To be
honest, I don’t know where to start my story about Vilte and Irit Dulman International
workshop in Cyprus, the Island of Greek Goddess Aphrodite. It is all over now. I’m
still tired but content, my dreams full of images of the girls and my thoughts
still there, on a beautiful coast of Latchi, in our spacious workshop
room. We only had a few days together,
but it feels like a whole separate life we shared and enjoyed.
This is my second workshop with Vilte and I
hope not the last one. Since April 2011 the program has been expanded
dramatically. It is very original in its simplicity but a lot of new techniques
and texture, tips and tricks had been added. Plus different ways of layouts,
templates and calculations. New unusual silk fibers from remote villages of
India have been introduced and rare wild wool and locks being used during our
lessons.
I attended
both workshops of Vilte and Irit. It was
pity to miss such opportunity, especially if it comes directly on your doorstep.
First part of the day we’ve been working with Vilte, after four o’clock in the
afternoon we continued with Irit. We
have worked many hours, but it was worth it. Every minute of it. Plenty of samples
being made and also two finished garments. A lot of theory written in our
workbooks. All felting and dyeing/printing
materials have been provided by both teachers. I really like the atmosphere of
the classes; we could take a break whenever we wanted and go for a swim or a
cold coffee, no strict rules or limitations. We had a lot of questions and all
of them have been answered in full. Teacher’s patience was endless and kind and
every day of workshops was full of learning.
What I
actually learned from my teachers. I already was working using Vilte’s
technique more than a year. Being a journalist I was also quietly and
attentively observing her work and progress for two years now; published the
article about my first experience and I still don’t know how her mind works.
She is going so fast in her work I don’t think anyone could ever follow. Always
few steps forward with new ideas, techniques and discoveries. Vilte pays
attention to smallest details but at the same time keeps telling us that no strict
rules in felting and no waste in it. If the blouse didn’t came out the way you
wanted you still can change or adjust the design by following its organic shape
for example. I also noticed the way Vilte handles the silks and fibers; with
care but not the fear of damaging it. Her hands movements are strong, fast and
gentle at the same time. She never lost
her patience even being tired. Always calm, friendly and very supportive in any
way possible. Lots of samples being made and two garments during her classes.
I’ve
learned again to work slowly in order to move fast and to concentrate more and
see more. I have to be a friend with my fibers and silks to get desired result;
I have to wait till they start talking to me. I also learned to clear my mind
from any negative or worrying thoughts and concentrate only on the project and
feel free. It wasn’t easy but it worked wonders. Many times during the lessons
I had this sensational feeling of total happiness we all had being kids. She is
an amazing teacher and wonderful human being. Thank you for everything, dear Vilte;
it was such a pleasure to work with you again!
My discoveries with Irit. I always admired
her work and never thought I could really see her in person here, in Cyprus.
When I met Irit at the airport she looked very tired and fragile; only those
famous bright blue eyes were glowing.
While we were driving to our hotel she never missed any tree and I
started learning right there. During her classes the atmosphere was very
relaxed as well and it was a lot o fun working with different fabrics and
plenty of various plant materials. My workbook full of notes now, and I can’t
wait to start working again. Workplace looked like a forest witchcraft nest
with flying on the wind dyed dresses and samples. Local guests and foreigners
were very curious about our work and asked a lot of questions.
Before
the master-class I’ve been running a lot of tests and thought that I know a bit
about the leaves already. Well...Not! The main secret was hidden on a surface and
it was the huge revelation for me. Irit taught us that we have to lose control,
do not expect exact results every time and let the process of printing and
dyeing take care of itself. We also learned that every mistake and every sample
is precious; that is the way how we have to make our own discoveries. She
taught us that every leaf has its own beautiful story and will whisper it
eventually. Only then we could experience the true magic and real colours of
Mother Nature. I got more than I expected
from Irit’s lessons. My dress and wrap came out in a very unpredicted way. I have
so much more interesting patterns, colours and texture which I would never even
dreamed to achieve. And I will definitely use the Eco printing and the new way
of dyeing my dresses. Thank you so much, dear Irit! You shared every piece of
knowledge you have with us and have been such interesting and inspiring teacher
and an exceptional person!
Irit
and Vilte are very different but very similar in a way. They always joined us
for every occasion; we swam, laughed, dinned and even danced together. But when
I was looking at them I understand that they are always so far away, in another
dimension, in their own secret world of mysterious fibers and miraculous
colours. I couldn’t wish for better teachers and I think all our ladies are
feeling the same.
This was a
working holiday for us. Participants
arrived from all over the world – USA, Island, Israel, Norway, the Netherlands,
UK, Portugal, Norway, Italy, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, and Cyprus. Even we all were tired at the end of the day
but we always shared dinner together on cosy restaurant veranda, overlooking
Akamas Bay with its clear waters with the sun slowly going down to a blue silky
haze. At the end of the first workshop we had a girl’s night out together and
painted town red with karaoke’s favourite ‘I will survive’ and danced a lot. We all clicked immediately as if we have
known each other for a very long time. I never forget those amazing stories and
late night conversations of human strength, losses and recoveries. Stories
about how and why each of us started felting and how it helped to move forward
and live a fine life. I’ll treasure them forever. Every time I start to write
this part of my article I can’t hold my tears. So if it was written on paper it
would be soaked wet. But these are happy tears with a little sadness. I was
very lucky to meet all of you and privileged to work and play together. I will
never forget your kindness, support and farewell gifts. What a beautiful souls and
gorgeous Aphrodites you are! One day we’ll meet again, we were here for a
reason. I think we all feel refreshed and may be even re-born again to meet new
life experiences and challenges, to continue our work in a new and fascinating
way.
Let’s do it, let’s dare, we will survive, girls!
Yalla bye, my dear friends and teachers!
And I’ll
be waiting...
* In Hebrew slang Yalla bye it’s a combination of the
Arabic word yalla meaning
"common" and of the English word
bye.
* Special thanks to Aphrodite
Beach Hotel http://www.aphrodite-beachhotel.com/ and Gregoria
(the Owner) and the whole family. Dear Gregoria, we were feeling like at home
and enjoyed every minute of our stay. Thank you for all your care and patience!
We’ll see you again one day!
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