eve
Junior Member
Posts: 42
|
Alpaca
Oct 23, 2013 22:13:48 GMT
via mobile
Post by eve on Oct 23, 2013 22:13:48 GMT
I was given mass amounts of alpaca fleece from a lady that saw my things in a shop. I tried to wet felt with them... But it just looks like wet soapy hair...
Any thoughts? Anyone in the UK want some?
|
|
|
Post by MTRuth on Oct 23, 2013 22:53:43 GMT
Alpaca fleece will felt but it is much softer and takes longer to wet felt. It also works with needle felting.
|
|
eve
Junior Member
Posts: 42
|
Alpaca
Oct 24, 2013 7:19:04 GMT
via mobile
Post by eve on Oct 24, 2013 7:19:04 GMT
Thanks do all parts of alpaca fluff felt...? In this bag she gave me is hairy stuff and very fluffy stuff...
|
|
|
Alpaca
Oct 24, 2013 9:31:08 GMT
Post by zed on Oct 24, 2013 9:31:08 GMT
Did she tell you what kind of alpaca it is? Huacaya or suri? Huacaya will felt nicely and felt well. It is more crimpy Alpaca by zedster01, on Flickr felted sample: Alpaca felt by zedster01, on Flickr Suri is more 'curly', mostly: Suri Alpaca by zedster01, on Flickr But there are longer, straighter pieces: Suri Alpaca by zedster01, on Flickr I've tried to felt Suri twice, both times it looked like a loose pile of curly locks, barely felted. I've decided I'll just use it blended or as a surface/edge embellishment, but it's good for that, and works well for cobweb/ loosely felted work (not all of this is suri, but it's used with it) curly locks by zedster01, on Flickr I do have photos of my latest suri 'felt', but I need to shrink them first
|
|
|
Post by zed on Oct 24, 2013 9:50:24 GMT
I thought it would be easier to upload to flickr, so here's the set: www.flickr.com/photos/zedster01/sets/72157636896138506/detailIf it is huacaya, don't just give it away, it really is gorgeous, unbelievably soft and perfect for scarves or getting soft effects in wet felting. I wouldn't give suri away either, it all has its uses It's worth the time to sort through and separate the locks if you can. I usually make a pile of them, like in the first photo I posted, then when I use it for felt, carefully cob through a hand carder, to smooth out and get some VM out. It does go quite staticy though, so smooth with your fingers. Here's a post I did ages ago, which has photos of 'combed' alpaca locks too feltbyzed.blogspot.co.uk/2011/08/alpaca-part-1.htmlThere's also some samples I made with 1 layer of fibre and two layers. I hope that helps
|
|
eve
Junior Member
Posts: 42
|
Alpaca
Oct 24, 2013 19:10:14 GMT
via mobile
Post by eve on Oct 24, 2013 19:10:14 GMT
Zed thanks so much for that information and all those photos...
Here is what she told me about the fleeces " They are not top quality "cashmere soft " stuff, they are shorn straight from feral alpacas and will need washing, carding etc but they are usable. Mostly a rich deep russet colour (think Catherine Tate's hair) but there are a couple of greys and whites too."
I would love to share some with people as I have about 6-8 fleeces... Way more than I need to play with
|
|
|
Alpaca
Oct 25, 2013 7:56:12 GMT
Post by zed on Oct 25, 2013 7:56:12 GMT
It sounds like it's the whole fleeces, not cut carefully. Alpacas have parts which are longer and softer, then shorter more stiffer hairs. I'm sure you'd be able to sell them on ebay, I used to 'watch' alpaca listings a lot and always missed out because they were so popular. Are the fleeces all separate? There's also the fibre marketplace section on here feltandfiberstudio.proboards.com/board/11/fiber-marketplaceThe russet colours sound gorgeous, I'd certainly be interested.
|
|
|
Alpaca
Oct 25, 2013 13:20:24 GMT
Post by koffipot on Oct 25, 2013 13:20:24 GMT
I'd be interested in buying a small amount from you - I really can't justify taking any more space with my crafting stuff!!
|
|
eve
Junior Member
Posts: 42
|
Alpaca
Oct 25, 2013 17:49:51 GMT
via mobile
Post by eve on Oct 25, 2013 17:49:51 GMT
I don't want to sell them... She gave them to me for free and just asked me to share them with people I teach, etc. If you want some let me know how much, I'll just charge you postage. I'll take some photos at the weekend
|
|
|
Alpaca
Oct 25, 2013 18:15:51 GMT
Post by koffipot on Oct 25, 2013 18:15:51 GMT
OK! say 200gms. I'll pm my postal address. Would be great thanks.
|
|
eve
Junior Member
Posts: 42
|
Alpaca
Oct 25, 2013 22:26:49 GMT
via mobile
Post by eve on Oct 25, 2013 22:26:49 GMT
Brilliant will let you know how much it will be
|
|
|
Alpaca
Oct 26, 2013 6:43:04 GMT
Post by koffipot on Oct 26, 2013 6:43:04 GMT
Great thanks.
|
|
|
Alpaca
Oct 26, 2013 8:23:00 GMT
Post by zed on Oct 26, 2013 8:23:00 GMT
Oh, no, if there's photos I won't be able to choose! I think there's one price upto 1kg for small packets, 45 x 35 x 8 so if you squash it into a postage bag it should keep size and weight down. I'd love 200g too,please. if it's in your way and it'd help to get rid of more, just say!
|
|
|
Alpaca
Oct 26, 2013 13:57:20 GMT
Post by koffipot on Oct 26, 2013 13:57:20 GMT
Standard postage up to 1kg is about £2.60 for a small package. About £2.10 for a 250gm letter rate. providing it meets the size requirement.
|
|
|
Alpaca
Oct 26, 2013 19:10:01 GMT
Post by jufergu on Oct 26, 2013 19:10:01 GMT
Beautiful fibers. Very soft and graceful.
|
|