Felted Bowls Workshop with Val O'Regan
Courtyard Gallery, Benmore Botanic Garden
Wednesday 26th August
11am - 1pm
Enjoy the experience of making with your hands in this relaxing wet felting workshop using locally sourced fleece. For thousands of years, wool has been one of our most valued natural resources. Across cultures and generations it has provided warmth, shelter, clothing, and comfort, while its remarkable ability to felt has been used to create everything from vessels and rugs to tents and garments. Renewable, biodegradable, and incredibly resilient, wool is one of nature’s most versatile fibres.
In this workshop, you’ll discover how loose, soft fibres can be transformed into a beautifully strong, sculptural form using little more than warm water, soap, and your hands.
As you layer, roll, and shape the wool, you’ll create your own unique felted bowl, exploring texture and form along the way. Each bowl develops its own character, making every piece completely individual.
This friendly, hands-on workshop is suitable for complete beginners as well as anyone looking to explore a traditional craft in the beautiful surroundings of Benmore Botanic Garden. You’ll leave with a finished bowl and the skills and confidence to continue experimenting with felt at home.
Workshop Details
· Duration: 2 hours
· Price: £20 Members £22 Non-members
· Maximum participants: 10
· All materials are provided including tea, coffee and cake
· Please bring: An apron
Booking: please email Sybil - SGray@rbge.org.uk
About the Artist
Valerie O’Regan is a multidisciplinary artist based in Innellan, working across textiles, ceramics, printmaking and natural materials. With over 25 years’ experience as a practising artist and socially engaged tutor, Valerie’s practice is rooted in connection — to place, materials and community.
Inspired by the landscapes of Argyll and the stories held within natural materials, she explores traditional craft processes alongside contemporary approaches to making. Valerie is currently exhibiting in Forgotten Fleece Tales, a Scotland-wide touring exhibition celebrating the beauty and potential of locally sourced Scottish fleece.
Images: Val O'Regan