NEW WORKSHOP - FELT THE POUCH, PRINT THE BOOK with Beverly Allen and Sheila Thompson - In Person
My next workshop is Gelli Printing at my Dyeworks studio on Thursday, June 18 - 1:00 - 3:30 pm. We’ll be using some of the local botanicals for printing and exploring masks and stencils. All materials are supplied. Cost is $95 per person. To register, email BeverlyAllenArtist@gmail.com or call or text me at 647-532-4589.
If you miss this workshop, there will be another gelli printing workshop on Tuesday, July 14. There are so many techniques to play with, be sure to let me know what you’d like to explore. Or you can book your own workshop date and time if you have 3 or more participants.
Location: Dyeworks Sharespace at the Cotton Factory, 9 Landsdowne Ave., Hamilton
On the weekend of July 18 and 19, 2026, Beverly Allen and Sheila Thompson are pleased to bring you a fun two day workshop in person at Sheila’s fibre art studio in downtown Guelph. We will make an easy personalized wet felted pouch with ties the first day, followed by a full day of gelli printing to create your custom accordian book. Materials will be provided and are included in the cost. We have room for 8 people. If interested, please contact me and I will provide additional information and save your space. Below are detailed descriptions of the activities each day. Cost: $300 for the weekend. 10am to 4pm each day.
Day One - Wet Felting with Sheila
This workshop teaches you how to make a wet felted pouch that is just big enough to hold your newly printed books made on day 2. We will wet felt an approximately 8”x8” (20x20cm) sturdy wool pouch with ties that is made over a resist You can choose to decorate the inside and/or outside of your pouch with silks, partial felts, viscose fibres and other materials to personalize it. We will be using some special tools and techniques to cut some of the labour from the process of felting so you can spend more time on your design. Some experience with the basic wet felting process is desirable but not essential. I will teach you some best practices in working with a resist, using a sander, layout, fulling and surface design so you can make the next pouch on your own.
Sheila Supplies: 2 colours of merino wool - one for the inside and one for the outside; a range of silks, partial felts, fibres and viscose for surface embellishments, equipment
You Bring: a towel, fine waterproof gloves (optional), apron (optional), lunch
Day Two - Design and Print an Accordion Book with Beverly
Gelli printing is a versatile, accessible printmaking process. Whether you’re new to gelli printing or already have experience, come explore the possibilities of this medium.
You will learn about the results from different brands of paint. We’ll use common and unusual textures, talk about purchased vs your personal stencils. You’ll make some stencils of your own design to customize your prints.
You will leave with your original gel printed accordion book that fits into your new felted pouch as well as the knowledge to build prints layers by layer.
It’s a fun, easy going, addictive process that encourages you to forget your inner critic and experiment. Come relax, have fun and explore gelli printing in a non-critical atmosphere.
Bev Supplies: Paints, papers, brayers, textures, plants, gel plates (5"x7" to fit the 6" x 6" accordion book).
You bring: - apron, lunch, textures or any plants from your garden you’d like to try
LOCATION: 28 Douglas St., Guelph, ON