Class Schedule
FELTED LANDSCAPES with Diane Christian, Mar 10-11, 2012
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FELTED LANDSCAPES
with Diane Christian
Sat and Sun, March 10-11, 2012
9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
$225 plus materials, approx. $15-$30
basic felting knowledge required
Students will learn the fundamentals of landscape painting, including how to create a sense of distance through color and perspective. Students will begin felting the landscape by laying out dyed wool using the wet felting technique. They will develop their landscapes by adding detail and texture with a felting needle.
Diane Christian is known for her ability to create landscapes with depth and movement through the medium of felted wool. She studied Photography at Endicott College and Studio Art at Smith College and has worked as an illustrator. A primarily self-taught feltmaker, she is a member of the NorthEast Feltmakers Guild. Her felt landscapes have appeared in several juried art shows and have become part of private collections in the northeast.
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FELT FABRICS FOR UPHOLSTERY with Nicole Chazaud Telaar, Mar 24-27, 2012
FELT FABRICS FOR UPHOLSTERY
with Nicole Chazaud Telaar
Saturday-Tuesday, March 24-27, 2012
9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
$485
beginner friendly
"People often ask me how I get my colors and designs so clear and bold...or even how I thought of the design combinations I use in a grouping. This class is taken from my personal experience as a textile designer, when for so many years, I created print coordinated fabric lines for home furnishing companies in New York City. So much of what I teach is what I learned about combining colors and pattern, but in a very approachable and easy to apply philosophy." — Nicole Chazaud Telaar
We have combined Nicole's Color Theory class with Upholstery Pattern and Design to bring you an amazing 4 day class. In this class, Nicole shows students how to identify and work with harmonious color combinations. Students will design three coordinating fabrics. Working from sources of inspiration, students will establish the design, then lay out their fiber for each project. The students will learn special techniques for upholstery-weight patterned felt. Everything comes together as the students wet felt their pieces. Various techniques are illustrated throughout the day. Please note that this class requires standing most of the day. No felting experience is necessary.
See the Materials List.
SEAMLESS FELTING USING THE FLAT RESIST METHOD with Carolann Tebbetts, Mar 31, 2012
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SEAMLESS FELTING USING THE FLAT RESIST METHOD
with Carolann Tebbetts
Saturday, March 31, 2012
9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
$95 plus materials, approx. $15-$30
beginner friendly
The creation of a felted vessel is a dynamic and magical experience. Taking a few handfuls of fiber and transforming them into a sturdy, functional form is truly an addictive activity that requires only a few basic pieces of equipment along with soap, water, and fiber. Once the technique is learned, various shapes, colors, and surface textures provide limitless possibilities! By pinching and pulling, the vessels can be shaped in myriad ways. Ribs, waves, and flowing curves can be achieved with minimal effort and a few binder clips. In this full day, introductory course students will learn to create a vessel using the resist technique. Shaping and adding dimensional elements will be introduced.
See the Materials List.
In addition to teaching visual art at the secondary and post-secondary level, Carolann Tebbetts has had her work featured on both the DIY Network and HGTV. She has published in several art journals and magazines and is pursuing an MFA in Fiber Art. Carolann's felted vessels are currently being shown at the Westboro Gallery and in a juried Massachusetts Educators' exhibit at the Transportation Building in Boston. She has been felting since 2003: most recently exploring nuno and 3D resist. She felts almost daily at her home in Shrewsbury where her studio overlooks Lake Quinsigamond.
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NUNO COLLAGE SCARVES with Jean Gauger, Apr 7, 2012
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NUNO COLLAGE SCARVES
with Jean Gauger
Saturday, April 7, 2012
9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
$125 plus materials, approx. $25-$40
beginner friendly
Create a stunning scarf in only a few hours and learn about the fastest-growing technique in feltmaking. Nuno is just one of many feltmaking techniques, but the amazing lightweight, highly textured fabric that results is rapidly gaining attention in finer galleries and the fiber art world. Easy to learn, nuno involves felting a small amount of colored merino wool into a pre-existing fabric (usually silk). Please note that this class requires standing most of the day. No felting experience is necessary.
Easthampton fiber artist Jean Gauger creates unique art-to-wear nuno pieces as well as home decor,journals, handbags and framed art. Originally a knitter, she discovered wet felting and has been hooked ever since!
See the Materials List.
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FELTED BAGS with 3D ELEMENTS with Andrea Graham, Apr 12-13, 2012
FELTED BAGS with 3D ELEMENTS
with Andrea Graham
Thursday & Friday, April 12-13, 2012
9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
$275 plus materials, approx. $20-$35
$150 deposit required
intermediate felting experience required
Participants will learn how to use a flat resist technique to create a one of a kind, functional and wearable sculpture to carry their stuff! They will learn a variety of options for making handles; and exciting 3D surface design elements, such as spikes, loops, multiple resists and more. Please note that this class requires standing most of the day.
Andrea Graham is a feltmaker, speaker and instructor residing in rural Ontario, Canada with her husband and three sons. She is a member of both the Kingston Fibre Artists and Connections Fibre Artists and is the Canadian coordinator for the International Feltmakers Association.
Andrea has participated in international felt exhibitions, a recent solo exhibition, as well as many juried and invitational shows, most recently being accepted by FiberArt International 2010 and the International, juried and touring felt exhibit, "The Climate is Changing", currently traveling Europe. Andrea's work has received several awards and grants by local and provincial arts councils and has been featured in publications around the world including most recently: European Textile Forum magazine, German felt magazine Fun, and "1000 Artisan Textiles".
In 2009, Andrea participated in the international invitational exhibition, "NeoFelt: Future of an Ancient Art" at the Creamery in Hotchkiss, Colorado which also included the work of Jorie Johnson and India Flint. Curator, Gail Perrone recognizes Andrea as: "...a trailblazer in her craft. Andrea is moving into newer areas of what's being done with felt that are stretching the traditional forms we typically make in this medium." Andrea looks forward to continuing to explore three dimensional form, installation and conceptual work while continuing to educate those on the miraculous craft of feltmaking.
See the Materials List.
PODS: SOLID FELTED FORM IN 3D with Andrea Graham, Apr 14-15, 2012
PODS: Solid Felted Form in 3D
with Andrea Graham
Saturday & Sunday, April 14-15, 2012
9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
$295 plus materials
$150 deposit required
beginner friendly
Participants will create solid felted form sculpture or a series of sculptures with various dimensional surface design elements. We will discuss, plan, construct, and felt. Students should come prepared with sketch book, several images of inspiring 3 dimensional form, and a sense of adventure. Please note that this class requires standing most of the day.
Andrea Graham is a feltmaker, speaker and instructor residing in rural Ontario, Canada with her husband and three sons. She is a member of both the Kingston Fibre Artists and Connections Fibre Artists and is the Canadian coordinator for the International Feltmakers Association.
Andrea has participated in international felt exhibitions, a recent solo exhibition, as well as many juried and invitational shows, most recently being accepted by FiberArt International 2010 and the International, juried and touring felt exhibit, "The Climate is Changing", currently traveling Europe. Andrea's work has received several awards and grants by local and provincial arts councils and has been featured in publications around the world including most recently: European Textile Forum magazine, German felt magazine Fun, and "1000 Artisan Textiles".
In 2009, Andrea participated in the international invitational exhibition, "NeoFelt: Future of an Ancient Art" at the Creamery in Hotchkiss, Colorado which also included the work of Jorie Johnson and India Flint. Curator, Gail Perrone recognizes Andrea as: "...a trailblazer in her craft. Andrea is moving into newer areas of what's being done with felt that are stretching the traditional forms we typically make in this medium." Andrea looks forward to continuing to explore three dimensional form, installation and conceptual work while continuing to educate those on the miraculous craft of feltmaking.
See the Materials List.
NUNO COLLAGE SCARVES with Jean Gauger, May 5, 2012
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NUNO COLLAGE SCARVES
with Jean Gauger
Saturday, May 5, 2012
9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
$125 plus materials, approx. $25-$40
beginner friendly
Create a stunning scarf in only a few hours and learn about the fastest-growing technique in feltmaking. Nuno is just one of many feltmaking techniques, but the amazing lightweight, highly textured fabric that results is rapidly gaining attention in finer galleries and the fiber art world. Easy to learn, nuno involves felting a small amount of colored merino wool into a pre-existing fabric (usually silk). Please note that this class requires standing most of the day. No felting experience is necessary.
Easthampton fiber artist Jean Gauger creates unique art-to-wear nuno pieces as well as home decor,journals, handbags and framed art. Originally a knitter, she discovered wet felting and has been hooked ever since!
See the Materials List.
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NUNO FELTED COATS AND JACKETS with Dutch Feltmaker, Charity Musoma van der Meer, Jun 22-24, 2012
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NUNO FELTED COATS AND JACKETS
with Dutch Feltmaker,
Charity Musoma van der Meer
Friday to Sunday, June 22-24, 2012
9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
$400 plus materials
$195 deposit required
Intermediate felting experience required
Join us in a 3-day workshop with Dutch feltmaker, Charity Musoma van der Meer. Charity will be teaching how to design and construct coats and jackets using the nuno feltmaking technique. Students will have the opportunity to use a variety of fibers and fabrics to create textured and unique surfaces. This class will fill fast, so call to save your spot now!
With a degree in Fashion and Knitwear Design, from the Nottingham University of Art and Design in the UK, Charity Musoma van der Meer moved to the Netherlands to develop her own unique style. A fascination with feltmaking led her to experiment with garment construction and to develop the Sharit Ethical Fashion line, a brand that is quickly becoming recognizable in the Netherlands.
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GO-FELT-A-FISH with Sharon Costello, Sep 21, 2012
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GO-FELT-A-FISH
with Sharon Costello
Friday, September 21, 2012
9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
$125 plus materials
beginner friendly
A fun, "everything goes" approach to teaching surface design in felt. Students will learn all about creating surface design in the felting process while creating a one-of-a- kind, three dimensional fiber fish that can be used as a small bag, or hanging art piece. We will combine wool, shear fabrics, silks and synthetic fibers, designer yarns, wool locks and beads to create fantasy fish full of texture and shine. This class will includes mostly wet felting techniques.
Sharon Costello started as a fiber artist twenty-five years ago with a small flock of sheep and a love of creative experimentation. She has been a full time, professional feltmaker since 1995.
She is well known for her prize winning needle felted art dolls and felted vessels. She has studied feltmaking in the US, Turkey and Scandinavia and shares her knowledge of the craft teaching workshops through national and international conferences, fiber and doll guilds, art centers and colleges.
She also sponsors "Felters' Fling", a bi-annual conference that brings instructors from around the world to introduce new techniques to American feltmakers.
Sharon has produced two teaching videos; one on her felt doll making techniques and one on featherweight felting methods. Her work has been featured in several books. Sharon has a design degree from Syracuse University and an MBA from the State University of New York at Albany.
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NEEDLE FELTED ANIMAL FIGURES with Sharon Costello, Sep 22-23, 2012
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NEEDLE FELTED ANIMAL FIGURES
with Sharon Costello
Saturday & Sunday, September 22-23, 2012
9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
$195 plus materials, approx. $30
beginner friendly
In this two-day workshop, students will create an animal of their choosing. Sculpt a favorite pet, polar bear, lion, llama, giraffe, chimp or even a fantasy animal such as a dragon. The workshop will teach participants how to analyze their animal's anatomy, create an appropriate armature and detail facial features to recreate a life-like felted animal.
Sharon Costello started as a fiber artist twenty-five years ago with a small flock of sheep and a love of creative experimentation. She has been a full time, professional feltmaker since 1995.
She is well known for her prize winning needle felted art dolls and felted vessels. She has studied feltmaking in the US, Turkey and Scandinavia and shares her knowledge of the craft teaching workshops through national and international conferences, fiber and doll guilds, art centers and colleges.
She also sponsors "Felters' Fling", a bi-annual conference that brings instructors from around the world to introduce new techniques to American feltmakers.
Sharon has produced two teaching videos; one on her felt doll making techniques and one on featherweight felting methods. Her work has been featured in several books. Sharon has a design degree from Syracuse University and an MBA from the State University of New York at Albany.
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3-D SEAMLESS FELTING: THE PILLOW COMPANION with Chris White, TBA
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3-D SEAMLESS FELTING:
The Pillow Companion
with Chris White
Date: TBA
$75, plus materials, approx. $20-$40
beginner friendly
Three-dimensional seamless felting is the foundation technique of feltmaking. Learning to make consistently even seams and predicting your shrinkage rates is essential. This class is popular because you learn all of those things, but you'll also leave with a great pillow for whatever you need — footrest on your coffee table, backrest in the car, a pillow for train commutes or your pet or your couch. Take this course to give yourself a sound set of skills in order to move on to more advanced felting techniques.
Chris White is the owner of Magpie Designs Felting Studio and New England Felting Supply in western Massachusetts. After teaching for a number of years, she now concentrates on a few national courses and gives workshops for guilds and other groups. Chris has been felting professionally since 2001 and has worked in a variety of techniques with internationally known feltmakers. Founder of the Northeast Feltmakers Guild, she has also written about felt for various publications and served as guest curator for felt shows. She is the author of Uniquely Felt, (Storey, 2007).
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GENERAL CLASS INFORMATION
To reserve a spot, call 413-527-1188 (Tuesday thru Saturday, 10 a.m to 5 p.m.) or email us.
NEFS offers workshops at all skill levels throughout the year. Classes range from day sessions with NEFS staff to full 5- day workshops with nationally and internationally- known professional feltmakers.
Class registration: Class registration is currently done by phone during business hours. Some classes require full payment at the time of registration, but for most, a deposit will be requested to hold your place. The balance of the class fee will be due at the end of class along with any material costs. You will be notified upon registration about details pertaining to the class including materials lists and cut off date for the return of your deposit. Classes that are cancelled by NEFS are fully refundable.
Materials: NEFS or the instructor will e-mail a materials list upon registration or in plenty of time before the class. Materials fee are due at the end of class.
Arrival and Parking: It’s important to arrive on time. Please make sure to check local weather and maps and always leave extra time to find us if it’s your first trip to the shop. Our expanded storefront space is now open! There is free parking on Cottage Street and a public parking lot directly across from us. If you need to unload supplies, you can drive around the back of the Majestic Theater Building (via Pine Street or Orchard Street) and unload into our back door. Parking in this lot is not permitted however so you will need to move your car to Cottage Street once you are done.
Food: During most classes, take-out lunches are ordered, but you are also welcome to bring your own food to class. We have a refrigerator and microwave. All food, drink and snacks should be confined to the kitchen area of the classroom space.
Lodging: There are many places to stay in the area and you can google the Pioneer Valley B & B’s, or the towns of Northampton, Hadley or Amherst. The Park Street B&B 1.5 miles from NEFS in Easthampton (413) 527-781. Rte. 9 in Hadley is about 10 miles from NEFS and has a number of motels including the Comfort Inn (413) 584-9816.
