What's on
The Workshop
Your tutor, Rachel, is looking forward to meeting you and says: “this workshop uses an exciting new method to create a large felt pot. Unlike our felt bowl workshop which uses the flat resist method, with this technique the bowl is formed around a ball. As an additional twist, the external pattern is laid up directly onto the ball since one of the final acts will be to turn the bowl inside out.
Your design is placed around the ball before adding fibre layers in small amounts on top, much like a papier-mâché technique and it is kept wet by spraying with warm soapy water throughout.
Once the fibre layers are complete your felt pot is encased in thin plastic and some tights (to secure the layers) before sessions of bouncing the ball on the table surface commences. This is when the fun truly starts!
After a few sessions of bouncing and hand felting we have the exciting moment of turning your pot the right way around to reveal your pot design!
The felt pot workshop is suitable for absolute beginners and also people with some experience of felting who are curious to learn a new technique. During the day you will be guided through the felting process, the handling of the wool fibres, and use of a resist to create your own unique 3D bowl. We will have a number of sample bowls available to help inspire you and I will ensure you have lots of fun.”
When you are bouncing your ball, some soapy water inevitably flies around so a waterproof apron will be provided. A range of coloured wool fibres are available to make your pot. All other materials and pieces of equipment needed for wet felting one pot will be provided.
There is an excellent book available describing the bouncing ball technique. In case you would like to make more pots when you get home, details of where to buy the book and the necessary equipment will be provided.
What is the cost?
£105 + £1.85 card fee. This includes all the materials needed to make your wet felt pot, including the carding process that Rachel needs to do prior to the day, and refreshments during the day (excluding lunch).
How many places are available?
To ensure the quality of your personal experience, the group size is limited to 6.
Attendance numbers are kept small to ensure you are given one-on-one time and attention to explore your creativity, so by the end of your session, you will not only have learnt a new skill but have completed your handmade pot.
What are the timings?
This is a full day workshop from 9:30am to 5pm to ensure there is plenty of time for a relaxing session.
Our purple front door will be open from 9.00am so we can welcome you in, you can get to meet Rachel and your fellow crafters and grab a cuppa before you start. Whilst it may seem like we have lots of time, do please arrive by at least 9.15am, so we can start promptly on time at 9:30am.
What skills are needed?
No experience is necessary. You will require stamina, a certain degree of arm strength and no underlying shoulder pain / injuries. Much of the day will be standing.
What to bring on the day?
Anticipation to enjoy the whole, incredible experience!
Specific to this workshop:
Please bring your own lunch or some money to buy something from either the hot-food hut nearby or the small local Asda. We will be providing drinks and home-made biscuits throughout the day.
We want you to go home with a spring in your step and feel really good about what you have achieved. To make sure we can thoroughly look after you during your workshop please fill in your booking form with all the things that will help, be it your favourite milk, or any extra support you may require. Please also let us know of allergies that we may need to highlight to your fellow crafters e.g. nuts, perfume. Many thanks.
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