Flying through July

New 19 micron Merino and silk fibre scarf.
Resist-dyed after felting.

When I look at the calendar, it's hard to believe that it's the 17th of July already. The Handmade Sessions is taking a good bit of time, but I have succumbed and moved quite a lot of my studio down so I can get some of my own work done and still be opened for office hours and inquiries. I've got quite a few scarves felted and that takes some internal pressure off as I was starting to stress that I wouldn't get any personal work done this summer AT ALL. I felted a handbag on Saturday that I think will turn out well.  I dyed it and left it to dry overnight, so pictures to follow during the week.

We also finished the first week of summer camp and I found it a real pleasure to teach the girls.  Not only were they very enthusiastic, I found it easier to teach them than adults because the minds of children are wide open and creative; they don't second guess themselves or worry about how their designs will appear.  They just get on with it!  And it was lovely to see such confidence.  They produced great work: Felted book covers that they stitched afterwards, dyed cotton fabrics and rovings/yarns, patchwork pillows, and they tried crochet and found it difficult.  I let them off the hook as they did so well in everything else.  They were excited to enter their efforts in the Agricultural Show in Dingle this weekend.  See my Facebook page for the photo album.  Tomorrow starts the next cycle and so we'll have to see if I end up with such a great group again!

It was a busy week last week.  Lots of teaching and administration to cover, not to mention a visit from my boss in Tralee and the new Harry Potter movie finally arriving!  Needless to say, Sunday was spent planted firmly at home coming to grips with the disaster of my home.  With the wind howling and heavy showers, I could hardly wash the windows, but everything else got a good scrubbing!  Dull housework done, I think it's time for a cup of tea!  

I love how the blue and purple came together: cornflower

Hand-dyed yarns & rovings.  Despite the wet week, I
did get quite a bit dyed.

Where did that weekend go??

Well, I seemed to have gotten nothing done this weekend bar laundry and rest.  I know the resting has to be done, but there is quite a lot of grass growing and my house could be a lot cleaner!  Nevermind, I will have a shot at tidying tonight.  For now, I have to get going because our Craft Bootcamp is starting at 10am!  We are learning patchwork, crochet, dyeing, felting, and stitch.  Plenty to do for them!

I did get busy in my studio a bit this week.  It probably worked double-duty as therapy and I got four new scarves out of it.  I felted them with 19 micron merino and a small layer of silk and then did the design work at the prefelt stage.  I finished fulling and then dyed then.  Two I dyed as per normal and two I resist-dyed to see what texture I would get.  Very happy with all of them!

Now, I need to get myself in gear and get us out the door!  Will post more during the week....xx

Another Busy Week!

This week's Handmade Sessions: 

Free-form crochet

Monday: upcycling with Andrea.  Andrea has been designing clothing for almost ten years now and will show you how to customize your clothing to creative innovative, sparkling design.  Bring a piece of clothing that you want to change and we will have the rest of the materials for you!


Tuesday: dyeing with Sharon.  Learn the basics of dyeing protein-based fibres (wool/silk) and cellulose fibres (cotton/linen/rayon).  We will dye cotton fabric suitable for patchwork and wool fibres suitable for felting and discuss safety precautions for dyeing.  Get the great colours that you see in professional work.


Wednesday: knitting with Vicki.  Vicki is a life-long knitter and part of a consortium that knits for Everyone Loves Lilly, a company based in Kenmare that makes children's knitwear and clothing.  Class is suitable for beginners or improvers.


Thursday: felting with Sharon.  Learn the ancient art of felting.  It's said that originally people put sheep's wool in their shoes to prevent blisters from forming and the felt was created by the sweat and friction!  Either way, we will be making felt with lovely, soft merino wool and making our own cloth.  Very easy to learn and suitable for children, as well.


Friday: free-form crochet with Sharon. Learn the basic crochet stitches and how to link them together to create a unique design for yourself.  


All Sessions 2-530pm and cost €35, materials included.  Booking is essential. Please ring 087-9111793 for additional information.

Crafty Bootcamp: crochet

Craft in Kerry’s Handmade Sessions will be starting their Crafty Bootcamp starting Monday, 4 July. Participants will learn craft technique in the following areas:

Felt—stitch a sampler, make a small handbag or pair of cuffs

Stitch—embroider and embellish a felted & dyed piece; hand sew patchwork wall piece.

Dyeing—dye wool yarns for crochet, fabric for patchwork & merino for felting

Crochet—Learn to crochet a scarf, e.g. basic single and double crochet which can be adapted into larger projects

Patchwork-dye fabric and cut and sew a pattern for a small wall hanging

Drawing—learn to draw and keep a design & idea book

The Bootcamp runs 10-130pm and costs €60 per student.  Price concessions can be made for multiple bookings.  Booking is essential. Ring 087-9111793 for more information.

Crafty Bootcamps from Handmade Sessions!

A Participant in the wood carving Session.

The Handmade Sessions/ Seisiúin Lámhdhéanta are open and teaching, but it's a bit of a learning curve, to say the least!  Lots of promotional material distributed all over the county, but it just takes time for people to know that you are there. Quite a lot more local people coming in for Sessions than visitors, which is surprising, but great news for the state of craft in the county!  


Monday we are getting started in our Crafty Bootcamp, a summer camp for 10-15 year olds in our venue in Dingle, Co Kerry.  Live from John St, we will be teaching felt, stitch, dyeing, crochet, patchwork, and drawing.  It will be a very busy week!  We have room for 12 students for the Monday through Friday camp. The fee will be €60 with materials included and I can give a small discount for multiple bookings.  We will run every week until the end of August, so that's what I will be up to for the duration of the summer!


I am excited, though!  Children from 10-15 years are generally very enthusiastic and well able to follow directions and get stuck into a project.  It's wonderful to spread enthusiasm for craft and show them how satisfying it is to create objects by hand, to say nothing of the fact that it will give them appreciation for the time and effort that goes into it!


Meanwhile, I am just grateful that the time of cleaning, dead spiders, and painting is over.  I don't mind spiders, but the sheer number of them was a bit unnerving.  

Minister for Arts, Heritage and
Gaeltacht Affairs,
Jimmy Deenihan, launching
Original Kerry.

The other milestone is that Original Kerry is launched!  The website is lovely and live, due in large part to the great efforts of Deirdre Johnston, the craft coordinator for the county.  Check it out at http://www.originalkerry.com/. Craft in Kerry is under original producers and "mixed craft," which is a little confusing, but we are there! There are Original Kerry gifts and the three new craft trails that have been established to show off the fantastic artisanal talent that our county boasts.  Most of the stops on the trail are interactive and allow for people to view craft being made.  Hop in the car and take a look at craft being developed--it's a great day out.  

Handmade Sessions

Crafty Boot Camp

Participants will learn craft technique in the following areas:

Felt—stitch a sampler, make a small handbag or pair of cuffs

Making a felted book cover...Crafty Bootcamp
will be felting, among other crafts

Stitch—embroider and embellish a felted & dyed piece; hand sew patchwork wall piece.

Dyeing—dye wool yarns for crochet, fabric for patchwork & merino for felting

Crochet—Learn to crochet a scarf, e.g. basic single and double crochet which can be adapted into larger projects

Patchwork-dye fabric and cut and sew a pattern for a small wall hanging

Drawing—learn to draw and keep a design & idea book

For more information on the Crafty Bootcamp, email handmadesessions@hotmail.com or ring 087-9111793.  Craft is for every day!