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.

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.

Happy New Year

Detail from Nuno Vest - Designer M Foss

We thought the above picture was an appropriate way of starting off the Convergence Blog for 2011 as the stunning spray of colour makes us think of the Sydney New Year fireworks.

You may have noticed  that the Blog has been in holiday mode lately, but while the Blog has been lying in the proverbial sun the Convergence Committee have been hard at work to make the 11th Southern Hemisphere Felting Convergence a festival of felt.

The Information and Enrolment Form has now been sent out to everyone who has registered their interest in attending the Convergence so if you haven't received yours yet email the Convergence Convener at feltconvergence2011@westnet.com.au .  

We have very talented tutors for you including Liz Clay and Anita Larkin and a full program to expand your felting capabilities whilst you enjoy yourself surrounded by talented textile enthusiasts.

So keep looking in at us here to see more details of the Convergence and lots of wonderful felt of course.

Important Convergence Announcement - Guess Who's Coming to Tutor Pt II

Yes, the 11th Southern Hemisphere Felting Convergence Bunbury 2011 promises you an exciting program of talks, workshops and master classes that will bring new strengths to your felting work.

Our world class keynote tutors include  Anita Larkin from New South Wales who will be making her first visit to Western Australia.

Anita is an experienced sculptor and felter who has exhibited widely throughout the Eastern States of Australia. She will bring a breath of fresh air to our felting fraternity, giving us new direction in our work.  We are particularly pleased that she is able to join us as many of you experienced felters told us that you wanted to focus on the artistic side of felt as a medium.

Go over to her own website for her full biography and pictures of her amazing work by clicking here.

Keep looking in to our Convergence Blog to get all the latest news on the Convergence and enjoy all the beautiful felting that we are showcasing.

Important Convergence Announcement - Guess Who's Coming to Tutor

We are  very excited about the wonderful tutors we are having at the 11th Southern Hemisphere Felting Convergence. They  include some of the biggest names in felt making and design, to give you a program that will challenge and extend your felt making to the highest levels.

We are pleased to announce one of our keynote tutors will be the internationally renowned feltmaker and author Liz Clay .

Most felters will know Liz through  her book “NUNO FELT” which has to be the most comprehensive instruction book on combining wool fibres with fabrics that is available.  It is certainly one of our favourites and if you haven't got this valuable resource in your own library then we recommend you get one.  (Perhaps Liz will have some signed copies for sale at the Convergence?) 

Liz is the current president of the International Feltmakers Association and a much celebrated felter and designer from England.


In addition, Liz has been featured in Vogue magazine and has worked for the Givenchy fashion house and for the amazing Stella McCartney.

She has not visited Australia before and she is very excited about joining us at  the 11th Southern Hemisphere Felting Convergence and also getting to see some of our great country. 

We are so pleased that she is able to join us .  She will be running a number of segments at the Convergence so everyone will be able to enjoy the  Liz Clay experience with their felting.

Keep tuning in to our Convergence Blog for another Tutor announcement shortly.

If you want to join us at the 11th Southern Hemisphere Felting Convergence in Bunbury October 2011 you must register your interest via the email link on the right hand side bar of this Blog.

Calling All Tutors

Convergence is all about sharing knowledge and learning new facets of this amazing textile medium so felt makers who are prepared to tutor and workshop are key to a successful event.

A range of skill levels need to be catered for.  There are always people wanting to learn to felt (our Bunbury Felters Group has a waiting list it is so popular) and most experienced felters are capable of giving a tutorial on basic techniques.  However, we also need to cater for the dedicated group of felting addicts who are always eager to learn and experiment with more advanced techniques.  Convergence is about stretching the limits of felting as we know it!

If you are interested in attending Convergence as a tutor or know someone who would be perfect then email feltconvergence2011@westnet.com.au

A Convergence is Announced

Yes, it's official. The 11th Southern Hemisphere Felting Convergence 2011 will commence on Sunday 2nd October 2011 and finish on Friday 7th October 2011 and be held in Bunbury, Western Australia.

Photo Tourism Western Australia

First, we want to welcome you to our blog. This will be our primary method of communicating all Convergence information. We are planning an exciting program in Bunbury and we’ll be announcing all the details here so add our address to your “favourites” folder and look in regularly to keep up to date. Better still, subscribe to our blog and you'll be first to receive all information.

In addition to the many great classes, you will also have the opportunity to spend time seeing some of Western Australia’s beautiful south west. So as well as covering felting matters this blog will also be posting on things to do and see in the area, and also include basic things regarding the Convergence such as how to get here.

Photo Vasse Felix

If you are interested in attending the Convergence as a tutor please register your interest by contacting the Convergence Convener - Val Hornibrook at feltconvergence2011@westnet.com.au

If you have attended a Convergence in the past you will know how they get the creative juices flowing. If you haven’t been to one before then Bunbury 2011 is the one to come to.

Photo Felt Magazine

Photo 10th Southern Hemisphere Convergence

Looks Fun doesn't it?