RESIDENCIES
  Fair Isle June 2005
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laughter till the end!

Jeanette (left) with some of Fair Isle's people wearing & showing their new felted scarves, bracelets & other treasures.

all in small bold from: Shetland Times 24 June 2005

TEXTILE artist in resident Jeanette Sendler has been using her felting skills to introduce folk of all ages to the joys of creating fabric out of native fleece.

In Fair Isle, textile artist Clare Scott and Linda Grieve got in touch with Shetland Arts Trust to see if a workshop could be included. The trust readily agreed and funded a weekend of workshops with Jeanette.

She enthusiastically conducted two intensively creative days of felting.

The participants, who ranged from those with some experience of the process to complete beginners, were rapidly introduced to the basics of felting, which entails encouraging fleece to mat together by the application of heat and agitation.

Jeanette collects Fair Isle wool for her own work

Jeanette then led the group through a series of more difficult techniques whereby jewellery, hats, vessels and fine "cobweb" scarves could be produced.

Jeanette also found time to give an evening lecture to a small but appreciative audience, describing her recent expedition to Kazakhstan and Kirghizstan, two countries where felt remains very much part of the cultural identity.

Traditionally felt was used there to make intricately fashioned rugs and the circular houses, yurts, in which these nomadic people lived. Travelling on horseback through these remote countries, Jeanette met up with a number of families are keeping these traditions alive.

There was also an opportunity to see examples of Jeanette's own work and see slides of the hat collection which Jeanette has produced during her time in Shetland. Titled "Queens of the Afterlife" these felted crowns produced in sombre monochromatic colours and decorated with found skulls and bones reflect the Shetland moorlands Jeanette has explored during her residency.
 

At the end of the workshops those who had participated were all thrilled with what they had produced.

Such was the enthusiasm that most people managed to get back to do another felting session on the final day of Jeanette's visit.

Claire Scott & Linda Grieve, both textile artists & organisers of the weekend get together with their scalfs / vessels.
 

all in small bold from: Shetland Times 24 June 2005

 
 

felt bracelets

The folk of Fair Isle, famous for their knit wear, brought humour & invention to the workshop & produced highly wearable felt items.
 
 
 
 

 

right: Textile Artist Margo Murray is trying a cobweb scarf, very different to her knitted scarves
 
below: Making a bracelet

 

 
 

At the Puffin Hotel.



 cobweb scarfs

 
Below: A wristband or a necklace? One idea easily leads to another
left: Felt pieces made from Shetland wool
 
above: 3d work such as Handbags, vessels, cushion covers, felted stones
A new Fair-Isle range perhaps?!!
 
With the workshop starting on Saturday, Jeanette was booked to fly in on Friday - but the mist lead to a flight cancellation & a return home to Ollaberry. Arriving the following day, around an hour before the work started, this was a full-on weekend.
Jeanette here relaxes following 3 days of feltmaking.
 
 

The scenery has to been seen to be believed on this jewel of an island. In June the wild flowers are glorious but the spectacular cliffs & numerous caves are there the whole year long....

A film documenting Jeanette's Shetland residency & featuring the Fair Isle workshop was first shown in October 2005.

 
 

3 Clinton Street
Newburgh, Fife

Scotland KY14 6DP

email: Jeanette
landline: 01337 841004
shop: 01738 624213
mobile: 07813 023607
photography & webpage: davejford
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