Expert Blacksmithing & Feltmaking in Canada

A statue of two men holding hands on top of a clock tower.

Sandra attended the first one-year Women into Technology Metal craft course held at Swindon College by Melissa Cole and obtained a Blacksmithing National Diploma. She then joined the Guild of Wrought Ironwork Craftsmen of Wessex, attended their regular forge work weekend courses at Canning ton College, and was secretary of the Guild for five years.

Sandra was accepted for a rural apprenticeship New Entrants Training Scheme held at the National School of Blacksmithing in Hereford. Under the guidance of Paul Allen FWCB LWCB LCGI, a specialist in pure forge work techniques, Sandra obtained a certificate of training from the Countryside Agency as well as a certificate of competence from the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths. This ancient London Guild was incorporated in 1325.

In 2003 Sandra Barrett became the first lady blacksmith in Britain to be awarded the Frank Day Perpetual Trophy in the blacksmith craft for forging metal in the traditional manner. Sandra is currently a member of the Kootenay Blacksmiths’ Association in Canada and a professional member of the British Artist Blacksmiths Association.

Sandra is the only woman blacksmith featured in the Guild of Wrought Ironwork Craftsman of Wessex's 50th Anniversary Celebration Book, 1968-2018 celebrating the skills, knowledge and craft of members, past and present.

Sandra’s artistic flair and forging skills ensure that customers’ wishes become a reality on time and within budget. Sandra's professional development continues with attendance at ABANA , KBA, and CanIron events, organizations in the United States and Canada, which promote blacksmithing through conferences and demonstrations.

A black background with some white writing on it

Exhibitions

A cross with a candle on it in front of the alter.

A polar bear laying on the ice in front of some stars.

A close up of the sun and stars in a painting

A poster for an exhibition of paintings by sandra barrett.

A poster with two pictures of sea and sky.

A collage of photos with a person working on something

A group of metal dolphins with blue umbrellas.

A white cover with a brown and gold design.

A close up of the word " tsunami " written in green

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Feltmaking

A woman in a gray dress and purple shawl.

2018: Moy Mackay (Scotland) Painting with fibre

2018: Ellen Bakker (Netherlands) Silk painting

2017: Chris Lines (UK) Self portrait

2017: Chrissie Day (UK) Gladstone bag

2016: Charlotte Sehmisch (Germany) Geometric felt objects

2016: Laurie Steffler (Canada) Hats and scarf

2015: Nicola Brown (Ireland) Eco printing

2014: Anita Luvera Mayer (USA) Creative clothing

Sandra was Membership Coordinator for felt::feutre Canada from 2016 until it was disbanded in 2023 and Region 18 Coordinator for the International Feltmakers Association for six years.

Sandra began making felt in the Lake District, England over 30 years ago. However, after moving to Canada in 2004, she learned more skills and techniques by taking courses from some Internationally renowned feltmakers, especially after opening her felt studio and gallery in 2014. Ongoing tuition is still being received from:

2014 to date: Fiona Duthie (Canada) 16 courses, both in person and online

2020 to date: textileartist.org Stitch Club (UK) with different tutors every fortnight

2021 to date: Lindsey Tyson (UK) Printing on felt

2021 to date: Annual Online Felt camp with Corinna Nitschmann and various tutors including Dagmar Binder, Annemie Koenen and Mihály Vetró

Sandra would like to acknowledge and thank the following tutors for sharing their expertise:

2023: Felt camp in Hungary with Gabriella Kovács, Anikó Boros, Bea Németh, Nadia Szabó and Márti Csille

2022: Marjolein Dallinga (Canada) Sculptural forms

2021: Jane Dunnewold (USA) Botanical printing

2020: Molly Williams (UK) felted figurines

2019: Natalya Brashovetskaya (Cyprus) Boots and bag

2019: Gordon Milne (Canada) Gesture drawing

A small cube with a yellow and red checkered pattern.