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for current workshop and retreat information
Florafauna Studio presents a Landmark Felting Retreat!
With the "MOTHERS of NUNO": POLLY STIRLING and SACHIKO KOTAKA
At Silver Bay Conference Center on beautiful Lake George, NewYork
(Meals and accommodations at Silver Bay's Inn included with registration)
Registration
for this event is full, but we have scheduled a 2 day workshop with
Sachiko Kotaka at my Florafauna Textile Studio, June 14 &15,
2010!! Register at www.florafaunastudio.com
An amazing four day (re)treat! The first collaboration ever in the USA of the incomparable Australian creative team of Sachiko Kotaka and Polly Stirling, artists and feltmakers and the original developers of the nuno felt technique.
ORI-KIRI FELT - 2 days under the tutelage of Sachiko
Sachiko
has been exploring folding from which the Japanese tradition of
'Origami' originates, ever since she immigrated to Australia over 30
years ago. Using this folding technique, she begins by ironing a
variety of different weight fabrics (light to medium), pre-felts
(preferably thin-ish) and felt pieces (recycled), which can then be cut
and layered onto wool fiber for the base-felt, using both the positive
and negative shapes for imaginative imagery and surface design. She will introduce suitable (cut-out) designs for this technique from many countries including USA.
*'ori' means 'folded', 'kiri' means 'cut', 'ori-gami' means folded-paper.
FELT COMFORT BLANKETS - 2 days under the tutelage of Polly
Polly's
latest felt mission has been a search for cozy, light weight blankets,
for cool summer nights, lounging around in, or handily ready on the
back of a couch.
By creating modules of felt that can be joined with the beauty of hand stitch, blankets of any scale can be constructed. Possibilities for comfort would include certain soft novelty fibers, special layered materials, and "reverse" directional layering of wool fiber which gives stretch similar to a knitted fabric.
Durable and effective hand stitch techniques will be shown with guided instruction as time permits. It could also be that a blanket will conspire to become wearable art if you can't take it off!
All workshop participants will spend 2 days under the tutelage of Sachiko and 2 days under the tutelage of Polly. These master feltmakers will share their uparalleled and very different creative approaches to feltmaking at this exciting retreat.
This workshop is for the experienced feltmaker interested in expanding the boundaries of artistry and technique in their feltwork.
Email: robin@florafaunastudio.com for registration information.
LEICESTER LONGWOOL FREEFELT PET MATS
New York Sheep and Wool Festival, Rhinebeck, NY
Saturday October 17, 2009 9 am - 4:30 pm
COMPLEX COLLAGE
New York Sheep and Wool Festival, Rhinebeck, NY
Sunday October 18, 2009 9 am - 4:30 pm
For information for these classes, click on this link:
http://www.sheepandwool.com/workshop-instructors/robin-blakney-carlson.asp
THE UNEXPECTED VEST
with Australian Feltmaker Myfanwy Stirling, guest instructorFriday, Saturday and Sunday, July 24 - 26, 2009 9 am - 4 pm
$300 Plus materials
Myfanwy is a designer/feltmaker who makes highly individual patterns by draping fabric on the dress form to create shaping that compliments the body in different ways than your typical patterns. The result of this approach is highly structured garments, pieced together unexpectedly and then enhanced by the different textures and rich colors of her hand made felt techniques.
On day one of this three day workshop, participants will experiment with making original felts using Myfanwy's techniques. The following two days will focus on fitting the chosen vest to the individual and then sewing their interpretation of the pattern. A wide selection of Myfanwy's patterns will be available to choose from, as well as a large array of vests to whet the appetite and hopefully aid with all those decisions.
*Beginning sewers are fine but please be familiar with your machine as we will not have time to work out individual machines. Limited to 10 participants. Contact Robin at robinfelt@luckystonestudio.com to register.
visit www.von-we.com to see more of Myfanwy's work.
RESIST-FELTED BAGS
with Linda Van Alstyne and Robin Blakney-Carlson
Sunday, March 29, 2009 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
$85 plus materials
Feltmakers Linda Van Alstyne and Robin Blakney-Carlson are collaborating to teach this exciting workshop. Linda will share her signature expertise with resist felting techniques while Robin guides you through collage surface design possibilities. Participants will create a seamless bag, ingeniously customized with interior pockets and an integrated strap. Class size is limited to 8 participants. Contact Robin at robinfelt@luckystonestudio.com to register.
NUNO EXPLORATIONS: AN APPALACHIAN SPRING RETREAT
with Robin Blakney-Carlson
Friday, Saturday & Sunday, April 24 - 26, 2009
9 am - 5 pm
Greenville, West Virginia, Community Center
sponsored by Monroe County Arts Alliance
$75.00 per day - plus materials (Registration Due by April 1)
In this three-day workshop, you will have an opportunity to explore a range of nuno techniques and hone your nuno felting skills. Gain a better understanding of how to finesse a variety of materials to attain the characteristics you desire in your felt work. Participants will apply the techniques that inspire them in their chosen projects. Nuno yardage, wraps, scarves or window treatments are a few possibilities. Limited to 12 participants.
TO REGISTER FOR A CLASS or WORKSHOP/RETREAT:
PLEASEgo to the contact page
& complete the on-line registration form at the bottom.
Be sure to include your E-MAIL ADDRESS so I can reply to you! In the COMMENTS BOX, please enter the WORKSHOP name and your TIME PREFERENCE: day or weekend. I will get back to you via e-mail, or phone if you prefer to include your number.
To discuss private instruction, or to organize feltmaking workshops at your venue, please contact Robin Blakney-Carlson at robin@florafaunastudio.com
Explore the ancient textile tradition of feltmaking as a contemporary art form.
