13th Southern Hemisphere Feltmakers Convergence

[janekiwi]

13TH SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE FELTMAKERS CONVERGENCE Sep 27 – Oct 2 2015
Celebrating 25 years of Convergence, first held in Taupo, New Zealand in 1990. Auckland is easily accessible from both within and outside NZ. From Auckland Airport, it’s a short cab ride to the venue. The venue is the Quality Hotel in Parnell. The hotel offers high quality accommodation, food and conference areas at what we believe are surprisingly reasonable cost levels in such a premium and convenient location. Auckland is a great place to visit, and some of you may take the opportunity to bring your partner with you. There is a good bus service at the door, and only 10 minutes to downtown Auckland, Sky Tower, ferry services to Waiheke Island, Devonport, Coromandel etc. Attractions such as Parnell Village shops, gardens, Auckland Museum etc are within easy walking distance. A vehicle is not required. For those from overseas attending Convergence it is very easy to travel elsewhere within New Zealand if you wish to go to the Wearable Arts Event in Wellington, or explore other wonderful areas of our country. Car hire in Auckland is inexpensive if you wish to drive. Dates for the event have been chosen to coincide with all NZ and Australian school holidays. The Quality Hotel offers value accommodation for families, and school holidays can be predictably busy for them. For this reason, this year we called for early registrations of interest to enable us to commit to accommodation requirements for Convergence as soon as possible. Interest in the event has been high. If you haven’t yet registered your interest in attending Convergence in 2015, please email Raewyn Penrose or Convenor SHFC2015, 1366 Tiki Road, SH25, Coromandel Town, New Zealand 3506.

[janekiwi]

Just thought I would let everyone on the forum know that the 13TH SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE FELTMAKERS CONVERGENCE is coming up :-) if you have wanted an excuse to come visit New Zealand here it is!
Even though I am in NZ, the Convergence is up in the other Island to where I live so I had a bit of a debate about weather I would go, but have decided it is too good an opportunity to miss so have sent my registration in. Very excited

[zed]

I don't think I'd leave if I went to New Zealand

I hope you have a good time, Jane and tell us all about it.

[MTRuth]

I would love to go but don't think I can manage it. Have fun!

[Deleted]

Hello Jane, how exciting such a grand event will be so close to you... I have seen photos of some of the fantastic wool art that is created at this event in the past... I hope yup will share some with us.. I know that the Australia Felt Magazine always has a nice write up with lots if photos about this event...

[luvswool and dyestuff]

Jane, I would totally love to travel to New Zealand to enjoy all it has to offer--including the Felters’ Conference. What’s always kept me away is the time difference and long travel hours. But I will seriously consider it. Does registration ever get filled up? If so, what do you recommend as a deadline date? Thanks for sharing!

[janekiwi]

Yes I have never done a long haul flight, about 7 hours is the longest and that was long enough! so I think a flight to or from NZ to the UK or USA would be pretty daunting. Though I know lots of people that do it regularly and find it not a problem. Then of course to come that much further is that much more cost. As I say I had enough of a debate and I am only traveling from the South Island to the North Island.

With the registration was this info about numbers and cut off dates - "Final date for registration is the 28th of February 2015
The event is being planned on a minimum of 150 registrants attending, plus partners. The maximum number of registrants will be limited to 180 plus partner. If the minimum of 150 is not reached by the 28th of February 2015 the organizing committee has the right to cancel the event."

I guess to book the hotel and plan the events they need numbers early so the registrations have to be in by end of February. I have not been to Felting Convergence before so am not too sure what to expect. I do know that Fiona Duthie is one of the international Felters that is coming. From the reports and things I have seen of past Convergences it looks like a lot of felting fun.

[luvswool and dyestuff]

Thanks, Jane, for the information on the big felters’ event in NZ. It’s not much time to make a decision, but this would be a wonderful trip, combining the scenery and Convergence. The farthest I’ve flown was to China, which was 14 hours Non-stop from Chicago to Beijing. THAT was a long flight, but I don’t regret making the trip.

[chookie2]

I'm going, anyone else? Need to know of some good fibre places to visit before the Conference, as I have 5 days to fill before it begins.Am staying in downtown Auckland.

[MTRuth]

Jane is going, hopefully she will pop in to answer your question.

[Shepherdess]

looks like a lot of fun but a bit far for me to go.

[janekiwi]

Hello chookie2,
Nice to meet (so to speak) someone else who is going. I am not much help on the fiber places as I do not know Auckland very well. I am from down in the South Island and will be going to Auckland a couple of days before the Felting Convergence as friends and I are planning to go across to Tiritiri Matangi Island on the Saturday, here is a link to some info about that - www.360discovery.co.nz/discovery-experiences/about-tiritiri-matangi-island.php And you would be more than welcome to come with us if you are interested?

I am sure if you want to find some fibre places to visit then get in touch with the Southern FeltMakers Convergence organisers as they will be familiar with what is around up there in Auckland. If you are travelling around New Zealand while you are here and are going to be in the South Island then let me know as I can recommend and perhaps show you around a few places. Feel free to msg me, or look me up on facebook etc, will look forward to meeting you in person.

happy felting
Jane