Wool felt earthy vase 羊毛氈花瓶

  

Though I immersed so much in eco printing experiments, I can't ignore my fond of wool felt. Took some time to do a wool felt vase this weekend with scraps of my natural printed swatches, I made this one with flat enclosed resist.
Finished it with shots near my studio, listening to the wave........
縱然沉醉植物印染創作, 我不忘對羊毛氈的熱愛, 這日弄一點植物染的碎料與羊毛混混, 做了這瓶子, 在工作室不遠處聽看  「浪 ● 花 」

The wool batt used is Austrian mountain sheep. It's so perfect for 3D creation. Very easy felt and sturdy.  Enclosed the whole resist template, I put 2 layers only with intention to have a side ridge thus a bit extended the side template.

Both sides with my silk scraps of eco prints, one side with a little Romney and Wenslaydale wool fleece for curly look.  This way of nuno felt is to add some textures on the surface.

After rubbing and rolling, cut open the bottle neck, removed the template and inserted a jam jar inside to full the bottle shape. Left the glass jar inside as water holder.

In an hour the vase finished and the flowers breathing in the seashore near my studio.

A wool felt vase with textures of eco prints and wool fleece. 

One side with ridge is to make it not the ordinary one.

Woolly bag making 寒冬做暖袋

 

Can't believe we're into Feb still embracing the freezing days.  Normally after Chinese New Year it's spring but weather forecast we're below 9 C this week.  Really chilly for us in the sub-tropical region Hong Kong. My woolly bag made two years ago draws eye balls wherever I'm.   Actually I haven't taught open class this sort of bag before since the curly fleece is pricey so fee for learning is steep.  Also much water is needed,  indoor making will be a mess. I can only do in my open yard for private tutorial on special request.

踏入二月，已過立春，還是寒風刺骨，何不做個暖暖羊毛手袋，溫暖自己。

 Enthusiastic student Sammy came to my home studio right after work in a chilly weekday night.

  

We did from inside out.  We used my own natural printed fabric lining for strong backing. 

  

Wool layered on side A, then side B, both with fabric backing.

  

After 3 layers of Finn wool.....

  

Another layer of assorted raw fleece of Finn, Teeswater, Wensleydale, Romney.......

  

Started the rubbing, "rock n roll"......

  

Almost done in 3-4  hours.  

   

 A wild fleece woolly bag is completed with handles attached. Carrying it  just like cuddling a sheep.   If not warm enough.......

 

Cuddle my fluffy......

  

Fluffy Mogi said "Mum just made me the wild fleece bed sheet I'm warm enough, and you......?"

Friends stay warm, I can hear the steps of spring, not far away.

Well wrapped for my North America trip 整裝待發

 

Walk walk walk my way....... Upswing for my NA trip. Aware the chilly and snowing days.  I'm well prepared to wrap from head to toe.
為北美之行作好準備, 興奮不單是到加拿大教授我的植物印染技巧與nuno felt 3D手袋製作, 往美國與其他藝術家學習交流是此行重點, 彼岸天氣寒泠, 為此買了靴子, 不夠, 不夠..... 為雙腿保暖, 做對 leg warmer......

I bought the boots.  Thought it's good to have a style to go with leg warmers

  

A pair of leg warmers made with sorts of wool,  Oh, I can't remember what sorts.  Some finn, some alpaca, some wenslaydale..... They're lovely wool from my Dutch friend Kim.  I love the wool so much and have already made a few vests and bags.   "Wild", just like the curly wild style.

 

Here's the boots with leg warmers

 

It's done by nuno felt.  

I simply used my "not so good" natural dyed silk fabric as base, laid wool over it, then the wild curly fleece.  All covered and rubbed, rolled for a while.  A pair is  finished. 

 

Go wild with vest......

 

Warm enough we both.  I'm off this Sun,  thrilled for my upcoming workshop to share with like-minded and meeting renowned artists whom I admire so much.......

Nuno dresses for "Nuna Dolls" 娃娃新裝

I've done a series of dolls in nuno felt dresses (post here).  Recently I was asked if I can run a workshop for the making.  That made me to do with the eco printed silk scraps in my stash.  Here again my "Nuna" born........    dolls dressed in nuno felted dresses I named them "Nuna".

我曾經做了一系列穿著 nuno felt 裙子的娃娃 (此網誌), 被問及可會開班教受, 工序多又花時間, 短期不會教受了, 自己創作做多幾款裙子還可以罷, 如此我又做了兩個娃兒, 所有穿 nuno felt 裙子的我都叫作 "Nuna 娃", 這兩娃兒下海了.........

She walks in lavender field.......

 

She looks in the South China Sea near my studio.......

How the dolls born?      Here they go......

 

Paper clay bodies dried 

With helping hands of Mogi to paint the eyes, mouth.....

 

All materials for dress making are ready......

 

Laid both front and back, front is with more eucalyptus printed scraps and mulberry silk, back is of iron dyed with tie lines on the bottom.  All done with enclosed resist without needle or thread.  Finished then shaped with the body.

 

Rich texture of the front is what I want 

 

A nun?   No no.... Touch up with hair, arms and hat will be a fair lady.

 

Hair is Wensleydale curls

 

Well..... dressed up for the show

 

Walk in the beach........ with the little one......

 

More of less the same making for the little one but it has legs

 

Dancing in the air.....  

 

Rest on the rock

 

  Size and the look

 

Making them really takes time. That said running a workshop is not considered for the time being but for my own leisure another one of white dress is in the making.

Wool felt handbag making 羊毛手袋製作

During my first 10 days in CA I stayed with my friend Melinda. It's fun to share what we passionate about.  She loves the wool felt handbag I learnt from Nicola Brown.  The brown & white flap style she loves most.  She's quite well considered for the infringement of teachers  techniques though it's really my pleasure to share the fun. She said she just wanted to make the flap a "peacock eye" , so we made the style of this one. We used the red merino wool, white curly fleece and purple dyed chiffon to make the nuno felt flower. She's going to put on a crystal-like eye on it.  The bag has strap, inner pocket and the button loop all made in one go. This is  quite an interesting skill to make it.  I'm so happy to share with like-minded friends whatever I know. Melinda is a good hand of knitting. She made me lots of awesome stuff. One of the things the cowl I'm on in the last picture is truly a pretty accessory for my trip here.  She taught me knitting but I'm too behind. I will surly practise when back home. 這次加州假期 在Melinda 家中住宿期間我們分享大家的興趣，我教她做羊毛手袋，她教我編織，但我比較鈍呢! 她給我好多好多美麗東西，那桃紅的 neck warmer 是其中一件。謝謝你Melinda, 我又食又住又拎. 〜.〜 。