Jorie Johnson, Instructor | Saturday – Monday, August 5 – 7, 2023 | 9:30 am – 4:00 pm PST

LIVE Location: WSNF’s Slow Fiber Studio Annex, Berkeley, CA | 

REMOTE students: Online via ZOOM

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This workshop is an opportunity to experience a variety of approaches to experimental felt surface-design expression. Shibori resist-dyeing techniques, paste-resist applications, direct drawing with sumi ink, pigments, and persimmon tannin on felt. Consider bringing inlay materials like washi paper, ramie, silk or gauze, silk hankies, skeletal leaves, woolen scraps, and other auxiliary materials. Try new approaches while working with the wool base and felt making strategies. Suggested base is wool prefelts or wool batts, with extra variety of wools in natural, vegetable, or acid color. Bring brushes, paints, mixing jars and your sketches and ideas. Participants are encouraged to incorporate unexpected materials with wool in 2-D or 3-D works. Through PowerPoint presentation and peer-group consultation, participants will compose a strategy for enhanced self-expression in the medium. 

Here you have the opportunity to experiment on your fine art felt ideas while asking advice and
using available materials that will be introduced. PowerPoint and short demos will be our
departure ticket. I am looking forward to the group effort contributions.

Class format: 1 hour instructions and demos at 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 2 p.m. (lunch at 12:30 – 1:30). At these designated times, students will be expected to stop working to listen and observe Jorie’s instructions. The rest of the time will be set aside for practice and Q&A while practicing.

Workshop Registration Info

3-day Workshop Fee: $900 (WSNF members $800) Plus a materials fee paid directly to the instructor. WSNF members: Look for the member’s DISCOUNT CODE on your member’s dashboard.

Recordings of Jorie’s instructions for both days will be available to review afterwards on SlowFiberTV (SFTV). After the workshop, go to SFTV to rent, free of charge, a streamed recording of this workshop for 90 days to review the workshop for additional practice! The code for free rental will be emailed to you upon completion of the workshop.

Materials and Equipment List, LIVE & ONLINE STUDENTS

(Resources for online shops will be available in the registration confirmation emails.)

General List:

(Please base amounts on the size of your project.)

-2 x hand towels,

-sharp pointed scissors, small sewing kit (pins, tape measure, needle & thread, marker pen, notebook, etc.)

-2 x soft plastic hand-size bags for rubbing surfaces

-small chunk of soap

-felting solution applicator (plastic bottle with shower top or holes punched in cap), small shampoo

-light plastic sheet 15 x 15 inches for rolling work in

-1/2~1 inch diam. rolling rod (pvc pipe, dowel, stainless)

-Additional useful item (if you own): a digital scale for dyes (We will measure small quantities in grams.)

Workshop #4 List: 

-Inlay materials like washi paper, ramie, silk or gauze, silk hankies, skeletal leaves, woolen scraps, and other auxiliary materials. 

-Suggested base is wool prefelts or wool batts

-Extra variety of wools in natural, vegetable, or acid color. 

-Bring brushes, paints, mixing jars, sumi, Indigo & Benibo stick(s), liquid Sumi, dry kakishibu powder (available for purchase at SFS store), etc.

-Your sketches and ideas.

*In 2006, the English edition of Jorie’s epic feltmaking book, Felt-making and Wool Magic, was published. In classic Japanese cook book style this book has more how-to photos than any other felt book published. I recommend you buy a used copy.