Fun, Felting and Flowers for Tamworth Library Adult Learners Week

Fun is always important to me. I say that my mission is to “Encourage and nurture creativity and imagination in a fun and enthusiastic way”.

Well my bookings with Tamworth library started with fun; actually when I was a participant at a Laughter Workshop at my own library in Lichfield. Luckily for me one of the staff at Tamworth library, was also on the laughter course. So after laughing ourselves healthy we exchanged cards …. And that was the beginning of more mind body and soul (ie felting) activities in her library.

I have had two fantastic experiences working at Tamworth library. Back in October I worked with 91 children during their Environment Day. Not surprisingly we made felted mini-beasts. One of my most popular workshops as it appeals to 3 year olds right through to teenagers!

15th May – 21st May is Adult Learners week so today it was time for adults to have their chance to learn the magic of feltmaking. Adult Learners' Week is the UK's largest and longest running festival of learning.

It was lovely that even this young adult was able to participate. It was the first day of her work experience placement at the library.

As so often happens people still don’t believe that they will actually be making the felt themselves. One lady had brought her pinking shears as she thought she would just be cutting shapes from industrially made felt.

And look at this beautiful flower that she made; so much more than something cut from premade felt fabric.

I feel really passionate about working with all types of people and I especially get a buzz out of hearing one of my workshop participants say, “Well I’m really impressed with myself... I never thought that I could make that!”

In the morning session at Glascote Library I had a group of ladies who meet each week. They usually make cards but today were thoroughly entranced with feltmaking. It wasn’t a surprise to hear it being described as addictive (in felting circles as referred to as “getting the felt bug”).

The lady who made this (sorry I am so bad at names!) is entering it into a local handicrafts competition. So…a winner? Yes I think it may very well be one!

Polly said that this would be on her sun hat straight away. I believe her.

Sue reminded me that I had made her a felted cushion cover 10 years ago! So it was great that she was finally getting involved with felting herself; this is a beauty!

"....think I may have found my "hidden" inner crafter"

In the afternoon I ran the same session at Tamworth library.
The laughter continued.
No time for coffee breaks but within 2 hours everyone had amazing results!

The flowers can be worn on jackets, hats, bags or in your hair. These two bags were decorated by the end of the session.

As I always say there will never be two flowers the same; each person’s is completely unique.

Felting is such a kinesthetic process. Books can be a great learning resource but it is such a good start to start your learning with a hands on activity.

Dianne Wheeler Team Lead: Books, Reading & Learning at Tamworth Library is ordering some new felting books for her stock as she expects these participants to want to move forward using the knowledge picked up during my AllSensesArt Feltmaking Taster session yesterday.

So Adult Learner’s week activities in libraries gets a big thumbs up from me!

Read about other Adult Learners Week activities at Tamworth Library here.