Bunbury Felting Group

February Show and Talk - Thick Rippled Felt

2012-02-18T00:51:00.000-08:00

These pieces were done in a Liz Clay workshop last November -

By Jean Braund

By Lorraine McArthur

Detail

Incorporated in a Garment

It's an interesting and useful technique and we will include it in one of the projects for the year so that all members learn it.

February Meeting - The Ten Minute Tip

2012-02-17T02:12:00.000-08:00

Goodness gracious great balls of felt!

Jacqui demonstrates the "making a ball in a jar" technique (one of the little gems from the 11th Southern Hemisphere Felting Convergence).

South West Fashion Festival

2012-02-15T01:33:00.000-08:00

If you haven't got your tickets to see Whiter Shade of Pale at the South West Fashion Festival then you are too late - the word is that both shows of Whiter Shade of Pale have sold out!

If you want to see our pale collection then you'll have to keep looking into this blog.

Happy Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T01:16:00.000-08:00

Designer Val Hornibrook

Designer Kim Pearce

Designer Val Hornibrook

Designer Kim Cutting

We just love to felt.

February Meeting - Gorgeous silks in use

2012-02-13T20:35:00.000-08:00

Wow, the felting room at Stirling Street Arts Centre was absolutely buzzing on the first Friday of February as we gathered for the first felting of 2012.

The project was making a seamless garment and despite it being a fairly large task everyone found some space and got felting.

Gorgeous silk

Two pairs of hands make it felt faster

Maureen's bound to be including alpaca in hers.

More joint work - Emma and Louise a rollin

Fabulous to see so many new members at the meeting, they did really well.

Here's a well pregnant Emma trying on her still wet top. Just the thing to provide some personal air conditioning to combat the heat of pregnancy in out hot summer weather. (Sorry about the shadow in this photo - she really doesn't have a flat head: trust us, if baby takes after mum he/she will be gorgeous)!!

Here's the detail from the shoulder area. The stunning piece of silk really was displayed to its best advantage in this top.

Here's Robyn's stunning full length piece of blue silk enriched with the grey merino wool.

Thank you again to Kim for bringing us the project.

Felting in New Zealand

2012-02-11T20:34:00.000-08:00

We have just finished reading the December edition of Creative Fibre magazine and discovered the New Zealand Felters blog when browsing through the small ads in the back of the publication. We sat and read all the posts and were delighted to see all the fine work displayed on their blog.

Grab a cup of coffee and check them out by clicking here.

Stop Press - Polymer Clay Jewellery Inspirations

2012-02-10T23:53:00.000-08:00

There is a one day workshop coming up at the Stirling Street Arts Centre in Bunbury next Saturday.

Polymer clay is an incredibly versatile material that can be made to look like anything from glass to ivory. It can be drilled, carved, moulded, stamped, sanded painted and polished.

You can explore these possibilities with tutor Pam Annesley as she teaches many techniques at this one day workshop and you can have fun making beads for jewellery.

Workshop runs from 9.30 - 3.00pm

Saturday 18th February 2012

Stirling Street Arts Centre Bunbury

Call Ruth or Julie on 9791 1256 for more information or email starts1@bigpond.com.au

See more about Pam and her work by clicking here.

South West Fashion Festival

2012-02-07T21:41:00.000-08:00

Another sneak preview - here's a nuno silk dress by Jacqui Gibson -

Tegan Ridgway and Tim Swallow... The official SWFF Face and the official SWFF photographer. (Tegan - Vivien's Model Management)

Photo courtesy of the South West Fashion Festival Facebook page.

South West Fashion Festival

24th and 25th February 2012

Rose Hotel Ballroom

27 Wellington Street

Bunbury

Western Australia

Click here for full information

South West Fashion Festival

2012-02-05T21:27:00.000-08:00

South West Fashion Festival

Yes, the "Whiter Shade of Pale" collection showing on the catwalk is us!

Go to the South West Fashion Festival website by clicking here for more information.

See you there.

South West Fashion Festival

2012-02-03T21:25:00.000-08:00

Exciting news!

Bunbury Felting Group will be opening the 2012 South West Fashion Festival with our "Whiter Shade of Pale" collection - a pale and interesting extravaganza of our finest felt wearable art.

Photo - Courtesy of South West Fashion Festival

To give you a taste of what's to come, pictured above is this truly stunning nuno cape by the very talented Sue Seaman. It is an absolute knockout! We are so proud of you Sue.

There are more pictures to peruse on South West Fashion Festival's Facebook page - click here to get to it.

Whiter Shade of Pale will be paraded at the Fashion Festival launch at 7.30pm. The official launch function starts at 6.00pm and tickets are $75 for a fabulous evening of designer fashion. See the South West Fashion Festival's website for full details and to buy your tickets on line.

Whiter Shade of Pale will also be on the catwalk on Saturday 26th at 12.30 pm. Full details are in the local press and on the South West Fashion Festival's website - click here to get to it.

South West Fashion Festival

24th and 25th February 2012

Rose Hotel Ballroom

27 Wellington Street

Bunbury

Western Australia

Hope you can join us there.

New to Our Library

2012-02-01T19:26:00.000-08:00

Ooooh, it'll soon be our first meeting of 2012 and we have an exciting year of felt making scheduled.

To assist in your garment making this pattern is now in our library.

Created by Liz Clay with feltmakers in mind.

New Book

2012-01-30T19:35:00.000-08:00

In our library from February -

Felt from the Convergence - Happy Australia Day

2012-01-26T01:00:00.000-08:00

For readers in other lands - the 26th of January is Australia Day - our official national day recognising the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788 at Sydney Cove. It's commemorated with a public holiday and we thought we would celebrate the day with pictures of Australia's national emblem - the kangaroo.

We are sorry we haven't recorded the name of the felt artist who created these gorgeous guys. Please send us an email if you know so that we can credit them correctly.

They are glove puppets and they soon escaped from their tables in the felt display and started to entertain us.

They joined us at our super cool 60's final dinner and were lots of fun. They soon developed a taste for bubbles.

By the end of the evening they were well out of things but then again so were many of us.

It was a great night and a great Convergence.

But now with our summer holidays ending the Bunbury Felting Group have to get back to work and we will be having our first meeting of the year on Friday 3rd of February at the Stirling Street Arts Centre in Bunbury. New members are welcome so please come along if you can - 9.30am - 3.00pm.

Felt from the Convergence

2012-01-24T16:03:00.000-08:00

Keeping vigil outside the dining room were the "Four Elements" an installation created especially for the Convergence -

"Fire" was created by Davida Palmer who loves colour and dyeing so she had some fun creating this dynamic piece with felt and muslin.

Dot Oliver was the artist who created the mermaid like "Water".

Jacqui Gibson created "Air" a froth of felt shibori work.

And mother "Earth" created by Jean Braund. Love the way the skirt is hitched - this is the wild west after all!

The dye pots were in use when creating this piece as you can see.

The Elements surrounded a boat on their voyage to circle the globe.

This boat was very kindly created for us by the amazing weaver Pamela Grima.

Pamela makes you look at your compost heap in an entirely different way and get you wondered why you chucked all that good stuff in there. An hour with her and you are looking at your garden with a completely new eye.

Just look at the bow detailed here -

We like to think that the "Four Elements" captured the essence of the 11th Southern Hemisphere Felting Convergence. We need Air for life, the Earth grows our sheep and wool, Water is essential in the making of our felt and Fire is in our creative hearts and we forge both our craft and more importantly our friendships.

Felt from the Convergence

2012-01-20T21:48:00.000-08:00

These 3 felt sculptures are by Katrina Virgona -

From the FeltWEST display.

Stop Press - Not to be missed Felting Workshop

2012-01-17T19:12:00.000-08:00

We were alerted by a comment left on the last post by textile artist Glenys Mann to an exciting Fibre Arts event being held at the Monastery at New Norcia from 15th to 22nd April this year.

There are a range of courses being held but most tempting is a 5 day workshop with talented super felter Phillipa Rooke.

Image From - http://fibrearts.jigsy.com/phillipa-rooke

Phillipa has been making felt now for about 25 years, and currently teaches felting students pretty much full time for most of the year, and is passionate about the quality of felt in Australia. She established a felting group in Brisbane where she lives, and organised the 6^th Southern Hemisphere Feltmaking Convergence in Queensland in 2001. Her work has been exhibited in Australia and Europe, and is in several private collections. Her main area of interest is fine felts.

Phillipa's workshop is titled "Felted Fibres and Fabrics – The Textured Surface" and participants will be combining fine wool fibre with a range of fabrics to create a new textile fabric which is fine, and which displays subtle and interesting surface variations.

The textiles created may then be combined to form a garment or hanging, which will then be embellished with stitch.

This workshop is suitable for those who have been felting for a while and wish to expand their surface design possibilities and to look at new construction methods for their work.

Image From - http://fibrearts.jigsy.com/phillipa-rooke

Phillipa's work is stunning as you can see so this is wonderful opportunity of immersing yourself with her in the amazing atmosphere of New Norcia's Monastery.

For full information go to the Fibre Arts website by clicking here. Places are limited so be quick.

Felt from the Convergence

2012-01-14T18:55:00.000-08:00

The fun of felt -

Artist - Annie Foy

Felt from the Convergence

2012-01-11T16:45:00.000-08:00

Masks-

By the ladies at The Spirited Hands Studio

Felt Magazine is Here

2012-01-09T00:49:00.000-08:00

We have copies of the latest Felt Magazine which is filled with fabulous projects and information. They will be on sale to members at our February meeting - price $10.

For our non-member readers - if you can't get a copy of this magazine where you are, we have a few extra issues for sale. Just email us at feltconvergence@gmail.com and we'll send you details of how to pay.

Yes, we will post anywhere in the world so let us know where you live and we'll confirm the postage costs.

Felt from the Convergence

2012-01-07T16:44:00.000-08:00

Cup of tea anyone?

Please let us know who is the artist

What a great example of what's possible in felt sculpture. From the FeltWEST display.

Felt from the Convergence

2012-01-05T16:38:00.000-08:00

Look at this amazing vessel in the FeltWEST display.

Please let us know the artist.

Felt from the Convergence

2012-01-03T18:14:00.000-08:00

We plan to continue to show you pictures from the 11th Southern Hemisphere Felting Convergence during January so please look in on us regularly to see the best of felt.

We haven't always got the names of the artist recorded so please send us an email if you know who it is so that we can credit the pieces correctly.

The black and white spotted scarf at the bottom of this picture is Rachel Meek's if we remember correctly but not quite sure of the wrap above.

Fabulous.

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T01:43:00.000-08:00

As we welcome in 2012 we wish felters everywhere happy New Year. May the year ahead be a peaceful and creative one.

Of course you will need a lovely outfit today for first footing at the homes of friends and family and this beautiful wrap and bag would be perfect.

Designer ??

If you are wondering about the unusual background - the picture was taken at the Convergence felt display which was located in the science block of the Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School. No doubt those pipes are part of strange experiments !!

We hope you will continue visiting us in 2012. We love to hear from you so please leave us a comment from time to time and if you know who is the designer of these stunning felt items please send us an email.

Christmas Felt

2011-12-31T01:33:00.000-08:00

It's New Years Eve so look glamorous as you celebrate with this exquisite wrap to keep off the chill of the night.

Designer ??

From the Convergence felt display so please let us know who the designer of this wrap is.

Christmas Felt

2011-12-30T02:08:00.000-08:00

Brighten up your home with these fun vessels.

Artist ??

Unfortunately we don't know who created them, so if you do please let us know by emailing feltconvergence@gmail.com.

Christmas Felt

2011-12-29T16:13:00.000-08:00

Another great piece of felt art from the Convergence.

Christmas Felt

2011-12-28T17:40:00.000-08:00

A lovely nuno scarf from the Convergence.

Christmas Felt

2011-12-27T17:35:00.000-08:00

Autumn Orient by ?

Another beautiful textile picture. If you know who the artist is please let us know.

Christmas Felt

2011-12-26T17:28:00.000-08:00

This exquisite picture makes us think of a Christmas decoration. Unfortunately we don't know who created it so if you do please let us know.

Christmas Felt

2011-12-25T01:23:00.000-08:00

Artist Sue Seaman

Wishing you all a wonderful happy and safe Christmas.

Christmas Felt

2011-12-24T05:14:00.000-08:00

We loved this picture and thought it entirely appropriate for Christmas Eve as it makes us think of the Three Wise Men on their way to Bethlehem, but we'd love to know the real story behind the picture.

Unfortunately we don't have the artists name so if you know who created it please email us so we can correctly credit the piece.

With our Heart Felt Good Wishes for Christmas

2011-12-23T01:01:00.000-08:00

Like everyone else we will be busy over Christmas, so we thought we would entertain you over the next few weeks with pictures from the amazing 11th Southern Hemisphere Felting Convergence.

To start things off here's a gorgeous felt heart.

Felt Banner by Val Hornibrook

Art Bra

2011-12-22T17:59:00.000-08:00

The last of our series of Art Bra about a “Celebrity Art Bra” event that was held earlier this year to to raise funds for the Val Lishman Health Research Foundation Breast Cancer Survivors Project is this Bra was created by keen felter and textile artist - Davida Palmer.

Artist Davida Palmer

Davida was to be inspired by the writer Tim Winton, so her bra incorporates the printed word to communicate the important message about breast cancer.

Artist - Davida Palmer

In the past carrier pidgeons were used to carry important messages so Davida incorporates one into the Bra.

Davida has been collecting feathers from Bronze Wing Pingeons for years as she loves the decorations on the feathers and this seem the ideal opportunity to use them.

Artist - Davida Palmer

But it's an up to date carrier pidgeon as you can see below.

Artist - Davida Palmer

Every thing nestles is some fallen leaves.

It's brilliant isn't it.

Art Bra

2011-12-20T16:55:00.000-08:00

We recently published a series of Art Bra posts on the 11th Southern Hemisphere Felting Convergence blog about a “Celebrity Art Bra” event that was held earlier this year to to raise funds for the Val Lishman Health Research Foundation Breast Cancer Survivors Project.

As we all have friends and family that have been affected by the disease The Bunbury Felters were keen to get involved and create some art bras for the event.

A celebrity was chosen for each artist to create a “bra” for.

Kerry Gelmi's celebrity was Luc Longley - the now retired Australian professional basketball player, who was the first Australian to play in the NBA, where he played for eleven seasons. There is no doubt as to Luc's skills with this clever bra -

Artist - K Gelmi

The fabric bra incorporates stitching and a hand crafted metal framework.

Artist - Kerry Gelmi

A basket ball was included.

Artist - Kerry Gelmi

You can even score a goal!

Artist - Kerry Gelmi

RE: A Prefix - The Felty Bit

2011-12-14T17:32:00.000-08:00

We were thrilled to find this stunning felt work at the exhibition of fibre and textile works from Western Australia, Hyogo and other parts of Japan which is currently on at the Western Australian Museum - Perth Cultural Centre, James Street, Northbridge.

Next of Kin I II and III - Artist Katrina Virgona

Yes, it is by the talented Katrina Virgona - based up in Perth and a very active FeltWEST member.

Some of us were lucky enough to meet Katrina when she ran a recent FeltWEST workshop and her work really is exquisite.

Next of Kin I II and III - Artist Katrina Virgona

If you haven't been to see this exciting exhibition it is well worth the visit. There are plenty more exhibits than those featured in our two posts and many by Western Australian artists such as Katrina.

The full exhibition catalogue is available here. The exhibition is on until the 31st January 2012 and it will be a great place to take refuge from the January sales shoppers.

Sad News

2011-12-14T00:09:00.000-08:00

Sarah Lawrence - a felt maker and contemporary textile artisan from Newark in the UK passed away suddenly on 2nd December 2011.

Sarah's work was recognised around the world. She was chairman of the IFA prior to Liz Clay and has written many books. Her web presence is her blog http://sarah-lawrence.com/blog/ and her web site http://www.sarah-lawrence.com/.
She combined her innovative approach to felt-making with embroidery, beadwork and gilding to produce rich, textured pieces that have been exhibited worldwide. Bunbury Felter - Val Hornibrook was fortunate enough to meet Sarah many years ago in Perth and said Sarah's work was amazing.

Our condolences go out to her family and friends. The felt making community will be poorer without her.

A Prefix

2011-12-09T22:48:00.000-08:00

We recently had a day out to visit an exhibition of fibre and textile works at the Western Australian Museum - Perth Cultural Centre, James Street, Northbridge.

Developed to celebrate the 30 year Sister State relationship between Western Australia and Hyogo, Japan this exhibition brings together works from 50 Western Australian and Japanese artists that reflect on the rich universal traditions embedded within contemporary fibre and textile practice.

Getting into the museum, you first have to sneak past this rather wonderful dinosaur who guards the entrance foyer -

Then straight up the stairs into the Museums magnificent Hackett Hall Gallery. This is looking up at the beautiful stenciled ceiling -

There are many textile pieces on display in this exhibition, both large -.

In forground - work by Nobuko Hiroi

Section of Wall Hanging by Artist - Trudi Pollard

Section of Wall Hanging

And smaller works -

Artist - Misako Kitagawa

Artist - Chie Sakai

Artist - Haruko Honma

Artist - Marianne Penberthy

Artist - Nalda Searles

Artist - Megan Kirwan-Ward

Of course there were also some felt pieces but you'll have to wait until the next post to see them.

December Meeting

2011-12-05T16:50:00.000-08:00

Many thanks to Darriel who hosted our lovely Christmas lunch.

Sue gave a great speech thanking Val for over 6 years as Group Leader and presented her with flowers from the Group.

Val has made a tremendous contribution to the Bunbury Felting Group and finished her tenure being Convener at the amazingly successful 11th Southern Hemisphere Felting Convergence.

Val, thank you from everyone.

She has now handed over to Kerry who has an exciting program of felting planned for us in 2012.

See you all at the February meeting.

New Book

2011-12-01T21:25:00.000-08:00

New to our library -

New Books

2011-11-30T19:40:00.000-08:00

Just in to the library - the latest issue of Textile Fibre Forum.

Next Meeting

2011-11-29T19:30:00.000-08:00

Our next meeting is on Friday 2nd of December.

As it is our Christmas function it is the only meeting of the year that is restricted to members only.

If you would like to see what the Bunbury Felting Group is all about then consider coming to see us at our first meeting for 2012 on Friday 3rd February 9.30am - 3.00pm at the Stirling Street Arts Centre, Corner Charles and Stirling Streets, Bunbury, WA.

Mystic Icon by Sue Seaman

2011-11-28T17:40:00.000-08:00

Alpaca Designer M Foss

Following yesterdays story of life on the farm, congratulations to Maureen on a 1st Prize in the Brunswick Show with this beautiful nuno vest.

Yes, it's alpaca of course!

Convergence - Drama in the Classroom - Life and Death with Alpacas

2011-11-27T16:58:00.000-08:00

Were you in Maureen Foss' tutorial on "Successful Felting with Alpaca"?

Maureen was in full flow explaining the intricacy of including alpaca in your work when her phone rang. It was her family letting her know that there was an alpaca emergency back on her farm - one of her lovely alpacas had gone into labour prematurely and there were difficulties with the birth.

Maureen had to leave immediately (leaving Kerry to improvise and finish the tutorial) and drive home to take charge. Unfortunately the baby did not survive.

Worse still, the mother's health declined after the birth and she lost weight dramatically. A visit to the vet was arranged and mommy alpaca secured on the back of the trailer. She seemed fine but between arriving at the vets and the trailer being parked she died. The autopsy showed that the poor alpaca had a huge tumour in her abdominal cavity.

But there is a happy ending to this sad story.

Another of Maureen's alpacas has given birth.

Photo - Shane Foss

This is their new baby Carmen with her mum Chelsea.

Carmen is Chelsea's second baby or we should say "cria" which is the correct term for a baby alpaca.

Maureen says "it's great to have another girl to add to our breeding herd, the second for this year, plus two boys so far. We had a run of 12 boys in a row prior to this".

Photo - Shane Foss

If you want to include alpaca in your felting work you can purchase high quality product from Maureen's farm - Rock View Alpacas.

Felt on Sale This Sunday

2011-11-22T18:15:00.000-08:00

Visit our stall at the Stirling Street Arts Centre's Christmas Craft Fare

When:Sunday 27th November

Time: 10.00am - 3.00pm

Where: Stirling Street Arts Centre

Cnr Charles and Stirling Streets

Bunbury WA

We'll also be giving demonstrations of felt making.

Come along and join us for the day.

This is Stirling Street Arts Centre's BIG open day and craft fare. There will be stalls galore, music and entertainment, sausage sizzle, refreshments and lots , lots more.
Free entry and parking.

See you there.

Hermes and the Seamless Felt Jacket

2011-11-21T21:04:00.000-08:00

We love seeing what's happening in the high end of fashion and regularly read the fashion glossy magazines to enjoy the amazing creations of the European Designers.

We were rather amused to read in W magazine that French fashion house Hermes has discovered the unique qualities of felt garments and has created a seamless felt jacket as part of their autumn/winter 2011 ready to wear collection.

A Mongolian Felted Cashmere Jacket from the Hermes Autumn/Winter 2011 Ready to Wear Collection

Hermes' new designer Christophe Lemair was amazed at the 3 dimensional qualities of felt - no seams no darts. Of course we can't help feeling a little superior having been designing seamless felt jackets for years but are thrilled with Hermes discovering it.

Read the full W magazine article here .

A Convergence is Announced

2011-11-18T21:45:00.000-08:00

Big news!!

The Illawarra Feltmakers have announced the dates of the 12th Southern Hemisphere Felting Convergence in New South Wales.

Click here to get to their blog and read all about it.

Image from http://12thsouthernhemispherefeltingconverge.blogspot.com/

More November Show and Talk

2011-11-15T16:24:00.000-08:00

Another piece influenced by tutors at the 11th Southern Hemisphere Felting Convergence is this scarf by Lois O'Brien.
.

Designer L O'Brien

Lois attended Karen Workman's "Amazing Scarves" tutorial and smartly made one to try out some of the techniques which is really the best way of recording the tutors information.

More November Show and Talk

2011-11-12T21:04:00.000-08:00

Here's some more felt creations; this time influenced by the talented felt sculptor Anita Larkin who was one of our super tutors at the 11th Southern Hemisphere Felting Convergence.

Designer V Hornibrook

Val made the rings following Anita's group lecture on her dry felting method and the bag at Anita's "Unique Felted Bag" workshop.

As you can see the front pockets mean your keys and phone will always be easy to find.

We love the knot detail on the bags strap -

Strap Detail

The three pieces look great worn together as you can see here -

Bag/Ring designer V Hornibrook

Anita Larkin belongs to the Illawarra Feltmakers group and they will be responsible for running the 12th Southern Hemisphere Felting Convergence in 2013. Keep looking in on them here for news on that not to be missed felting event.

More November Show and Talk

2011-11-09T17:11:00.000-08:00

October was the month for a feast of textiles across Australia with TAFTA holding their Geelong Forum.

Jane was lucky enough to attend and made this stunning vest -

Designer J Patterson

A base of felt bat with silk border and plenty of surface decoration.

Detail

Edge Detail

Detail

November Meeting Show and Talk

2011-11-06T19:04:00.000-08:00

Kim arrived at the November meeting looking particularly gorgeous. We all wanted to know about the stunning silk nuno top she was wearing.

Turns out it was a Convergence inspired piece. She had gone to the "Seamless Garments for Hot Climates" tutorial given by Sally-Anne Hall of the Spirited Hands Studio.

Sally-Anne and her mother Susan Thompson know all about hot climates as they live in the Sonoran Desert, Tucson, Arizona which sounds pretty hot to even us West Australians.

Detail

The wool has been placed on the inside as you can see above. The gorgeous silk purchased from Treetops Colour Harmonies in the Convergence Traders Hall.

If you want to learn more about these techniques make sure that you are at our February meeting - 9.30am Friday 3rd Stirling Street Arts Centre.

See you then.

Look What's New in Our Library

2011-10-30T20:38:00.000-07:00

We have been shopping lately.

Our first purchase is this just recently published delicious book 500 Felt Objects.

There are so many beautiful things in it that The Librarian is having a hard time parting with it and may just have to order her own copy!

Then while were at the 11th Southern Hemisphere Felting Convergence we did lots of shopping! In amongst spending oodles of money in the Traders Hall and at the Bizarre Bazaar we also made some more serious purchases from our tutors.

Firstly this fabulous DVD by Wendy Bailye. She's an amazing felter and a really great tutor. We so enjoyed her make a hat in an hour demo that we are itching to try our her techniques. There's more fab stuff on this DVD so get to felting quick on Friday if you want to be first to borrow it.

Liz Clay is the current president of the International Feltmakers Association and we thought the group should join. As well as our membership we bought these two DVDs .

Lastly, as a record of the stunning Convergence Fashion Parade we have a CD of the garments. The photos were kindly taken by our amazing photographers Toni Crilly and Lyn Pix.

So lots of new things in the library for you to enjoy and more goodies to come!

See you Friday.

The Best Modelling Business in the South West

2011-10-25T19:27:00.000-07:00

Over the 14th, 15th and 16th of October the Stirling Street Arts Centre held their annual Fire, Fibre and Fine Arts Exhibition. Thanks to everyone one who entered items into it and particularly those of you who joined in with the Art to Wear. The number of entries was amazing. The felt work was stunning and the nuno pieces on show really excited the audience. "That's felt"? was a frequently heard comment.

We had a wonderful fashion parade with Michelle Jones of AM Management providing 6 gorgeous local models to show off all the beautiful garments to best advantage.

We really can't thank Michelle Jones and her models enough for her generous decision to participate in this event. They were so professional and knew just what to do so the parade ran like a dream. The models are all local ladies which we really like. The gasps from the audience as they watched the garments on the cat walk was just great and the end result was that Art to Wear sales at the exhibition were the highest ever. Ruth said that many pieces could have been sold two or three times over!!

AM Management is the South West's newest talent management group. It has been established by Michelle Jones who has many years of experience in the modelling/talent management business. . Her professionalism and enthusiasm for the opening of the Stirling Street Arts Centre's exhibition was really appreciated by the Stirling Street Board.

Thank you Michelle. We would recommend your services to any organisation. Michelle can be contacted by clicking here.

(Note, we hope to have some photos from the Fashion Parade soon for you to enjoy).

Hello Again

2011-10-25T18:55:00.000-07:00

Apologies for not posting for so long here at Felt Central.

We do have the excuse of being a tad busy with the 11th Southern Hemisphere Felting Convergence. But that seem so long ago now and whilst it was all fun and fabulous we now must be off to our next adventure in felt and we certainly have not been letting the grass grow under our feet.

Many thanks to Kerri, who was organising our stall at the Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School fare at the weekend. We'll hear more from her shortly about how we did there.

We'll also be bringing you some pictures from the Stirling Street Arts Centre annual Fire, Fibre and Fine Arts exhibition. So keep reading.

In the meantime, here are some pictures of the felt on display at the Convergence -

And these are from FeltWEST's fabulous display there -

All fabulous felt things. We bought lots!!

Textile Fibre Forum

2011-08-28T23:27:00.000-07:00

We have just subscribed to Textile Fibre Forum magazine and the latest issue will be in our library this Friday.

Image Courtesy of ArtWear Publications

It will give us an insight into all that's best in Australian textile arts and will be an excellent resource.

It's not for borrowing and has to stay in the library but make sure you have a good look through it on our meeting days. If you do want to spend more time reading it then get your own subscription by clicking here or look for it in the newsagents. It's a first rate publication and we really should help to support it.

August Show and Talk

2011-08-27T22:19:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who brought something in to our show and talk session.

Jacqui finally finished off some things that have been sitting in that box in the work room for so long -

Tote Bag

Clutch

Detail of Collar

Maureen made this flamenco inspired scarf using alpaca (of course).

And here's a fabulous scarf -

Detail

August Show & Talk

2011-08-25T22:22:00.000-07:00

Welcome to new member Anne who brought in some of her felt for us to see.

Thanks Anne for showing us your work. We're looking forward to doing some felting with you.

Also thanks to Maureen for modelling for us.

August Meeting - Natural Dying

2011-08-24T18:23:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to Val who demonstrated some natural dying techniques for us to try and thanks to everyone who brought in steamers and plant material.

We are looking forward to seeing all the results at next months show and talk.

More Collars

2011-07-24T17:33:00.000-07:00

Jean ran a Stirling Street Arts Centre Autumn Workshop on making collars recently. It was a huge success and lots of "none felters" turned up to have a go.

The results were great and Jean's comment was that "she realised what a wonderfully forgiving fibre felt is"!!!

Well having seen the results of the workshop we think that everyone did wonderfully and showed what an easy fibre felt is to work with. Look at this wonderful creation by Geraldine Peterkin.

It's decorated with roses - Geraldine's birth flower and very appropriate for an avid gardener (her Ferguson Valley garden will be open again later this year so you can check out her talents).

Thanks for sharing Geraldine, it is lovely.

July Show and Talk - Collars

2011-07-20T21:09:00.000-07:00

Collars were done back in May but we hadn't seen Meg's creation until now -

We love it.

July Meeting Show & Talk

2011-07-18T17:32:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who brought in their felt creations for our show and talk session. It is wonderful to see what members have been up to.

This is Vicki's wonderful Tree of Life -

This is how Penny's Japanese scene from last months stained glass felting workshop currently looks -

Penny says it is still a work in progress so we look forward to seeing how it develops as she adds hand stitching to it.

Here is Colleen's beautiful Turkish inspired piece -

And then there seems to have been a butterfly thing happening .

This bag by Jenny -

And lepidoptera by Lorraine -

July Meeting

2011-07-16T00:24:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to Maureen who gave us a great talk and workshop on felting with alpaca.

Everyone loved the alpaca tales (no pun intended) and enjoyed experimenting with the wool these gorgeous animals produce.

White on White

Add Some Colour

Darriel's Experiment with Different Wools

Looking forward to seeing the finished results next month when we'll be doing eco dying.

New Books

2011-06-30T18:00:00.000-07:00

These are fabulous for doing upside down nuno / stained glass felt -

All very kindly donated to our library by Joan Kent.

New Book

2011-06-27T17:31:00.000-07:00

Look what's arrived for our library -

2011-06-24T21:57:00.000-07:00

Do you remember this from the November meeting?

It's from Lorraine's demo on designing with left overs.

This is how if turned out -

Which just goes to prove that left overs are often the best

More June Show and Talk

2011-06-21T21:48:00.000-07:00

Jenny brought this remodelled jacket in to show us -

Bente's dying to use these -

Beautiful alpaca blend bag created by Maureen -

Colleen's creation with fabrics -

June Show and Talk - Collars

2011-06-18T21:47:00.000-07:00

Well here they are - the results of our collar making workshop in May.

These are Brenda's creations -

These are by Kim -

This is Val's -

Here's Lorraine's lepidoptera inspired creation -

And this is the result of Maureen's work with alpaca -

Are they fabulous? We think so and they are wonderfully warm in this cooler weather that we are enjoying at last.

WOW Kerry's in a museum

2011-06-11T19:34:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to member Kerry Gelmi on her "Songlines" entry into the World of Wearable Art being selected for display in the World of Wearable Art and Classic Cars Museum.

Courtesy World of Wearable Art

June Meeting

2011-06-07T20:47:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to Val who demonstrated "upside down nuno" or "stained glass felting" or -

how to get from this -

to this -

Val demonstrated the technique with this one -

Here's Penny's creation in progress.

We are really looking forward to seeing how our resident artist's piece turns out.

Here's Darriel's -

And Brenda's -

Art Bra Competition

2011-05-28T18:47:00.000-07:00

The Stirling Street Arts Centre is having an Art Bra Competition to coincide with the Cancer Morning Tea which will be held on Monday 13th June at the Stirling Street Arts Centre.

We felters can make fabulous bras so how about joining in?

Entry forms are available from the office and entry costs are $3.30 for members, $5.50 for non members.

Val's fabulous "Circle of Vessels"

New Book

2011-05-25T01:01:00.000-07:00

Look what's just arrived for the library.

May Meeting - Show and Talk

2011-05-18T18:14:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who brought some of their work in for us to see.

Penny made this stunning table runner after studying her photos from a recent trip to South Africa.

Penny's table runner

Zebra stripes are actually like this, They are not just black and white.

Detail

Davida has been bag making and brought in two (of course) for us to see.

Davida Bag

Detail

Davida Bag 2

Detail

Lastly here are two close ups of shibori work.

By Jacqui

By Davida

A Cushy Job

2011-05-15T23:30:00.000-07:00

Our friends in the Creative Textile Group at Stirling Street Arts Centre have followed our lead and got themselves an exhibition going over at Caf-Fez.

They have been making fabulously decorated bolster cushions. Each Christmas they put together a small parcel of fabrics and trims, and to exchange these as gifts at their Christmas party. This year the challenge was to make bolster cushions from the contents and the results are on display at-

Caf-Fez

18 - 20 Prinsep Street

Bunbury

There are more photos on the talented Cait Gordon's fab Tea & Textiles blog, but for the real thing get yourself over to Caf-Fez. The exhibition runs from 18th May to 30th June 2011.

May Meeting and Felt Collars

2011-05-13T17:39:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Jean and Jacqui for giving a workshop on collar making.

They set off a trend at the March meeting making these -

Jean's Photo Toni C

Jacqui's Photo Toni C

At the same time Brenda made this one -

The above three all started from the same instructions for a "Cascading Collar" found in the book "How we Felt" by Carol Huber Cypher.

Also at the March meeting Colleen got into the mood of making layers but concentrated on making this fabulous scarf -

Here's Maureen's collar being created last Friday -

We are really looking forward to seeing the final result and yours of course so please bring in all your completed collars for next months Show and Talk.

Autumn Fair at the Stirling Street Arts Centre

2011-04-24T22:48:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday was a big day for the Stirling Street Arts Centre with their annual autumn fair. There was a variety of stalls to attract shoppers and of course the Bunbury Felters had their own which was manned by Val for the day.

One of the most popular attractions was the display of shoes made for SSAC’s Decorated Shoe Challenge.

Of course there were some fantastic felt entries.

Val Hornibrook's Skip to My Loop Slippers

Shoes With Bells By Davida Palmer

Davida Palmer

By Lois O'Brien in the Glamorous Category

Lovely detail Lois

Brenda's Glamorous Footwear

There were also plenty of wacky shoes in the humorous category –

Karen Pantlin's Scary Wellies

Winner of the Viewers Choice

Remember there’s always some great felt on sale everyday at the SSAC. Just look in the display cases and the clothing rail.

March Meeting - Dying with Davida

2011-03-23T22:22:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to Davida who gave a colourful demonstration of what to do to those pale and uninteresting fibres and fabrics that we all have lurking in our stash.

This nuno felt scarf started out a little insipid for Davida's tastes.

But with a few splodges of Landscape's Opal things start to look better.

Continue adding colours and squidging the fabric to distribute and mix.

It may look a little scary at the moment but just wait.

Here's the gorgeous end result.

All the instructions for dying with Landscape are at the top of the blog with the other resource information.

Thanks Davida

South West Fashion Week

2011-03-20T18:18:00.000-07:00

A big thank you to Kerry for organising our contribution to the inaugural South West Fashion Week. She was presented with a bouquet of flowers at the March meeting as a thank you from all of us.

The felt on the catwalk looked fabulous and the Convergence blog is featuring photos from the show so if you haven't checked the "other" blog out recently then click here now.

New Book

2011-03-07T16:10:00.000-08:00

If you have been reading all the posts on the World of Wearable Art on the the Convergence blog then you will love the full 2010 Catalogue kindly donated by Kerry Gelmi.

South West Fashion Festival Update

2011-02-17T18:58:00.000-08:00

Everyone's gorgeous things are now hanging at Kerry's place and she will be organising rehearsals on Sunday so if you haven't got your pieces to her get them round now!

They all look amazing and this should be a wonderful event.

The breaking news is that we are now going to be part of the opening parade at 2pm Thursday 24th!!

Parade times are as follows:
Thursday 24th February  - 11am and 2pm 
Friday 25th February  - 1pm, 3pm, 5pm 
Saturday 26th February  - 10am, 11.30pm, 1pm, 2.30pm

The print in red indicates the shows include our gorgeous felt which appears under the category of "Art to Wear Organic Fashion" .

Tickets are free and you can reserve your seat today by emailing info@swfashionweek.com or calling 08 9791 1611. Full details of the event are available on South West Fashion Festival's website- just click here to get to it.

The South West Fashion Festival runs from 24th February 2011 to 26th February 2011.

Venue Bicentennial Square, Bunbury

The Decorated Shoe Challenge

2011-02-09T22:27:00.000-08:00

Stirling Street Arts Centre (SSAC) invite you to enter the Decorated Shoe Challenge. Shoes will be displayed on Sunday 17th April 2011 from 10am to 3pm at the Stirling Street Arts Centre Autumn Fair.

Criteria

All mediums accepted, new and recycled eg textile, leather, painter and of course FELT
No restrictions on style or number of entries per person
Be as flamboyant or as conservative as you wish (oooh flamboyant what us the felters!)
Attach a name and contact number on the back of the shoes
Shoes to be delivered to SSAC by 15th April - Contact SSAC for an entry form (entry fee for SSAC members $3.30 inc GST).

Prizes

A panel of independent judges will award a prize of a $50.00 voucher to each category

Categories

Glamorous: Yes, this girl just stepped off the catwalk
Way Out: What can you do with a pair of shoes - Stun us
Humorous: Think frivolous, comical, fun. Go on make us laugh.

South West Fashion Week

2011-02-06T22:25:00.000-08:00

Many thanks to Kerry who has organised for us to be part of South West Fashion Week. The theme is RED so get your red garments, jewellery and accessories to Kerry as soon as possible.

Parades Times have now been released!   -

Thursday 24th February  - 11am and 2pm 
Friday 25th February  - 1pm, 3pm, 5pm 
Saturday 26th February  - 10am, 11.30pm, 1pm, 2.30pm

Venue Bicentennial Square, Bunbury

Kerry has organised tickets for the 1pm Parade on the 25th - let her know if you would like to attend then and see our gorgeous creations.

For more information on South West Fashion Week click here.

Happy Christmas

2010-12-24T09:58:00.000-08:00

As we settle down to enjoy some time to enjoy our friends and family over the Christmas period here are some of the photos from our lovely Christmas lunch at Gloria's.

Great selection of food courtesy of everyone who brought a plate and of course Gloria who cooked the ham.

The theme was red so everyone was wearing it. Marrianne had made her amazing dress on her knitting machine.

Marrianne's dress detail

Marrianne was not the only one showing off something she had made. Kim kindly modelled Val's WOW bra

Kim and the proud bra maker.

Don't know what the joke was but it certainly made us laugh

Maureen had some more prize winning alpaca creations -

The colours in this vest are just gorgeous-

Close up detail

Kim had made a beautiful flower edged scarf -

And a bright pink one -

Great day ladies. Have a wonderful Christmas and see you all first Friday of February.

Our Stall at the Stirling Street Arts Centre Christmas Craft Fair

2010-12-20T22:40:00.000-08:00

Thank you to everyone who donated a piece of felt to raise money for the 11th Southern Hemisphere Felting Convergence 2011. It was all displayed on our stall at the Stirling Street Arts Centre Christmas Fair and we think you will agree it looked fabulous.

We sold lots of pieces and raised a substantial amount towards the Convergence but also raised awareness of the Bunbury Felters Group and of course, how we use beautiful Australian merino wool to create our fabrics, garments and accessories.

A big thank you to Darriel who demonstrated the felting process and manned the stall on one of the hottest days of the year.

It was an important day for Stirling Street Arts Centre too as the Christmas Craft Fair raises funds to keep the Centre running for the local community to enjoy. We love being part of Stirling Street, and the Committee do a great job - thank you to all .

New Book

2010-12-07T00:08:00.000-08:00

Hats Made Easy

Many thanks to Jenny Tate who very kindly donated it to us.

Happy Anniversary Gloria

2010-12-03T01:41:00.000-08:00

Our best wishes to Gloria celebrating her golden wedding anniversary today.

"A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person."

Bussleton Show Winners

2010-11-29T21:39:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Sue Seaman and Joan Kent on their recent prizes from the Busselton Show.

Joan won first prize and second prizes in the Furnishing Category for the seats she did for our recent exhibition.

She also got a second prize for a nuno scarf in the Felting Category whilst Sue Seaman received
the first prize for a pink nuno stole (it also got a special award from the Busselton Spinners and Weavers). Sue also received a "highly commended" for an openwork stole with machine embroidery in some of the spaces.

Well done ladies. If you want to see pictures of their pieces, keep checking out the 11th Southern Hemisphere Felting Convergence blog as they'll be featured there.

Christmas Craft Fair

2010-11-28T06:03:00.000-08:00

It was a bit of a hot day but still the crowds came to the Stirling Street Art Centre's Christmas Craft Fair today.

Our stall

Lots of beautiful felt for sale

Fortunately we were right below the fans.

On our table

A big thank you to everyone who donated pieces for sale. We raised several hundreds of dollars to go towards the 11th Southern Hemisphere Felting Convergence. Thank you also to Darriel and Jacqui for running the stall. We also raised lots of interest in the great art of felting and promoted out group and the Stirling Street Arts Centre's felting workshops. It is rewarding to see how interested are in our craft and appreciative of our work. It really looked great.

Detail from one of Jean's pieces

Again a big thank you to everyone who helped make the event a success.

November Meeting - Demos

2010-11-23T22:16:00.000-08:00

Many thanks to Lorraine for her talk on designing on a dressmakers dummy.

The individual pieces pinned

It starts to take shape

Thanks also to Val for demonstrating the woven felt hearts for those who weren't at camp -

Before felting

After felting-

Solar Dying at Camp

2010-11-20T22:34:00.000-08:00

The end result

Gorgeous.

How we Felt

2010-11-18T16:30:00.000-08:00

Here's Kaylene at the November meeting.

Telephone conversation, eating lunch, felting.... How many things can you do while creating something wonderful?

Making Faces

2010-11-15T21:29:00.000-08:00

Didn't you love the masks on the 12th November post. Here are some of them being made-

Spring has Sprung

2010-11-15T16:52:00.000-08:00

Look - a pair of willywag tails have decided to use Helen's sculpture on her veranda for their home. They are very busy building two nests! - Helen says she has never seen them build two nests before - perhaps one is for weekends away.

Do you think the nests look like Helen's felt vessels?

Welcome to our Newest Member

2010-11-12T21:52:00.000-08:00

At our November meeting, at the back of the room working hard away while the rest of us were talking was our newest member - Jo.

Under Sue Seaman's expert tuition, Jo has been creating some rather excellent sample pieces -

and some nuno -

Jo wanted to create a flower corsage as per Lizzie Houghton's book "Felting Fashion".

Looks like she's succeeded.

Absolutely lovely Jo.

More Camping it Up

2010-11-12T20:15:00.000-08:00

Guess who are behind the masks -

Answers on a postcard to....

Full on October

2010-11-11T20:08:00.000-08:00

Gosh October has been a busy month!

Starting the month was the Fire and Fibre Exhibition at Stirling Street Art Centre with our fabulous seats in their second exhibition.

The middle of the month had our first stall at the Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School Fair. It was a great success with hundreds of dollars raised towards the 11th Southern Hemisphere Felting Convergence Thank you to everyone who contributed to make this an outstanding success. Your generosity with your time and felt is much appreciated. Such a great venue we will be having a stall here each year to give members' an outlet for all their great creations and give the group a fund raising venue.

Wrapping up the month was Camp where a wonderful creative time was had by all who attended. Kudardup was a really great place.

Davida's dying workshop was soooo colourful. Look in at a later post to see the end result.

Felters in action -

There's a lot of concentration going on here! Later posts will show some the of the results.

New Books

2010-10-27T02:13:00.000-07:00

Just arrived for our library -

Felt on Sale

2010-10-08T01:12:00.000-07:00

Remember to come along to the Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School's Craft Fair next weekend. The Organising Committee are having a stall to raise funds for the 11th Southern Hemisphere Felting Convergence Bunbury 2011 so there will be lots of beautiful hand made felt on sale.

This year's Craft Fair is promised to be a monster event so come along with friends and family to enjoy a day of artistic and cultural pleasure.

Sunday, 17 October 2010: 10.00am to 3.30pm

Venue:Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School, 5 Allen Road, Gelorup WA 6230

There will be so many things for sale - check out Victoria Gelmi's blog to see the cool things that will be on her stall.

And remember hand-made is always best.

Banners part II

2010-09-25T15:43:00.000-07:00

Another idea for a piece for our new banner -

This one is from a wall hanging made by Davida.

Banners

2010-09-21T15:45:00.000-07:00

Lots of lovely ideas to help you make a piece for our new banner -

Fragments of Fantasy

2010-09-17T18:33:00.000-07:00

Remember to exhibit your beautiful felt in the Stirling Street Art Centre's Fragments of Fantasy exhibition which is coming up soon.

The exhibition runs from 1st to 3rd October 2010 and the official opening is on Saturday 2nd October and includes a fashion parade of wearable art.

What a wonderful place to show off all your beautiful felt creations so make sure you have completed your entry form.

Make a Flower

2010-09-15T04:27:00.000-07:00

Beautiful felt flowers made from felt left over from other projects.

A few lines of stitching across the centre and they are ready to be turned into name tags.

Looks like a picture of autumn.