Felt jewelry works in process

I spent a couple of hours making some basic felt pieces this morning.  They will become various things.  Just looking at the pieces all sitting there together gets me excited to go buy some beads and get things together and start the really fun play.  It was great fun experimenting with the felt.  I tried some different things just to see how it would work.  They all worked great, so I will use the techniques more.  I really love the look of cheesecloth under the pieces and found out I also like the look of cheesecloth on the top in small quantities.  I also found that it's easy to full the felt too much if you're not careful and get carried away with the tossing part.  I experienced with thin layers and with thicker layers.  I also experimented with combining a rope with a flat section which worked well.  I love to roll and toss the pieces.  It's a great stress reliever.

Felted wool necklace with agate beads

Here is the picture of the necklace I talked about yesterday.  My mother even likes this one.  I also completed another one today that my mother says is too hairy for her.  It does look hairy.  I made it is a needle felted pendant and I attached it to a cord made from braided silk and bamboo yarn.  Pretty colors though and I think it has the look I was going for.  It's such fun to experiment.  I made progress on a couple other pieces and started a few ore.  I've only laid out the wool, so barely started, but at least the basic idea is there.  I look forward to working on them tomorrow.  Good night for now!

Felt and Agate jewelry pieces

I attended a free jewelry class today to learn basics about wire work and beading.  I learned more about tolls and picked up a few tips.  I came home with an understanding of how to finish a piece that I had started yesterday, but could not get to come out the way I wanted.  After the class, I was able to complete the piece.  I don't have good lighting to take a picture this evening, so it won't get posted until tomorrow.

I took a trip to the hardware store after the class and got some copper wire to play with and was able to finish this piece early enough to get a picture:  A necklace made from felted wool roving with hammered copper wire wrapped agate.  It's an original.  I had seen the agate at the local bead shop and knew I just had to have it and make something special out of it.  I had already used a piece of it last week on a cuff and was very pleased with that piece as well.  I've also posted it.  (Please ignore the dry skinny arm.)  While I was hammering the copper wire for the agate, I hammered my left index finger.  Ouch!  I guess I need more practice with the hammer.  No problem.  I really enjoy working with the wire and especially enjoy hammered wire work.  I'm sure you'll be seeing more of it here.

Felted wrap bracelet

Yesterday I made a bunch of felt ropes.  My arms are tired (ha!).  Now I can have fun deciding what to make out of them and making whatever it is.  My first finished product is this wrap bracelet.  My husband says it is very pretty.  He doesn't like most of what I've been creating, so that is high praise.
I get so excited everyday creating something new.  It really is invigorating and fun for me.  I can't believe how blessed I am to be able to do this all day every day if I want to.

Tiny textile art

So often I find myself sitting here surfing the web and watching politics on TV.  I feel guilty.  It seems like I'm just wasting time.  BUT - I'm not!  First of all it's very important to be informed and involved (through knowledgable voting) in the government of our country if we want this to continue to be the best place in the world to live.  Second, I get so many great ideas from surfing.  You can learn absolutely anything on the web and get ideas from all the other amazingly creative people all over the world.  I see something I like on line and before I know it, I'm thinking of all kinds of new ideas for things I can create.  So, stop beating yourself up over time spent surfing and watching politics!  Now, on the other hand, do I really have to do 3 iPad puzzles every day?  Well, we all need down time and puzzles are good for the mind.
Today's finished piece is a tiny piece of textile art.  It measures 1 1/2 inches by 4 inches.  It is handmade merino wool felt with silk threads and seashells.  I added a pin on the back so I can wear it.

Felt Necklace

I made the first piece of jewelry that mother actually likes.  I'm not sure if that is a good sign or a bad sign.  My mother is in her 80s, so I guess her style could be expected to be much more conservative than mine.  Not that all 80 year olds are conservative, but certainly my mother is - in all ways.

I am continuing to experiment with felt jewelry, trying to develop a full line in an attempt to obtain a consignment arrangement for selling the jewelry.  I can't believe how much I love doing this.  It is FUN!  Of course, textile work was my first real love, after crayons of course.  Both were very important to me as a young child.  I made clothes for my barbie dolls back in the day, long before most kids are allowed to have a needle.  I love to start with a simple piece of fabric or wisps of wool and end up with a final usable or wearable product.  Here is today's finished product.  A necklace of felt and hammered wire with silver plated hook.  My own original design.

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How time flies when you're having fun - my first felt scarf

Hello dear blog.  I cannot believe how the last 6 moths have flown by since I'v re-retired.  I have been keeping very busy, admittedly after doing almost nothing at all for a while.  I needed time to just be down and quiet.  We took a long trip - driving to New England across the top of the country and back along the south.  It was wonderful.  Next time we do it - and yes, I do think there will be a next time, I hope to post pictures here as we go.  We also had a wonderful Christmas in LA.  Lots of grandchildren fun, bike riding and beach days.  Since then, I've been working on various projects.  Lots of creativity going on.  I'll be posting some of my latest explorations here over the next few weeks.  I've been doing little painting, choosing instead to get a new sewing machine and return to my first creativity love which is sewing and working with textiles and fibers.  Fun, Fun, Fun!!  I will also be posting musings about being newly retired.  

A first.  Handmade felt scarf.  The beginning of my love for making and working with handmade felt.  Thank you to my good friend Julie Higgins for sparking the interest and teaching me the basics.  Stay tuned for lots more.