ISSUE 150 - MARCH 2023

ISSN 1756-2198
FeltMatters - www.feltmakers.com 1
 FM150 WORDS FROM
FLOWER POWER YOUR CHAIR - MANDY NASH
set aside valuable time to meet our January role as IFA proofreader for the journal but will whom some of you may have met as she seat but worked with Henny, supporting the
deadline. I am excited to be sharing your continue to support us in her role as Editorial coordinates and mentors the Discovering Regional Coordinators, maintaining contact
stunning work and inspirational articles with Committee Coordinator. Kathie Barrs will Feltmaking courses and is a member of the via Zoom so they didn’t feel isolated. She has
our members. My thanks also go to Chris continue to support me as lead proofreader, Education Subcommittee too, is shadowing indicated that she might rejoin the committee
Lines, Henny van Tussenbroek and Nadia Rein and we look forward to welcoming our new the Education Officer’s role, which will become in another role in the future - I do hope that
for assisting in the translation of submitted team member in the near future. My thanks vacant in 2024 when Androulla Jefferies this will be the case and I know she continues
articles. Translating articles into English is to Janine for all her support in helping to retires. You will see from the AGM Agenda to be active in her region.
very time consuming, and the Editorial Team make this journal one we are proud to call that Margaret Chalmers (Treasurer), Natalie
Lyons (Membership Secretary) and Laura A new Regional Coordinator has volunteered
really appreciates your assistance. ‘Felt Matters’.
Mabbutt (Exhibitions Officer) come to the for Region 13 - Scotland, which has been
end of their terms in 2024, and Henny van without a representative for a while. It will
In this issue, you will find several features Warm regards
take time for Catriona Patience to settle in to
FROM YOUR EDITOR focused on talented and inspirational Joan FROM YOUR CHAIR Tussenbroek (International Officer) will also be
her new role, however I’m sure she will bring
Greetings, I hope that 2023 will be a healthy, feltmakers, plus educational information. Our I am writing this shortly after Christmas as standing down in 2024. If you are interested
in shadowing these roles (or investigating a fresh perspective to it and Kirsty Tudor has
creative and peaceful one for all our members. thanks to Heather Potten for her informative IMAGE CREDIT: the New Year approaches. This is a time to
what is involved), then please get in touch. agreed to help her.
and practical piece (pages 6&7) in Education Chantal Cardinal and her Cecilia Flower make plans, as the evenings become lighter
My editorial page is illustrated with Chantal Team News, and to Vanda F Sousa for her with the anticipation of Spring to come. I
I will be formally thanking both Heather and Unfortunately, Henny and I have taken the
Cardinal’s stunning work; I think it totally technique article (pages 30&31) on how to enjoy spending time at the beginning of the
Ally at the AGM, but I would like to put in decision not to go to the European Wool Days
embraces our flower power theme. This felt make a Daisy Ring. year tidying my work space (and my head),
writing how much I have valued their hard in Felletin in France. When we researched the
flower, and those created by the contributors when the weather can be cold and grey, in
work and support. Heather has worked travel arrangements, which have become
featured throughout this journal, capture The deadline for articles and images for FM PS preparation for starting new projects afresh.
tirelessly at improving the website, which is more difficult, expensive and lengthy since
the essence, restorative power and beauty 151 is 1st April. Our theme is WATER. To Don’t forget to set the date in your diary
I am delighted that I will be welcoming a now a fabulous (and still underused) resource the pandemic, we decided that it was not the
of nature. be considered for selection in Exhibitions, for the IFA AGM (page 4) - and for all those
new group of volunteers to the committee of the IFA. She has created this wonderful best way to spend our members’ money. We
Members’ News or Members’ Gallery, or to folk who have been eagerly waiting for the
at the AGM in March. It is a great relief to asset in such a way that her successor will be are disappointed not to be there but hope to
May I extend a very warm thank you to all contribute an article to FM, contact Janine return of Wonderwool – your patience is
me that there will be a good team taking able to easily manage it. She has also been an represent the IFA at other events in 2023.
those felt makers who, despite the busy Rees at feltmatters@feltmakers.com about to be rewarded! More information is
over the reins when my time comes to important cog in the wheels of the Education
festive periods of Christmas and New Year, This year, Janine is stepping down from her printed below. I will be sending an all members’ email in
retire. It is exciting that our new volunteers Subcommittee, working on developing the
March with full details of the AGM and the
are not all from the UK: Julia Royzrakh from Discovering Feltmaking modules and she
‘Get Carding!’ talks, with an introduction
the US is shadowing the Communications will continue in this role, so her involvement
WONDERWOOL to the new committee members who will
Officer’s role (currently Heather Potten) and with the IFA will not end. Ally was thrown in
“After the two year absence enforced by the Covid-19 pandemic, we were delighted to bring back Wonderwool Wales last year,” be standing for election, plus news of the
Chris Liszak from Canada (current president at the deep end of the pool when she was
said Chrissie Menzies, a director of Wonderwool Wales. “After receiving so many positive messages about the show, we are work that the other committee members
of Felt:Feutre) has agreed to stand as Vice ‘volunteered’ by Alison Rose for the Publicity
excited that an extra 36 exhibitors have booked to attend this year.” do. Without them, there would be no IFA!
Chair. Nadia Rein, who has already proven her role in 2020, but has not shirked her duties.
worth on the Felt Matters Editorial Committee, As most of her time in the position was Happy felting everyone.
Buoyed by support from the Wales Cultural Recovery Fund, the organisers are thrilled with the positive response from exhibitors
is shadowing the Publicity Officer’s role during the pandemic, when we had little With all good wishes,
to the 17th show, which will be held at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells on 22nd and 23rd April.
(currently Ally Matthews) too. Louise Curnin, activity to publicise, she didn’t take a back Mandy.

The show hopes to feature five knitted maps and a record-breaking longest scarf, more details of which will be released closer
to the event.
Tickets for the show, which traditionally attracts more than 6,000 visitors, can be purchased online in advance at www.
wonderwoolwales.co.uk. There will also be tickets for sale at the gate. Tickets cost £12 per day or £22 for the weekend.
With 36 new exhibitors confirmed, there will be plenty for visitors to see and do at Wonderwool Wales, which was judged Best
Event in Mid Wales at the inaugural Mid Wales Tourism Awards in 2019.
EDITORIAL NOTE
The Editor reserves the right to alter, omit and keep articles in reserve for future use.
Don’t forget to check the blog section on our website, where you can find previous techniques articles. Please check the back of
your carrier sheet for last minute additional IFA news. Additional copies of Felt Matters may be purchased from the IFA shop on
the website. W: www.feltmakers.com
NB: When sending copy and images to the Editor, the Dropbox email is editorfeltmatters@gmail.com

Find out more about the 2023 show at www.wonderwoolwales.co.uk or like Wonderwool Wales Ltd on Facebook or follow on COPYRIGHT
Twitter @wonderwoolwales All content of Felt Matters is subject to Copyright to the IFA and may not be reproduced or used without permission.

2 FeltMatters - www.feltmakers.com FeltMatters - www.feltmakers.com 3

 MEMBERS’ NEWS CONTENTS

- GET CARDING!

IFA ONLINE AGM

AND TALKS 2023
FULL DETAILS OF THE DAY’S EVENTS WILL BE EMAILED TO ALL MEMBERS AT THE BEGINNING OF MARCH WITH INSTRUCTIONS ON
HOW TO SIGN UP TO THE ZOOM LINK.

IFA AGM 2023 AGENDA

Item 7: Elections
Saturday 25th March 2023 at 2pm (UK time)
Block vote if no objections:
Chair: 3rd year of 1st term Mandy Nash REGULARS

IN
1. Welcome from Chair
Treasurer: 2nd year of 2nd term Margaret Chalmers 2-3 Editorial & Chair’s Words
2. Apologies for Absence
Secretary: 1st year of 2nd term Belinda Delany 14 Book Review by Carol Cohen
3. Minutes of Annual General Meeting,
Membership: 2nd year of 2nd term Natalie Lyons Landscape In Wool:
26th March 2022 via Zoom video
Education: 3rd year of 2nd term Androulla Jefferies The Art Of Needle Felting

THIS
24
4. Chair’s Report
Exhibitions: 2nd year of 2nd term Laura Mabbutt 26 Members’ Montage- Flower Power
5. Treasurer’s Report
Felt Matters Editorial Officer: 2nd year of 1st term Janine Rees 36 Advertorial
6. Reports of Other Officers
37 Committee And Coordinators List
7. Elections

ISSUE
New Committee Members: 38 Advertisements
8. Date of Next AGM
International Officer: Henny van Tussenbroek
9. Any Other Business – please email
Vice Chair: Chris Liszak EDUCATION TEAM NEWS
chair@feltmakers.com if you wish to
Communications: Julia Royzrakh 6 Discovering Feltmaking
add an item.
Publicity: Nadia Rein - Behind The Scenes

MEMBERS’ NEWS
15 4
8
IFA Online AGM And Talks 2023
West Hungary Felt Tour
- 2022 Report
10 IFA Felt Swap 2022
18 From The White Wool - Anna Gran

Winner of Mid Wales Tourism Awards Best Event 2019/2020 CONVERSATION

The largest Welsh, Award winning 12 A Conversation Between
Highly Commended - British Knitting & Crochet Awards - Best Event
wool & natural fibre Festival Brigitte Eertink & Henny Van Tussenbroek

ONLINE BOOKING Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd April FEATURE

Sat 10am - 5.30pm Sun 10am - 4.30pm
Tickets £12.00, Under 16’s FOC FREE Parking
21 15 Transforming Power Of Flowers
- Julia Valova
21 Roses, Muses & Nuno-sculptures

30
Everything for Knitters, Crocheters, Felters, Weavers,
- Alla Malakhova
Spinners & Dyers plus Artisan & Street Food. 24 Felt Bursts Into Bloom - Mari Jalava
Disabled facilities & parking. 28 Time To Bloom- Judith Dios
32 Weaving Silk Into Bouquets
ROYAL WELSH SHOWGROUND - Olga Gulyaeva
34 Peace Felt Rug - Corinna Nitschmann
Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, Powys LD2 3SY
TIPS & TECHNIQUES
Assistance & Guide Dogs only No Bank Cash Machines on site 30 Felted Daisy Ring - Vanda F Sousa

www.wonderwoolwales.co.uk chrissie@wonderwoolwales.co.uk
Tel: 01938 820495 / 07980 913972 12
4 FeltMatters - www.feltmakers.com Front Cover: Julia Valova FeltMatters - www.feltmakers.com 5
 EDUCATION TEAM NEWS
DISCOVERING FELTMAKING
–BEHIND THE SCENES
WRITTEN BY HEATHER POTTEN WITH LOUISE CURNIN
The only time I was lucky enough to attend
a course run by Sheila Smith was at the
2012 IFA AGM in Bath. At the time, I had
been making felt for around four years and
considered myself a reasonably competent
feltmaker. Well, that’s what I thought…
I walked into the room where Sheila was to
teach a half-day workshop on surface design,
and looked around. The other students had
all produced equipment I had never seen
before! What the heck were those fabulous
water-squirting things they all had? And their
fibres and fabrics? Where did they get them,
and what were they? But most baffling of all
were the questions asked and suggestions
offered about technique, fibres, shrinkage,
number of rolls and so on.
Sometimes, I had trouble understanding the
questions, far less the answers!
I felt out of my depth. It was a great class,
but I was ill-equipped (in all senses of the
word) to really appreciate it. Up till then, I had
followed instructions in class but had never
really delved into the true art of feltmaking.
Years later, I look at the sample I produced
and see that it was really good but, at the
time, it was all a bit much to take in.
As feltmakers, we are extraordinarily lucky
6 FeltMatters - www.feltmakers.com
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10
2021. Not only was I accepted, but I was Nonetheless, it was crucial to get second CONTACT DETAILS
asked to write DF4 | 3D Felt. and third opinions. A close friend staying Heather Potten: Communications Officer
with me from the States was just one of my and member of Education Team
In order to make DF4 useful, I needed to guinea pigs; other members of the Education E: communications@feltmakers.com
identify the new elements being introduced Team also had their say. And, of course, by
into the toolbox: putting the course away for a while and then Louise Curnin: Discovering Feltmaking
• What can I make with 3D felt? viewing it with fresh eyes, I too saw where Coordinator and member of Education Team
• What is a resist? improvements could be made. E: dfcoordinator@feltmakers.com
to be able to benefit from the teachings students). Together, they started designing
• How is working with a resist different
of exceptional feltmakers and tutors from Discovering Feltmaking, a series of online, Suffice to say, there were several drafts of
to working in two dimensions?
around the world, in live workshops and mentored courses in the basic techniques DF4…not quite double figures, but not far off! IMAGES
• What fibres can I use? How about
online tutorials, or through books and videos. needed to help students work through the Page 6) Felt in 3D
decorations?
To make the most of these opportunities, modules in our CiFT (Certificate in Feltmaking At this stage, DF4 has now been to Caed 1) Create a resist
• When is a good time to remove a resist?
we need the right tools. Those tools are in Techniques) syllabus. Parker’s studio. The photographs have been 2) Lay out fibres
• What about cutting and shaping? Is
the language of feltmaking…the equipment, taken, the videos made, the instructions 3) Layers on a resist
there a good way to remember what
materials and techniques … and in the making Next to join the team was Caed Parker. As scripted. Next, they will be road-tested with 4) Note layout stages
stage I’m at in the process?
of samples, experimenting and recording the designer of our quarterly journal, Felt experienced feltmakers, and with complete 5) Decorate
of results. Matters, Caed was already familiar with the beginners too. No doubt, further tweaks 6) Record your rolls
To answer these questions, I had to make
inner workings of the IFA. He is responsible will be made. 7) Start to shrink
my own samples and record the answers.
“The Discovering for the look of all the Discovering Feltmaking
From these came the instructions. These 8) Check the shrinkage
courses, and helps us as we continue to make
Feltmaking courses are improvements to them.
needed to be written in a way that would Nonetheless, it is with great excitement that 9) Mark for cutting
make sense to anyone coming to them for we look forward to the launch of Discovering 10) Stabilise with stitching
designed to give you the Feltmaking 4 | 3D Felt in April 2023. It has
the first time. My experience as a coursebook
tools…and behind the In May 2020, we launched DF1 | The Basics
writer and proof reader came in useful here. been a long time in the making. Photo Credits: Heather Potten
on Ruzuku, a trusted platform for online
scenes of their creation craft courses, with an excellent reputation
is a small but perfectly- for supporting students and tutors alike. EDUCATION TEAM NEWS
formed team”. Sure enough, we had great feedback from You will find details for the Discovering Feltmaking courses on the website:
our first set of students, both novices and
W: www.feltmakers.com/discovering-feltmaking-course
In the beginning, there was the above- experienced feltmakers. Our novices were
mentioned Sheila Smith, our recently-retired grateful for a course that gave them a deep We currently offer the courses three times a year. Enrol now for May/June access.
IFA President, former chair, internationally- and structured knowledge of the basic You will find our fibre packs in the online shop: www.feltmakers.com/shop
renowned tutor and the person with the principles, while seasoned feltmakers found We have launched a new Instagram page to support our Discovering Feltmaking online courses, and will be bringing you the
original idea. A true force of nature with a themselves exploring felt in a way that gave latest news and developments from the courses, sharing students’ work and progress, and celebrating their successes.
passion for feltmaking and feltmakers, Sheila them a greater understanding of the process.
Find us on Instagram @discovering_felt
has spent much of her life making, teaching The positive feedback spurred us on to add
Do you have any questions about Discovering Feltmaking, or any experiences, top tips or advice to share to our Education page
and writing about felt. further courses, DF2 | Exploring Colour in
in Felt Matters?
2021 and DF3 | Texture and Edges in 2022.
In 2019, she got together with fellow E: dfcoordinator@feltmakers.com
feltmaker, Louise Curnin (one of her former I had applied to join the Education Team in We look forward to hearing from you.
FeltMatters - www.feltmakers.com 7
 MEMBERS’ NEWS

2 3 4

1 5 6 7 8

WEST HUNGARY
felted bag workshop with world-renowned
felt artist, instructor and author, Judit Tóth-
Pócs. It was intense, but so rewarding. We
were greeted by vivacious felt artist, Kinga
In Győr, Vanda Robert, who mastered the Flóra has been leading international Felt
nomad technique of using exact stitches to Tours to Hungary since 2016. The felting
achieve relief-like surfaces on felted items, workshops - taught by internationally-
spent two days patiently coaching us to recognized, innovative artists - are balanced

FELT TOUR - 2022 REPORT
BY IFA MEMBER ANNE PRICE
JOINING FLÓRA CARLILE-KOVÁCS,
A NATIVE HUNGARIAN WHO IS PROUD OF HER HERITAGE, ON A TOUR OF WESTERN HUNGARY IS NONPAREIL IN TRAVEL!
Upon my arrival into
Budapest, Flóra guided
me to the driver who
whisked me away to
my hotel. I had time to
enjoy shopping in The
Great Market Hall and take a boat ride on
the Danube at sunset. In the morning, our
international group of felters boarded the
coach for what was the beginning of a great
adventure!
First stop - the quaint village of Zebegény,
for a studio visit with a vibrant tapestry artist,
Rózsa Raab. Rózsa’s tapestry is crafted into
jewelry, purses and bags that are stunning.
After a thrilling barge ride maneuvered by
a tug boat, we crossed the Duna River to
Dunaalmás, and were hosted in the hillside
home and studio of Judit Venczelné Danyi,
an extremely talented felt artist, and her
spouse, Ferenc Venczel. Ferenc turns both
native and exotic wood to create the most
beautiful and functional felting tools I have
ever seen or used.
Next, we traveled to Csopak, with a visit
to the village home of István Kardos for a
grand showing and fascinating history of his
extensive Oriental rug collection. Awesome!
And then we were off to Káptalantóti. In no
time, we were pulling into a field at the
bustling Liliomkert Farmers’ and Antique
Market. A flea marketer’s dream!
Then, off to the old resort town of Héviz, on
the shore of Europe’s largest thermal lake.
There was time to relax in the soothing hot
waters and rest my weary feet. At the day’s
end, we entered the gates of the Creative
House. Originally a manor house in the
Middle Ages and rebuilt in 1867 by the
Bezeredj family, their mansion was open to
many artists. Today, it survives as an artist’s
residence owned by Vas County, and would
be our home for the next four days.
Here, we immersed ourselves in a two-day
Huszti, and then introduced to a fun and
enlightening double-walled and sculpted
hat workshop. We delighted in wearing our
hats for the rest of the Tour!
After days of exploring, visiting and gleaning
knowledge from world-renowned felters,
I could not imagine the treat Flóra had
waiting for us. In Kőszeg, we visited a
126-year-old felt making factory. And not
just visit - we were provided with 1m length
of wool batts to add surface design to a
felted piece. We followed our pieces as
they moved through the processing on the
original machinery. What a treasure to be
handed our own creation at the end! Flóra’s
ingenuity in teaming up with Ilona Fodor,
the owner of the Multifelt Factory, was
truly an unexpected treat.
On our way to Győr, we stopped in Pápa to
learn the history of the indigo print trade at
the Hungarian Indigo-Print Museum, hosted
in its original, 206-year-old building.
achieve fascinating designs.
On our way back to Budapest, we made
a brief stop at the studio of Anikó Boros,
who makes the most exquisite fine felt
jewelry. As our Tour came to an end in
Budapest, Flóra had arranged for us to
meet with several Hungarian artists and
view their works of art at a private trunk
show – shopping optional.
This last day included exploring small streets
and galleries in the Millennium District, a
thermal bath and a farewell dinner in a local
restaurant.
Safe travels to new felting friends!
Flóra’s 2023 East Hungary Felt Tour is on
the horizon. COUNT ME IN!!
with cultural immersion, craft shows,
thermal baths, local food, seasonally-
available programs and a very personal
experience of the country. Flóra is rotating
three itineraries; you can hone your felting
skills and meet different faces of the country
by joining her on the East, South or West
Hungary Felt Tours.
More info: www.felttours.com
IMAGES
1) Hats made in Kinga Huszti’s workshop
2) Too many choices - wooden felting
tools by Ferenc Venczel
3) Judit Pócs teaching a bag workshop
4) Vanda Robert: samples
5) Visiting Anikó Boros’s studio
6) Flóra: photo by Ann Gerold Stibal
7) Home away from home - the Creative
House: photo by Anne Price
8) Surface design in the Felt Factory:
photo by Anne Price

8 FeltMatters - www.feltmakers.com FeltMatters - www.feltmakers.com 9

MEMBERS’ NEWS
1 3
7 9
IFA FELT SWAP 2022
HENNY VAN TUSSENBROEK - ACTING INTERNATIONAL OFFICER
In 2022, the 3rd IFA Felt Swap was organised.
More than 100 IFA members from all over
the world wanted to participate, which was
a great result. The theme for the 2022 swap
was Structure, and participants were free
to interpret it any way they liked.
The felt makers contributing work were
asked to make a piece of felt with a
minimum size of A5 (5.8 x 8.3 inches or
14.8 x 21 centimetres), although a bigger
piece of felt was fine too. Some like to
make a small piece of felt, while others
prefer to work bigger, and the felt needed
to relate to the theme. This year, one of
the participants even made a wearable. I
received emails from needle felters, asking
if it was permitted to make a piece using
the technique of needle felting. It made me
realise that it is important to mention this
explicitly next time - all felting techniques
2
5 6
8
are fine, of course they are! THE CONCEPT IS SIMPLE 11
10 12
Make a piece of felt, according to the theme.
During the last months of 2022, I had many Send it to your swap partner and you will
messages related to the swap that put a receive a piece of felt from the person you
smile on my face. Sometimes, people told me swap with.
how nice the contact with their swap partner
was and, most of the time, the messages I hope you enjoy seeing some of the results.
included a picture of the swap piece.
CONTACT DETAILS:
There were also a few emails about the E: international@feltmakers.com
swap not quite working out because swap
partners were not able to connect. In these IMAGES
situations, I do my best to find out what 1) Tiny de Graaf. 2) Eunsun An. 3) Marylin
went wrong, and usually the swap still Samuels - Structure of Matter. 4) Shelley
happens. Life can get in the way of felting, Jones - Wall TPot. 5) Emma Jackson. 6)
and it is important to communicate when Chantal Cardinal. 7) Beverley Neeves- Grey
it does. Hares. 8) Constanze Krög. 9) Janine Rees.
10) Chris Liszak - Inukshuk. 11) Jane Fox -
I hope to organise an IFA felt swap again Castles In The Sky. 12) Pippa Woodhams.
in 2023; look out for the notification in the 13) Margot van Leeuwen. 14) Linnea Keatts 15
June issue of Felt Matters. - Tea Cosy. 15) Heather Potten 13
14
FeltMatters - www.feltmakers.com 11
 CONVERSATION

A CONVERSATION
BETWEEN
BRIGITTE EERTINK &
HENNY VAN TUSSENBROEK
BRIGITTE IS A DUTCH FELT ARTIST WITH
HER OWN FLOWER POWER STYLE.
1 2 3

QA
EDITED BY ALLY MATTHEWS
How did Brigitte become
interested in felt?
Brigitte remembers
very well someone
coming to the puppet
theatre where she
was a volunteer in the cafe, and they ran
a workshop making dolls out of felt. This
was around fifteen years ago.

The teacher arrived with two big bags. She

tipped the contents over the floor and
suddenly there was a large pile of wool in
the most beautiful of colours. Brigitte found
this so cool! And then she learned about the
magical process of making felt - a process
she finds magical to this day. Et voilà, an
addiction was born!
After that event, Brigitte started collecting
books, followed workshops and tried to
increase her knowledge of feltmaking. This
is how it all started for her.
CHARACTERISTICS OF BRIGITTE’S FELT
The most striking characteristics of her work
are her use of colour, and the combination
of different techniques. You often see pink,
turquoise, green and yellow in her work;
those are colours that make her happy, make
her feel good and inspire her. Although she
likes the work of other feltmakers who use
totally different colours, Brigitte will never
make anything in natural colours herself
as they are shades that somehow do not
inspire her.
In her work, she finds it most fun to
work constructively and to use different
4 5 6
materials and techniques. Besides using mess around and let something emerge TEACHING their own unique view of things and everyone to continue doing this. She has, however,
several different felting techniques, she from there! Brigitte started teaching small groups of four sees different possibilities, which makes it learned to make more conscious choices,
also really loves all the other handicrafts people at the kitchen table in her home. As so fascinating. and ensures that she keeps a good balance
such as spinning, weaving, knitting, crochet INSPIRATION the space per person was not big, she had to between work and rest - which is sometimes
and embroidery. Brigitte enjoys combining Asked where she finds her inspiration, the work with small patches. That’s how a shawl very difficult because everything is so much
In the first frustrating bout of Covid, Brigitte
and incorporating several techniques in one answer is that she finds it everywhere. came into being, made of pieces each made just wanted to carry on, but this was not fun!
project. To her, this is a wonderful thing toPhotos, art, colour combinations that with a different technique that were later possible. There followed a period of rest
do, and makes the whole creation process she notices, Pinterest, texts, fashion sewn together to form a big shawl. She still with time to stop and think about what
different every time. designers, old crafts from various countries, has a preference for small work, and tries to she wanted for herself in the future. This CONTACT DETAILS
fabrics, artists’ work and students’ work. stay away from making big pieces, but that certainly contributed to the fact that she Brigitte Eertink can be found on
When Brigitte starts on something new, Unconsciously, she is always looking for does not always work. now makes more conscious choices about Instagram as @rozevilterije and on
sometimes she has planned where the inspiration, and her mind can suddenly what she wants and does not want to do. Facebook as ‘Atelier Rozevilterije’.
project will go, while at other times, she start spinning when something catches her What Brigitte likes most about teaching is In addition, this period of reflection has led
just starts creating without any idea of the eye. There are also times when this does that she can inspire others. It is fantastic to more creativity, because she continues to PHOTO CREDIT
outcome. Often, the whole idea changes not happen at all, and she does not really to see how she offers her knowledge, and offer her knowledge to her students, one way Brigitte Eertink
while she is working on it, perhaps because have any inspiration. In the beginning, she this ignites a fire in another person. Brigitte or another. She resolved to come up with a
it turned out differently than she had found this difficult because she then had loves to see someone become enthusiastic, new technique every week, and make a video IMAGES
originally thought or because, during the the feeling of standing still and thought, and then use that idea/technique to get into recording of it. The recording was shared with Page 12) Skirt made out of several
process, she decided to take a diversion ‘This is it; I’m not going to make anything a creative flow. Being able to pass on that her students every Sunday, and this also kept smaller pieces
that turned out to be much more fun. She better/beautiful any more’. Now, she just feeling of enthusiasm and creative urge is her creative during that period. 1) Cardigan, several techniques combined
likes to have a plan and work towards the lets it be and tries to accept there is just not the greatest gift of teaching! 2) Detail of a larger work
result in a focused way, but stays open- much inspiration at that time. Brigitte now FUTURE 3) Different techniques combined
minded and receptive to new possibilities knows there always comes a moment when To Brigitte, teaching is definitely an interaction Partly because of Covid, Brigitte realised 4) Embroidery
that she automatically encounters during that spark returns, and she is suddenly full and not a one-way process, as she learns that creating and teaching is still something 5) Flower power bag
her creative process. She also loves to just of new ideas. from her students too. Every student has that makes her very happy, and she wants 6) Small Bag

12
12 FeltMatters
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 BOOK REVIEW
LANDSCAPES
IN WOOL:
THE ART OF NEEDLE FELTING
As craft books go, this one is top of the
line. Fiber artist, Jaana Mattson, draws on
her formal training in art—she has a MFA
from the University of Washington—as
the foundation for Landscapes in Wool.
Aligning her style with the Impressionists,
she talks about using color and composition
in a painterly way to create needle felted
landscapes.
Mattson aims to give felters a thorough
grounding in two-dimensional needle felting.
Those new to it can practice their skill-building
and continue on to develop their own creative
style. Experienced felters will appreciate
Mattson’s sensitivity to natural landscapes
and how she encourages possibilities for
painting with wool. The various examples of
her own serene and balanced compositions
provide models for felters at both levels.
In her introduction, Mattson discusses the
elements of landscape composition and color,
which she elaborates on in each of the five
projects that make up most of the book.
She carefully describes how felting needles
are used and the materials she works with,
including her preferred foam work surface
and the wools she recommends. Of special
note for beginners, Mattson provides a color
14 FeltMatters - www.feltmakers.com
REVIEWED BY CAROL COHEN
palette of wool “swatches” for each project
and goes on in each lesson to explain how to
blend and lay out these colors for different
effects, such as shadow, light, dimension and
depth in natural environments.
Mattson takes an artist’s approach to
creating landscape pictures. She starts her
tutorials with a detailed walk-through of a
relatively simple plein air composition of
field, trees and sky, including directions on
sizing, blocking and framing finished pieces.
She then builds on the basics of creating a
composition with four increasingly complex
projects that add nuanced techniques for
color combinations and blending, and more
intricate layouts to capture different
landscapes.
For example, the “Thunderhead” project
addresses color layering for land contours
and dramatic clouds; “Moonshadow” shows
how to use fiber to create light and shadow
in a night scene; “Birch Lake” and “Lone Oak”
focus on textured landscape features such
as water, ground vegetation, tree foliage
and flowers, and concepts such as line, focal
points and negative space. Plenty of step-
by-step photos guide felters through each
of the projects.
FEATURE
Following the tutorial chapters, Mattson
offers an inspirational gallery of her own
felted landscapes. She writes, “I aspire
to capture nature as vast, intimate and
transcendent.” Her artwork is marked by the
complementary way she frames her pieces
using remnants of barnwood, reclaimed
timber, and irregular and live-edge cuts of JULIA VALOVA
TRANSFORMING
cherry, walnut and maple woods. She also
frames her felt in objects made of wood: old
shuttles, wool winders and antique boxes
accentuate the felt as fiber against the
POWER OF FLOWERS
surface of the woods.
Mattson is generous in sharing her expertise,
and adept at explaining the techniques she
uses. Additionally, glossy paper, big high- AFTER EXPERIMENTING WITH WOOL AND FIBRES FOR A WHILE, I FOUND THE BEST RECIPE FOR MY CREATIVITY IS TO MAKE
saturation color photos and an airy layout THE FLOWERS I LOVE, FROM THE PLACE I LOVE, WHILE BEING IN THE COMPANY OF THE PEOPLE I LOVE.
make this a beautiful and satisfying how-to.
TRANSLATED BY NADIA REIN Sometimes, there are days when I have large I am very close to nature. I love to hug trees
Let me introduce myself. orders, and both of my sons and my husband and touch pebbles; to talk to the plants;
Title: Landscapes in Wool:
I am Julia. I was born help me to wet felt supplies - balls, sticks, to admire every piece of grass or a flower;
The Art of Needle Felting
in the beautiful city of etc - which I use later in my work. Who else to watch the water and the sunrise and
Author: Jaana Mattson
Kyiv, Ukraine. This city is helping? My beloved bundle of fluff – my sunsets; and then there is the forest with its
Publisher: Schiffer Publishing, 2021
raised, nurtured and cat, Bosia, is always lying near me, and loves mushroom scents – it is simply a fairy tale.
ISBN 978-0-7643-6126-5
inspired many talented to participate in the recording of my master
$29.99
people. It is beautiful in every season and in classes. He always gets in the shot! It is such All I love inspires me, fills me with energy
all weather. I love it very much. I am forty- a joy to be able to do what you love and, at and helps me to create my favourite flowers.
Available from Schiffer Publishing and
two years old and have a beautiful family, the same time, enjoy the company of your
elsewhere online.
filled with love and happiness for everyone. beloved family.
FeltMatters - www.feltmakers.com 15
 FEATURE

2 3 4

1 5 6

7 8 9 10

Flowers are exquisite and gentle - they Wool is simply a unique material. It not only with 18 to 21 micron wool in a technique the information about the materials and wool: white, green and yellow. Now I use F: www.facebook.com/profile.
always follow the light as if showing us the allows us to realise our ideas, but it also has that combines dry and wet felting. In many tools I use to produce my flowers. sizes 5 to 9 needles and a mat brush, which php?id=1444843149
right way. Light makes us kinder and more a great effect on our body. To work with it is of my works, the largest part is done with is convenient and practical. I: www.instagram.com/juli_world79/
beautiful. People in general, just by looking a pure delight. needle felting techniques. I work on a brush Creating flowers is not only an interesting YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/
at flowers, experience joy, a good mood and using needles, and then complete the felting process, it is very practical. You do not I photograph my work without the use of a UC7rBZ7nAVQXz_64IPUIhhgQ
the sensation of being connected process by hand using wet felting need a large space. When I felt, I sit down light box, using a window in my flat which
with beauty. There is a wonderful (water, soap and friction), which comfortably on the sofa and felt, combining is a natural light source. I love how the light IMAGES
quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson:
Wool gives warmth to my creations allows me to create a good, thick the making technique with watching TV or coming through the window illuminates the Page 15) Thistle
‘The earth laughs in flowers’, and and, thanks to the wool, my creations felt. Once it is formed, I iron the felt listening to music or audio books, basically petals on my flowers. 1) Sunflower
that is why I create flowers. are alive. As fluff covers every petal, and soak it in a special glue. merging practical work with pleasure. You can 2) Peony
put your work aside at any time and come I hope the images of my flowers will inspire 3) Dog-rose
I want to put a smile on people’s
it starts to breathe. I use a wire structure in many of back later, and nothing would have happened and encourage you to explore wool and create 4) Marigold
faces, and make them feel better. my works, for example in poppy to it. Even when I go on holiday, I take some your first flower, named ‘The Smile of the Earth’. 5) Iris
This is what I write to those who are buying For twelve years, I have experimented with and sleep grass, but for flowers like peony wool with me to make something on the way. 6) Cosmos
my creations: ’Let this brooch transform its wool and watched how it behaves using or sunflower, I use a different method, With love 7) Dandelion
warmth and make you feel great’. different felting techniques. I combined it soaking them in glue and shaping them To create flowers, you need just a little bit Yours 8) Cornflower
with different fibres, such as viscose, flax, using different instruments such as knives of wool - it is not necessary to buy loads. Julia Valova 9) Sleep Grass
Wool gives warmth to my creations and, hemp, silk, cotton, banana and more, plus and flower buns. I also use wire when When I made my first flower, a chamomile, 10) Snowdrop
thanks to the wool, my creations are alive. different materials such as glue and dyes. creating stems and branches. In my pre- I bought three needles (thick, medium and CONTACT DETAILS
As fluff covers every petal, it starts to breathe. My choice fell on merino wool. Mostly, I work recorded master classes, one can find all thin), a sponge and 25g of three colours of E: juliworld79@gmail.com Photographed by Julia Valova

16 FeltMatters - www.feltmakers.com FeltMatters - www.feltmakers.com 17

 MEMBERS’ NEWS
ANNA GRAN Being creative is humanity’s gift, through
which we can transform matter. Through
FROM THE
creation, we can also give something back to
the world, to history and to life. The felting
technique is the work of the hand that feels,
shapes and forms, to bring out the dream-
WHITE WOOL
like desires that lie unfulfilled in the material
itself. Wool, like all other natural things, is
set in the cycle that eternally circulates,
regenerates, grows up and dies indeed, to
become soil again - soil from which new life
EXHIBITION OF FELT WORKS BY ANNA GRAN AT THE NORWEGIAN KNITTING HISTORY
grows. To make felt means a commitment to
MUSEUM, SALHUS, NORWAY, DURING NORWEGIAN WOOL WEEK, OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2022
be attuned to the laws of Nature. Humanity
TRANSLATION ASSISTANCE BY CHRIS LINES has the opportunity to be free, standing
From the White Wool - In olden days there was an expression: “Of the right white wool.” between heaven and earth and, with our
Maybe the saying means that white wool gives the brightest colours, shines more, is the most creativity, we can redeem a piece of nature as
translucent, or maybe it handles better? When I limit myself to felt only with white wool from we transform it, raising it to levels it cannot
Nordic sheep breeds, I challenge the visual expression of wool’s uniqueness. reach on its own. When I open up a little
and let the power of my own self enter the
material, that meeting of hand and mind
becomes a part of the process that leads to
18 FeltMatters - www.feltmakers.com
1 2
Culture. I want to handle the resources I have
around me as responsibly as I can. Growing
up on a small farm in the middle of Sweden
with sheep and farming and the cleanest of
lakes has shaped my relationship with nature,
and also with the many lonely moments when
I had no stimulation other than whatever
I could do with my hands. Working as an
Illustrator has been a way to acquire some
income but, above all, it has given me a tool
for careful observation, an appreciation of
beauty, and a way to practice the feeling for
composition and form.
When I started felting with wool about ten
years ago, I immediately realised that I wanted
to immerse myself in a deep exploration of
the medium. Since then, felting has been
my main occupation. This has been possible
in two areas. The first is through my work
at a day-centre for people with functional
differences, where we prepared wool from
nearby farms and from my own sheep, in
all its stages from stable floors to simple
utility items. The second is by continuing
to explore wool and felt in my studio at a
more and more advanced level; at the same
time as the situation on the wool front is
starting to brighten, large, official, decorative
commissions have challenged me to push my
technique and knowledge one step further.
In the exhibition, “From the White Wool”, at
the Norwegian Knitting History Museum,
Salhus, during the Wool Week held in Bergen,
Norway (October-November 2022), I worked
with the theme of “The Elements”. There, I
also held a workshop in felting flowers, details
of which can be found in the description at
the end of this article. These are the elements
that surround us and which we tune into
when we enter a creative stream that pulls
FeltMatters - www.feltmakers.com 19
 MEMBERS’ NEWS
3 4
us along, and flows with the creative forces.
“In a Stream” (Image 3) is the name of the
large work where a person is dozing in the
waves with a mysterious smile on her face.
What does she see behind her closed eyelids?
The sheep which roam the pasture are covered
by a protective coat of wool that grows from
the outer layer of the skin, and out into the
natural elements of wind, rain, sun and earth.
Since time immemorial, the elements have
been co-creators in all wool and its unique
properties. “Solar Action”(Image 5) illustrates
to me the reflection of the sun that acts on
us because we can never see directly into
the sun.
Roses (Page 18) are small items with a floral
theme, to mould and work with your hands
(as a change from knitting) while sitting in
a corner of the sofa. The size is perfect to
take with you everywhere and just squeeze
out under the water tap, working on it when
the opportunity arises. They all turn out
differently, but are laid out according to the
20 FeltMatters - www.feltmakers.com
FEATURE
ROSES, MUSES &
NUNO-SCULPTURES
ALLA MALAKHOVA
I AM CURIOUS AND HARD WORKING,
A FRIEND OF MUSES, DRINK TEA
WITH FAIRIES ON WEDNESDAYS,
5 AND CONSTANTLY LEARN
FROM MAGICIANS…
INTERPRETED BY NADIA REIN
Hello to you all, dear
readers and colleagues!
I am Alla and I am a
felt maker … from a
memorable November
2013, when I saw felt
for the first time. I was born into a family
of creative people and professionals in
their crafts. My great-grandmother was a
6 renowned tailor in Samara; my grandmother
was a skilful embroiderer; my father is a
wood-carving master and my mother is
same five-pointed star template. No organic cake. Fold down the first petals. Take out the
exceptional in quilting. There was no chance
form repeats itself exactly, and the diversity star template. Cut the wool over the inner
for me to stay away from creativity.
of possible forms using the five-pointed star three round templates in different ways and
principle means that the work never becomes remove them. Take time with the modelling,
Since childhood, I sewed, embroidered and
boring. Using my fingertips in a sensitive, using your fingertips, until the entire flower
knitted a lot, and even won the Grand Prix
rhythmical way calms my breathing, and my is finally formed, firm, durable and finished.
of the international knitting competition in
curiosity about the transformability flowing Good luck!
Moscow in 1993, organised by the Burda
through my hands is endless.
Verena magazine, where I presented a
handmade knitted jacket.
MAKING THE WHITE ROSES CONTACT DETAILS
For these, I use the finest wool that can be W: www.annagran.se
In November 2013, I went to a craft fair with
procured in Sweden; Finewool (Finull) lamb. Instagram: annakatarinagran
the clear goal of buying mouline thread for
They may be created by making a five-pointed
embroidery. And there, I saw IT! The Dress! I
star template, and three circles in descending IMAGES
could not understand how it was made: there
size that fit inside the body of the star. Cover Page 18) Roses
were no seams, and it featured transitions of
each of them with layers of wool. Stack them 1) Cirrus Clouds (in process)
colours and poppies on the chest. It wasn’t
on top of each other and fold over the points 2) Cirrus Clouds in Salhus
sewn, painted or embroidered …”How?” The
of the outer star. Make sure that there is 3) In a Stream
seller gave a short answer to my question
a certain space between the tips as this is 4) White Finewool
- “Felting!”
needed to become the flower base. Cover the 5) Solar Action
whole package again with wool and form into 6) Sky
a small rose-shaped ‘cake’. Felt gently until
the wool fibres bond together, and then cut PHOTO CREDIT
a nick in each star tip. Continue cutting until 2) - Chris Lines
the openings meet on the other side of the All others - Anna Gran
FeltMatters - www.feltmakers.com 21
 FEATURE
I ran home, as I had to find out what felting
was. I should not even mention that I
completely forgot about the mouline, and
about anything else for the whole week. I was
browsing the Internet, studying everything I
could find on the topic of felting, and gasping
about what I saw.
During that week, I bought my first 100g of
wool and silk chiffon offcuts of 10cm each,
and made my first purse on a frame lock,
followed by another purse and another, as
the bags grew in size and variety. Within a
year, I had felted my first drawstring wrap
skirt. Until now, this is my favourite style,
and one of my signature pieces.
Creating clothes using the nuno felting
technique became my preferred direction in
felting. I think about the presentation of the
project whilst making it. What will the photo
session look like? I am a very lucky person
22 FeltMatters - www.feltmakers.com
1 2 3 4 6
as my husband, Andrey, is a photographer! “Haiku about Tender Rose” - came to life. magic devoré fabrics with fancy patterns; I wish you inspiration and all the best! I’ll go
That is why photography is an integral part “Rose is fragile. Then colour knocked on the door; not a fine lace and cotton cambric. They all behave now to make tea as today is Wednesday and
of our joint work, and a favourite final point bright one but muted, as if a bit washed-out in different ways in felting, and help to the fairies will start to arrive soon!
of each project.
You are beautiful as love, by time. It turned into the idea of a jacket, produce an incredible variety of textures.
Flower of goddesses.” “Ghost of a Rose”: a mysterious orchard,
When I first started felting, I was learning Haiku hidden from strangers’ eyes; vintage roses, There is not one single stitch in the creation
from master classes by experienced felt that had seen several generations of owners, of the flowers. I traditionally use soap and
makers. I was impressed how they could With my first bags, I tried to create roses and carefully-nurtured traditions. warm water, and always a sanding machine
know what they do so deeply, feel so from silk chiffon ribbons. They were funny at the beginning. A sewing machine is used CONTACT DETAILS
many nuances and have the answers - a bit clumsy, but so dear to my heart. Then The dress, “The Gardener and her Roses”, to attach sleeves if the design dictates it. E: malakhovaalla@gmail.com
to every question. After several years, I there were rose brooches with textured was born in a very difficult period of time Instagram @art.felting
suddenly realised that I myself know the petals, and fields of scarlet roses on the during the pandemic, and strict lockdown. I love felt with all my heart, and completely F: alla.malakhova.felt
topic deeply and experience thousands dresses. When the situation began to improve and understand that it is a serious and solid fellow,
of nuances, and that I can teach. I now we breathed in a little bit … roses began requiring time, patience, thoroughness, PHOTO CREDITS
share my knowledge, and participate in A white dress was shown to me in my dream: to bloom in my work/ studio! They almost sometimes courage and sometimes caution, Photographer - Andrey Malakhov
educational online projects, festivals and a silhouette as if a sculpture cut from marble, flooded in, breaking in from the outside always intellect and movement forward!
meetings, and film master classes and with roses as bas-relief - no colour, only through the concrete and all barriers on IMAGES
deliver workshops in person. textures. When I woke up and opened my their way. The roses are a symbol of a new I do not stop in my quest for greater Page 21, 1, 2) The Gardener and her Roses
eyes, the muse was sitting with a bunch of life, an ode to the health of the planet! knowledge of felt. I experiment, researching 3) Haiku about Tender Rose
The Flower theme or, more precisely, the white fabrics in milk hues and impatiently it as art and hoping for new discoveries. My 4) Ghost of a Rose
theme of Roses, is my favourite in felting! waiting for me. That is how the first roses I create my flowers from various fabrics: door is always open for the muses, and there 5) Flowers in the City
in nuno-sculpture technique - and a dress, delicate chiffons; tough, obstinate organza; is a message on the door: “Welcome!” 6) Callas – Wall Panel
FeltMatters - www.feltmakers.com 23
 FEATURE
FELT BURSTS INTO
BLOOM
MARI JALAVA
WHEN REAL FLOWERS DECAY, THE
FLOWERS FELTED BY MARI JALAVA
CAN BE DETACHED FROM THE
BOUQUET AND REUSED
AS JEWELLERY.
TEXT BY MARI KUUSISTO
It was a friend of Mari’s who had the
inspirational thought that, if two creative
friends of hers met, they might end up doing
something amazing together. Hence the
meeting of designer Mari Jalava and florist
Pia Hokkanen.
Her intuition proved to be right. Pia
Hokkanen entered a competition for the
most beautiful bridal bouquet of Finland in
the winter of 2021. (Image 1) Mari created
the felted flowers that were combined with
Pia’s fresh flowers and leaves in the bouquet.
This was the beginning of their collaboration.
After this first joint project, they arranged
the ‘Felt Bursts into Bloom’ show in April
2022. (Image 2) At first, they planned
the event at Mari’s studio and shop in
Kangasniemi in south-east Finland, but soon
realised that they needed a larger venue.
This appeared to be a wise decision, as the
size of the audience they attracted to the
Kangasniemi town hall surprised them all.
24
24 FeltMatters
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www.feltmakers.com
The story of Mari Jalava Design and her making all these items, so she decided to
modern felted jewellery flowers dates back concentrate on flowers, and perfect her
to 2010, when she attended a weekend technique.
course in felting. Here, she learnt how to
felt a variety of three-dimensional works, Through those experiments with various
as well as flowers. From her studies in types of wool - including the local Finnsheep
industrial clothing in the 1990s, she wool which she regards as too rough and
had become especially fond of three- too hard to process for her purposes - Mari
dimensional surfaces and rounded shapes. now uses mulesing-free merino wool.
For the first time, Mari became acquainted
with colourful pre-felts and the combination As a result of years of experimentation
of wool and silk. She was sold on it! She had and determined developmental work, Mari
found the magical material and technology has devised her very own handprint with
to express her creative ideas and create her self-developed felting technique, and
stunning jewellery. prefers creating unique jewellery instead
of making collections. She describes herself
Since then, Mari has felted countless as an inventor who gains pleasure from
styles of jewellery, and experimented with exploring new techniques and combining
numerous different grades of wool: she different materials such as fabric, buttons
has tried, succeeded and failed - and tried and pearls. Laughingly, she says that, as a
once more. At first, she felted all kinds of young student, she was afraid that someday
different items, including hats, mittens, she would be unable to create anything new.
necklaces and bracelets. She soon realised Working with felt, she definitely does not
that it would be too demanding to master have to worry about that any more!
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8
Mari’s unique jewellery has been discovered. or in silence - they give her power. She says, of Natural History. We might expect echoes
The Finnish version of the “Night of the “Darkness simplifies one’s vision and one can of this exhibition in the future works of Mari
Oscars” is the tradition of the Presidential concentrate on only the contours”. Jalava.
Independence Day Reception. On at least
three occasions, Mari’s custom-made felted Forests are full of beautiful surfaces, such
jewellery flowers have decorated the dresses as the bark of trees, mosses and lichens on CONTACT DETAILS
of celebrities at the Presidential Palace, the rocks which all help to form ideas for her W: jalavilla.com/en/
most recent being on 6th December, 2022. experiments with different shapes, surfaces IG: @marijalavadesign @jalavilla
and colours. Mari tells how she once took a F: @marijalavadesign @jalavilla.fi
Mari enjoys studying and learning not natural white piece of jewellery outdoors
only felting and sewing, but also business to photograph it on a moss-covered stump. IMAGES
development and internationalisation, Suddenly, she noticed that, just beside the Page 24) Portrait of Mari Jalava -
designing and marketing products for stump, grew light grey dog lichen, which Credit: Sari Muhonen
world-wide trade. She teaches workshops looked very similar to the piece of jewellery 1) Bridal bouquet for the most beautiful
and courses in Finland, and has also held a which she had just photographed. Funnily bridal bouquet competition in Finland
course in the Vrouwolle studio in Belgium. enough, the Finnish name for this particular 2021 – Credit: Irina Senkina
Mari finds teaching rewarding, and says with lichen translates as “felt leather lichen”! 2) Felt bursts into bloom and fresh
a smile that she would like to offer more flowers – Credit: Irina Senkina
courses abroad. She finds it meaningful to In childhood, one of her dearest treasures 3) Hair and costume jewellery made of
be able to share her skills and techniques. was a book of animals her godparents gave felted flowers – Credit: Pihla Liukkonen
The way her students apply her techniques her. She was enchanted by the world of 4) Hair and costume jewellery made of
also provides Mari with inspiration and new marine life, with all its colours and shapes, felted flowers - Credit: Pihla Liukkonen
ideas that she may develop further. and still has several books of animals, plants, 5) Bridal bouquet, hair and costume
flowers and nature. Browsing through these jewellery made of felted flowers -
Northern nature in Finland is a source of books makes her feel happy and inspired. Credit: Pihla Liukkonen
endless inspiration. The forest is, for her, a 6) Costume jewellery made of felted
place for rest. “A calming lap to climb onto”, In spring 2022, she was impressed by an flowers – Credit: Pihla Liukkonen
as she describes it. As a child, she was often exhibition entitled, ‘Microsculpture’, held 7) Bracelet for bridesmaid or birthday
in the forest with her father. The scent of a at the Kuopio City Art Museum. It featured party – Credit: Irina Senkina
recently-logged tree makes her smile. She insect portraits by Levon Biss, from the 8) Ideas flooding and flowering -
never feels fear in forests, either in darkness collections of the Oxford University Museum Credit: Nelli Valjakka
FeltMatters - www.feltmakers.com 25
 MEMBERS’ MONTAGE

3 4

6
5

1 2

10 11 12

8 FLOWER
7
POWER
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia – “Flower
power was a slogan used during the late 1960s
and early 1970s as a symbol of passive resistance
and nonviolence.”

IMAGES: 1) Anne Cochrane. 2) Atelier Nicomy-Yellow.

15 17 18 3) Brenda Christison - Imagine a meadow (Thelma
Russell workshop). 4) Carol Dash - Red Flower. 5)
Debbie Kahn - Arizona Poppy Collar. 6) Juliana Knight
- Incy Wincy explores. 7) Heather Brimblecombe -
Flannel Flowers. 8) Jennifer Tsuchida - Emergence. 9)
Carol Dash- Yellow Flower. 10) Carol Shaw - Helen’s
Garden. 11) Ruth Fielder - Lily & Lilypad. 12) Susanne
Hantzsch - Flower Circus. 13) Denise Lithgow - Red
Flowers. 14) Maggie Pratt. 15) Johanna Rösti - Peace
Flower 2022. 16) Marianne Gross- Rest - Lily- own
creation, Sleeping Fawn- tutorial by Rachel Austin. 17)
Sheryl MacLeod-Sidwell - Shawl. 18) Sophie Howgego.
19) Susanne Hantzsch - Blossoming. 20) Susanne
13 14 16 19 20 Hantzsch - Underwater Flowers.

26 FeltMatters - www.feltmakers.com FeltMatters - www.feltmakers.com 27

 FEATURE

TIME
TO
BLOOM
JUDITH DIOS
WHEN MY CHILDREN LEFT TO 1 2 3 4
ATTEND UNIVERSITY, I FELT IT
WAS MY TURN TO “BLOOM.”
FIRST, HOWEVER, I NEEDED TO
DISCOVER WHAT BLOOMING
SHOULD BE!

5 6 7

I have been a feltmaker her and learned the basics of nuno felting,
since 2007, and live proper fulling, and how to use fabric to
on Salt Spring Island achieve a collage effect on nuno felt.
in southern British
Columbia, Canada. I have dabbled in many artistic mediums, but
The Island is known for none inspired enthusiasm. However, when
its many artists and its famous Saturday making felt, I can feel the fibres transform
Market, and is a popular summer tourist in my hands, and therefore, I can have
destination. It is an inspiring place in which a “conversation” with the felt and feel a
to live and create. connection to the art form.
One day, while visiting a friend at her The collage technique became the
boutique, she excitedly told me about “springboard” for all of the textural effects
“nuno felt.” She described it as “gauzy, that followed. My quest to add texture to
ethereal and sheer.” I couldn’t reconcile all the felt surface began by tossing pieces of
these descriptive terms with felt! So she crumpled silk gauze onto the wool fibres
suggested that I visit a website belonging before felting. The result was vaguely rose-
to Jean Gauger. like, but a better representation of a rose
was made by coiling the fabric.
Jean’s work took my breath away, and I was
instantly captivated! I took a workshop with My textural effects continued to evolve with
the creation of “abstract” ruffles, blossoms,
silk spirals, and fluttering leaves. Rivers of
silken shimmer, a “corkscrew” fringe and a
brocade effect were achieved using silk yarn.
I developed a texture resembling tree bark
using ruffled silk habotai. Experimentation
with one technique often led to another.
I realized that 3-D textural effects on felt
would be a perfect canvas for playing
with colour. I applied acid dyes directly
to natural (un-dyed) felt with a brush and
was mesmerized as the colours flowed and
merged to create new colours. It seemed
like child’s play, and the result resembled
a watercolour painting. Until then, I had
dreaded working with dyes due to the
unpredictability of the outcome. However,
dyeing quickly became my favourite part
of the process, and I began to create felt
to paint it!
Inspiration for my work mainly comes from This yarn is highly overspun to create plenty CONTACT DETAILS
nature. Growing up on a farm in the foothills of twists and an interesting texture. You can E: jd@judithdios.com
of the Adirondack Mountains in upstate never have too much silken shimmer running W: www.judithdios.com
New York, I wandered the fields and forests through a piece! F: Facebook.com/judithdiosdesigns
for hours and marvelled at the plants and Online School: judith-dios-3-d-watercolor-
animals. Beauty, colour, texture, shapes and Another aspect of my life that feels like nuno-online-courses.teachable.com
patterns were everywhere. “blooming” comes from teaching. After
teaching feltmaking workshops for a couple of IMAGES
I am also a good listener and consider all years, I realized that my newfound happiness Page 28) Memory of Rose Dress:
suggestions. For example, a friend, who wasn’t the result of creating (although I love photo - Fiona Duthie
is a chef, described a process for making being creative); it is from the connection with 1) David Austin Rose Scarf:
flowers out of fondant frosting. I tried it, the people that feltmaking brings into my life. photo - Judith Dios
using alternating layers of silk fabric and Through teaching, I’ve met people I wouldn’t 2) High Tea: photo - Judith Dios
wool, and the blossom technique was born. have met otherwise if it hadn’t been for the 3) Blue Blossoms: photo - Judith Dios
Blossoms are one of my favourite techniques shared passion for feltmaking that brought 4) Enchantment: photo - Judith Dios
due to their endless variations and creative us together. 5) The Ties That Bind: photo - Judith Dios
possibilities. 6) Cuff: photo - Judith Dios
Having waited until my children were grown 7) Pillow: photo - Judith Dios
I mainly use superfine Merino wool, silk gauze to find my niche, one might say I am a “late-
and habotai fabric, mulberry silk roving, and bloomer.” However, feltmaking has shown me
overspun mulberry silk yarn that I spin myself. that it is never too late to bloom!

28
28 FeltMatters
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 TIPS & TECHNIQUES

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8

VANDA F SOUSA in diameter). It’s also important to avoid thin

edges because they’ll fall apart when you cut
felt the ring. Work slowly and carefully so
that you don’t stab yourself with the needle!
it with the other.
STEP 7: SHAPING

FELTED DAISY RING

the delicate petals, so make sure the outer Needle felt until the ring is firm enough and Finish wet felting the upper side of the
part of the petal area is as solid as the rest. you have a nice shape. flower. Push the yellow center out to make
it prominent. Use the tips of your fingers - I
STEP 3: PREPARING THE CENTER STEP 5: ATTACHING THE RING find that imagining you’re working with clay
MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH WET FELTING STARTED ABOUT TWENTY YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS LIVING IN BERLIN. EVEN THOUGH
Dark green fibers in the center will give your Position the ring in the center of the back helps you with the shaping. Give the flower
I’M SELF-TAUGHT, MY TWO ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE BERLINER ROLE MODELS – CHRISTINE BIRKLE AND DAGMAR BINDER –
flower more depth. You only need a tiny of your flower and needle felt it a little bit, a cone form. It helps to rub it between your
INFLUENCED ME TOWARDS STRONG COLORS, CLEAR DESIGN AND ORGANIC SHAPES APPLIED IN FELT PIECES THAT YOU CAN
bit of color. Apply 2 extremely thin layers to make sure it’s attached. Pull off green hands. Cut 12 petals and cut the tips into
WEAR EVERY DAY.
(horizontal/vertical) and just stab here and fibers about 3 cm long and pass the wool curves. Wet felt the petals again to make
Though my crush is • 2 x triangle felting needles: gauge 38 the effect might be a bit different, and coarser there with the felting needle. Get your chosen through the ring. Needle felt them in place. the blunt edges disappear.
on wet felting, I don’t and 40 wool can also be itchy on a sensitive skin. yellow wool and pull off some fibers. Turn Add some fibers with the same length to the
shy away from using • Needle holder with 4 or 6 felting needles, them into a ball and needle felt them slightly. area around the ring as well. The bottom half STEP 8: FINISHING
felting needles if they gauge 38 or 40 (optional) STEP 2: PREPARING THE PETALS Attach the ball to the center of the flower. of the fiber should lay on the petal area and Shape the flower the way you prefer. It can be
allow me to bring more • Ruler Separate 4-5 thin layers of your white batt Don’t felt too much; the felting needle is only the upper half on the ring. Use the needle more open or more closed, like a bud. Rinse
detail into my projects. • Sharp scissors (6 cm x 6 cm) and lay alternate horizontal used to help keep the fibers in place, as the to comb the fibers laying on the white wool it well and put it on a tube or piece of cane
And that’s what we’ll do in this tutorial. It’s • Tube in the diameter of your finger and vertical layers. It’s important to get a real work will be done in the wet felting phase. into a fan shape. Needle felt them in place. to dry with a perfect ring shape.
perfectly suitable for novice felt makers, and (optional) solid felt, so that you can cut the petals, but Needle felt the upper end of the fiber to the
I hope it’ll be fun for more seasoned ones, • Bubble wrap don’t make it too thick. The flower should be STEP 4: PREPARING THE RING ring. Your pre-felted ring is now ready. Happy Spring!
who might not have tried combining both • Bar of soap stable but delicate. Pull off some green wool for the ring. It’s
techniques before. • Towel difficult to say exactly how much you’ll need STEP 6: WET FELTING PHOTO CREDIT
• Basin with water Needle felt the wool just enough to get the since it’s such a small amount. I have a length Start by wet felting the back of the flower. Vanda F. Sousa
MATERIAL & TOOLS layers together. I use two different needles: of about 20 cm, but it’s a very thin tuft. Wrap Make sure the green wool is attaching well
• 19-micron merino wool batts in white STEP 1: INTRODUCTION a thicker one at the beginning and a thinner the thin wool layer tightly around the index to the white pre-felt, especially inside the CONTACT DETAILS
and green; 19-micron merino wool tops I chose 19-micron merino batts in white and one for the finer work. A holder for the felting and middle fingers. This should give you the ring. Wet felt the ring until it’s very firm since W: www.vandafsousa.com
in yellow and green (small amounts of green, and 19-micron merino tops in yellow needles can speed up the process. Needle right ring size (for your finger) after shrinkage. this area will be under more strain when the E: goingthedodoway@gmail.com
each wool - the whole ring weighs 2 g) and green. You can opt for just batts or tops, felt into a round shape. Try to get a pre-felt Keep the wool flat and don’t twist the fibers. ring is worn. I find the best way is to put the I: www.instagram.com/vanda_f_sousa
• Needle felting foam as well as for a coarser wool. Just bear in mind in the right size for the flower (about 6 cm Take the wool off your fingers and needle ring on the index finger of one hand and rub F: www.facebook.com/GoingTheDodoWay

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 FEATURE
OLGA GULYAEVA
WEAVING
SILK INTO
BOUQUETS
FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS, I HAVE HAD A CLOSE FRIENDSHIP WITH FELT; FIRST AS A HOBBY, THEN AS A PROFESSIONAL
OF MY CRAFT, AND A TEACHER. THAT TIME HAS SEEN THE CREATION OF MY OWN SIGNATURE STYLE OF COMBINING
DIFFERENT FELTING TECHNIQUES WITH EMBROIDERY.
INTERPRETED BY NADIA REIN
All my life, I have been in close connection
with creativity. I was interested and tried
my hand in different directions: coupling
lace, batik, Luneville crochet, embroidery,
satin stitch and three-dimensional painting.
Working in the field of print design gave
me a lot of experience in seeing colour, its
composition and combinations.
I met felt ten years ago when, while on
the internet sphere, I was looking through
pictures of irises for my future work in the
technique of Batik. Suddenly, I saw a bag
in the shape of an iris flower, made from
a material then unknown to me. I found
the site of the master, and learned that the
technique was called ‘wet felting’. Something
simply snapped in me! “This is it! My curious
nature made me want to learn how to make
32
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it” By the will of God, a master feltmaker
was just planning to come to teach a class
on this type of bag in Kyiv, so I signed up.
After the masterclass, I went home with a
wet bag in my luggage, and was extremely
happy and proud of myself, feeling that I was
able to catch my dream by its tail.
After that, I made several scarves, and
immediately received an invitation to
participate in an exhibition, where each
of my scarves found their buyers. Orders
started coming in. For three years, felting
was my hobby, but it gradually grew into
a professional activity, and now I am a
feltmaking teacher.
For several years, my business cards
were handbag-bouquets which were
distinguished by a variety of embroidery
1 2 3
4 5 6
favourite techniques has become watercolour The common final touch to almost all of my CONTACT DETAILS
painting with fibres. In this technique, the work is embroidery. I use many different F: www.facebook.com/gulyaevvaolga
whole painting is laid out with wool first, and embroidery techniques:ropes to create Instagram @olga_gulyaevva_felt
then a very detailed drawing with fibres of voluminous stamens in flowers; rococo knots Olga’s shop on ‘Arts and Crafts Fair’ site
techniques, precise compositions and fine
silk adds finishing details. To be able to do for small details; various seams with gold www.livemaster.ru/smolga70
workmanship. For the last few years, I have
this, I have collected a very rich palette of threads and cords to work out stems and
been fascinated by clothes, and elements of
wool, and special fibres, which have several blades of grass; abundant embroidery of
painting with wool and silk fibres.
hundred shades. small flowers in bouquets on bags. All these IMAGES
techniques help to create exclusive, complex 1) “Wisteria” Handbag with three
Through the years, I developed both my
Also, another of my favourite themes and rich bouquets. dimensional décor.
signature style and my experience, and I
is herbs and dried flowers, and nepps, 2)“Irises” Jumper using the technique
generously share all I know with my in-
mulberry silk hankies and various yarns The themes for my creations I take from of painting with wool and viscose fibres.
person and video masterclasses.
help me to create their rich textures. ‘Fancy’ antique postcards and watercolour sketches, 3) Dress decorated using the technique
yarn occupies a special place in the palette and then I build my bouquets in Photoshop. of inlay with fibre paper and embroidery.
It is fair to say that I am very devoted to
of materials I use at the moment, and is Flowers are an inexhaustible topic for 4) Jumper from the “Herbs” series with
my beloved theme of flowers. The desire
one of my favourites. inspiration. They are all so different! Which voluminous décor of viscose fibres,
to recreate their bright diversity in felt
one do you love the most? Those of you wool nepps, mulberry silk hankies
encouraged me to experiment and use
I am in a constant search for creative ideas, who might follow my work will know that, and embroidery.
various felting techniques. For example,
themes and new materials that will help for me, it is all about irises. Elegant and 5 & 6) Dresses with décor from painting
voluminous petals could be achieved by
achieve the desired result. I almost always mysterious, unbelievable in their shades with fibres of wool and viscose.
draping silk, and complicated patterns with
create dress panels on a base of the Margilan and combinations, they are definitely very Page 32) Jacket decorated with an iris
elements of rococo and flower vases were
rarefied silk, as it helps to produce thin and much loved. flower in the technique of wool painting,
created from ‘paper’ made by hand from
elastic felt fabric. and laminated with pieces of natural silk.
fibres of silk and viscose. Recently, one of my
FeltMatters - www.feltmakers.com 33
 FEATURE
CORINNA NITSCHMANN
PEACE FELT RUG
THE MAKING OF THE WORLD’S FIRST BIGGEST INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FELT RUG,
A TRIBUTE TO PEACE AND COMMONWEALTH.
THE ZERO POINT
“A beer too?” “Hot chocolate for me, please”...
A few days after the outbreak of the war in
Ukraine, Corinna Nitschmann (felt artist), sat
stunned in a pub in Hungary with her partner,
Péter Póth. The world was shocked. “What
can we do? Does it even make sense to do
anything while, next door, other people are
suffering deeply and we are here, drinking
our beer? Shameful! “
We thought others might feel the same. “How
can we do something together? Let’s make
something we know about! Let’s felt, and
collect donations at the same time, and that
way, everyone gets something out of it. But
how exactly will this look?”
That was the first step that led to the green-
blue peace rug.
WHAT COLOUR IS PEACE?
Humanity may constantly provide great
34 FeltMatters - www.feltmakers.com
1 2
6 7
disappointments, but it’s no use sitting in
the corner, crying for weeks. What are we
longing for right now? Besides, we don’t want
any more bad news; we just want to get back
to quiet normality and Peace, please! So, in
February, we began to think colours - what
colour is peace, actually?
I wanted to know what many people
spontaneously thought, so I asked my readers
and, in a few days, it was clear that peace
was mainly blue and green, while all other
colours followed. This was gratifying for me
also, as I did not want to make a yellow-blue
felt (the colours of the country of Ukraine) at
all, because the cruelty of hostility is present
in quite a few corners of the world, even if
this is not perceptible to us on a daily basis.
Peace should be forever and everywhere,
regardless of country colours.
LET’S UNITE OUR FIBRES!
...and let’s do it from home, from our different
countries.
So, I sent a call out for pre-felted pieces of
work. I had a vision of a large, watercolour-
like felt, where it is not at all about motifs, but
about the creation of a unified surface into
which the many works of the participants
merge. The registration fees also served as
a monetary donation; they were to be sent a
few months later to the organisation chosen
by the participants.
After a week, the first items trickled in,
and then more and more. Small and large
envelopes and boxes came from all over the
world. (Image 1)
I soon gave up presenting the items live
on Facebook, but I posted a photo of the
new items every few days on a blog so that
everyone could know whether theirs had
arrived. The diversity of the pieces quickly
became noticeable. It was a mystery to me
what would come out of it, but it would
become evident when the time was right.
(Image 2)
3 5
8 4
We were promised a room at the Cultural
Heritage Centre in Budapest, because there
are two huge felt tables there. Unfortunately,
the institution had to close for a few months
in late spring, so the final project had to wait
until autumn. And then, one October morning,
we were finally allowed in to assemble the
large work.
First, many pieces had to be brushed up
on the back because they were more than
pre-felted. We briefly pondered the concept
of felting the pieces together from light to
dark, regardless of any motifs. (Image 3) This
involved sorting and laying them out and,
when we liked what we saw, we turned all
the pieces over and covered the back with
fleece. (Image 4 & 5) This was done in three
stages, because no felting table would have
been large enough for this size.
At times, as many as twelve helpers assisted
on a felting day. Some worked the whole day,
while others came by during the day or after
work. After twelve hours, we had three felt
carpets in front of us, which still had to be
joined together. (Image 6) We transported
them home. I still needed to roll or stretch
them here and there, so that the width was
really the same along the full length. (Image
7) Now, the assembly is one more task before
it goes on its journey, (Images 8 & 9)
THE NUMBERS
We didn’t count the pieces (unfortunately),
but there must have been over six hundred.
The number of participants was over three
hundred and eighty people, many of whom
sent packs of group work, and therefore
more than ten pieces. Work came from
people who had never felted before, and
these were included. Three-year-olds, as
well as some felters over the age of eighty,
splashed in soapy water for the project.
Twenty-three countries and four continents
were involved. The final size of the work is
1.8m x 5.5m. Of the over 6000€ donated,
we were able to send 5500€ to the Red
Cross Ukraine project, after covering other
costs such as wool, petrol, customs, postal
fees and the like.
WHO WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT?
The three felts are to be given a detachable
connection so that they can each be
exhibited individually, but also as a unified
felt carpet. In this way, it can be displayed
in different places, hopefully internationally,
to demonstrate a peaceful coexistence of
different people and nations. Donations for
the Ukraine project of the Red Cross could
also be collected at the exhibition venues.
If you are interested in exhibiting, I look
forward to hearing from you.
9
EVEN MORE INFO & PICTURES
99.8 % of the submitted parts, each
photographed individually, and a post about
the assembly can be found on the CorNit
Felt Blog at https://cornitfelt.com/2022/11/
make-felt-not-war-felting-project/
THANK YOU!
I would like to send a big virtual hug to all
participants: the resulting work is unique
in the world!
CONTACT DETAILS
E: corinna@cornitfelt.com
F: www.facebook.com/CorNit.FeltArt
I: www.instagram.com/cornit.felt.art
1) Diving into envelopes
2) Heaps of pre-felts
3) Puzzling colours
4) Laying out the pieces
5) Backing with fleece
6) Rolling one of the three rugs
7) The Klimt-like result
8) 1.8 x 5.5 meters of peace
9) Felt Controller Cat
Photo credit: Corinna Nitschmann
FeltMatters - www.feltmakers.com 35
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IFA COMMITTEE 2023 International Officer FELT MATTERS

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