 10km south of Bunbury.

If you need assistance getting from the Bunbury train or bus station please let us know by emailing feltconvergence2011@westnet.com.au . Please head your email “Travel Arragements” and let us know how you are planning to travel to Bunbury and your estimated time of arrival.

Alternatively if you prefer to make your own arrangements taxis are usually standing at the Bunbury train and bus stations. Local taxi firms include:
Bunbury City Cabs (08) 9721 5558
Bunbury Taxis Co-Operative Ltd : 13 1008
South West Taxi Operators Association : (08) 9721 2300

Travel information is available on the right hand sidebar of this blog under "Convergence Information".

Location Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School

Make Your Convergence Banner

In Bunbury we will be supporting the tradition of past Convergences for all attendees to felt a banner to be displayed and then sold to raise money to help finance the next Convergence.
 
We therefore need you to bring a felt banner to the Convergence.

Here are some ideas from the 10th Southern Hemisphere Felting Convergence in Masterton, New Zealand -

Banner Wall Masterton

You can add your name to it if you wish. All the banners will all be for sale as part of the Convergence program at a fixed price of $15 per banner to raise money for the next Convergence in 2013.
 
So have some fun and fly your banner on our wall.

Felt Banner by Davida Palmer

Make sure you buy a banner too.   It's a wonderful souvenir and a great way to support future felt convergences.

Important Convergence Announcement - How are you getting to the Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School?

We are aware that many of our overseas and interstate participants will be flying into Perth airport and then making their way down to Bunbury.

If you are arranging to travel to Bunbury by bus or train once you arrive at the Bunbury bus or train stations you will then need to make your way to the Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School which is about 10km south of Bunbury.

If you need assistance getting from the Bunbury train or bus station please let us know by emailing feltconvergence2011@westnet.com.au . Please head your email “Travel Arragements” and let us know how you are planning to travel to Bunbury and your estimated time of arrival.

Alternatively if you prefer to make your own arrangements taxis are usually standing at the Bunbury train and bus stations. Local taxi firms include:
Bunbury City Cabs (08) 9721 5558
Bunbury Taxis Co-Operative Ltd : 13 1008
South West Taxi Operators Association : (08) 9721 2300

Travel information is available on the right hand sidebar of this blog under "Convergence Information".

Location Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School

Make Your Convergence Banner

In Bunbury we will be supporting the tradition of past Convergences for all attendees to felt a banner to be displayed and then sold to raise money to help finance the next Convergence.

We therefore need you to bring a felt banner to the Convergence.

Here are some ideas from the 10th Southern Hemisphere Felting Convergence in Masterton, New Zealand -

Banner Wall at 10th Southern Hemisphere Convergence

Each banner should be sized approximately A4 (that's about 12inches by 8.5 inches for those of you who like things in the old money).

Colours, embellishments etc are completely up to you so get making yours now.

By Lorraine McArthur

You can add your name to it if you wish. They will all be for sale as part of the Convergence program at a fixed price of $15 per banner to raise money for the next Convergence in 2013.
 
 So have some fun and fly your banner on our wall.

Convergence Announcement - Draw for Master Classes

 As previously announced the Convergence program will include Master Classes run by Anita Larkin the celebrated art felter who has made the world of felt sculpture her own and Liz Clay - the internationally renowned feltmaker and author.

Each Master Classes will run over 2 days and accommodate a maximum of 15 students.

As we expected, the demand for attending a Master Class has exceeded the number of places available, so a ballot has been run to determine places.  We put the names of everyone who said they would like to be part of a Master Class into a hat (well actually it was a plastic ice cream box but it did the job).  The Convergence Committee looked on as Convergence Convener Val Hornibrook drew out the names. 

The lucky Master Class participants will be notified by email shortly. 

If you don't receive an email from us then your name was not drawn.  However our program provides  lots of felt tutorials for you to enjoy and participate in. 

Most importantly, we wanted everyone to be able to enjoy the Anita Larkin /Liz Clay experience so we have arranged for each of these felt masters to deliver two presentations to all Convergence attendees. 

With only three months to go we are getting very excited.