Maybe it’s the chilly Michigan nights or a longing to pull out my scarf collection with September anxiously waving hello – I am finding myself transfixed by the possibilities of felt. Check out these inspirational creations!
Sculptural
Felting is the process of taking wool roving, hot water, soap and friction to interlock the wool fibers into a a solid shape. I love the look of this technique transforming wool fluff into flowers. The same technique can be used to create ropes and vines.
1. DanFe 2. FeltFatal 3. FeltedArtToWear
Minimal
I also like the minimalistic and modern approach these three artists used, letting the felt speak for itself. Used as beads or combined into traditional metalwork, felt offers an interesting texture and adds a warmth to these designs.
1. FeltFieltroFilc 2. JemMetals 3. FeltZone
Embroidered
Transform sheets of felt or beads into mini-canvases with embroidered elements. If you are using felted sheets in jewelry design looks for 100% wool, this isn’t the acrylic felt sheets found in elementary schools. You can buy sheets of felt or you can felt 100% wool sweaters by throwing them in your washing machine with hot, soapy water. It really works – give it a try! You can them cut the sweaters up into usable pieces.
1. LoveMaude 2. Grrrauf 3. LoftFullOfGoodies
Mixed with Beads
This is my favorite way to use felt – mixed with beads! You can use a felt element as a focal bead, mix felt in for texture with metalwork or use felt beads to add a bit of whimsy to your beaded designs. 1mm – 2mm beads are great for jewelry. Most wool beads don’t have holes, use a large needle to poke a hole in the center of the bead.
1. LakeShoreCreations4U 2. BricolageStudios 3. JeanaWells
Supplies
1. Check out Ornamentea for wool beads and roving.
2. I’m loving the look of FiberWire from Starry Road Studio.
3. And while I’m not sure if they are wool or felt, I love the look of the textured beads from FiberBeads.
The jewelry shown is for inspiration only, please respect the copyrights of the artists.
Cassi
August 24, 2012 at 7:00 pmWhile I don't feel an urge to work in felt (yet), this is one of my favorite felt Etsy shops:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/woollyfabulous
SummersStudio
August 24, 2012 at 10:09 pmNice! I love the saturated colors in most of these pieces.
A Half-Baked Notion
August 25, 2012 at 9:35 amThose embroidered items make me long to pick up needle and thread again, Heather. Just gorgeous!
kim Idalski
August 26, 2012 at 11:47 amI know exactly what you mean. In michigan you never know if its going to be 100 one day or 50 the next. I wish it would stay in between 70 that would be perfect. :). I find weather really makes a big impression on how I create and what colors I create with. Its funny how the brain works that way. Dark dingy days are definatly dark colors and a blah creation. Sunny and warm I find butterflys and florals everywhere. No matter the weather I love to create and creating brings me joy and pain therapy. Im blessed and love beind an artist. Happy creating.