| Since being asked to join the International Feltmakers Association Committee, I have attended a number of meetings to find out more about how this organisation is run (entirely by volunteers) and what my role as Communications Officer entails. The highlight of my felting year so far has to be this year's AGM and Conference held in the stunning location of Landskrona, Sweden. The Conference was organised by our International Officer, Carin Madsen Kollberg, in collaboration with Asa Stentoft of Hemslöjden i Skane, an organisation promoting handicraft in the region. |  Carin Madsen Kollberg in front of the felt Hands exhibit contributed to by felters around the world. |
The days were full of excitement, ranging from workshops to talks to excursions to fine dining. I was overwhelmed by the hospitality of the Swedish people, the friendliness of the other delegates from around the world, the beauty of the region and the fabulous spring weather.
I attended a workshop with Yvonne Habbe on sculptural objects, using a technique I had heard of but not used before. She also gave a fascinating talk about the large-scale project she worked on whilst contemplating the life of a nomad.
I had plenty of opportunity to walk around the town of Landskrona, with a tour and also with other delegates. An elegant, calm town, it was a real pleasure to visit.
Not only is there fine architecture in Landskrona but a tremendous interest in gardening, with lovely allotments (each with its own summer house), parks and avenues.
A couple of trips into the countryside gave me a small taste of the region...some of us even stayed on a couple of days after the conference to visit the island of Ven, where the Swedish astronomer, Tycho Brahe, had his observatory.
All in all, it was a very successful conference. Personally, it gave me the opportunity to visit a beautiful country, meet people who share my interests, make new friends, and appreciate just how much work goes on behind the scenes to organise a brilliant conference. Thank you to everyone involved. I loved it!