IFA Archives - Jane Mercer Felt Artist

How exciting to be taking part in my first virtual exhibition

I like to take part in an exhibition, but this is the first time I take part in a virtual exhibition. ReConnect opens today and I am exhibiting two pieces. The exhibition is organised by the International Feltmakers Association, of which I am a member. The exhibition coincides with the AGM of the organisation it was to have been held in France, but along with so many things has become virtual. I am inspired by the title ReConect. It is so very appropriate to so many of us, who have spent much of the last year isolated from friends and family. Isolation wasn't easy but reconnecting is also going to require relearning old ways and will take time and patience. Sculpture My sculpture piece uses Bluefaced Leicester, Masham, Welsh, Grey Shetland and Swaledale wools, all with such beautiful natural colours. I made 15 different elements to represent different people, isolated in small…

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28/03/2021

IFA / website / Wet felting

What can a felter do when they break their elbow ?

Cry ? Well it might come to that yet. Last Friday it was a beautiful day , cold and sunny. The first day when there hadn’t been snow, lashing rain or ice for three weeks. So we decided to go cycling. A big big mistake. Less than 5 km from home I gently slid to the ground on a patch of black ice. Was I OK? I wasn’t sure. Certainly, my face and my arm hurt. I gingerly cycled home and contemplated my injuries. Did I need an X-ray? …. or just ice packs and rest. Eventually, we decided I needed an X-ray, and I was driven to our local urgent care centre. With all COVID precautions in place, and no other patients, I was quickly diagnosed with a fracture to the head of my radius. Treatment sling for 4 - 6weeks. Well, it could have been worse it could have been…

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23/01/2021

Armley Mill / IFA / Natural dyeing / Wet felting / Wool / Yorkshire

My fantastic time at Armley Mills as artist in residence

I have recently spent a fantastic week as artist in residence at Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills. When I first visited the museum with the IFA in April 2017 I did not think that I would enjoy the luxury of a week in the museum , dyeing and felting. How lucky I have been. Armley Mills , was once the world’s biggest woolen mill. It is therefore a very appropriate venue for an artist in residence with a love of wool and a passion for felting with naturally dyed materials. I am fascinated by most machines, but especially those which process wool. My felt pictures using commercially dyed wool inspired by the machines are in the current exhibition at Armley Mills. As artist in residence, I wanted to take this work further. But also limit myself to using naturally dyed wool fibres. A…

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23/08/2018

Eco Dyeing / IFA / Wet felting / Woolfest

Now is the time for some contemplating

For the last few months I don’t seem to have found much time for felting or dyeing or even contemplating it. Shame I haven’t even found time for blog writing ! But why ? Spring in the garden and a plan to grow a lot of vegetables is one reason. Family time and holidays another. Time to reflect and really contemplate on where I am going and what to do next. What better place to do this than in All Saints church , Helmsley I am here all day anyway as I am looking after the Brigantia exhibition which is here until the 24th June. Sitting here, quietly thinking, and contemplating maybe things aren’t so bleak. I did go to the IFA AGM and here I attended a wonderful workshop…

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20/06/2018

An easy foolproof way to make a felt ball

IFA stand

IFA / Wet felting

An easy foolproof way to make a felt ball

I have a number of times over the years tried to make a felt ball. I found it boring, hard work and not worth the effort. A few weeks ago it was suggested to me that if you put a small amount of wool fibre in a small in glass jar with some water and shook it you quickly made a felt ball. In fact you could make one in less than 5 minutes. Really !! How can that work ? This week I have been at the knitting and stitching show , helping at the IFA stand . Here is how to make a felt ball the easy way. Take an old glass jar with a lid . Add approx 3 grams of fibre. Not very much . We tested Shetland and merino. Make it into a birds nest. And place it in the jar. Fill with water…

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27/11/2016

Felt Workshop / IFA / Wet felting

Both sides now

It has been a good week of experimental felting at Skeeby Mill, guided by Jeanette Appleton and organized wonderfully by the IFA's region 10. In these circumstances there are lots of opportunities to try lots of ideas in one piece. I decided to try and make a two-sided piece. Here it is suspended temporarily in my conservatory. The both side-ness works as does the suspension and I am pleased with the effect of the old scarf I have incorporated. But I think maybe it's just all too much . Some lovely parts .But the whole thing , I am just not sure. Perhaps it needs some calming stitches. I am going to look at it over the next few weeks / months and decide. That in fact was my major learning in the whole workshop . Slow down !!!

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10/04/2016