Wet Felting Vessels Project

[luvswool and dyestuff]

Thanks! Right now I have it stuffed with wool roving and it's sitting on my cocktail table in the living room.

[luvswool and dyestuff]

IMG_5104 by catwycliff, on Flickr

[luvswool and dyestuff]

So these are the other two vessels I made at Anna Gunnarsdottir's workshop in Wisconsin. Cone shaped vessel was my first attempt, wet felted with icelandic sheep wool and minimally embellished with black fibers. It's been dipped in a glue solution for stiffening, but I have plastic stuffed in the top to give it shape. Next photos are closeup of Illuminator #1, then Illuminator #2 with close up detail (without lamp on to show true colors of embellished fibers).


IMG_5105 by catwycliff, on Flickr

[luvswool and dyestuff]

IMG_5106 by catwycliff, on Flickr

[luvswool and dyestuff]

IMG_5108 by catwycliff, on Flickr

detail of Illimunator #2 without light on

[luvswool and dyestuff]

The nylon strings on Vessel #2 were incorporated during wet felting process.  Later we were to replace them with fibers or ropes of our choice.  As you can see, I have not yet decided what to replace them with, or whether or not to use them at all.  Open to suggestions!

[Pandagirl]

Very interesting luminary. What do you use for the light? I love the texture and organic shape and look of it.

[MTRuth]

Cool - what is the purpose of the ropes? Or are they embellishments?

[luvswool and dyestuff]

The light that you see is just a simple socket attached to an extension cord purchased at my local Ace Hardware Store! If I could figure out a better way to hold the shape of the vessel, then I would not need to stuff it with tissue or plastic, thereby blocking the light. I hesitate to put more glue solution on it because it makes a yellowish tinge.

The ropes are there in case we want to embellish with yarn or other hefty fibers. You would use the nylon ropes to help you pass through the other decorative fibers.
Don't know whether or not I want to add "ropes." What do you all think?

[MTRuth]

I think without the ropes would be better.

[Shepherdess]

They are very interesting luminaries. I like the cone one best and might use some wire to make a frame to help it with shape. I think I wouldn't put ropes myself. Perhaps if it was very colourful or had other protrusions I might. .

[halay]

Interesting lamp shade, but aren't you worried about it catching fire? I mean the bulb is hot and what if it collapses for some reason and touches the bulb? I would put some strong wires to make sure it stands up but of course, it will spoil the look.

[luvswool and dyestuff]

Ladies, thanks for the comments, and the ropes are definitely being removed! I was never too keen on the ropes. Halay, we were assured that this type of wool is resistant to heat, but in any case, I would never leave the bulb on for long just to be safe, and I do use a low watt bulb. The bulb actually sits upright in a small coated wire frame, quite clever.

[Shepherdess]

Wool is fire resistant. They make fire blankets out of wool. Our sheep have tried to catch themselves on fire. We sometimes have to put heat lamps(200watts) in with lambs and their mother will stand under it with the lamp resting on their backs. You smell the burnt wool smell but we you check they may have a scorch mark on the outside of their wool but underneath at skin level they aren't even warm. They don't even know they were doing it.

[luvswool and dyestuff]

Thanks, Shepherdess for clarifying the amazing properties of wool! I was surprised to learn at the Midwest Felting Symposium that wool is fire resistant.
Just one more reason to love wool!