Rock Felting Workshop: Glasgow

During this session, we'll explore some of the fascinating rock formations of Rouken Glen Park, before getting hands-on and creating our own felted rock masterpieces.

What to Expect

This will be a fun and leisurely afternoon out. While the event is part of the Scottish Geology Festival, you don't need to a rock expert (I'm certainly not!), it's more about getting outdoors, learning a new skill, and appreciating the beauty of the world around us.

We'll begin with an introduction to the park, and an invitation to tune into the rocks we find around us as we make our way through the park. Participants will be invited to take a deeper look at a specific stone. In keeping with the theme of this year's Scottish Geology Festival - 300 Years of Deep Time - we'll think about what we can learn from these rocks. We'll then learn the technique of wet felting, and set to work creating beautiful felted stones from our finds.

Wet felting is a process which uses wool and friction to create felt. It is hands-on and involves lots of rubbing. You might get a bit dirty (but will also get clean because we'll use a bit of soap). It's pretty straightforward, and you don't need any prior experience or technical skill, but it does involve some hands-on work. Feel free to contact me at [email protected] if you have any questions regarding accessibility and using your hands.

Who is This Event For?

This event is open to all! While some of our activities are geared towards members of the Jewish community, this event is open to everyone, and all are welcome! While kids are welcome, adults joining on their own will enjoy as well. Note that anyone under the age of 18 will need to attend with adult who will be responsible for them. Children under the age of 4 are welcome to attend without a ticket, but those who want to participate and make a felted rock should book a spot.

Why Rock Felting

Rock felting gives us a new way to look at the rocks we encounter in our lives. We often think of rocks as hard objects, but through this process, we transform them into something warm and cozy. This process allows us to spend some good, hands-on time with the rocks, and build a relationship with these objects which exist on the scale of deep time, but also exist with us here and now. It gives us an opportunity to consider both the micro and the macro, and to build ourselves into that process of knowing.

Location

The event will take place in Rouken Glen Park, in Glasgow's Southside. The exact meeting location will be sent to registered participants. There is ample free parking in the park, and the meeting place is a 5-minute walk from Whitecraigs Train Station, as well as being near several bus stops. Note that we will be outdoors, so please dress for the weather. For the majority of the event, there will be light tree cover, and if there's heavier rain we'll try to set up a tarpauline cover.

Accessibility

From the meeting point, we will walk about 5-10 minutes to the place where we'll be working, at a relatively leisurely pace. There is one long staircase which we will descend, although the individual steps are wide and shallow, and there is a hand-rail. There is alternative step-free access, although the ground is uneven and on a hill. Please be in touch at [email protected] with any questions regarding accessibility, or if you think you'd like to take the step-free route. During the felting, we will be seated on logs and big rocks. There is one proper bench nearby as well. You're welcome to bring your own camping chair if you'd like, although there are plenty of logs around.

While not common, some people may have a lanolin allergy, which is a natural substance that may be residual on the wool (aka sheep sweat). If you have a known lanolin allergy, please let us know at [email protected].

There are public bathrooms in the park, near the meeting point.

Food & Drink

We won't be serving any food at the event. There are several places in the park to pick up snacks or a hot drink before the event.

About Me

Hi, my name is Sydney Switzer, and I'm an educator and artist based in Glasgow, Scotland. I love making all sorts of things and learning about where they come from. In 2024, I founded Torah B'Teva to build intentional spaces for people to learn about the nature all around us, through activities like foraging, natural textiles, fermenting, hiking, weaving, general nature-basking and more. When I'm not doing this, you can find me knitting in a cafe or swimming in a freezing loch. Find out more information and see further offerings at sydneyswitzer.com/events.

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