The Felting Pot

Summoning the Beast

2012-01-05T19:24:00.001+10:00

Happy New Year once again from The Felting Pot

We have been enjoying a short break from the usually tight dawn to dusk schedule and been kicking back with our children while they're on summer vacation. Long days at the beach, afternoon kite flying from the lookout, crafting croquet runs, chicken day spas and mosaic rag butterflys.

Bonfires and fireflies and fires of the heart. Loud music, cold drinks, family and friends...such is summer.

We started felting a creature skin rug, a wild and woolly beast.

S/he is still being trodden and soaked and pounded into shape out on the deck where we have worked on it a little each day since the 2nd. Everyone has gotten in on the action, walking on it as though crushing grapes, joining the blind rolling conga, throwing down hot soapy water.

A couple more days of maltreatment and it'll be perfect for rolling around on naked in front of an open fire somewhere high in the alps.

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Market day

2011-12-18T13:11:00.001+10:00

Just playing with my new phone and its marvelous capabilities to post on the fly! Happy last market of the year vendors and patrons!

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Pictorial

2011-12-14T05:48:00.000+10:00

Here's a post compiled of things that have been recently made and sold before I could even get pictures uploaded of them, and a couple goofy outtakes from our shoots. Enjoy!

Updates!

2011-12-07T06:28:00.001+10:00

Hello world!

Sorry I lacked any new posts over the past couple of weeks, it's the silly season you see, which means approximately 2 months of charming chaos!

Nevertheless, here are some recent goings on here at the 'Pot.

Sunday just gone we had a wonderful inaugural workshop in our new space and it went swimmingly! What a lovely day was spent playing with fibre and chatting with new friends.

Felting 101 was our agenda. Learn what felt is, how it works, where it comes from, and the many many wonderful things you can do with it. We made a piece of flat felt, though the creative little gems I had in class that day all put a little 3D effect into their flat felt pieces. Colour me impressed at their chutzpah to just go with what they were feeling, and really imbue that into their artwork.

Here's a snap of their inspired creations:

Next on the agenda is Kid's Yuletide ornaments felt making workshop. We'll do some wet felting, and a little needle felting, and create some traditional icons to adorn our festive homes with.
This takes place on December 21st from 9-Noon. If you'd like to sign your child up just email, comment, or give us a call on 0403 493 111 Generally the kids workshops are best for age 10 and up solo (feel free to still attend if you'd like) or under 10 with an adult helper to accompany.

Felt making, for all ages, but importantly at more tender figures, is a sensory experience that engages and stimulates. For children with sensory integration hurdles, or who are shy or find it hard to connect, felt making is therapeutic and impelling for your child.

They also get to learn a bit about world history, the many animals and plants we use as resources in our societies and how felt is put to use in the global community.

Class sizes are intimate, so each participant receives plenty of one-on-one time and has all their questions answered. If there is any class you are interested in, please sign up right away, as spots are limited and fill quickly.

Next! We will be at the Tamborine Showgrounds Country market this Sunday 8-2. The last big one before December 25th. Drop in and check some names off your list!

Meanwhile, back on the farm...

2011-11-10T16:30:00.002+10:00

The Felting Pot will be at the Mount Tamborine Country Markets this Sunday 8-2, at the Tamborine Showgrounds.

This is a good old fashioned market ripe with native flora (fauna to pet and ride!), bottles and bottles of homemade time tested chutneys and cordials, hand poured candles and beautiful soaps and beauty products made from fresh goats milk, the green shed produce barn, honeys, baked goods, candies, and of course a plethora of immensely talented crafters and artists showing their wares.

Bounce houses, mini go karts, pony rides, petting zoo, food carts galore! See you there!!

Our opening weekend went swimmingly by the way, thanks for the support!

Closer to the home-front, things are so lively around here these days!

Along one side and throughout the back yard of our house is a thriving nature corridor. I sat my phone in the window sill the other morning at about 530am to record the movements and mutterings of many a little songbird. This part of the world is famous for its bird life.

We have King Parrots, Lorikeets, Crimson and Pale Headed Rosella's, Sulfur Crested and the elusive Glossy Black Cockatoos. Minors, Bower Birds, Butcher Birds, Magpies, Kookaburra's, Whip-birds, Tawny Frogmouths, Pheasants, shall I continue?

Lots of birds. All wild, but most of them quite tame, or at least inquisitive and friendly enough to know we have food that they like. Primarily raw meat, and bits of bread leftover in the children's lunchboxes.
So most days a few different varieties visit, and get a nice feed.

We're about to bring another bird breed to the property. This being the faithful domestic chook. We have wanted chickens for a very long time. Forever, even. When we moved in here, we were sweetly surprised to see a relatively strong, secure chicken shed set up at the end of the yard.
We got to work using found materials and erected a second enclosure, a moveable pen the layin' ladies can really get their chicken-ness going, under the sun, out of the shed/run area.

We also fashioned a brooder box for them to live in while they're still very young. Right now they're 2 weeks old.
They'll live in the brooder in the laundry under light another few weeks, then move to a not yet built chicken tractor on the deck.
We will pick them up next week, from down the road where they were laid, hatched, cared for until 3 weeks when their gender will be mostly obvious and we'll know what we're getting. It was all a bit of luck in finding them. We get our eggs currently from the same retired wife and husband team who run a tight homestead.
They raise a few breeds of duck, and mostly Favorelle chickens, with a few bantams on the side. We buy a couple dozen duck eggs a week, and usually a dozen hen eggs.

I called her up to peck her brain about raising chickens, and she told me about a secret clutch of found fertile eggs she was incubating on the sly in the laundry. Supposed to be downsizing, you see, but fertile eggs in spring are a difficult thing to pass up. She wasn't planning on keeping the chicks once they were hatched but hadn't advertised their availability yet, so how many do we want?!
There were 13 eggs, 10 that hatched, 1 that didn't and 2 that died shortly after hatching. So far, it is thought that 8 of them are female, and that's how many we said we would bring home.
The boys in this breed from a very tender age show a black spot around their wing area, Mother Hen has come to learn through years of raising this old world French breed of chicken.

I'm excited about chickens in general, but extra excited that we happened upon the right phone call, at the right time, and have snagged some really gorgeous Heirloom chicks from a wonderful family farm. The chicks were ready to hatch a mere 5 days later, and it's now about the same before we bring them home.

Here's a pic we took of them on Monday:

Picked up their shell grit, food and bedding today. All we need now is 8 suitable monikers!

Workshop Information and Dates

2011-11-03T22:26:00.001+10:00

The Felting Pot Studio is opening tomorrow! Come and have a feel anytime 10ish to 4ish. Children encouraged!

20 Main Western Road,
North Tamborine

0403 493 111

Here are the workshop dates to see us through the rest of 2011. You may sign up by calling, emailing, texting, or in person. A $10 deposit is required upon signing up. The balance payable on the day. I can take mailed check, money order, paypal or bank deposit.

Workshops include all supplies, half-full day tuition and refreshments. You will leave with a finished piece of art, and the skills to make many more.
Children's workshops are perfect for age 10 and up alone (though you're most welcome to stay and watch!), or under 10 with an adult accompany. Only one fee for child/parent.

Class sizes are kept small, so that I may give personal attention to each participant. Sign up now if one of these appeals to you. Ask a friend to sign up with you. It's a great girls day out.
If you don't see a day that suits you, get a small group together and request a custom class or party.

Felting is a form of meditation, exercise, fine art, science and love. You've gotta feel it.

Felt making 101. Beginners class.
We will make one piece of flat felt, embellished for either wall or tabletop display.
$50
Sunday 4th December
9-2

Yuletide Ornaments. Children's class.
We will wet and needle felt ornaments relating to traditional festive icons.
Wednesday 21st December
$25
9-12

Nuno Felting. Beginner class.
We will learn the technique of "Nuno" felting, which is bonding the fibre onto a pre-existing fabric, such as silk or cotton. We will make one long piece of nuno to be used as a scarf, table runner, etc.
$60
Saturday 7th January
9-2

Frame -able Felt. Children's class.
We will make a felt picture of the artist's choice, frame with found natural objects, and take home ready for hanging.
$25
Monday 16th January
9-1

Resist Felting, Making a Bag/Vessel. Intermediate class.
You don't have to have felted in one of our classes before, but it's best if you know a little about how wool reacts during the felting process, as this is a more intensive class than basic flat felting.
We will make a piece of 3d felt using the resist method, which can be sculpted into various bag styles.
$80
Saturday 28th January
9-3

More workshops will be announced as these are completed. Of course contact us at any time should you like to organize a custom class or party. You bring the wine, I've got the wool!

The Land of Milk and Honey

2011-11-03T07:12:00.001+10:00

We live on this mountain, 1800ft above sea level. When you drive down the mountain you're pretty much in the sea. You can smell it at least. We share the mountain, or the mountain allows us to share her with about 7000 other residents.

The majority of the residents here are artists - in the traditional sense - but also in the DIY-creative-self-sufficient sense. People who have built their amazing homes, or amazing homes for their chickens and ducks, their alpacas, goats, their one pretty bedroom-eyed Jersey cow, their immaculately groomed pooch, mini replica's of the real thing for their kids, spoiled as they are just to be living in a place like this.

There is a large established community garden with shade houses, open plots, chicken shed, tools, machines, and marketplace out front on the weekends from which to procure fresh produce plucked from the fertile volcanic soil.

The entire of the mountain area feels a bit like one colossal community garden, There are fruiting trees dotting the area. Mulberries, wild raspberries, strawberries growing in the grass on the roadside, citrus galore (my favourite are the blood oranges), figs, passion fruit, of course the omnipotent avocado, which is the very roots of the agricultural economy up here.Stone fruits are starting to push out furry little buds that will one day in the coming months hang heavy with fruit, at the perfect level for small hands to gather and devour.

Most people are proud of their gardens up here. It makes for a magnificent Sunday drive, anytime of the year as there's always something going on, usually relating to the natural attractions of the area. Springtime on the Mountain just happened which is an open gardens trail. Magnolia, Peonies, Roses, Jacaranda, among literally hundreds of other flowering trees, shrubs, vines. All in show for you and I to gasp and fawn over.

If you don't have a prize winning rose garden, and possibly even if you do, you probably have a wonderfully producing life sustaining veggie patch. Chards of every colour, cabbages and kale, roots like radish, beets, turnip, parsnip, potato, yacon, corn, peas of many variety, gourmet lettuces from all over the globe, ginger and garlic and onion and herbs, oh the scented herb gardens, as you brush past on a cool morning walk and the air around you rises up in a glorious fresh aroma, sparking your imagination and your appetite.

We have a darling little herb garden out the front, under our huge magnolia tree, where you're directly transported to Scarborough Fair when you allow your bare feet to touch the yielding loamy mulch.

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, Thyme, Basil, Oregano, Pennyroyal, Marjoram, Peppermint, Dill, Lemon Balm, and an Eggplant. Soon I'll transplant some pumpkin from the back yard that's going crazy. And down the back we also have the makings of a salsa garden where we intend on putting a handful of different tomatoes and capsicum (bell peppers for you yanks), coriander (cilantro), chili peppers and maybe some amazing garlic. Have you tried fresh garlic, right out of the ground? It is juicy and sweet and bursting of bold garlic flavor. Amazing. Makes you cringe when you have to buy those bags of dried up shriveled old imported garlic at the grocery store. Yuck.

We co-maintain another very large garden plot on my parent's land. We're currently extending it to be double the size it currently is. So far we have a variety of herbs, Bay tree, Galangal, Turmeric, Giant Rosemary bush. Rainbow chard, silverbeet (Swiss chard), lettuce a-plenty, corn, kale, broccoli, snow peas, Brussels sprouts, lemon grass, chives, mint, capsicum, cabbage, pumpkin, whatever I have forgotten which is bound to be one or four things. Elsewhere on the property there are lime, ginger, kaffir lime, mandarin, lemon, a couple dozen avocado trees, and a row of coffee trees.

We harvested the coffee trees a few weeks back. I'll post about that with accompanying pictures next time!

A vast portion of our vegetable intake comes from the food we plant from seed, grow and harvest out of the same virile red dirt our children dig in every day.

The rest, on good weeks, comes from the people living around and among us, doing the same thing. Striving for the same end goal.

This place is a foodie mecca. Every Sunday you can visit "The Green Shed" which is the local producers market, open from 7-noon. If you grow your own gorgeous local organic fruit and veg, or make preserves, fermented dairy products, specialty baked goods, you can become a member and sell your products to other residents here for very little, and bring home quite a nice profit. Or you can just visit, shop, chat to locals, make friends, get good growing tips on anything you could imagine.

The mountain boasts a world-class cheese factory, brewery, too many to count award winning wineries, a distillery that takes you into another time and place (one of my favourite spots on Tamborine), coffee plantation, restaurants, cafes and delis oh my!

I invite you to come to our mountain and see for yourself. This Saturday November 5th would be the perfect day, but really any day of the year you will find yourself right in the center of delicious.

The Felting Pot Gallery opens!

2011-11-02T06:25:00.001+10:00

Saturday November 5th Is the day our Gallery/Studio opens! If you live in the Southern Hemisphere, pay us a visit! Family friendly, tell your siblings, your friends, their friends, your parents, your parent's parents, your teachers, the guy next to you on the bus, come on. 20 Main Western Road, North Tamborine. Lots of parking out front. Tons to do on the mountain! Share the news please!

Filling the Ranks

2011-09-12T11:37:00.003+10:00

We have recently promoted our Son Sebastian to staff photographer. And appointed my Sister Bea as sign writer.

The strapping young professional:

The sneak I saw of some doodling I think was meant for the sign looked incredible, I can't wait to have it on a canvas we'll erect on the facade of the gallery.

Here are some of Sebastian's photographs. We promised him $1 per photo used in the Etsy store. I think that was a touch generous and this kid is going to be rich, quick.

We won't talk about

2011-09-12T06:40:00.003+10:00

The 5 months that have somehow been and gone since my last blog post. No, we'll just give that time to the ether.

Present time, things are swell! The Felting Pot is growing, spreading it's branches out. We recently moved into a space that functions as our family home alongside a gallery and studio. It's an old timber house in the back, and the more modern brick addition in the front houses The Felting Pot in all its woolly wonder.

The home front it replete with 70's charm, yellow counter tops in the kitchen, mod brown tiled back-splash. Bare wood floors. Worn wood floors. Lots of soles have walked on these wood floors.
There are two fireplaces - the main one, an open fireplace with traditional mantle being ridiculously boarded up and unusable. The other being in the gallery, and really of little help in warming the bulk of this drafty old house.
It fits us like a perfectly felted slipper, available in our etsy store.

So we are on Main St, in our mountain town of 7000 people. A mountain famous for its galleries and strong artist and cottage industry community.

The entrance is a weird space, taken up primarily by a big unsightly wheelchair ramp that was part of commercial zoning code. It's currently serving as a miniature, affixed skate/scooter ramp and monkey bar set. Eventually our pieces will be strung from it, wrapped around it, hanging from invisible threads, curtaining the windows and door, setting the scene. Cushioning the couch where you may sit and take in the view, flick through a book about felt, or a felt book. Have a coffee, or maybe just feel one. A veritable felt emporium.

Take a class!
The ramp takes us to the first section of the original house. On sawhorses lie two heavy wood doors, that make up my studio space. Next to me at the window is a towering mess of fleece scraps, looking something like elf vomit, within them if you were to look, you'd find CW madly needling away.
Very shortly, this space will also serve as a workshop studio, where you would do well to sign up for a class. Workshops will wander through many forms of felt. Start with a beginner class and felt your way through. Yurt summer project anyone?

We have markets 2-3 times a month, and that number is increasing over the rest of the year. I've been terrible about updating the Facebook and blog with these dates and locations, I know! Now that we are connected, it will be so much easier to stay in touch. We have the large 4 day art show we showed our work at in April coming up again, in October. This will take all of our stock so we'll likely open the gallery doors shortly after that, Beginning of October.

Etsy is in dire need of re-stocking, and I have probably near 100 pictures on the camera no one has ever seen, not even myself! Things keep selling before I have them properly documented, which is simply stupendous, naturally, but also a tad sad.

This week is hereby deemed 'get with the times' week. I hope you'll all join us as we skip through it.

Leave your hat on

2011-04-27T11:18:00.006+10:00

Just a few of the many many pieces I have madly hattered the past couple of weeks. A preview of what you'll find at the forthcoming shows! More pictures to come over the next week. I haven't any internet access at our new home yet so my postings will be sporadic at best. But rest assured, I'm steadily felting. Idle hands and all that....

Long Time, no Blog

2011-04-24T13:49:00.002+10:00

After a whirlwind couple of months, I am happy to announce that The Felting Pot is back in business and very excited about upcoming shows and market dates that are keeping our hands in full felting action almost 24/7.

The big news is that we are now felting from a lovely new location, an entire hemisphere away! Nestled on the border of Palm Groves National Park on Mount Tamborine, Queensland, Australia, we are in love with our new habitat. Instead of felting out of the garage in an alley in Plain-oh, Texas, trying to drown the sounds of emergency crews and suburban hullabaloo, we are peacefully serenaded by a plethora of Australian native songbirds, the wind in the tall tall trees, and the squeals of wonder from our children each time they spot a funny looking animal they would never have seen hopping or scurrying around in, well, anywhere but here...

Last week we were asked to be published in a local rag. Unfortunately the paper didn't run any of our pictures, and heavily edited the article. But, here is the original, which is now also our 'About Us', although edited there, too...

Aptly named, 'The Felting Pot' is an espoused couplet comprised of Annapurna and CW Moongrove who together have found themselves fashioning a veritable fibre fusion.

Annapurna, born and raised in Beechmont, has nurtured her creative calling almost from conception. Instructed by her (also local) mother from a young age, she has made felt throughout her life. At seventeen she decided to leave a promising career as a floral designer behind and elope with her Texan CW into the wilds of the future. While there she developed interests in myriad arts, handicrafts and traditional skills including doll making, book binding, horticulture and fermentation. After several years of childbearing, rearing, and experimenting in various fields, Annapurna settled on felt as her medium of choice and hasn't looked back.

CW, a graduate of the University of Texas, holds a bona fide B.S. in Literature and Philosophy in one hand, and a barbed felting needle in the other. If he isn't vivisecting Nietzsche or constructing a fence from raw eucalyptus, he's breathing psykhe into fantastical felted creatures.

The ancient art of felt making is rich with history. Developed before spinning or weaving, it is the oldest textile art, dating back to the dawn of man. It is a non-woven fabric produced by taking animal hair fibre and layering, wetting and agitating it into a solid sheet of matted fibre. Specimens of felt have been unearthed by archaeologists in historical locations such as Mount Ararat, where Noah's ark was said to have come to rest. Excavations in Europe have also found perfectly preserved thick felt caps, horse bridles, blankets, gloves and more that date back to the Bronze Age, some 5000 years ago. In many parts of remote Central Asia, nomadic people continue the tradition of felt making heavy within their communities, constructing their moveable dwellings, called Yurts or Gers in Mongolian, from thick blankets of insulating felt made primarily from sheep’s wool.

The Moongroves have spent the past 8 years felting away in the United States, and have recently come to settle on Mount Tamborine with their three wild and woolly children.

You can join the woolgathering by following the felt makers in their follies, at www.thefeltingpot.blogspot.com or by friending them on Facebook and keeping abreast of their upcoming shows and market dates where you can feel what they felt.

If you're lucky enough to be a local, drop in on the twice annual craft extravaganza being held at the Vonda Youngman centre here in North Tamborine over the Labour Day weekend - April 29th - May 2nd where over 50 local artisans will be displaying their wares. Proceeds from the day benefit the local fire station.

The following weekend on Sunday May 8th, we will be in the Lost World Valley, at Worendo for the Arts in the Olives festival, which is a perfect way to spend Mother's Day with the whole family. Workshops for young and old, food, and browsing the booths of talented artisans.

See you there!

Here at The Pot, we felt more than just scarves!

2010-12-13T01:44:00.003+10:00

Yes, we do! For example, this fine vessel adorned with vintage buttons. How nice to receive a living plant in a woolly package. Or a place to store your necessary bedside accoutrements. A bed for an especially loved ferret. Spoon holder. Catch all. It's sturdy and stands up but the sides and top move and mold to your needs.

Headbands slash ear-warmers slash belt for skinny chick slash neck accessory are a new venture and I've been having a lot of fun with them. I haven't gotten pictures of all of them and the cutest ones have already sold, but here are a couple.
Of course the one that started it all was the only thing I've made for myself in two years and you can see it in my profile page here and on Facebook.

The cool thing about them is they tie for the most part rather than button, so they're fully adjustable. My two year old can wear the same one I can, just gaining her longer tails.

Excuse the horrible suburban backdrop. I'm trying my hardest to change that.

Flowers! Felt flowers or is it felted flowers? hrmm... Flowers which are felted are one of my favourite things to create. I make about a dozen a week, and haven't got pictures of many at all. These go quickly each market, and they also embellish hats, purses, scarves and shawls, the headbands, etc...

This was just a bit of whimsy we got to experience one day when our swallowtails began to emerge. This one stayed around for time enough for a play with (2 out of 3 of) my beautiful impish children.

Dolls, especially Merfolk, are charming to see come to life. All their different colour schemes and bedazzlement, you never know what s/he'll look like when complete, until there.

She was a custom order, now off to California.

The West is the best, Baby...

I think of this one as a bit of a Sea Witch. But not the Disney kinda witch, yuck. I mean the swimming waveclad hugging whales algae tincture lore kinda seawitchymama.

She has wild hair with weeds strung loosely and remove-ably through it and pearls nestled hidden upon her head.
This is also in a new home now, but we do have these pictures to remember his time with us...

Oh and, the owl....I wasn't his maker.....

This is #2 of this bag as the first one sold, but came out totally different. The felt was originally made to be wrist cuffs. Think Victorian Gothic, Steampunk...
I'll make them again.
They made really cute purses with enough room for your smartphone, money, keys...

And believe it or not, there's still more, not super new stuff that I need to take pictures of and post!! I'll get there.

Next Saturday the 18th is the Deep Ellum Outdoor Martket behind Cafe Brazil. 11am-5pm.
Last market for most people for the season! We'll be back on the schedule again come 2nd Saturday in March!

Long delayed update part one!

2010-12-11T09:17:00.004+10:00

So this duo I made while trying for a set that matched but was not matchy. I really did not mean to make the hat look like a tiger. But then I realised it's perfect Longhorn colours so maybe it's all good. Yesterday at White Rock Local Market I took it to show and it was still damp from being made on Friday. It's very thick. The shawl, which is now gone, is very lightweight.

This was possibly the hat I would have kept for myself out of any I've ever made. Alas, it also sold quick smart yesterday. Of course I can mostly duplicate everything I have made to a certain degree. The flower was an experiment with a scrap of silk gauze. It came out even more delightful than I expected.
I think the cobweb nuno felted scarf (blue wool on white silk) is still around.

This shawl was (yes, was) absolutely stunning. Like spiders silk and deep ocean coming together.
It had a silk flower brooch to accent it, use as a closure, etc. This ensemble sold first at White Rock and the girl who bought it looked incredible with this around her.

This is one of the most fun scarves I've ever made. I adore rainbows.
I've since made a couple others, miniature ones, for sweet children who relish the opportunity for a hug from a rainbow. The clouds at the ends are laced with wild harvested silk and serve to be the "silver lining" all clouds are said to possess.

Have you seen ANY better way to chase away the winter doldrums than this?

Sold. The same greens were used in this set as were in the large shawl.
The scarf is cobweb nuno felt (green on black silk gauze). The hat is black on the underside (all my hats are reversible), and the corners turn up gently.

Some more sun to shine on you...The yellow nuno scarf with purple merino/silk/alpaca blend. The crinkled ruffly border keeps this scarf light and airy and able to be worn in most seasons as an accessory even when you don't want to wrap it around your neck for warmth.

Navy silk nuno. Bordered with a blend of 60/40 wool/silk and the white in the middle is tiny slivers of more silk.

Grey silk nuno. The flowers are latticed onto the pink merino and their stems laced throughout. A great change from a chunky heavy necklace to wear with your LBD.

This one was so super elegant and dainty, but had big bold colours. It sold a couple of weeks ago but I am happy to remake. It's extremely delicate cobweb nuno made with black silk gauze, dyed soysilk and purple merino.

I have so many more new things, some that are still here, some that are gone. I am about to make another post with more so as not to cram too many pictures together in one post.

I'm glad to take custom orders up to the very last minute. It doesn't take more than a couple of days to get it made and ready for you.

Thanks, readers!

Saturday market day!

2010-11-11T00:03:00.003+10:00

I'll be at White Rock Local Market on Buckner at The Green Spot this Saturday from 8-1pm
It's my very favourite market in the metroplex, you should definitely come check it out!!

Home Show

2010-11-02T06:38:00.002+10:00

I am showing my work at a private home show in the Highland Park area of Dallas on the 19th of November. I'm happy to add you to my invite list if you would like to attend.
There will be a local jeweler and a local photographer who will also be showing and selling their wares.

Let me know by commenting or email me at amba.whatley AT gmail DOT com with your email address you'd like the evite sent to.

Thanks!

It's 55° outside? You look like you could use a woolly warmer.

2010-10-29T11:47:00.010+10:00

This was actually the very last thing I felted, and very last thing I photographed. Huh.

I realized as I was making this baby blanket-newborn swaddler-tummy time mat-diaper changing surface-snuggle rug-stroller blanket-lovey-tea party scene-picnic blanket-chair art-wall hanging that it could be all of those things, and more, and how fantastic that something like one piece of warm, forgiving, insulating cloth could really service someone throughout their life.
I actually have my first piece of felt I ever made, which was when I was about 10 or so, and it's currently used in my daughters room with her wooden kitchen set. It's only gotten stronger.

And there is said daughter, who danced out the door right at the end and sat herself down right on top of the thing I was trying to photograph.

I let her get away with it.

This is the river that carries springtime.

So this was/is really fun. Fun to make, fun to take pictures of, fun to wear. It's double sided. The first side is a peaceful winter scene and the best part about this scarf is it even tricks you into thinking you're colder than you really are.
It's magic.
The silk lining the branches and floating around in fluffy puffy snowflakes shining under the glow of a streetlamp.

Look, my cat thinks it's a real bird! It comes to life, this scarf. It belongs in Narnia.

The texture you can see in this photograph is so exciting for me, because I never think I capture the whole picture, if you know what I mean.

Click on it.
By now you've forgotten there was even meant to be a second side to this scene huh?
The reverse is more silk.

Rapture.

I don't know, luck of the Irish?

I want to see this draped across the shoulders of a lovely bride in one of Sixpence Weddings' pictures. I could even felt their wedding dress. That would be something else. I have a hard time putting this one down. I've been wanting to felt a pure white shawl for some time now, and am very pleased with the absolute luxury it turned out to be. This is Polwarth wool top,wild harvested silk and just a ~~hare~~ hair of angora.

It drapes like a lover.

Delicate, webby, ethereal.

My middle child calls this a spikey ladder. He wants me to make him one all black and blue but with no spikes coming out the sides so when his guys climb up it, if they fall, they don't become impaled by felt. Woe.

The colours are striking up close. A deep pool.

This scuffed old button is vintage leather at its loveliest. Worn in the middle but still shiny all around the edges.
This handsome neck warmer is elegant and strong all at once.

If I was consistent with the naming of my pieces, this one would be something wonderfully flossy like Mirabel or Trixie.

I have stepped, or should I say put my toes back in the cordwainer bucket. It felt fine in there. I think I'll stay a while.

The purple ankle boots (or high tops if you fold the cuff back up) are about a 7, as my foot was the last. hehe

These elfin cuties are about a 2-3year size.
Closest to a size 7 small children shoe.

And...hats. These are all fancy hats when you want them to be, or you can remove the adornment and use it elsewhere.
The white one is especially cute when folded up like a Gil Elvgren girl would wear.

Come see me on Saturday at the Deep Ellum Outdoor Market where you can obtain any one of these fine felted wares. 11am-5pm Halloween on Elm Street!

Do it, Dallas.

Announcing Workshops!!

2010-10-27T22:47:00.005+10:00

Here they are. Workshop dates! Whew. This was a long time coming, starting these up again.
I have had countless requests so I really hope these fill up nice and quick!

At the end of the workshop you will have a completed project and you will have a lifelong skill you can use again and again, creating beautiful handmade items for yourself and your loved ones.

There are limited spots available, and I need a commitment to secure your place in a workshop. For that I ask a 50% deposit be made by check, cash or paypal (paypal would be the easiest for making a deposit as it's instant) when you contact me to reserve your spot.
The remaining is due on workshop day.

Your fee includes all supplies, tuition, and light refreshments.

Sunday December 5th
Felted Soaps (you will make and take 2) 2-4pm $25

Sunday December 12th
Nuno Felting technique / Wool on silk scarves 10am-2pm $60

Friday December 17th
Felted Soaps (you will make and take 2) 7-9pm $25

Please respond here, email me at amba.whatley@gmail.com or call me at 214.552.8285

Wanted: 4 pretty necks to adorn.

2010-10-14T07:02:00.003+10:00

Yes, more scarves. But last weekend at White Rock Local Market (which is the second Saturday of every month) I almost sold out. I think I went with about 8 and came home with 2!
My next market is the Deep Ellum Outdoor Market on October 30th 11-5pm, for their super fun Halloween on Elm Street event, with all kinds of cool stuff planned for the whole family.

So, I'm trying to bust out 2 items a day big or small, and you know I never keep my goals but I'm confident I can keep up momentum and inspiration for the next couple weeks.

For this one, I was just going for something that *I* wouldn't necessarily wear, as a lot of the stuff I make, I make to my own liking. Some people just don't dig flowers like I do, so here's something geometric for them.
The texture is the highlight, as I felted the wool onto a grey silk chiffon scarf (I dye all of the silk myself), and then added little puffs of coloured silk scrap in each of the circles.

Here's another in the autumn leaves line. The navy is really striking, and I detailed in white silk roving, almost like moonlight glinting off the branches and the leaves as they flutter to the ground in the night air.

Again with the funky zebra. These babies are very popular. This time neon sun yellow chiffon with black and neon pink fleece.

The piece of the week is this yummy number. A thin strip of purple silk chiffon, scattered with slender stems of poppies in every direction. I'm not sure if this one is going to be a gift or not yet. I'm a little attached to it, but it's going to a new home no matter whether I know the home or not.

It's beginning to look....nothing like autumn in Texas, but it's still scarf season in my pot.

2010-09-18T07:13:00.006+10:00

I am just going to let this stuff speak for itself. How I've been busying myself this week. Tomorrow I'll be at the Aspasians Art Fair in Rockwall. 200 vendors, wow! Should be an exciting day. My biggest market thus far. See you then!!

Exquisite, deliciously soft baby blankets...

2010-09-11T05:10:00.003+10:00

In a gossamer, pearly blend of pinks and natural shimmering silk.
This blanket is Nuno felted onto organic natural coloured cotton gauze. My daughter did not want to let this one go.

The edges have since been blanket stitched and now look practically perfect in every way!

This ashen grey on powdery blue cotton is supple and downy. The edges are left raw and showcase the canvas of wool felt with a gentle border.
These blankets are made to swaddle a newborn, but are perfect for a lap blanket or lovey for any age.

Remember, pictures are always clickable so go ahead and check out the texture in detail. Fiber is hard to give enough credit to on film. It's pure luxury.

It looks like a millinery around here...

2010-09-11T04:19:00.004+10:00

I've been working on hats for the past few weeks in the lead up to autumn and winter which is really prime woolly hat season, right?

Here are a couple that I finished up in the past couple of days.
My kids were lining up to pose with this jester-y number.
As obvious in the pictures, it fits nicely on both a 2yo and a 5yo.

This one is really gorgeous in person. Navy blue on the interior and the exterior layer is royal blue/navy/tiny bit of dark purple and tiny bit of deep sea green mixed with lovely strands of white silk.
I have started making removable brooch pins for my hats. This way you get that extra little embellishment when you're feeling fancy, and simplicity when you want to make more of an understatement. You can also use the pins on a jacket, bag, different hat, shirt, etc...

This one has a paisley/peacock feather inspired pin.

LOVE this hat. Really strong structure. Holds its firm shape nicely. Perfect as a sun hat as well as a warming, weather resistant covering.
The flowers, again, are a removable pin.

Stay tuned, more to follow this afternoon...

Facebook!

2010-07-11T09:18:00.001+10:00

You can catch my day-to-day musings and updates on my felting Facebook page.
Here is the link: The Felting Pot

I am such a slacker

2010-06-29T05:09:00.010+10:00

But I really have been busy, honest!
And busy creating, to boot!

My current goal is beefing up my stock so I don't look like a going-out-of-business sale at the market each month.

Along with that goal, I have been interested in trying some more adventurous projects, like vessels and playing with textures.

The business card holder above was totally fly-by-the-seat. I was felting a rock. And then took it in another direction before I was even aware of it...
It turned out really fun. I am not sure if I will add more to it yet or not.
Merlin, my little wool junky, liked it.

I'm on a flower kick at this very moment. I am aiming for 5 each day. Day one, check! Day two (today) 3 down. And a big sheet of leaves.
That will have to count as goal reached because I am done.

About 6 have sold before I got pictures of them. Some pretty ones, too. Oh well.

A pansy (or is it iris?) lariat. Felt rope is probably my favourite thing to felt. Lots of these to come...
I think this one is appropriate for an adventurous male. Could be really hot and quirky on the right dude.
Ripples. Extra long scarf. You can wrap this one around several times. It's so lovely, the way it falls due to the ripple of two tones of merino wool against silk chiffon I dyed a shocking violet.

Micro scarf, super duper long. I was somewhere else when I made this one...

The bird, a nest. Yummy warm scarf.

Textural orgasm, this one.Cushions! I have a whole line of these botanical beauties planned up top...

Strawberry purse, adorned with assorted yellow vintage buttons.

Tiny treasures bowl.

Neon bowl:

Purple merino/silk/flax cloche

I did this Flash of Lightning nuno scarf last year but it's one of my favourites, still.

Wooly acorns. All the kiddo's fave.

Tidal Pools capelet/shrug

Check out the texture. It's pretty dreamy.

Barn owl face throw pillow.

I made this a long while ago, but recently finished it up with vintage button embellishments and a pretty ribbon to hang by. A stocking fit for an elf!

This little Rod Stewarty fellow is Cornelius, of which I know two.

Watermelon purse with vintage buttons on the handle:

To market to market...

2010-05-04T01:20:00.004+10:00

So I guess this year I am removing myself from anonymity and starting to show my felted lovelies at local markets.

I debuted at an Art show held at the Plano Central Market this past weekend. It was a big old flop, but I don't mind so much.

Along with almost all the DFW markets I felt the execution of said event was really lacking in management excellence. I always think if they just let me run the thing, it would be rainbows all around.

Alas, there was zero advertising, and they had it fenced off and a table at the entrance gate which made people think they had to pay to get in, which was not the case, and spoiled things for many vendors who consequently packed up early. In turn, this made it worse for the remaining vendors, which included the booth I shared with my market partner in crime - Paula, my mother-in-law who is a travel photographer. You can view her photos and items made from her photos here.

Nevertheless, it was a fun day as I got to sit in the breeze, listen to good local music and hand sew all the little things I had been meaning to get to for oh, about a year or two. And those baby booties that have been in the making since I was pregnant with my first child, who is now 8.5 years old. haha

I still managed to come out making a little pocket money so it was a win in my book.
From here on out, I will be at Rockwall market second Saturday of the month for June, and then White Rock local market second Saturday in July hopefully!

After that, who knows!

Here are some pictures from the market:

This little bag is upside down of course.

Hello!

2010-01-25T00:17:00.002+10:00

Just a quick hello and apology for not updating over the silly season. Things are starting to settle down over here so hopefully I will be felting up a storm again in the coming weeks.

Saturday the 30th I have a handbag workshop! 9am-whenever you finish which is usually around 2pm. $50 for all supplies and tuition. Bring a sack lunch. I have light refreshments.

Email me or comment if you'd like to attend, or need any other info.
See you then!

Creating fleece roving angels!

2009-12-14T14:53:00.004+10:00

Hi there party go-ers (and everyone else)!

Here is the promised instructional video on turning your little kits into fleece angels!
I am happy to sell the angel kits for $4 each, they make a wonderful little craft for groups and families, stocking stuffer or gift.

You can adjust the season the angels are appropriate for just by the colours you make their attire out of.
These lovely little sylphs are very easy for small hands to manipulate and don't worry about being too perfect with the knots and ties. They really favor a bit of an organic look.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to leave a comment!

Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles...

2009-12-08T12:43:00.003+10:00

Or maybe it's one of these?

Here are a few examples of what we make at children's workshops!
There is one this coming Saturday, the 12th, from 10am-Noon in our home in Plano.
It's $20 for one child and adult, and $10 additional for each sibling/friend.

I have a couple of open spots, so sign up!
These make a great little gift for a teacher, babysitter, Grandparent, neighbour...
We will be making two items.

Comment or email me at amba.whatley@gmail.com if you'd like to attend!

Live your life, do your work, then take your hat...

2009-12-06T04:41:00.005+10:00

Hats!! I have hats! These are so much fun to make. I find myself being a bit too perfectionistic over them.
But I love them.

This white cloche is a mix of superfine merino and wild harvested silk. It has a removable, adjustable rope embellishment, and will fit most heads as fine wool felt generally has a gentle give to it. My head circumference at it's widest part is 22 inches and this hat is quite perfect with nice room so as not to totally flatten my hair. hehe

This next hat is a little larger but still wouldn't blow off my head. It fits well up to 23.5 inches.
It has a customizable brim and a really chic felted button feature.

These hats sell for $40 each.
I can make custom ones, just email me! amba.whatley@gmail.com

Peek-a-boo!

2009-11-24T07:13:00.003+10:00

This is just a tiny introduction to the myriad felted creatures who will be coming to life and looking for homes in the next week or two!

She needs a name! Leave a comment with what you think her name should be and if I choose your name I'll send you bar of felted soap as a thank you!

They are felted with beautiful soft merino wool, alpaca, and silk. They are stuffed with organic cotton. Embellished with a variety of found pieces, such as buttons, bells, yarn etc.

Stay tuned for the rest, I'll be finishing them as my baby allows it!!

She is 12 inches tall, and sells for $45

Mini Gift Workshops!

2009-11-22T02:08:00.006+10:00

I am opening up two nights of mini felting workshops!
Perfect for holiday gifts, we will be making felt covered soap bars!
These are genius little products, the fleece is wrapped around the bar of soap and felted right onto it. You can attach a thread under the fleece to make it soap on a rope, too!
When you're in the shower, you just lather up the soft bar and wash yourself with the soap and washcloth all in one.
Wool is anti-microbial so it resists mold and smells, so it stays clean and healthy for you.
Wrap the cord around your wrist, hang it to dry, or set on a soap rack until the next use.
As the soap inside is used, the wool will continue felting and shrink around the bar. When the soap is all gone, you're left with a wadded up ball of felt which you can then give to your cat, use as a dryer ball, hang on your tree! haha!

In this workshop you will make 3 felted bars of soap, with or without rope, learn the basics of felting, and walk away with a perfect handmade gift.
I have a selection of beautiful soaps, some organic, some scented with essential oils, some fragrance-free and pure enough for a newborn baby.
You choose.
When we're done, I will also supply squares of gorgeous Moda designer fabrics and raffia in which to gift wrap your soap once it is dry!

This is a perfect workshop for those who aren't sure about committing to a full-length felting workshop but are interested in learning the art.

The dates are as follows:
Saturday 5th December 7-9pm
Friday 11th December 7-9pm

Each class is $25, which includes all supplies. If you would like to bring your own three bars of soap, you may drop the price to $20.

To sign up, please comment or email me at amba.whatley@gmail.com

Here are some more pictures of some bars I have made:

For inspiration, check out some of these soaps selling at Anthropologie for $14 each!
www.anthropologie.com

Announcements!

2009-11-18T05:42:00.005+10:00

A few things I'd like to make known!

I can take orders for GIFT CERTIFICATES as holiday gifts! I will print a nice card, mount it to a piece of lovely felt and you can gift personally or I can send direct to your recipient. They may choose to attend any workshop at any time. Or, if they decide they do not want to attend a workshop, they can purchase an already completed item, or request a custom item to be made for them! This is a fantastic gift for teachers, a crafty or wannabe crafty friend or family member, or just that really eccentric person who has it all and needs nothing!
There is no extra cost for one of these unique gift certificates being made and mailed for you.

Workshops!
The remainder of the year looks like so:

December:
Saturday 5th - Nuno wool-on-silk scarves 9am-2pm $50
Saturday 12th - Child-friendly Holiday/Winter themed Decorations. 10am-Noon $20 - This workshop is full!

2010

January:
Saturday 30th - Handbags! 9am-2pm $50

February:
Saturday 13th - Child-friendly Valentine's! We will be making felt and recycled paper cards. 10am-Noon $20
Saturday 27th - Nuno wool-on-silk scarves 9am-2pm $50

March:
Saturday 20th - Child-friendly Easter/Spring themed workshop. We will be making felt chicks hatching from felt eggs. 10am-Noon $20

April:
Saturday 10th - Handbags! 9am-2pm $50

More will be announced as the year rolls on by.

Latest workshop

2009-11-18T04:28:00.004+10:00

Last Saturday we made handbags!
It was some really fun ladies, so the day got away from us a bit but it was a blast nonetheless.

7 bags were made, I only got pictures of 4 of them so far!

They were all really gorgeous. I want to keep all of them. haha
There was a real variety of creative skill level participants from complete self-confessed beginners with no artistic vision, to old hands in the fiber arts.

Here they are, all handle-less as they were still wet at this point and we made separate detachable handles for these.

Then I decided not to put handles on my bag at all, and to instead create a nice clutch handle.
it's so comfy, soft, and strong. I love how it turned out!

This bag is for sale for $45

The colour is most accurate in this picture. It's a beautiful port wine colour with carbon grey accents:

These are a few of my favourite things!

2009-10-27T03:54:00.005+10:00

I have felted a LOT of things over the years. More of late than ever before. Two very recent items are some of my very favourite of all I have created. One of them is a scarf I was oh so lukewarm to as I was laying it down to be felted and was NOT feeling inspired in the least! I had a rushed morning, and was tired and a little flustered in the beginning of the workshop I hosted on Saturday.

By the end of the day, I was relaxed, a LOT more inspired (by the lovely creative ladies who joined me in a day of bringing art to life!) and fell in love with the piece I ended up with.

Thanks for attending ladies! Here are the scarves you worked so hard on!
Mine is the purple one. I was gently suggesting a stormy sky and when I took it to a pot luck the next day, I was greeted with comments on the lightening my scarf was echoing! I was tickled that my vision was noticed!

And here is my other favourite piece. I made this for my mother-in-law for her birthday in August. It's a clutch purse and really very striking.

Creating Creating Creating!

2009-10-27T03:22:00.003+10:00

"Bottom of the Garden" felted play scene.

My baby girl Juniper Shalom celebrated her first trip around the sun at the end of September, and I wanted to have something memorable, handmade, and special for her. Nothing store bought, nothing that could be exactly replicated.

So this is what I came up with. The rocks underneath the little cluster of Amanita Muscaria are real pebbles felted over with grey wool. The ladybug, mushroom caps, purple flowers and rocks along the stream are all needle felted. The rest was wet felted and sculpted with resists.

It's sturdy, soft, long-lasting, and I'm very happy with it. It now resides in the top of Juniper's closet until she is a bit older and can appreciate it and use it for imaginary play with some itty bitty figures I have made.
Each year I will make something else to go with it or add to it as a birthday tradition.

I am happy to take custom orders for play scenes! Something like this would sell for about $130 but I can make them a little less grand starting at around $60.

Goods for sale!

2009-09-29T04:13:00.010+10:00

I have lots of ready to go wool felt goods for sale. I am also able to take custom orders for pretty much anything! Stay tuned as I have a lovely line of fantasy creatures and dolls in the making and will be ready to post them for sale very shortly!!

All items can be mailed to you or if you're in the DFW area, come stop by the studio! hehe. By that I mean my lovely home where I happen to create these woolly wonders.

For a limited time, I will ship for free!

Bags!

Purple bag with a gorgeous spray of fresh strawberries and a fun yellow handle. The bag itself is 12.2 x 12.2 inches. $45

Branchy woodsy bag with double handles. 11.8 x 12 inches. $45

Scarves:

Trellis inspired nuno felted wool on white silk gauze. Lots of pretty fringe and a few delicate flowers.
$35

SOLD! Nuno felted on white silk gauze, bold autumnal orange border and a beautiful multicoloured mix within. $35

The "Mendelssohn" scarf. Nuno Merino wool and Silk on soft gauzy Cotton. $40

Black silk nuno lotus blossom inspired. Perfect holiday colours. $40

A Christmas stocking fit for the cutest little elf in your life. $45

Re-organizing of some workshops

2009-09-16T02:19:00.005+10:00

I have had to change up the schedule a little to suit my day job!
Here is the new list of scheduled workshops from now until the new year.

Also! I have reduced the price of the children's workshops to $20. Which is a steal. Your child will come away with one or two pieces of art, some new-found knowledge, and probably a new friend or two, also!

October:
Saturday 10th - Table runner or hanging piece. 9am-2pm $50
Saturday 24th - Nuno wool-on-silk scarves 9am-2pm $50

November:
Saturday 7th - Child-friendly fall themed felt pictures. 10am-Noon $20
Saturday 14th - Felted purse/handbag. 9am-2pm $50 - This workshop is full!

December:
Saturday 5th - Nuno wool-on-silk scarves 9am-2pm $50
Saturday 12th - Child-friendly Christmas Decorations. 10am-Noon $20 - This workshop is full!

First workshop!

2009-09-10T03:47:00.004+10:00

So my first workshop a couple of weekend's ago went swimmingly!
The ladies who graced my garage with their presence I believe had an enjoyable, educational time, and they both even asked about other upcoming workshops in which they could learn some other felt techniques.

Here are the scarves that were made on the workshop day:

I have another scarf workshop coming up on Saturday September 19th! I'd love a couple more participants so think about signing up for this fun day and make a holiday gift for yourself or someone else equally deserving!

Email me at amba.whatley@gmail.com if you'd like to attend!

What can you make with felt?

2009-08-23T10:02:00.013+10:00

Why you can make anything you can dream up!
Felting through history has seen it be incarnated as everything from housing to battle armor and is still made by traditional peoples around the world to fashion into many useful items.

This website has a great summary of felt's impressive history:
http://www.straw.com/tan/felt.html

Here are a few of the many things made from felt around my house!

Comfy, insulating whimsical slippers:

Pirate treasure maps, of course!

The "Mendelssohn" scarf. Merino and Silk on Cotton. I describe this one as a love child born from Aurora Borealis and Joyce's description of the sea:

A happy handbag:

A stocking fit for stuffing!

A wall-hanging that lives in my mermaidy under-sea bathroom:

Matching Vests for Elfin brothers:

A gauzy silk scarf perfect for gifting this holiday season:

The list goes on...another day.

A Note on Attending Workshops!

2009-08-14T02:09:00.001+10:00

Just few things to keep in mind on the day of your workshop:

1. Wear comfortable shoes (or bring your house shoes or some socks or go barefoot!) Whatever is most comfortable for you over an extended period of standing. There are chairs, but you really won't want to use them as you're creating your piece of art.

2. Bring a lunch and water bottle. I will have coffee, tea, etc but you may want a packed lunch and also your water bottle to keep near you while you're working.

3. Children's workshops - They are best suited for the 3 and over crowd but any age is welcome to attend. The adult accompanying the child can always finish the piece off. They will be situated on the floor on mats and very accessible for young children. Felt beads is the easiest workshop and even the very youngest helpers will have fun rolling the wool in their little hands.

4. Most Importantly: Don't worry about it! Even if you don't fancy yourself as artistic or creative YOU CAN DO IT! You will still walk away with a gorgeous, unique piece of art that you made all by yourself. It is amazing the inspiration that flows in a room full of beautiful wool and happy people! All these classes can be taken by the absolute beginner.

Schedule of 2009 Workshops

2009-08-13T02:46:00.007+10:00

August :
Saturday 29th - Nuno wool-on-silk scarves 9am-2pm $50 - This workshop is FULL

September:
Saturday 19th - Nuno wool-on-silk scarves 9am-2pm $50

October:
Sunday 4th - Child-friendly felt bead jewelry 9am-Noon $20
Saturday 10th - Table runner or hanging piece. 9am-2pm $50
Saturday 24th - Nuno wool-on-silk scarves 9am-2pm $50

November:
Saturday 7th - Child-friendly fall themed felt pictures. 9am-Noon $20
Saturday 14th - Felted purse/handbag. 9am-2pm $50 - This workshop is full!

December:
Saturday 5th - Felt Christmas stocking. 9am-2pm $50
Saturday 12th - Child-friendly Christmas Decorations. 9am-Noon $20

Introduction

2009-08-12T12:54:00.002+10:00

Hello all!
I am proud to introduce my newest venture open for business!

I will be opening my home as a studio to teach the art of felt making.

I have been making wool felt for about 15 years now. A really long time! My mother taught me when I was young and I have taught several people over the years. My mum is still a teacher and is known quite well (in Australia) for her felt designs and creativity.

With wool felt, the sky is the limit.
You can make flat pieces to display on the wall, framed, as table runners or place mats, felt cushions or pillow covers, bags, hats, scarves, mittens, slippers, toys, balls, bowls, dolls, blankets, door mats, poncho's, brooches, etc etc etc.

I will provide all the high quality supplies, the instruction and cheerleading, light refreshments and the space in which to create something gorgeous and truly one-of-a-kind.

The items you give life to would make wonderful presents for the upcoming gifting season. Everyone loves a homemade, heartfelt offering.

You will also walk away with a new found skill that you are able to put to use for the rest of your life.

My first workshop will be Nuno felted scarves. These are gorgeous wool-on-silk scarves.

Price is $50 per person. Most workshops last between 3 and 5 hours (when you are done you're welcome to stay or leave). I ask for a $10 deposit to reserve your spot. I am able to take 4 people for this particular workshop due to the space needed for a scarf.

Children are unfortunately unable to attend this particular workshop but there will be child-centered workshops offered in the near future!

Date is Saturday August 29th 9am-2pm (or until finished).

Comment on this blog, email me at amba.whatley AT gmail.com or call 214.552.8285 for more info or to reserve your spot!

More workshops in the very near future!
Please feel free to spread the word and tell anyone you might think would be interested!

Here are some recent pictures of felt scarves to whet your appetite!