Join us for a full week of in-depth exploration into the art of feltmaking. We have brought together the best felt artists from around the world to help participants explore the full range of artistic possibilities in felt – we’ve listed web sites for most of our instructors so that you can check out their work before deciding on your workshop(s). As in 2005,we will continue to offer workshops that focus on combining feltmaking with other materials such as metal, glass, and fabric. The possibilities are very exciting! Our venue – Snow Farm - New England Craft Program - www.snowfarm.org – has wonderful facilities for feltmaking as well as fully equipped welding and glass bead studios. This creates great opportunities for mixed media workshops as you will see in the descriptions below.

Participants can choose from 8 different three day workshops (allowing you to take two different classes during the week) or 2 six-day workshops (for more in depth study). For detailed descriptions of each class click on the "Session A" or "Session B" links above. Each class will be limited to 12 - 14 applicants (8 for the Glass Adornments workshop) and the total number of conference attendees is limited to 75. In addition to the workshops, Felters' Fling will offer slide presentations and lectures by our guest instructors, a felt and fiber bazaar for buying and/or selling, professional photo shoots, demonstrations, and massage for those tired muscles. We are planning to repeat our "Mad Hatter’s" party, participant exhibition and a participant fashion show! Once again we are partnering with The Fiber Arts Center in Amherst to host a Felt Exhibition and special reception for Fling participants.

Opening Day: August 25

During the first half of the conference (August 26 - 28) you can choose one from "Session A:"

While Wednesday will offer a break from studio classes, we are planning a wide range of optional activities to keep you hopping! We will offer special video presentations, participant exhibitions, a trip to the Fiber Arts Center for a Felt Exhibition reception, a second day of the Felt and Fiber Bazaar, private photo shoot sessions with a professional photographer, massage sessions and more! Most activities will be open to everyone, but if you would like to participate in our special Theme Exhibition, Fashion Show, or schedule a session with our professional photographer, you must sign up ahead of time (please see the “special Interests” form).

Self Portraits in Felt: We are planning a special theme exhibition for this year’s Fling - Self Portraits in Felt. These do not have to be realistic, but simply a statement about YOU! If you would like to contribute work to this exhibition, please let us know . We don’t need to have an image of your work ahead of time, but would like an idea of how many people would like to participate and roughly what size your piece will be.

Felted Fashions Show: Please plan on bringing some of your special hand felted fashions to share with us on Felters’ Frenzy Day. We plan to have a “run-way” of felt fashions immediately after dinner on August 29th. If you would like to participate please fill in the attached form and let us know how many pieces you will have and if you plan to model them yourself or would like us to find a willing model. 

Profession Photo Shoot: John Polak has been a professional photographer for over 20 years. He has made his career producing fine photographic images for artists, craftspeople, museums and galleries. He is an expert in crafting photo images that will help you get your work accepted in shows and exhibitions. He has considerable experience in shooting felt work as he was the main photographer for Chris White’s new book on feltmaking. If you would like to schedule a photo shoot with John while you are at the Fling, you must book your time in advance. His fee is $75.00 per hour plus $7.50 for each slide and $10.00 for each digital image. If you have similar work you can assume about 10 minutes per piece (or 6 pieces per hour). John guarantees his work so if you are not happy with the result you pay nothing! Check out John’s work at www.johnpolakphotography.com. 

Participant Demos, etc: We plan to make time available for participants to share their knowledge and special talents with others or participate in discussion groups on issues related to feltmaking, such as selling and pricing work, organizing shows, turning professional, etc. If you or your group would like to reserve time during the conference to show slides of your work, lead a discussion, demonstrate equipment or a technique please list information on your registration form (or attach separately). We will try to accommodate as many requests as possible in the time available. 

Professional Massage: Lynda Christie will be back again this year to offer relief for those tired muscles (or just indulge in a wonderfully relaxing massage. Sign up sheet will be available once you arrive at Fling so no need to make an advanced appointment. Lynda will also offer massage once or twice during the week after classes.

Registration : You must register for the conference and for meals/lodging separately. The cost of the weeklong conference is $675.00 for all seven days (excluding room, board and workshop materials fees). Lodging and meals (double occupancy) will cost $60.00 per day. No single rooms are available this year so please specify roommate preferences. Lodging at Snow Farm is fairly primitive (no A/C, TV or phones in rooms. Bring-your-own-linens or optional linen service and shared baths... sort of like camp!) The food is excellent and there are usually lots of vegetarian options). If this does not appeal to you, or if you need a single room, check our list of area Bed and Breakfasts so that you can make separate arrangements. Meals can be purchased separately (see registration form for details). A maximum of 75 students will be accepted so we encourage you to register early to avoid disappointment. Registration begins on December 1, 2006. Please note that we give priority to those who wish to attend the entire conference. We will accept registration for single sessions beginning on March 1, 2007 if openings are available. The cost is $375.00 plus meals/lodging.

Conference check-in will begin at 1:00. This first day will also be a time for any participants to gather for informal meetings, demonstrations or discussions . We are planning an evening "Mad Hatter’s" party so bring a felt hat (one you made or borrowed from a friend). There will be prizes for the best and craziest hats!

We will also start out the conference with our Fiber Bazaar from 1:00 to 5:00 so that those of you traveling long distances can purchase workshop materials and other goodies as soon as you arrive. The Bazaar will also be open on Wednesday, August 29th from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Participants and outside vendors can sell their felt and fiber related articles, including fiber, supplies, books, equipment and finished goods. If you would like to sell items at this event you may rent one 6-foot table for $50.00. Participants are welcome to share a table with a friend. Please complete the section for the Felt and Fiber Bazaar on your "Special Interest" form.