New work from Ikonium getting ready for our exhibition in Bodrum set for July...its all hands on deck Mehmet, Theresa, Sali.Unuz have all been pitching in to create new items!!It has been ramazon, fasting time here, so we have been working through the night ,,trying to work off all the delicious food we have been eating for iftar and sahur!!!!

Meanwhile we have been working on a number of pieces for the restoration at Galata Mevlevihani and also making sikke for a new large der

vis group from Italy

This bag headed to Rome this week with Carlo and the boys..always nice to have them visit the shop. They left with promises to bring fresh ricotta on their net visit!!!!!

Students interested in felt making workshops with Mehmet Girgic aqnd Theresa May-O'Brien at Ikonium Studio in Istanbul can contact by phone or email to arrange dates for classes. Workshops run from 10-6 daily, cost 200 turkish lira per day including lunch and materials. Ikonium studio Binbirdirek mah. Dr. Sevkibey sokak No 6 Fatih Istanbul Turkey 34122 +90 2125187353

This week I had a few students who just wanted to try experimental work with felt and ebru. First I had Caleb Calabro, fashion designer from Sydney,Australia. Caleb was interested in exploring the medim of felt to work into his avantguard fashions for the first time. Caleb created two organic white felt pieces which initially were intended to be spats, however Caleb may change his mind a few times before he is finnished. My second student was Roxane from Sao Paulo, Brazil. Roxane is also a designer of unique textiles. Roxan works mostly with knitted and woven goods so she was exploring the pssibilities of ebru painting on varrious textile surfaces. Meanwhile I have been working on felt yardage for boots

Hat Making Workshop with Mehmet Girgic July 17, 2010

Feltmaster Mehmet Girgic will offer a 1 day hat making workshop at Ikonium Studio.
Learn to craft a seamless hat with personal design using organic natural dye wool.
Mehmet is a noted craftsman for his work in making sikke (hats) worn by whirling dervish durring sema. Mehmet will teach layout and hand rolling techniques for functional art .
Class size is limited, contact Theresa at: felter508@yahoo.com for registration

Santa Fe Workshop

For more information reguarding the workshop please go to:
www.thefeltmakerinsantafe.com
or
felter508@yahoo.com

The workshop will be held at the gallery of The Rug Man of Santa Fe
July 8,9,10 22010
One, two or three day workshops available 9-4
Exhibition of work July 7, 2010

Making art on two continents!

We have been busy in the studios this week crafting felt paintings.

The shop in Instanbul has been rearranged once again and the little shop in Lenox has opened its doors to a nice welcome from the other shop owners and afew customers checking us out!

Today is just alovely day..warm weather and no bugs...started the day at my friend Liz Celli's farm looking at new sprouts in the garden and putting in dibs for a rooster to be roasted by Mehmet when he gets here...better fatten him up with fressh grass and earthworms!

"gotta love...gauze"

working on lightweight scarves for spring..really ..it's comming!

Mehmet Girgic UNESCO Living Treasure in Turkey

Mehmet Girgic was given the distinction of national Living Treasure of Turkey by UNESCO for his lifelong work as a felt maker. UNESCO believes living expressions of cultural traditions especially through oral history is critically important. I have witnessed first hand that this accolade is well deserved. Mehmet has not only promoted the craft of felt but also taught this craft to numerous individuals around the globe! Congratulations!