fast felted fun and bright colours!

I just recently went to the Fiber Festival nearby, and had to step out in style while I was there.  This easy and fast Bracelet was just the thing!  I used Needle felted beads; glass, matte finish, black beads; Fireline, and a magnetic clasp.

Princess Preztels Bracelet

I found a fun and nifty tutorial for a felted Celtic bracelet. I had to try one for myself, and it came out really well. I was pleased that it worked up quickly as well. I'm very much an instant gratification kind of gal.

The original tutorial is here:

http://www.owning-alpaca.com/celtic-knot-bracelet.html

I came across another reference to this same tutorial as well. (Warning! Lots of other crafty stuff at this site - so be prepared to spend some time poking around):

http://felting.craftgossip.com/2009/03/24/felt-celtic-knot-bracelet-instructions/

I didn't follow the directions exactly. I admit to skipping the wet felting altogether, and just rolling it around in my hands.

I also used braided picture wire - it was sturdy and I thought the braid would help "grab" the fibers. (It seemed to work fine, but picture wire does have a bit more personality than most kinds of wire.)

I used merino wool roving for the brown, and silk roving for the white. (It was what I had handy.) I like the contrast between the two different fibers- the merino is a bit softer, with less sheen, and the silk has a bit of a satiny finish to it. Each fiber plays with the light a little differently, which is good to know.

I also used Miyuki size 11 seed beads in a purple matte AB, and Jablonex crystals in a purple AB to add a bit of texture and sparkle. I really love how the wool and silk nestle the beads and crystals.

All in all, this was a fun project - I'm even be tempted to make another one soon (which is very unusual for me).

One of my girls decided this bracelet looked like white and dark chocolate covered pretzels sprinkled with sugar. I have to agree!

A word about Tetnus

I have received some comments about tetanus and getting your shots, since I put up my post on the felted face and mentioned I need to get my shot before doing any more needle felting. I felt it would be good to put a note for everyone, since folks may not know how serious tetanus is.

First of all - I am not a doctor. I just did some research and here's some things I found and learned. (I have to say that, because we live in a litigious society.)

I do want people to craft safely.

So here are some things to know about tetanus:

This picture of clostridium tetani is from the http://www.tetnus.org/ website.

Here are two websites with info about tetanus:

http://www.tetanus.org/

http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4220.pdf

Tetanus is a really bad germ that loves to reproduce in deep puncture wounds. The needles used in felting (and any other kind of craft needles) are non-sterile. Tetanus germs are very likely to be found in animal fibers.

Tetanus is found everywhere, and it is not just from rusty nails.

As long as it is in the air, Tetanus is dormant. Once it gets anaerobic conditions (no oxygen) such as inside a puncture wound, the germ can thrive. Anything sharp or poky (needles, nails, toothpicks...) can make deep puncture wounds. Even a bad cut can provide the right conditions for tetanus to reproduce.

Lock jaw is the common name for the condition, and it is often fatal. Even when it is not fatal it is very serious and dangerous. The only way to prevent tetanus is to keep your shots up to date, or get your shot as soon as your are hurt.

I had come across several warnings when I was researching needle felting, and asked my husband about it (He is an emergency doc.). He assured me it was very important to get my tetanus shot, not only because the sharp needle and wool were a good way to get hurt and introduce the germ, but also because it was overdue.

I got my shot, and two days later started my next project - a sheep. I was part way through, when the needle was knocked from the foam I had lightly poked it in. I made the mistake of trying to catch it (out of reflex), and unfortunately I succeeded. Even though I was being careful at the time I ended up with a very deep puncture wound. The needle went a half inch into the base of my hand, below the thumb. It swelled and hurt for three days, before finally getting back to where I could use the hand without a lot of discomfort.

If I hadn't had my shot, I would have had to make a trip to the emergency room then. As it was, I still had to keep it on ice the first day or so, and keep it elevated as well. Those needles are very sharp - So please be safe!!!!!

Lessons learned:

1. if the needle falls - let it!

2. updated shots ( 20.00 dollars) are way cheaper than a visit to the emergency room (100 plus dollars) and less stressful.

3. It also beats the #$*% out of lock jaw!!

So the short version is -- Definitely get the tetanus shot - I thought a needle stick would never happen to me and I got stuck on my second try. If it hadn't been for my husband telling me to get the shot, it could have been a lot worse.

Beaded face pin

I know! I know! I haven't been posting as much the last couple of weeks. Real life and all that. I have been working really hard to set up a studio, downstairs, in my basement. So far I have had two space heaters give out. The hubby says we will do some work on the house to make it warmer down there.

To make a bit more sense about it - the work shop was an extra garage, attached to the basement. The garage door leaks air rather badly, and so it's very drafty. It tends to be about the same temperature as the outside. This time of year that runs around the 20s-30s. BRRRR!

It's still exciting!! I set up three sets of shelves and started unpacking/moving all of my beads to the work shop. It had reached a point in my bedroom where all of the craftiness was piling up and preventing me from crafting. I could barely see my beads past the bags of fleece and the kids beads and felt. (My girls all keep their crafty stuff with my stuff.)

To celebrate getting most every thing set up over the last couple of weeks (I'm still organizing some of my beads to be able to find them) I sat down yesterday and made a beaded face. My main goal with this project was to recycle something I would normally throw away.

I choose a plastic bowl that a freezer entree came in. I cut out a circle about the same size of a quarter. I then used a 1/16th inch hole punch to make lots of holes. This became my foundation.

Originally I had planned to just cover it in beads for a fringy pin. However, as I worked, it just looked so much like a "hairdo," that I had to make this little felted face. I Still haven't gotten my tetnus shot, so I was probably risking death, but I tried to go slowly and be careful. I also promise everyone (especially my DH who is an emergency doc.) that I will get a booster for tetnus before do any more felting.

The only thing it needs at this point is a bit of felt for the back and a pin back. I plan on doing that in a few minutes.

It worked up very quickly and was just cute as could be. It's incentive to get that booster shot soon! Hope you all enjoy, and I wll try to post more. I will admit that during the end of the semester teaching, testing, and holidays to boot - that I am a bit bonkers and busy.

I also have a post to show more of Ronit's work that will go up either tonight or in the morning.

Lots of hugs and happy holidays!!! Hope they are all beadiful! Ginger

What sort of Messes I have been getting into!

I have been a bit silent the last couple of weeks. I think some of it was just plain 'ole tired. I also was a bit out of sorts from the wreck. I know I was VERY lucky, but I still was a bit put out with myself. It really should have been avoidable in the first place!

I have been a bit busy with some things - not all of it beads (GASP!!) but crafty enough to keep me sane. I also think it is good to do other things every so often - it helps keep away the creative blahs.

My latest "thing" has been dying yarn with Kool-aid. In October, I took a work shop with Natasha (Her website is "The Unplanned Peacock" - check it out: http://hyenacart.com/unplannedpeacock/index.php?viewall=1%CF%80=1 )

This is Virginia's yarn, and my first go at a sock in years! (I had to take it out and start over, but no big!)

The girls and I went to her place - the icelandic sheep are sooooo sweet and cute! But I digress - We dyed yarn and had lots of fun. Of course I also picked up some more wool to try some at home. Now I'm remembering my knitting skils - I had let them get rusty. I even went and dug up all of my old knitting needles.

I've also been doing a little bit of needle felting, just for fun. Had to try some acorns - I saw some in the Flickr acorn pool and really wanted to make some of my own. I just need to figure out how to put a bail on them without making them look weird.

I've been also trying to learn to make glass beads. I had unpacked my Hothead torch not long ago and sent off for a new pair of safety glasses (My old pair didn't make the move.). I had originally just begun to work on the torch when the war started and I had to pack it all up and move to Charleston. Down there I didn't have aplace to work with an open flame, so it really went on hold for several years. This past week I took the plunge and realized that I have forgotten what little bit I had learned and definitely am starting from scratch. I have yet to make a really round anything. But I did have fun, and I can see a bit of a learning curve starting to appear.

felted beads

Sample of felted beads, roving, wool yarn, and the felting needle.

The felting bug has bitten me!! I have to admit that I have always had a weakness when it comes to fibers -- wool, silk, cotton, rayon, ... I love all of them!!! (Except 1970's itchy, sweaty polyester!)

Lately there has been a lot of buzz among beaders about felted beads. Of course, I had to get my hands into it just a little bit, to see what all of the fuss is about.

Confession time - I haven't been doing beading as much, because I was off making a felted frog. -- But I'm sure I can bead him somehow!! Keep your eyes on the look out for him. I did settle down and actually make some beads.

I found that in addition to using wool roving, which is made for felting, you can get great results using wool yarns as well. For making a bead, I found the yarn a bit easier to handle.

I also didn't make pre-made holes. I tend to use a size 12 john james needle and FIreline (4lb or 6lb). Really all I have to do is stitch right thru.

Materials to make a bead:

wool, a work surface (squashy foam or a sponge), felting needle, band aids (for just in case!)

Process:

I rolled a bit of the wool yarn between my fingers to create a pea sized wad. I then started punching it with the needle. Rotate the wad of wool very frequently to keep the round shape. Otherwise you will get a flat one.

Once the wad of wool has begun to feel firm, add more of the yarn to it, by rolling the yarn around the bit that is felted. Poke it lots more with the needle - again, be sure to turn and rote the wool lots to keep a round shape.

Keep this up until you get a bead the size you want. Most of mine were pea sized and dime sized.

Be careful not to poke your finger - It really hurts!!!!!

This lady bug is a bit smaller than a dime, so you can get some great detail! The line down her back was created by making extra needle jabs down the line to make it firmer and create definition.