Friday, September 27, 2013

Felt feutre !!!!! A first time Canadian event

Well back from a two four day trip to Salt Spring Island, where 
The first international Canadian event was held, with workshops, art shows, fashion shows and amazing teachers and students all magically put together by Fiona Duthie of Salt Spring, who did an amazing job for us all.   I so appreciate whAt she has done, and the energy and vitality she brought to the event. I got a chance to meet and tLk to many felters I have admired over the years and followed their work and their process and to meet them in person was a treat.  I went for a two day workshop with Marjolein Dallinga, which was a wonderful experience in itself.
I have been a big fan of her work  for many years and this was the first affordable opportunity to work under her and work we did.  the class was composed of ten folks who all were felters of varying experience and she worked us hard and thoroughly...and long days with great results.  It was a great all round experience and a pleasure to be a small of it all...apparently I went for only really sunny days and now home with a fire and rain, and a head full of new ideas and new techniques.  I was so pleased to meet Fiona in person, as she is an incredibly sweet open woman with great energy and it was an amazing feat to pull this off with such grace and humour, we could hear her laughing and teaching and 
I was so impressed.  
I hadn't been to Salt Spring since 1974 so many changes, much busier and still a beautiful island...and I managed to gather dyeing mushrooms while there, and eucalyptus of many varities
Below isa piece by Marjolein, and the owl was done by a man who lives on Salt Spring and I am sorry but I don't remember his name, but it was. Wonderful life size piece....all in all I had a great time and learned a lot about teaching felting and many new felt tricks....a humbling and gratifying adventure!





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