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Post by zed on Mar 18, 2012 9:33:41 GMT
I don't think I'm good at colour, I can never get it right if I use multi colours, it always looks awful. I'm better at sticking to one colour theme, like red/orange/yellow, or doing bands/gradients. I'm enjoying stitching too I might get round to actually using it one day too
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Post by lyn on Mar 18, 2012 11:25:49 GMT
Something in this thread struck a chord - my daughter and I don't like repeating things we've already made and we'd much rather make something different every time. To make something more than once becomes 'work' doesn't it?
Oh, and yes Zed, isn't it hard to get the colours right? We've turned out some shockingly awful pieces that seemed like a good idea during the laying out!
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Post by Shepherdess on Mar 18, 2012 17:17:53 GMT
I repeat the layout often but change the colours or the dye pattern. I often dye after I felt. But i do sell. I don't mind doing a general layout more than once. but I usually make something else between. I find that doing the back ground and then adding the colour on top helps when you have several layers and they are all different I find I end up with mud to often. if I want clear colour I usually get lots of colour migration and if I want that I usually don't get it. I have had some funny things happen. like the inside colour on a vessel migrating to the outside but the middle layer colour not budging.
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Post by zed on Mar 18, 2012 17:51:44 GMT
Even if the colours are right, putting them too close can be a disaster too as the shrink and go yucky. I'm on my 3rd bird pod so far this week, trying out different colours, and OMG! My back/shoulder/rib muscles ache! I feel like I've been punched! That's your fault, Ann
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Post by karen on Mar 18, 2012 20:15:02 GMT
Oh Dam, i responded to this thread the other day and it seems to have vanished, or i did something wrong so rather than repeat i just wanted to say, Pam im with you to And i would never mass produce anything, I used to hate when my friends or other people wanted me to make a needle felted character for them as first of all i didnt think what i did was good enough and second i find it puts way to much pressure on. I like to just do my own thing and if i do make a few of the same thing its for practise only to lol And i love color, i love trying my hand at blending but i do go to far sometimes and then have to add lots more to even it out. Zed i think you blend colors nicely ? I would like to sell one day but im in no hurry, its also a confidence thing to, id hate to actually sell something and then it falls apart or something horrible like that, i know i've seen some pretty aweful pieces being sold to that leave me gobsmacked but i guess thats the difference in selling something your proud of and know is good or selling something just for the sake of it.
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Post by pamd on Mar 18, 2012 22:08:15 GMT
Let me make sure to say that I have great admiration for people who can do one thing over and over again. They have something I don't have. They have a diligence, I guess, that I don't posess. I wish I did. I have a friend that makes dot beads, beautiful dot beads and sells them for lots of money. She lines different size beads up in front of her and copies each dot on each bead! They are lovely and perfect, but it drives me crazy even to watch.
I've made up to 300 fish beads for one order, so I have done it, but not anymore. Each time I start taking orders I grow to hate what I'm doing. I do admire those who can enjoy doing that type of work, though.
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Post by Shepherdess on Mar 18, 2012 22:12:40 GMT
Zed, it is my exercise program, feltersize. I feel in a minority because I sell my stuff. I have been juried into several shows so I think my quality is there. I don't think I could do some of the big shows. it really would be to much like a production line. Karen I see those things too. I wonder how long they will be in business and how much damage they will do to there chosen craft before they stop. I can't see you selling anything you didn't think was up to your best.
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Post by karen on Mar 18, 2012 22:36:22 GMT
Pam yes i do understand what you mean and i totally agree, i sometimes wish i could just make one thing over and over but i think that would do my head in lol
I really couldnt Ann, i would just stress about it to much, Id rather be filling up my work room to the point of running OUT of room lol
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Post by MTRuth on Mar 19, 2012 1:01:59 GMT
Interesting discussion. I do sell some stuff, but don't like the production line stuff much. I make cat toys and sell hundreds of them but I get tired of making them. But they sell so I keep making them. But most everything else I make is one of a kind.
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Post by pamd on Mar 19, 2012 3:41:21 GMT
Anything I make I can guarantee is one-of-a-kind, as no one else could possibly, would possibly, or would want to make something like it!!
For instance, I just finished a purse. 3 hrs for making the purse. The first butterfly I spent about 20 hours creating. The two smaller ones, probably another 6 hours. I'll post a pic, but honestly, let's see, logically I could probably sell it for $75, if I was lucky. Oh, wait, only the outside is finished, I still have to line it and do all the hand embroidery I do on the inside. Okay, add another 4 hours!! Almost a week's work! However, again, I am not doing it to sell, but just because I want to know how to do these things and I love doing the work.
Congrat, Ruth, on your cat toy business. I am sure you are making lots of little kitties happy! Now, I might enjoy that business.
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Post by zed on Mar 19, 2012 9:03:48 GMT
Feltersize! It's funny, after doing a bird pod yesterday, I was wondering how much would have to be charged at minimum wage to pay for the hours put in, and I don't think anyone would pay. I think the trouble with felt is, we make it look easy, or sound easy, when really there can be lots of planning, time laying out, time felting, tidying up (hate that!) etc. I have some contacts on flickr who make lovely scarves, but they all look similar and seem to be on a production line, they're very neat and not at all creative. I worry about the same things as you, Kaz. Even though I know just how well things hold up after using placemats for over a year that look like they were made yesterday or books with felt covers used every day.
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Post by Shepherdess on Mar 19, 2012 12:05:51 GMT
I do have a production product, felted soap. They are boring to make. I do it while watching TV. I do sell a ton of them. I do cat balls sometimes. I make them in the washer and then needle felt a picture on them. My son likes to help with that one. Again its another thing you can do watching TV in the evening. funny how I didn't think of those.
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Post by pamd on Mar 19, 2012 13:56:10 GMT
Really interesting to hear, Ann. It's nice to know there are small things to do that don't take an incredible amount of time. Has anyone ever made a successful dog toy? I just can imagine it being shredded immediately, but my dog does tend to be interested in the wool.
I've been doing embroidery while I watch tv, which probably is the reason it takes me so long!
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Post by MTRuth on Mar 19, 2012 17:03:25 GMT
My Yorkies love the cat toys but they are shredded very quickly. The wool just doesn't seem to hold up to any chewing and dogs tend to chew up their toys. I do my cat toys in the washing machine and they are just plain, not fancy like Ann's
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Post by pamd on Mar 19, 2012 17:29:55 GMT
In the washing machine? I think I've heard of the dryer, but.......
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