The end is the beginning...

The end of one year and the beginning of a new one, the expression of the ongoing cycles in life.
I wish everyone a creative and inventive 2010, a smile for every new beginning and gratefulness for what we achieved so far.

New Felt Making Tutorials

I recently added two wet felting tutorials to my etsy shop:

The first: how to make a wet felted “WILD NATURE” scarf. This tutorial is suitable for beginners.

It is an easy and fast method to make a scarf and also an excellent idea to make one as a present for a friend or family member.

Wild Nature scarf tutorial on etsy




The second one that I have for sale in my etsy shop is a Silky Nuno Felted Poncho. This tutorial is suitable for all levels.

The technique is explained by easy step by step instructions, accompanied by lots of images.
The project can be done with very simple equipment, which you probably have already available in your house.

Silky Nuno Felted Poncho on etsy



Both tutorials are available in PDF version. The techniques are explained through easy step by step instructions, accompanied by lots of images.

Freeform Lace shawls

This shawl is sold

These Freeform Lace, Felt Art Shawls are made from hand felted organic merino wool pieces and nuno felted pieces, sewn together with recycled fabric ribbons.

The ribbons are cut offs from industrial weaving.

They are a nice addition to your evening outfit.

Purple freeform lace felt art shawl:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27660641

Etsy Treasury: SHE loves red and black.

This Etsy Treasury features Schooling at Home Etsians and was made by farmsteadladydesigns. I am very grateful to be included in this red and black treasury.

Preparing fibres for natural dyeing.

Preparing the fibres:
Before dyeing fibres, whether it is for natural or synthetic dyes, we will need to scour them. This means, we need to clean them properly so that there are no residues of grease, dirt or chemicals left. If there is dirt left in the fibres, the dyes will stick to the dirt and will disappear with washing them afterwards or give your hands a nice, but often undesirable colour.

Wool:
For raw uncarded wool straight from the fleece, I soak it for several hours and keep repeating it as long as a lot of dirt comes out (note: you can use this rinsing water for your plants, it is rich in nitrogen). Now add dishwashing liquid to the water and let it soak for a while. You might have to do that a few times and rinse it well afterwards, until the water becomes clean. Be wary to never pouring hot water onto the fibres or handle them roughly , because the wool might start to felt.

Wool slivers are cleaned, washed and carded, so there is no real need to go through this whole process. You will still need to soak them in clean water before mordanting or dyeing. The only risk with the slivers is that they can have residues of chemicals in them, which might interfere with the dyeing. This is one of the many reasons to use organic wool slivers, that have been processed without chemicals.

Silk fibres or fabrics need to be gradually brought to just under the boiling temperature and kept at that temperature for 1 hour. Boiling can damage the fibres. If the silk has not be de-gummed yet, it needs to be heated up with dishwashing liquid. Repeat this process until the silk doesn't feel sticky anymore.

Vegetable fibres, such as cotton, hemp and linen need to be boiled off with washing soda for 1 hour. If the fibres are new and still have wax in them, you will see the water turn yellow to light brown. In that case it could be safe to repeat the process. If you need to prepare a lot of fabric, you can put it in the washing machine at the highest temperature, close to the boiling temperature and add the washing soda to it.

When the fibres are well clean, they can be used for dyeing.

And another treasury - We like to dress up

I am in another treasury, "We like to dress up", made by DonataFelt

New Treasury - Snowfall in Paris

My handbag Frosty Night was featured in this treasury: Snowfall in Paris, made by madieleedesigns,

November special: sales on several felt art vests

I decided to have a big sale in my etsy shop to prepare for the Christmas season. I have 6 felt art vests on sale until the end of November.
Here they are:




Unique felt art vest:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26544482








Moonlight - Felt art vest:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8036436









Pink Sunset - Felt art vest:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26595058







Violet felt vest:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8036488








Palm Tree felt art vest:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8819685








Orange and brown vest:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17254974

Treasury; Just because I FELT like it.

And here is another etsy treasury, "Just because I Felt like it" made by nothingbutstring
It is full of original felt items. Thanks to nothingbutstring for including my "Swirls and Curls - Blue Felt Art Shawl"

Etsy Finds - Dust team: Freeform

And here are two more members of the Dust Team ( the Australian Etsy Team). I love freeform in any medium. It is a personal spontaneous expression that can not be duplicated.

Renate Kirkpatrick makes beautiful freeform crochet wearables and accessories. It is so hard to choose which photo to choose out of her shop, so maybe visit her shop to see more of her work. Here is an image of her “Chocolate Box”, a Freeform Cushion Cover:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22758252

Another item that caught my attention is this beautiful “Delight Vessel”, made by AussieWoodcraft.

Created through collaboration between the artist and nature, this unique vessel is designed to preserve its natural grains and is now awaiting a new home to be admired for its natural beauty.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17684280

I am featured in another treasury: Warm...

Anasousa made this treasury, featuring warm Autumn items, from some of her friends. This are all very useful items when going into Autumn and Winter, which is the case in the Northern Hemisphere, while we will be sweating soon here in Australia!
Visit Anasousa's shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5024568

Thanks for including my Rust coloured Freeform Beanie in this treasury.

Etsy Finds - Dust team: Paintings

I like to bring a few painters from the Australian Etsy Team, dust team, in the foreground. This is also a nice change from all the wearables that I have been featuring until now.

The first one though, Artnomadix, uses painting to make one of a kind wearables as in this Stunning Stylish Sunset Silhouette Shirt. Her shop is filled with the most adorable pieces.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15958914

Another Australian artist is TigerWings. Being a self taught artist she loves painting and drawing and Rashida is an example of a beautiful original watercolour painting of an African woman.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25830819

I came across another Australian self taught artist, SallysOriginalArt. In her shop, you'll find painted silk scarves, along with prints of her original watercolour paintings, such as this landscape.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32871214

Etsy Finds - Dust team: Necklaces

Members of the Dust team, a group of Australian sellers on etsy, have a great variety of handmade art and craft goods to offer.
I came across a few beautiful necklaces today and thought I might as well share them.

The Jungle Queen Necklace looks gorgeous and is made out of ceramic beads made by hannahfaerie herself. She has lots of beautiful jewellery in her shop.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9547632

Over the Rainbow was made from deep red faceted garnets, light green peridot chips, faceted citrine, hematite discs and a few blue glass beads. You can find a lot of information about the stones in gypsyrosecreations' shop.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13380105

This Butterfly Catcher Spoon pendant is the transformation of a spoon into an eye catching pendant by DELiciousDesignz.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28174959

I am featured on Etsy Lounge

Etsy Lounge is a blog, featuring etsy artists. I am one of them today, with my handbag "Octopus Habitat".
You can find more felted legged sea creatures on etsy lounge's octopus' garden.

I had a very close look on this blog. I enjoyed admiring all the amazing work on etsy, beautifully arranged in very interesting themes.

http://etsylounge.blogspot.com

Three beautiful shawls are gone.

Three beautiful felt art shawls have found a new wearer during the last week.

Violets
This purple nuno felt art shawl is very light and has 3 violets felted in it. It was dyed with natural dyes, logwood purple and brazilwood.


Evergreen
This is one of my freeform felt art shawls, incorporating different silk and recycled cotton fabrics.
The wool and the silk are dyed with indigo and mango leaves, the purple wool and silk were dyed with logwood purple.


Lavender Breeze
A balanced blend of silk and wool, in calming lavender colours. The silk was dyed with logwood purple and the wool with lac, both in very light colours. I love this one, it is soft and flowing.

How do you felt - a treasury featuring etsy feltmakers

I just received a message that my work is in a new etsy treasury "How do you felt?" by dutchfeltart.

Here is the link for the treasury, it will only be up until Friday, October 9 2009, so be quick for a visit: http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=70789

Cherry Red - Felt Art Shawl

Cherry Red is a one of my recent felt art shawls in beautiful shades of red, obtained with natural dyes.


http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31055959

I love this one, especially the warm colour.

I arranged different pieces of nuno felt and stitched them together in a balanced way. It always takes a lot of time to find the right place for a particular piece of felt.

Awesome and it lends itself to many different occasions.

A few of my favorite ornaments on etsy

I am so excited to show you a few jewellery items that really stand out by their uniqueness. Click on the links to find out more about this beautiful art to wear items.


The handmade vintage zipper circle necklace by greeneyedgirlshop is so inventive and unusual. It is made from recycled vintage zippers, as the name of the piece explains.


Autumn leaves is a handmade Irish crochet and Victorian beaded style bracelet. It is made
by Nothingbutstring.


Another stunning and one of a kind beaded necklace is Rage of the Seraphs by DantesSpirit.

I am featured on Jenjies's Crafty Stuff

I am featured again, this time on Jenjie's Crafty Stuff's blog.
Check it out and also have a look at the other arts and crafts people she is featuring.

I am featured on Handmade Unique

I am so happy that my Forest Floor shawl is coming a lot in the spotlight.
Today, I am featured on Handmade Unique blog.
Here is the link:
http://handmadeunique.blogspot.com/2009/09/unique-texture-gorgeous-forest-floor.html

Really FAST - Only a few of the Etsy Fiber Arts Street Team

In this etsy treasury MyLab features some of the Etsy Fiber Arts Street Team. My poncho "Forest Walk" is included.

A treasury with freedomRainbow's favorites

I was featured in this treasury by freedomRainbow a few days ago:

Forest Floor - Felt Art Shawl

I have been busy locally and did not take much time for blogging or internet in general for a few months now.
Today, I listed a new item "Forest Floor", a nuno felted and hand sculpted felt art shawl.
You can find more details in my etsy shop:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30412020

My latest listing: a cotton nuno felted poncho

This pink and purple cotton nuno felted poncho is my latest listing on etsy.
You can see it at http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27802014

Another treasury - Just amazing Talent from Etsy Fast

My yellow dream patches top was featured in this beautiful treasury made by SachiDesigns

Treasury: Extravagant Black and Red

I was included in this beautiful treasury: Extravagant Black and Red by jezek.

I am featured on "What does the Golden Mean?"

I just found out that I am featured with my Butterfly Flight Felt Art Shawl on the blog "what does the golden mean?"
Morgen has written an interesting article about gemini and how to choose a special gift for them.
You can read the post here:
http://whatdoesthegoldenmean.blogspot.com/2009/05/gift-giving-through-zodiac-gemini.html
Morgen is a textile artist interested in traditional and cultural designs.
Check out her etsy shop here:
http://inkyspider.etsy.com

Batwings - Purple Felt Art Shawl, Skirt and Top all in one.

I haven't been posting for a while and it is time to show a new piece: batwings.


Batwings can be used as a shawl, a skirt or a top.

This piece is made from hand felted organic merino wool pieces and nuno felted pieces embellished with fluffy cotton ribbon. Everything is dyed with natural dyes.

Awesome and it lends itself to many different occasions.

For more images and to buy this item go to my etsy shop.