I am learning how to wet felt. If you haven't had a chance to try this ancient craft, let me tell you about the amount of water involved. Buckets full. Many buckets full. I attended a wet felt class at my favorite hot spot for fiber artists--Shuttles, Spindles, and Skeins, in Boulder, Colorado. Margaret Tullis, my instructor that day, kept warming buckets of hot, soapy water for us, and told us toward the end of the day that we would be wise to wear swimming sandals for this craft! My shoes, socks, pants, pretty much everything, got soaked, so I know she is right! Swimming sandals and perhaps, a swimming suit!Water is used in many crafts and I am beginning to become painfully aware about how much water is used (and misused) all around the world. I consider myself to be a Green Artist. I learn about eco-friendly ways to be artistic, and it makes sense really, as birds and trees are my artistic image of choice. Well, let me share something I learned recently about water. "Forty percent of our rivers [in the United States] and 46% of our lakes are unfit for fishing, swimming, or drinking." That quote comes from Jon Spayde in an article he wrote for the June 2010 issue of Experience Life Magazine. As the news is filled with information about what has happened in the gulf coast, I realize that problems in the water are not isolated. I am very aware of the sadness I feel about water these days. I think I need to continue learning about and practicing all the conservation techniques available to safeguard water for my children and grandchildren. I hope that you will, too--not my children, that is, but everyone's children.
On a lighter note, I thought I'd share a picture of the wet felt slippers I made with Margaret at the class I took from her...they are comfy, cozy, and form-fitted to my feet! Wet felting is a blast! I have a lot to learn, and I recommend this craft to you. I am so very grateful to have access to clean water and the opportunity to use it in my art. I do not take that for granted.
Thanks for stopping by,
Georgianne
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Your slippers are wonderful, very, very cute, and I'll bet they are warm as well!
ReplyDeleteHi Julie,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your compliment... coming from you, it really matters. I left you a message earlier today after looking at your website! I'm fortunate to have a new friend in you as your expertise with fibers, teaching, and your shop are all so interesting. I still need to sew a leather bottom onto my slippers. I think they will wear out really fast if I don't...
Peace,
Georgianne