Needle felting - my new addiction

equipment and fleece

I made three resolutions at the beginning of the year. One of them was learning to needle felt.  I had no idea how much fun this would be, or how quickly quite reasonable creations could be made.  I am still a long way away from the works of art that I have seen on PINTEREST and in some of the ETSY shops but I am very happy with my progress so far.  I have found that felting half light is not a good idea - a double stabbed finger before I came to my senses and realised I couldn't see what I was doing.  I now have a useful little lap tray with magnifying lamp (purchased at the WAR AND PEACE SHOW of all places http://www.thehopfarm.co.uk/events/176/the-war-and-peace-show/) which makes things a lot easier.

seahorses and a heart

So far I have discovered that although you can get fleece from Hobbycraft (my only local craft shop) it is rather coarse in texture.  I much prefer the feel of the fleece I brought years ago from READERS UNION book club.  I have been looking on line and have found a couple of firms. http://www.worldofwool.co.uk/index.php 
There is a good range of colours at a reasonable price.
http://www.bloomingfelt.co.uk/ 
A more general range with lots of pre-formed pieces.

I have also discovered  that the brush type needle felting mat, although expensive, does make a lot of the work easier. 
Since I shared my first attempts with you I have made purses, seahorses (lots of seahorses), a couple of little GREEN ALIEN bag charms and a vintage looking bag charm of a COUPLE OF CHERRIES WITH LEAVES.  I have begun to list my creations onto my new shop http://www.creativestores.co.uk/DREAMTIMEMAKES/Green-needle-felted-coin-purse.html

needle felt cherries

little green winged alien

This piece with seahorses is a work in progress.  Having created the design I am embroidering highlights.

 
  It is hard to say how much I am enjoying this craft and I hope that with practise I may become as talented as the people who inspired me on pinterest.


http://pinterest.com/idamaecouch/needle-felt/

http://pinterest.com/kelbug/nuts-about-needle-felt/