Meet Carole

Some of us recently did a workshop with Carole Redlich  a talented textile artist who now lives in Alvie, Victoria.  (Previously she lived here in WA and used to work at the Thread Studio).

Carole's "Shadow Lands"  workshop was all about creating sculpture from fishing lines and translucent plastics -

One of Carole's intricate translucent sculptures

Yes, it's the exact opposite of felt, but of course we immediately spotted Carole's stunning felt jacket -

Turns out Carole is a keen felter and loves to create in this soft dense opaque medium too.   

Jacket Detail



She's recently been exhibiting some of her felt wearable art creations and has kindly shared the following pictures with us -

Outback Tracks

Outback Tracks jacket detail

Red Rocks Reserve Dress

Felted Flowers Jacket

Felted Flowers Detail

Cut Back Shawl Detail

Wedding Vest

Looks like next time we will be booking a felting workshop with Carole.  She's an experienced machine embroiderer too and combines these techniques as you can see, to make some amazing garments.

Carole says "My work is always developmental. I grow with every new piece I make, I love the stimulation, and challenge of creating a new piece of work and the agony of resolution. I have exhibited widely and love teaching and sharing with others. My workshops are diverse and entertaining, covering a wide range of topics (experimental stitch, felting, wire jewellery, pattern stitching and laminating plastics to name a few!). There is always a new adventure around the corner and a new red herring to follow"!

We had great fun in her Shadow Lands workshop and have no reservations in recommending  her as a tutor.  Her website www.caroleredlich.com  is not operating at the moment but if you want to get in touch with Carole email her at  carole.redlich@aapt.net.au.

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.

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.