playing with glass beads, pom poms and synthetic fabric

[halay]

The other day I visited a crafts shop and found some interesting materials that I wanted to try in felting. I found some flat-bottomed beads, pom poms (I would describe these as furry buttons), and some synthetic material. Since I wanted to try them all at one time and to do something small just in case my experiment fails, I decided on making a small bag. Here are the materials:  I took a piece of cotton gauze and glued the beads on it first. The idea was that the beads should not move around.  I used a resist which I covered with some polyester muslin then  wool and on the first layer of wool I placed the gauze with the beads. I arranged the  pom poms  on the surface and made the second layer to cover everything. With the synthetic material I was rather apprehensive and thought it would not felt in well so I secured the edges with some wisps of wool to find out later it was unnecessary   
After completing felting and fulling I cut a hole using small scissors on the top of the beads to expose them. Luckily the glue had done its work during felting but now the beads became loose and I had to glue them again carefully putting some glue into the hole. I was quite pleased with the outcome, I think I am going to use pom poms again instead of buttons because they are soft enough and you need not take them out. 
When I attached a felted cord on my bag I thought something was missing - this small little bag needed a companion so I made a necklace with a flower and leaves on a cord. 
I need to say that after reading Zed's book "Beyond nuno" I am becoming more courageous in trying other fibers and materials.

[luvswool and dyestuff]

What a wonderful combination of colors! And yes, you were very brave to try all of those odd bits at the same time in felting. I wonder why the "polyester muslin" (which I assume was meant to be your lining) felted so easily. Really nice bag!

[lyn]

Wonderful colour combo - just right for spring/summer. The bag and necklace are beautiful! How good is that - you only set out to experiment but you end up with 2 lovely things to enjoy.

[Pandagirl]

Halay, the bag and necklace are gorgeous. Excellent experiment. I've used the gems to make craters and cut them open but haven't left them in. I really like how it looks. How did you attach the cord to the bag? Did you make the flower with single petals then join them or form the whole flower at once? Are you selling these?

[halay]

luvswool, I was surprised too that polyester muslin felted so well. I tested it first by blowing through it and holding my hand behind.

[Frances]

This is pretty and the colors are perfect.

frances

[halay]

Pandagirl, just to answer your questions: I made the cord separately and sewed it inside the bag. The flower was made by five petals all at once. Towards the end of felting I started stretching the petals in width. I hope someone will like this and buy it. Things have started piling up and I'll need to make a step forward and start selling more.

[Pandagirl]

Thanks Halay. You must have a roomful by now. Happy selling!

[Teri Berry]

Beautiful bag and necklace Halay, did you find the pompoms adhered on their own or did you need lay wool over them? The beads look amazing, which glue did you use? I assume it wasn't water-proof and that's why they came unstuck?

[halay]

Thank you all for your feedback. Teri Berry, I covered pompoms with wool. They seem to be well adhered underneath and I would need to try how they behave on their own with nothing on the top. I used Neostick glue which is supposed to be a strong adhesive used for all sorts of materials (e.g. glass, wood, concrete, metals, etc.). I don't know whether it was too much rubbing, or water and soap that it gave in. Fortunately, the beads were safely tucked under wool right until the end of felting and it was only when I made an opening that I noticed that the beads were unstuck.

[MTRuth]

Great results for an experiment! It really does make you think it's spring

[Shepherdess]

The bag turned out great. Isn't it fun to add lumps and bumps. The necklace looks lovely too. I am sure someone will like them.

[zed]

They turned out great!

I have strings of beads from cheap bead curtains I keep meaning to try in felting.

[carole aka craftywoman]

Ohh my, this is fabulous. not only do I absolutely love how the beads poke through the felt, but the leaves and the colours with the flowers and the misty bits of white - it's lovely, it's put a Monday morning smile on my face :-)

[jufergu]

Anytime I have metal or glass, I use a glue called Jewel It. However, I have never tried to put it under water. It does well with beads.