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Post by MTRuth on Apr 12, 2015 1:53:08 GMT
I think that's the right decision Leonor. Your work is about using animal fiber whether it be wool, alpaca etc. Doesn't make sense to take a commission where you can't use the main ingredient of your figures.
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Post by zed on Apr 12, 2015 9:48:43 GMT
OK, but if you change your mind, let me know. I know the nylon is really cheap, but I agree with Ruth, and it isn't cheap if you have to make a special order for it.
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Post by Leonor (of Eleanor Shadow) on Apr 12, 2015 18:07:46 GMT
Thank you, Ruth and Zed. You're right, and I've declined the commission. If I had the nylon handy and could just spend some time experimenting, I might just do that, but I don't, so the smart thing to do was to apologise and send her looking for other, better suited, artists. *sigh*
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Post by zed on Apr 12, 2015 22:04:21 GMT
Leonor, I had a few spare minutes so got my needles out and nylon, and it felted surprisingly well and really quickly. It might not be something you want to get into right now, but it's worth thinking about. How many 'vegan' needlefelters are there? There's also fine denier nylon tops, I only have the black, but it is matte and feels similar to the crimped stuff, but is straight, maybe that would work with the crimped nylon too. I've probably got enough to spare for you to have a go. I've only just been out though and keep getting really sick with vertigo, so wouldn't be able to send it till maybe next week if you want to try.
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Post by zara on Apr 12, 2015 22:28:01 GMT
I just wanted to add that there are people who actually are allergic to wool, or rather the lanolin in the wool. Symptoms include skin rashes and sneezing. But alpackas don't have lanolin, so that should be rash and sneeze proof. :-)
Apart from that, it amazes me that vegans accept synthetic fabrics (which are usually not considered environmentally friendly), but refuse sheared wool (which does no harm to the sheep it comes from). A perceived animal right is put before caring for the environment (that also animals live in)... I just can't grasp the logic in that.
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Post by luvswool and dyestuff on Apr 12, 2015 23:27:11 GMT
Zara, I think we could have a rousing good discussion on these issues. There are many dichotomies in the world of environmental advocacy, and certainly animals belong in there as well. But I believe we are to eliminate “political” discussions on this Forum, correct Ruth?
For sure I am ready to go on a rant!!! ;-))
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Post by Frances on Apr 13, 2015 2:28:05 GMT
Zara neither can I - but always was taught that Politics and Religion were topics to veer away from and I have added vegans to that list. My Mother had a synthetic tweed sofa that I could not stand to sit on because it was itchy.
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Post by zed on Apr 13, 2015 9:59:44 GMT
Like a lot of ill informed 'extremists' a lot of people calling themselves vegan who shout the loudest misrepresent what being vegan is about. Yeah, there are probably as many reasons for being vegan as there actually are vegans, but wanting animals to be treated well is usually the most important reason next to health.
Most vegans disagree with exploiting animals for human gain/pleasure, but are quite capable of seeing the difference between animal cruelty of mass factory farming, and well treated animals on Family farms.
I wouldn't say I'm vegan, but I don't buy dairy products/eggs etc. I only scour labels for my son because he chooses to be vegetarian because of beliefs, but is as vegan as possible for health reasons.
I also have a fibre addiction, and hope that all the wool I use has come from well treated animals, I can't know it like Zara can, using wool from her own and friends, but I know it is more likely the animals were treated well than the embellishments fibres I use are environmentally friendly.
Like many people, my beliefs might be strong, but they're only as strong as is convenient for me to be honest.
Just remember Vegan extremists are to regular Vegans what Westboro are to Christians or ISIS are to Muslims.
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Post by zara on Apr 13, 2015 12:21:44 GMT
There certainly is a lot that could be improved when it comes to the animal industry. That is one of the reasons why we have our own sheep, hens and turkeys - to produce our own meat, wool and eggs. In addition, I live with a hunter, which means we mainly eat game meat. I could never shoot or slaughter an animal myself, but I still prefer knowing where my food comes from, rather than buying meet from an unknown source at the store. Actually, I am less worried about the handful of less well informed vegan extremists than I am about kids growing up today that don't know that milk comes from cows... At least my kids know where their food comes from. ;-)
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Post by Frances on Apr 13, 2015 12:51:27 GMT
Zara growing up I lived near my grandparents farm and they raised hogs, cows, & chickens for food sources. Milk, eggs, butter and meat which they shared with us. Also had vegtable gardens and fruit - we canned or froze our vegtables and made our on Jellies and Jams. And yes, it was hard work but when I think back on it well worth it. And the men did hunt and fish. There is nothing like a "fish fry" or sitting down to a plate of fried Quail cooked lovingly by my Aunt. There is a pasture behind my house and I saw the baby calves this week - so cute.
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Post by zed on Apr 13, 2015 13:54:40 GMT
Ha, I agree there, Zara. Years ago I used to help run a garden club at the local Primary School, so many kids had no idea what chips and crisps were made from, yet being a diverse community they knew lots of uncommon fruit and veg. They loved discovering you could grow a radish in 3 weeks and that carrots came in many colours, and like all kids they ate all the peas as soon as they grew. I wonder if any of them grow their own stuff now.
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Post by zara on Apr 13, 2015 14:07:19 GMT
My kids didn't like broccoli until we started growing our own and they discovered that they are actually flowerbuds. Suddenly broccoli became a favorite, and still is. ;-)
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Post by Pandagirl on Apr 13, 2015 15:04:36 GMT
I come from a family of hunters and fishermen and women. We were fortunate to have a summer home where the family gathered. So, I grew up fishing and gathering. My grandmother owned a fish store and my mother always grew our vegetables. There is nothing like picking your veggies fresh. We also had a little zoo in the city where we raised ducks, rabbits and took in animals people dropped off including a sea turtle. but they were our pets. Really great memories!
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Post by Shepherdess on Apr 13, 2015 17:43:56 GMT
We have a few pigs and cows and sheep we get chickens and turkey in the spring and we have laying hens. We have had our own milk but it is such a lot of work and you either have none or to much, we stopped. It is nice to know that the animals are treated well. The difference in the end product is incredible.
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Post by luvswool and dyestuff on Apr 13, 2015 18:00:03 GMT
Being a city girl raised in and around the suburbs of Chicago, I have no farm experience; but I have read a lot about it and recognize the joy that must be associated with raising your own animals and vegetables. I’ve experienced the joy of growing indoor and outdoor plants, like herbs, geraniums and marigolds. We used to live in a big house, and I remember my surprise when I planted dozens of tulip bulbs in our yard and found the squirrels had carried most of them away!
I appreciate the revival in "growing your own” and the resurgence in fiber and textiles.
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