Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Sugar Plum is gorgeous! I love the pastel colors and the cute little flowers around her head  

-Nichole

OK Here is some pictures
This is Merino wool roving before I do anything with it

Here is the merino before I steam it and after. Notice how it fluffs up. It's kind of hard to tell from the picture but the fibers are very straight in the first pile and they are very kinky and wavy in the second

Here is a closer look

I find that I usually don't need to card the wool when I do this because the steam fluffs it up for me. I usually only card when I am mixing colors. From what I under stand when they process wool into roving the fibers get straightened, when you steam it it goes back to a more natural crimped state. It is easier to felt with the crimped fiber because it tangles faster than straight fiber. Sorry the pictures are not better the batteries in my camera died as I was taking them. If you would like to see pictures of how I steam the wool I can take some tomorrow when I get new batteries.

-Nichole

Hi Breanda,

That is a very cute bunny and only your second try WOW! I find it hard to felt a solid sculpture. For me it is much easier to felt all the pieces and then thread joint them.  The best tip I've found so far would be to steam the wool before you use it. It puts the crimp back in to the wool so it felts easier. To steam it I put a pot with about 1 inch of water on the stove and heat to a boil I have a little wire rack to cool cookies on that I set on top of the pot and lay my wool roving on it.  The steam rises through the wool and the wool fluffs up to about twice the size. It only takes a minute or two. I've also read that you can wet the wool and microwave it to get the same results but I've never tried that. I hope I explained that clearly if you would like a picture to see what I mean let me know and I will take one. Have fun felting

Hugs Nichole

Hi Tara,

I had a cat that did that when you would pet him. He would suck on your shirt or a blanket till he made a big wet spot, and purr as loud as could be. Now I have a 13 week old puppy that likes to nibble and nurse on a blanket when he is tired. I think it soothes him so he falls a sleep. Here is a picture of him and our other dog.

Franklin is 2 years and Oliver is 13 weeks, they are both Boston Terriers

Hi everyone,

I am the new member that sent Peta the Pm. Thanks for letting me join Peta Here is some pictures of my work so you can see what I create. They are around 61/2 inches sitting 91/2 inches head to toe. Firmly needle felted, thread jointed ,weighted and have hand painted glass eyes.

I think they are gorgeous! I love the soft colors you used on them. It would be so cute to see a bear holding one.

Hugs, Nichole