Forest Moon Teacosy {& an attempt at semi-decent photography}

The third teacosy in as many days, and this one is called Forest Moon::

Forest Moon Teacosy

Forest Moon was made in the same way as the Corner Cross teacosy, with the base layer as Norwegian fibres and the rest as a mix of Merino colours. I have to say, I'm a bit in love with this teacosy! If it doesn't sell at the fair this weekend, then I might have to keep it for myself....

Corner Cross Teacosy

So anyway, once that was done I thought I should attempt to take some semi-decent photos of the teacosies before I pack them into my (very very very full) suitcase! I have been thinking alot about how to take decent photos for selling things on Etsy, and came to the conclusion that I just wasn't very good at photography! But here I am attempting to make myself better at it. Results below; the light could have been a bit better I think, and maybe they are a bit too boring (background is just boring) for using on Etsy, but they are better than a bubble wrap/towel background!!

Corner Cross & Forest Moon Teacosies

Reverse sides of both Corner Cross & Forest Moon Teacosies

I think perhaps my use of props could improve; I love my Poole pottery teacup with these teacosies though.

Forest Moon Teacosy

Loops & chipped nail polish!

Reverse sides of both Corner Cross & Forest Moon Teacosies

And another photo of the experiment reject; Twin Moons:

Twin Moons Teacosy

Right, so, that done I need to pack them with the other stall products and stuff, and the rest of the felting equipment for the workshops, and then find room for some clothes..... wish me luck!

Ps. There are still places left for all three workshops in Berwick next week - ring or email me or comment here if you would like to book a place! Contact details on the workshops page. 

Twin Moons & Corner Cross Felted Teacosies

Twin Moons Teacosy

So this was my latest teacosy experiment, here it is drying out - I tried mixing Norwegian Grey fibre with Merino fibres; the first three layers are Norwegian wool, the next three merino, including the design. I really like the way the fibres came through, but maybe its blurred out the design a little too much; next time less Norwegian fibres, more merino, and a more defined design.... I still like the moons and sky part, so will try to use this again on something else. The design came about from reading too many fantasy novels, where the landscape is always slightly different to our own. 

Corner Cross Teacosy

This was the next teacosy; here I've used just one layer of Norwegian wool as the base layer (inside), and the rest is Merino of varying colours. The criss cross pattern was made using Finnish pencil roving; making this a three-sheep teacosy! This teacosy was designed and made with a specific place in mind; The Corner House cafe in Berwick-upon-Tweed, where I am doing my latest workshops next week - although I've not visited before, from what I can tell from the pictures online they have these kind of colours in their decor; creams, sage green, maroons and dusky pinks - so here's hoping when it gets there it looks good in its surroundings!

Teacosies in progress

Too hot to felt?

Nah!

It's never too hot to felt! Or is it.......?!

So it's nearly time for me to leave London and travel to Northumberland to visit my sister, and take part in the Berwick Arts & Crafts Festival! We have a stall at the fair on Sunday 28th July, and we are running several feltmaking workshops the week after (see the new workshop tab above for details). So, I have quite a few things left to felt, to be ready; but I've been putting it off in this heat..... now it's time to brave the rubbing and rolling and get to it, with many ice cold drinks at the ready!

Above is a picture I took of my test stall layout for the Fowlmere Craft Fayre a few weeks back. I stupidly didn't take any photos of the actual fair! I was a bit overwhelmed by doing demos with kids!

Below is a picture of a wonderful book and my experiements with the fantastic UPWOLFING technique of felting that the Dutch artist Irene van der Wolf teaches. Her website has some fantastic videos on and you can buy her books & felting equipment there too; check it out: http://kunstwolf.nl/en/

 The textures you can create with this UPWOLFING foam mat are just great; and so playful! Can't wait to use it to make a fun teacosy with crazy protrusions! 

Workshop Dates - now open for booking!

So I have finally sorted out venues and have several feltmaking workshops during the end of Summer and into Autumn/Winter - you can get more info on the new Workshops tab at the top of this blog; and here is the basic line up::

Berwick - upon - Tweed | August 2013

Beginners Feltmaking 
The Corner House Cafe, Church Street, Berwick

Two short 2-hour sessions on Thursday 1st & Friday 2nd August - 10am - 12noon - the first session will cover basic flat wet felting, the second session will cover the basics of dry needle felting. Each session is £12, or if you book both sessions you can get them for just £20. Kids can join in for just £1 (to cover materials) with a paying adult.

*Suitable for complete beginners as well as those who have done small amounts of felting before

**Price includes all materials, plus The Corner House are kindly offering one free hot drink!

Experimental Seamless Feltmaking
Spittal Church Hall, Spittal, Berwick

A full day workshop on Saturday 3rd August - 10.30am - 4.30pm - where we will learn the basics of using resists to create seamless felt and go on to experiment with this magical craft, to incorporate various fibres, yarns and materials to create surface texture and decoration. By the end of the day you will have made a seamless felted purse or bowl to take home, and experimented with creating surface texture and design. The day workshop is £35. 

*This workshop is aimed at those who have done my beginners workshop, or who 'have had a go' with wet felting before

**Price includes all materials, plus tea & cake, but please bring your own packed lunch as felting can be a hungry business! You may also like to bring your own scraps of material, yarns and fibres to experiment with during the workshop.

South Cambridgshire | Sept, Oct & Nov 2013

Beginners Feltmaking 

Thriplow Village Hall, 8 miles South of Cambridge (Parking is available)

A full day workshop on Saturday 14th September - 10.30am - 4.30pm - In my beginners workshop you will learn about the ancient craft of creating felt from wool fibres in a fun, friendly atmosphere. I will introduce flat wet felting as well as the basics of needle felting as an alternative technique; and by the end of the day you will have created at least one, possibly even two, finished pieces of felt to take home. Price: £35.

*Suitable for complete beginners as well as those who have done small amounts of felting before

**Price includes all materials, plus tea & cake, but please bring your own packed lunch as felting can be a hungry business!

Experimental Feltmaking for Textile Artists

Thriplow Village Hall, 8 miles South of Cambridge (Parking is available)

A full day workshop on Saturday 12th October - 10.00am - 4.30pm - In my experimental workshop you will learn the basics and go on to experiment with this magical craft, to incorporate felt into your work and create wonderful surface patterns and textures for use in a huge range of textile and stitching crafts. Specific skills taught will include: making & using pre-felts; elements of nuno felting techniques with silks & cottons; inclusions of other fibres & materials to create surface textures & design; basics of resist techniques to create surface textures & design. Price: £40.

*This workshop is aimed at those who work with textiles and needlecrafts and want to learn more about feltmaking ; suitable for beginners as well as those who have done felting before

**Price includes all materials, plus tea & cake, but please bring your own packed lunch as felting can be a hungry business! You may also like to bring your own scraps of material, yarns and fibres to experiment with during the workshop.

Felt Pod Bowls & Potholders

Thriplow Village Hall, 8 miles South of Cambridge (Parking is available)

A full day workshop on Saturday 16th November - 10.30am - 4.30pm - In my bowls & potholders workshop you will build on the basic skills of feltmaking to work with resists to create seamless felted forms. By the end of the day you will have either created your very own wet-felted pod bowl or potholder. Price: £40.

*This workshop is ideal for those who have already done my beginners feltmaking workshop; but is suitable for anyone who has basic wet felting skills

**Price includes all materials, plus tea & cake, but please bring your own packed lunch as felting can be a hungry business! You may also like to bring your own scraps of cotton cheesecloth or old silk scarves to include in the decoration of your bowl.

Preparing for the Fairs

This June I've mostly been preparing for the two craft fairs I have coming up; Fowlmere Craft Fayre (Hertfordshire) next Sunday 7th July, & Berwick Arts & Crafts Festival (Northumberland) at the end of July.

A Fourth Pod-Bowl:

A Second Small Flower Bowl:

And many new necklaces, bracelets & a few purses:

There is still a ton of stuff still to do to get prepared, but all the felting, at least for next Sunday, is done! Now I'm off to buy tissue paper & bags; just incase someone actually wants to buy something from me! ;)