Needle felting is exactly that, you felt the wool with the use of a needle that is covered in sharp barbs, that pushes the top part of the wool fibres into the underlying material and so felt it .  It is an amazing tool to work with. One can make real details using the needle much more so than when felting with water. It’s a lot less messy too, except for when one pricks one self…..I

n the morning work shop we will be making farm animals and the afternoon concentrate on characters from our beloved fairy tales such as Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty , The Little Mermaid and Hanzel and Grettle to mention a few. These can then maybe be used in a mobile if one would like.

I have had the mobiles of the needle felted creatures at the last few Arts in the Olives festivals and they have sold very quickly. They make delightful gifts for new parents and people who wish for beautiful handmade objects for their childrens’ rooms.

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I began teaching people how to make rugs by hand about 5 years ago, when I found people visited my studio and wanted to make rugs of their own.  The technique I use to make my larger wool commission rugs is with a hand held tool from Germany that is used for mass production, called a hand tufting gun.  It is not suitable for the home user, but the beautiful hand held wooden tool called a primitive rug hook imported from Ireland is.

I love this workshop, for so many reasons: it is so into recycling, as the rugs are made from  old fabric that is lying around, and also old clothing.  The end result is always so handmade and interesting.   The process itself is relaxing and I have often heard the word addictive.  I hold a couple of groups in my studio bimonthly to gather my happy hookers to drink tea and continue on with their projects.

www.becandersen.com

On the Saturday before the main day of the festival, Sunday, the olive grove is a hive of activity. Stall holders are setting up, the foodies are busy moving in kitchens, marquees, stages, bunting,  signage- it’s all happening.

But- if you were to wander around between jobs you would find a few quiet corners of very intense creativity. Down by the creek is basketry with Therese Flynn Clark. Further afield, over the creek is Gilbert Louttit and his Blacksmithing. Actually, it’s maybe not so quiet at  the blacksmithing but certainly busy and intense.

When so many people are creating and learning the energy is almost palpable. The Friday and Saturday workshops are an opportunity for those busy on the Sunday to have a chance at making something or for those interested in the bigger project to have time to complete it.

By Toby Hurwood 11 yrs

Well it’s starting to happen. Most of the workshops for this years festival have been confirmed . We have some of the same workshops back this year and some new ones. We also have some new childrens workshops.

Workshops for this year, May 13th, include blacksmithing, painting with acrylics, needle felting, batik, crochet brooches,  pottery and clay sulpture, basketry, millefiori bead making, primitive rug hooking and photography.

As usual all questions about the workshops and bookings can be emailed to  Stephanie, at artsintheolives@gmail.com. Most other details about the festival can be found on the different pages of this blog.