Stunning show of felted birds heads to Wonderwool Wales

Wonderwool Wales is an award-winning present that celebrates all that’s nice about Welsh wool and pure fibres, and considered one of this yr’s highlights is ready to be a surprising show of felted birds.

The ‘Flock2Flight’ show, which measures 10 metres by three metres, is the creation of fibre artist Janna Turner and two associates, Alex Johnstone and Deborah Taylor Dyer.

Wonderwool Wales is being held on the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells on April 27 and 28, with 220 exhibitors.

Alice

Both Shepton Mallet based mostly Janna, who runs Flocks2Felts, and Alex aren’t any strangers to Wonderwool Wales. Janna was mission lead and felting advisor to a particular, eight-metre lengthy exhibition entitled Alice in Wonderwool in 2022.

The eye-catching, hand crafted interpretation of Alice in Wonderland set up featured an array of fascinating characters, all crafted from felt and fibre.

This yr, Janna can be that includes vibrant birds within the show, a few of which embrace wood mechanics to make them fly. For instance, there’s a small flock of swallows that fly in circles, a zipwire chicken, a diving kingfisher, chicken marionettes and hand puppets.

Janna has obtained assist from her farmer husband, Dave, in placing collectively the wood mechanics for the birds.

Interaction inspired

Largest of the static birds is 2 metre pelican and there’s additionally a flying phoenix with specifically made clay talons, flamingos, a peregrine falcon and lots of extra.

“There are about 20 different types of bird and I have designed the display to be interactive,” mentioned Janna, who labored in a chicken sanctuary in Cape Town earlier than shifting to England in 2003.

“When we did the Alice in Wonderwool show in 2022, folks weren’t allowed to the touch the displays. This time, I can be encouraging folks to interact with the birds and have a play as they walk round. I simply love seeing their reactions. There are additionally hand puppets for folks to take selfies with.

“The display made its debut at Bath and West Showground last November and it took a couple of months for us to make all the birds. I am looking forward to taking it to Wonderwool Wales, as it will be nice to see familiar faces again.”

Money raised by the show can be donated to the Wales Air Ambulance, Wonderwool Wales’ adopted charity.

This yr’s occasion will see 9 Woolschool afternoon workshops every day which has required the organisers to e book additional house on the showground.

The Woolschools, which give guests the prospect to be taught or good their expertise with assist from an professional, will be booked on-line by the Wonderwool Wales web site.

Sheep Walk

Another widespread characteristic, the Sheep Walk trend present, will maintain the viewers entertained on each days.

This yr, all Wonderwool Wales guests are being inspired to knit, crochet or make and put on their very own beanie or hat so as to add color to the occasion. Stewards can be awarding vouchers to the very best hats on each days.

Wonderwool Wales was first held in 2006 to advertise the marketplace for Welsh wool and so as to add worth to merchandise made by small wool and fibre producers in Wales.

The pageant celebrates the inexperienced credentials of Welsh wool and its versatility as a fabric for inventive crafts, designer garments, home furnishings and extra.

Wonderwool Wales covers the whole lot from the begin to the top of the inventive course of. Exhibits of sheep, uncooked and hand dyed fibres, yarn for knitting and crochet, elaborations, tools, dyes and books will be discovered alongside very good examples of completed textile artwork, craft, clothes and home furnishings.

Tickets

Tickets for the award-winning, two-day present, which historically attracts greater than 6,000 guests, can be purchased online in advance.

There may also be tickets on the market on the gate costing £12 per day or £22 for the weekend. Young folks aged 16 years and beneath have free admission.

Find out extra here.