Blocks by Design

We have been overjoyed by the generosity of so many of you during the run up to the Convergence and we would like to express our appreciation to everyone who has contributed to the event by providing donations of goods which we will use in participants "goody" bags and for prize draws.

We were particularly  delighted to open up a package sent to us by Doug Osbourne of Blocks By Design and find this amazing hat block -

Blocks By Design - Evenly Curved Multi Piece Block

We felters are all keen hatters and a good hat block is a must if you want to achieve a professional result.  If you have ever considered getting your own block then look no further than Blocks by Design.  They have the most amazing range of blocks we have ever seen and will also design one specifically to your needs.  Just browsing through Doug's website makes us get deep into the art of millinery.

Their motto is "to help you create your dream".  Well Doug, you certainly live up to it by helping us to create our dream Felting Convergence.

The fabulous Blocks by Design hat block is worth $270.00 and one lucky  11th Southern Hemisphere Felt Convergence attendee will walk away with it.

The block will be proudly displayed at the Convergence so make sure you have a good look atit and admire the high quality. 

In the meantime pop over to the Blocks by Design website and start deciding on what block to order.   

Then get creating.

Hidden Love by Jacqueline Gibson

We have added their website to our Felt Network over on the right hand side bar so that you can find them easily in the future.

Thanks again Doug.

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 - 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

Art Bras

This bra is the creation of Margaret Kelly, a very talented machine embroiderer who has utilised her skills in creating this gourmet breakfast celebrating Perth ABC radio's breakfast presenter Eoin Cameron.

Eoin's promotional blurb says "Breakfast with Eoin Cameron on 720 ABC Perth is the best way to start the day" and Margaret sets the scene with this hearty calorie laden order of eggs, beans and sausage -

washed down with a cuppa,

 the morning newspaper and  all served up on a gingham tablecloth.

This  “Celebrity Art Bra” was created and auctioned to raise funds for the Val Lishman Health Research Foundation Breast Cancer Survivors Project .

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.

Yurt Update

Back in December we published this post on the National Yurt Building Project where a fabulous yurt was made at the Mittagong Textile Fibre Forum in 1998.

We asked the question "where is it now"?

Well we were thrilled today to receive a comment on the original post from Martien van Zuilen (the founder and creator of the Yurt Project) who tells us -

"The Yurt is Alive and Very Well!
It is currently in Victoria and, after 13 years the project is going strong. The Yurt will next appear at the TAFTA Fibre FORUM Conference at Geelong; September 25th-October 1st.
For more info go to tafta.org.au.
Best wishes to all for a great Convergence"

We immediately popped over to the TAFTA website and found this picture  of the yurt -

ABOVE: The felted Mongolian yurt (ger) in the grounds of Geelong Grammar, created at a TAFTA FORUM through the efforts of Martien van Zuilen and many felters around Australia.

It looks wonderful doesn't it?

Thanks for the update Martien.  You can find out more about Martien at her website by clicking here.

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.