11/9 WORKSHOP: Felted Vessel with Kristina Foley
Using only Merino wool fiber, olive oil soap, warm water and our hands we will transform the raw material into functional vessels through the ancient technique of wet felting. Kristina will guide students through the basics of felting a vessel: laying out the wool fiber for a homogenous finished form, using a resist technique to make a three dimensional shape, creating bespoke handles and the option of additional surface texture.
Each student will receive 1 lb of Shaniko Merino wool tops, sufficient to make a roughly 12x12” felted vessel. All materials and equipment will be provided.
No prior experience necessary. Please wear comfortable shoes and clothing for the physical work of wet felting.
Kristina Foley was introduced to felting wool while completing a BFA in Fiber Structure and Interlocking at Syracuse University (2005) and continued her practice after graduation in Italy. While residing in Tuscany she developed a studio practice tailored to feltmaking and botanical color that reflected the local materials available: European wool varieties, dye plants and vintage textiles. Opting for a slow lifestyle, Kristina lived in a fourteenth-century stone farmhouse and followed the seasonal rhythms of agriculture, food and community. The artisan culture of Florence, along with her professional work for knitwear designer Boboutic, have deeply influenced her craft. In 2018, Kristina returned to the USA and created Food Shelter Clothing: capsule collections intertwining beauty, utility and sustainability. Kristina’s felted pieces highlight the incredible wool available from small farms in the PNW and multi-generation fiber mills across the country.
Saturday, November 9th, 10am to 2pm (including a 30 minute lunch break)
Price: $180 materials included
Venmo to: @itsmeKristinaFoley
*please be sure to include your name, email and MADRE HQ Workshop in your venmo message.
*All skill levels are welcome.
*Workshops are held in person at the MADRE HQ in the Kenton neighborhood of Portland, OR. Free on-site parking in lot adjacent to our building.
*By selecting this class you are holding your place but you will not be officially signed up until payment is received by Kristina.