Felting is the process by which natural wool fiber is stimulated by friction to bind loose fibers together. Natural, unprocessed wool has scaly fibers, which when moistened and agitated bond together, creating a denser fabric. Using a variety of layering and wool colors, beautifully crafted objects ranging from dolls to purses can be created. Handwork Studio felting workshops utilize both wet and needle felting techniques, allowing participants to sculpt, decorate, and form everything ball ornaments and jewelry to wine/tea cozies to felt paintings and dolls.
Needle felting is a popular fiber arts craft conducted without the use of water. Special barbed felting needles that are used in industrial felting machines are used as a sculpting tool. Using a single needle or a small group of needles (2-5) in a hand held tool, the needles are used to sculpt the wool fiber. The barbs catch the scales on the fiber and push them through the layers of wool tangling them and binding them together much like the wet felting process. Fine details can be achieved using this technique and it is popular for 3D felted work.
In both children and adults, handwork fosters creativity and confidence, allowing participants to formulate an idea and see it come to fruition by their own hands.
Gnome/Doll Felting Workshop
Felt Poupee Workshop
Felt Bead/Jewelry Workshop
Wine/Tea Cozy Workshop
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