workshops

nature & the needle
garden birds

2012 workshops & dates to be listed soon... meanwhile individual tuition is offered in a variety of felting techniques but especially 3D

To make a bird you need to look really closely at its shape & structure, to analyse the intricate details of its plumage & capture its special look or 'jizz'. During the weekend you learn how to construct a basic armature, build up the shape and gradually bring your bird to into being. All you need is a felting needle, a bird book with really good pictures, a small pile of wool & some heartfelt observation of the lovely details of eyes, beak and feathers. A felting needle has tiny barbs that draw the wool fibres back & forth, working the wool into a firmly felted mass. I use natural wool from rare breeds of sheep as well as the plant-dyed colours of madder, indigo and onion skins.

 Nightingale, robin or wren, choose your own special favourite to bring alive and perch on a twig to take home

Saturday & Sunday 10am - 4pm Tuition £138 including simple home-made, home-grown food with plenty of tea, coffee & cake Material/tool costs depends but about £5

B&B is extra. Please make contact to check availability before booking with a £30 deposit