Classes & Workshops

2019 Wool Fest Classes & Workshops

*Register early starting July 1 as these classes can sell out. 
*Registration is open until 12 pm on October 1 and pre-registration is required.
*To see if space is available after October 1, call 208.720.0585.
*A walk-in fee of $10.00 will be added for those who do not pre-register. If you do not already have a seat, please arrive early as will only be able to accommodate students on a first-come, first served basis.  Also, please have EXACT CASH ONLY. Walk-ins will be accepted at the instructor’s discretion.

*Please contact Wood River Valley retailers directly for additional possible class offerings and registration information. 

FRIDAY – OCTOBER 11, 2019

NEEDLE-FELTED SHEEPDOG

Instructor: Michelle Bowman, Westminster, Colorado
Date: Friday, October 11, 2019
Time: 9:00 a.m. – Noon
Location: The Grange Hall – 609 S. 3rd, Hailey
Cost: $90.00
Skill level: All levels (Not suitable for young children)

Learn to sculpt wool fibers into an adorable, three-dimensional sheepdog! Needle-felting involves shaping loose fibers into bundles and shapes using long, barbed (very sharp!) needles. Join Michelle in studying animal structure, colors of sheepdogs, and breed-specific sheep wools; then, take home your handmade sheepdog, a set of felting needles, and a list of resources for further learning. If you’d like a herd of sheep for your dog to work, join Michelle’s needle-felted sheep class on Saturday, or ask about her kits. Class fee includes everything needed for one needle felted dog: Dyed and naturally-colored wool, a set of felting needles, other craft materials for the sculpture, and a list of resources for further learning. This class is best suited for ages 13 and up.

More about Michelle: Michelle Bowman began needle-felting about a decade ago, and has never looked back. In her Colorado studio, she dyes, spins, knits, sews, and felts, mostly in wool—the “ultimate fiber” in her book!

 


STAINED GLASS FELTED SCARF

Instructor: Anna Anderson, St. Regis, Montana
Date: Friday, October 11, 2019
Time: 9:00 a.m. – Noon
Location: Sun Valley Center – Hailey, 314 2nd Ave. S., Hailey
Cost: $105.00
Skill level: All levels (Not suitable for young children)

 Colored fiber and sparkling Angelina threads are sandwiched between very fine layers of natural fibers to create a gossamer scarf.  (This is not Nuno felting.) This is a wet felting technique, and Anna will also share her “power tool” method to speed up the process. Learn a fun, unusual technique for wool, alpaca, and other natural fibers.

More about Anna: Anna Anderson’s fiber hobby turned into her business, Calico Farm Fiber Arts, more than 12 years ago with the rescue of six Pygora fiber goats. Shortly after, she was given a spinning wheel, and introduced to fiber art by a dear neighbor.

Anna fell in love with the processes, and soon began the Wooly Rescue for fiber-bearing animals. She also raises Pygora goats, Angora goats, and a variety of fine wool and long wool sheep. Anna continues to rescue fiber animals in need as well as the occasional horse or dog needing a home. She and her family recently moved to St. Regis, Montana, and are in the process of setting up their 200-acre ranch with hopes of an event venue, a maker studio, and cabin rentals in the near future.


BOTANICAL DYES THE ZAPOTEC WAY

Instructor: Deb Gelet, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Date: Friday, October 11, 2019
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: The Grange Hall – 609 S. 3rd, Hailey
Cost: $75.00
Skill level: All levels (Not suitable for young children)

Learn the magic of producing natural color using plants and other substances sourced directly from nature.  Deb is very experienced in dyeing and weaving in the Zapotec tradition. In this class, students will create the traditional blue, red, and yellow dyes using cochineal, indigo, and tarragon.  Each student will take home a small skein of wool dyed in each color. Please come dressed for a happy mess!

More about Deb: Deb Gelet is a working textile artist who has taught myriad fiber techniques throughout Idaho for more decades than she cares to count. She is well-known for her ability to coax the creative spirit out of her students with love and humor. An Idaho Commission on the Arts grant recipient, her previous teaching venues include the Trailing of the Sheep Festival, Sun Valley Center for the Arts, Salmon Arts Council, Challis Arts Council and various fiber guilds throughout the Northwest.  Deb currently creates and teaches at Gizmo-CdA, Coeur d’Alene’s Maker Space on the campus of North Idaho College.      


MODERN SKINNFELLING (The Norwegian Art of Ink on Sheepskin)

Instructor: Amika Ryan, Butte, Montana
Date: Friday, October 11, 2019
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Sun Valley Center – Hailey, 314 2nd Ave. S., Hailey
Cost: $150.00
Skill level: All levels (Not suitable for young children)

Learn the traditional art of Skinnfelling from a teacher trained by a Norwegian master in the work. Students will receive a FULL sheepskin, and use a square of it in class to create a piece suitable for wall art or seat cushion. Instruction includes wood block printing with ink, pens, and brushes.  Skinnfelling is traditionally a method for creating warm bedcoverings in Norway, and typically uses two full pelts. For the purposes of our short introduction to the art, this class will create a smaller piece. Don’t miss this rare instructional opportunity, and adequate sheepskin to create more at home!

More about Amika: Amika Ryan is founder of diysheepcrafts.com and the Craft Box. She is also the owner of Copia Cove Icelandic Sheep.  Amika started out with her own small business as a sheep rancher (Icelandic sheep, to be exact) and crafter of anything and everything sheep-related. Amika now teaches online courses and workshops for craft business owners, artists and fiber enthusiasts alike.  She resides in Butte, Montana with her husband and her shepherdesses-in-training, Madison and Finley.


SATURDAY OCTOBER 12, 2019


COBWEB FELTING

Instructor: Deb Gelet, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Date: Saturday, October 12, 2019
Time: 9:00 – Noon
Location: The Grange Hall, 609 S. 3rd, Hailey
Cost: $100.00
Skill level: All levels (Not suitable for young children)
 

Learn to felt an ethereal and delicate scarf with hand-dyed wool fiber. This method is unlike the usual felting techniques that render more structural cloth.  In this class, the most difficult part is the restraint!  This is the magic that produces a soft, dreamy-weight textile.  Students will play with color blending and texture, and take home a finished (but, still wet!) scarf that will be ready to wear when dry. Please bring a bag for the short-term transport of your wet felt.

More about Deb: Deb Gelet is a working textile artist who has taught myriad fiber techniques throughout Idaho for more decades than she cares to count. She is well-known for her ability to coax the creative spirit out of her students with love and humor. An Idaho Commission on the Arts grant recipient, her previous teaching venues include the Trailing of the Sheep Festival, Sun Valley Center for the Arts, Salmon Arts Council, Challis Arts Council and various fiber guilds throughout the Northwest.  Deb currently creates and teaches at Gizmo-CdA, Coeur d’Alene’s Maker Space on the campus of North Idaho College.


FLEECE WEAVING IN THE RYA STYLE

Instructor:  Doris Florig
Date: Saturday, October 12, 2019
Time:  9:00 a.m. – Noon
Location: Sun Valley Center – Hailey, 314 2nd Ave. S., Hailey
Cost: $90.00
Skill level: All levels (Not suitable for young children)

Learn traditional Rya rug weaving techniques by weaving locks of raw wool into a wall hanging. The introduction may lead to using your new technique to weave a warm, cozy rug. All materials included.

More about Doris: Doris is a world traveler who has spent time with native weavers throughout the world.  Most of her travels in the Caribbean and Central America have been on her 44-foot sailing cruiser, where she also weaves on board. She is a tapestry weaver and fiber sculptor who exchanges her own experience and knowledge with native peoples while she travels. She is very happy to be returning to Trailing of the Sheep for her second year. (And, we’re delighted to have her!) 


NEEDLE-FELTED SHEEP

Instructor: Michelle Bowman, Westminster, Colorado
Date: Saturday, October 12, 2019
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location:  The Grange Hall, 609 S. 3rd, Hailey
Cost: $90.00
Skill level: All levels (Not suitable for young children)

Learn to sculpt wool fibers into an adorable, three-dimensional sheep! Needle-felting involves shaping loose fibers into bundles and shapes using long, barbed (very sharp!) needles. Join Michelle in studying structure, colors of sheep, and breed-specific wools; then, take home your handmade sheep, a set of felting needles, and a list of resources for further learning. If you’d like a sheepdog to keep your herd in line, join Michelle’s needle-felted sheepdog class on Friday, or ask about her kits.

More about Michelle: Michelle Bowman began needle-felting about a decade ago, and has never looked back. In her Colorado studio, she dyes, spins, knits, sews, and felts, mostly in wool—the “ultimate fiber” in her book!


CARD (TABLET) WEAVING

Instructor:  Doris Florig
Date: Saturday, October 12, 2019
Time:  1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location:  Sun Valley Center – Hailey, 314 2nd Ave. S, Hailey
Cost: $100.00
Skill level: All levels (Not suitable for young children) 

Card (or tablet) weaving is an ancient technique only produced by hand. There is yet no machine capable of producing this weave that was originally developed in the Iron Age. Students will use cards threaded with colorful warp to make long, narrow, hand-woven belts, bands, or decorative trim. In choosing color and design, this class will keep in mind the Basque traditional textiles.

More about Doris:  Doris is a world traveler who has spent time with native weavers throughout the world.  Most of her travels in the Caribbean and Central America have been on her 44-foot sailing cruiser, where she also weaves on board. She is a tapestry weaver and fiber sculptor who exchanges her own experience and knowledge with native peoples while she travels. She is very happy to be returning to Trailing of the Sheep for her second year. (And, we’re delighted to have her!) 


Refund Policy:  Refunds for Fiber Classes will be issued until 12:00 noon on September 1, 2019.  A $5 fee will be assessed and only the class cost (but no original processing fees) will be refunded. Thank you.

 

We are always interested in hearing from people who want to be an instructor for our Wool Fest and will accept inquiries from October to January each year. Please inquire with us at info@trailingofthesheep.org. Thank you!