Learn
Join me for a journey into feltmaking.
Learn online, at a workshop or with a kit.
Learn the Art of Feltmaking
**ONLINE COURSES**
Fabulous Felted Flowers or Stunning Felted Vessels
**IN-PERSON WORKSHOPS**
Join me for a day of creative learning in 2024
I am taking a little break from teaching workshops for the first half of 2024 in order to spend some time on my own creative practice. I do love teaching and am looking forward to running workshops later in the year - here is what is coming up so far........
Super Mini Felted Vessels
Friday 3 May 2024
10.30 am – 4.30 pm £60
In partnership with and at Taunton Brewhouse
Booking opening soon via Taunton Brewhouse website
Explore colour and surface design as you create some super mini vessels using the wet feltmaking technique. In this workshop you will learn how to build the wool around a flat resist and shape it to make a 3D structure – the magical method also used for projects such as bags, slippers, hats etc. During the day you should be able to complete 2 or 3 mini vessels that measure approx. 3 ½”/9 cm in diameter.
A large range of colourful wools and surface decoration fibres will be available, along with the equipment you will need, plus post-workshop notes to remind you of the processes learnt during the day – all included in the price. Beginners are very welcome.
Sculptural Felt Vessels
Saturday 20 July 2024
10.30 am – 4.30 pm £65
In partnership with and at Glastonbury Abbey
Create your own unique art vessel whilst exploring how a basic shape can be adjusted to add sculptural elements using the wet feltmaking technique. Working around a 2D resist you will create a 3D form, using the transformational qualities of wool to sculpt shapes that remain once your vessel is finished. You will make and take home a finished vessel approximately 6”/15 cm in diameter by the end of the day.
Materials and equipment are provided. Suitable for all who wish to increase their felting knowledge, including people with previous wet felting experience and beginners.
Workshop dates for your diary 2024
Saturday 29 July 2024
&
Saturday 19 October 2024
Full day £tbc
At St Edmunds Community Hall, Glastonbury
I am currently considering workshop content and learning outcomes, taking the next few months to look at processes and techniques prior to deciding on the themes for these teaching days. I am looking to possibly extend my teaching into mixed media textile art and stitch in addition to felt making – exciting times!
If you have a theme or technique you would like to explore or learn please do let me know.
Highlights from 2023
Felt Art 2D
July 2023
St Edmunds Community Hall, Glastonbury
During this day I want to inspire you to explore some of the surface design effects that can only be achieved through wet feltmaking. You will build either one piece of felt art or have the chance to explore technique through making small samples. I will guide and support you throughout the day.
All equipment and materials will be provided, including items from my extensive ‘stash’ of surface decoration materials and a good palette of colourful wool. This is a perfect workshop for beginners to get to know feltmaking or for those wishing to increase their knowledge and experience of different surface design techniques.
To give you a taste of the decorative and textural effects you can use please check out the videos on my YouTube channel.
Felted Forage Baskets
July 2023
At and in partnership with Glastonbury Abbey
Using gorgeous Shetland wool you will design, build and fully felt a unique Felted Forage Basket that is both unique and functional. Once it is dry you will enhance it further by adding a foraged stick or piece of driftwood as a handle. Whilst working with nature and natural British wool you will learn the no seams, resist technique that is the foundation for many 3D wet felted objects such as bags, slippers, hats, vessels etc
Felt is great to stitch into. So, if you like to use a needle you also have the option of using yarn and embroidery techniques to add further surface decoration to your basket after the workshop.
I am working in partnership with Glastonbury Abbey to bring you this opportunity that will take place in a marquee in the beautiful grounds of the Abbey. Following the workshop you will have the opportunity to stroll around the 36 acres of beautiful grounds and explore the magnificent ruins.
Materials and equipment are provided and beginners are very welcome.
Felted Rug
September 2023
At and in partnership with Somerset Rural Life Museum
At and in partnership with the Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury. Learn to make strong, thick felt from gorgeous undyed British Shetland wool whilst you make a small rug to warm up your toes. Build up the base layers and use the four natural colours that are available in this beautiful wool to create a surface design. During one day we have time for you to learn how to create substantial felt and build a rug either 45 x 45 cm or 40 x 50 cm in size. All materials and equipment are provided.
It is essential you pre-book your place on my workshops, here is how you do it:
If the workshop is being hosted by someone else please contact them directly using the links provided above.
For all workshops that I run directly myself I recommend emailing me to check availability j.loader@btinternet.com
Do email me if you have any queries about any of the workshops.
Once I have confirm my workshops in Glastonbury I will pop a link to my Information and Booking form here.
The venue is St Edmunds Community Hall, Glastonbury, BA6 8EW and each workshop runs from 10.00 am – 4.00 pm (unless shown otherwise).
Advance booking is essential for these workshops in which you will learn new techniques, make beautiful felted items and have time just for you in which to explore your creativity and work with colour and texture. Workshop prices include key materials and equipment – this includes a large range of wool and interesting fibres. For workshops which teach specific techniques I provide post-workshop notes for you to take home to remind you of the processes you learn.
You will need to bring your own lunch, two towels and a plastic bag or bowl to take your creations home. If you need to provide anything else I will let you know.
Full day workshops are not recommended for those under 14 years old. Maximum class size is 8 students.
Please be aware that feltmaking can be quite physical, especially larger projects such as rugs, scarves, forage baskets.
All workshops will be run with any required Covid-19 Secure arrangements in place. I want to keep you all safe and will follow Government guidelines.
"Have wool, will travel"
I have been teaching feltmaking since 2007 and really enjoy sharing techniques, hints and tips with my students. I organise and deliver feltmaking workshops in my local area (Glastonbury, UK), but if you would like one elsewhere I am happy to travel. I work with many different groups and organisations and can adapt to new venues and students. Some of the groups I have felted with include: children, school groups from Year 4 – 11, embroidery guilds, art groups, youth organisations, WI’s, adult summer schools, colleges, environmental groups, historical events and public fun days. I offer a variety of techniques from beginner to advanced. I also give talks and demonstrations.
If you are interested in a talk or workshop do get in touch with your needs.
Feltmaking Kits
If you can’t make a workshop then my feltmaking kits will let you learn at home.
I have designed my feltmaking kits to enable everyone to try feltmaking . They have all been carefully devised and tested to ensure that people new to feltmaking can understand what to do, know how to use the materials and finish with some lovely felted items.
My kits contain everything you need to get you felting: laminated instructions, plenty of gorgeous wool, natural soap flakes, bubblewrap and other essential items.
Felted Vessels with British Wool
Make 2 vessels from this kit which champions lovely British Shetland wool in it’s natural colours.
Feltmaking Kit for Two
A kit to share, or use twice. These kits are available in a choice of colourful Merino or natural British wool. They provide everything you need for two people to begin feltmaking together.
Fabulous Felted Flowers
Make 3 beautiful unique flower corsages using my hand dyed British wool.
Felt Tutorials PDF Downloads
If you already have felting supplies, but want to try a new technique, some of my kit instructions are available as PDF downloads:
Wonderful Wavy Scarves, Fabulous Felted Flowers, Felt Vessels
Customer feedback
