Freeform Fiber Art with Prudence Mapstone

Ireland

October 21 - 30, 2010

Dublin • Mulranny

Join noted fiber artist Prudence Mapstone for a delightful freeform fiber art workshop in Ireland. If you haven't seen Prudence's beautiful work, check out her website!

If you're wondering what "freeform" fiber art is, here's how Prudence describes it: "You begin by knitting or crocheting virtually anything at all, add something else onto it – say a few random crochet stitches, and something else again – like maybe a small crochet shell, pick up a few stitches along any edge, and knit a bit more, and then make another addition somewhere else, crochet a separate, circular motif and attach it into place with a few crochet slip stitches…and then knit on something else..." and it goes on from there!

We've combined Prudence's two day workshop with a visit to Twisted Thread's "Knitting and Stitching" Show in Dublin. This show is well established as THE textile event of the year and is a feast for the eyes to anyone interested in textiles--from stitching, knitting, quilting, crafts or any other form of textiles.

Itinerary

Day 1. Thursday, October 21 - Arive in Dublin
Arrive in Dublin and take the AIRCOACH bus to Bewleys Ballsbridge Hotel. The bus will drop you at the hotel's gate (be certain to purchase a RETURN ticket for 12 Euro as you get a break in price by doing so). At the hotel uou will find Cheryl Cobern-Browne, your tour leader, waiting to greet you in the hotel's reception lounge. After getting settled, the day will be yours to get to know Dublin and Cheryl will be glad to guide you with plans for the day as she waits for everyone to arrive. The group will meet at 6 p.m. in the downstairs lounge, followed by a welcome dinner (on Beadventures).

Day 2. Friday, Oct 22 - Travel to Mulranny
Today you will travel by train across the country to the west coast of Ireland, which will take about 3.5 hours. In Westport you will be met by private bus for a 40-minute drive to the residence where you will be staying in the seaside village of Mulranny. The rest of the day will be spent settling in and after dinner Prudence can introduce more of her workshop as we get ready to workshop. (Breakfast and dinner on Beadventures)

Day 3. Saturday, Oct 23 - Workshop
Today is Day 1 of your class with Prudence. Have you been to her website yet--if that isn't enough to inspire you! Freeform knitting is fun and easy--and with the right guidance and a good mix of colors we'll not only enjoy class with Prudence but will be able to knit on the bus, knit on the train and knit, knit, knit away! (All meals on Beadventures)

Day 4. Sunday. October 24 - Workshop
This will be your second day of class with Prudence. (All meals on Beadventures)

Day 5. Monday, October 25 - Tour Ireland
Time for a tour departing at 10 am. The destination is a visit to Suzie Sullivan's fiber art studio and shop, followed by a drive through the beautiful Connamara mountains, past lakes and rivers to visit Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Gardens. Lunch will be on your own at the visitors center, after which a visit to the the Sheep and Wool museum can be enjoyed. If director, Orla, is around, she will gladly share her experiences as a sheep farmer and her passion for wool and the creatures who supply it. (Breakfast and dinner on Beadventures)

Day 6. Tuesday, October 26 - Visit to Achill Island
Today is a drive to Achill Island along the Atlantic Drive road to Keem Bay. We will stop at the Beehive for lunch and a walk along the main road of the Deserted Village. Along the way we will see deep blanket bogs, high cliffs formed by relentless Atlantic waves, old stone walls, and lots and lots of sheep! (Breakfast and dinner on Beadventures)

Day 7. Wedensday, October 27 - Free Day
Today we will be visit Granuaille’s castle (the 15th century Pirate Queen – Grace O’Malley) and the beautiful ruins of Burrishoole Abbey, founded in 1469. After lunch in Newport, the rest of the day is a free day to be spent at your leisure. There are several good beach walks and hillside trails with spectacular sea and island views. (Breakfast and dinner on Beadventures)

Day 8. Thursday - October 28 - To Dublin for "Knitting and Stitching" Show
Today we travel by train to Dublin for our last two nights together. The hotel is right next door to the "Knit and Stitch" show, there may be time to catch the last couple of hours of the show that evening and then return again in the morning. Enjoy an evening in the city. (Beadventures will provide breakfast and lunch, but dinner will be on your own)

Day 9. Friday, October 29 - "Knitting and Stitching" Show
Visit the Twisted Thread Knit and Stitch show for the day. This massive trade show (by Irish standards) is filled with fiber art and related interests as well as several exhibitions of outstanding British and Irish hand work. (Breakfast and dinner will be on Beadventures)

Day 10. Saturday, October 30 - Departure

If you are returning to the USA this day, you will catch the AIRCOACH bus outside the hotel (arrives every 40 minutes) back to the airport. If you purchased a return ticket on arrival, remember to keep it handy! (Breakfast will be on Beadventures)

Please note that this itinerary may be changed based on weather and other options available for spontaneous adventures.

About Prudence Mapstone
Prudence is an Australian textile artist whose medium is freeform knitting and crochet. Her love of color and texture has helped her develop an unusual approach to these simple crafts, enabling her to create the most sumptuous and tactile wearable art garments. In her workshops she encourages participants to explore the full potential of both knitting and crochet, helping them discover what can be achieved ‘beyond the pattern’.

Over the past ten years Prudence has exhibited widely overseas, and as well as throughout Australia. Her work has appeared in various knitting and textile magazines worldwide, and was featured in the lead article in "Salon," a special-issue magazine by the publishers of Belle Armoire. She has won prizes for her Intarsia and Freeform designs in competitions both at home and abroad, and she once won a major prize of a trip to Europe in a contest sponsored by an Italian yarn company.

Prudence has conducted classes and seminars in many parts of the UK, USA and New Zealand, and also in Canada, Singapore and Bermuda, and she has given workshops on a number of cruises. For two years running she was a guest tutor at Denmark’s major needlework fair, and her first book, "Freeform: serendipitous design techniques for knitting & crochet," has also recently been published in a Danish edition. Prudence has also written three other books outlining her techniques, and her fifth book, "Freeform Style," co-authored with Jonelle Raffino from SWTC Yarns, has just been released. Examples of Prudence’s work can be seen on her website and also on her blog.

Price:

$2500 (US Dollars)
Includes: Lodging, workshop, most meals, land transport, site visits.
Does not include: Airfare, project supplies, tips.