Exactly 1095 days ago in North Melbourne, we were graced by a visit from Mr. Owl. He spent the entire day with us on the balcony and left very quietly in the middle of the night. Happy Owl Day W!
Years ago, a girlfriend of mine mentioned that it was a piece of cake making felt beads. I never had the opportunity nor time to learn to make any but I stumbled upon these instructions today. Thanks again to Martha Stewart.
Tools and Materials
Fleece
Bowl filled with hot, soapy water (4 tablespoons of dye-free liquid dishwashing detergent to 6 cups of water)Fleece
Bowl filled with cool water
Toothpick
Embroidery floss
Felted Bead Jewelry How-To
1. Begin with a small wad of wool, then wrap lengths of wool tightly around it.
2. Keep adding layers until your fluffy ball is approximately twice the size you want it to end up.
3. Dunk the ball in hot, soapy water to soak it, and then gently roll it from hand to hand (but don't squeeze). Keep doing this for about 10 minutes, dipping as it cools.
4. To create stripes, work strips of wool into the ball with your fingertips. For dots, wind some fleece into a disk, like a cinnamon swirl, then dip and work it in with your fingertips.
5. After decorating, roll the ball in your palms some more, dipping if it cools. Stop when it has shrunk to the size you want. Rinse and let dry.
6. Use a toothpick to poke a hole through each bead before it hardens.
7. Thread bead on embroidery floss, tying a knot to space.
Resources
Wool fiber is available at halcyonyarn.com and peacefleece.com. The rainbow felting pack (21 colors) at Peace Fleece is $13 for 6 ounces -- enough to make a whole slew of beads.
Required Tools and Materials
•3/8-inch round wooden beads, by Lara's Crafts
•Nylon-coated beading wire
•Metal crimps
•Needle-nose pliers
Introduction
A basic stringing technique is adapted to create interlinking loops. We used 3/8-inch unfinished wooden beads.
A basic stringing technique is adapted to create interlinking loops. We used 3/8-inch unfinished wooden beads.
Step 1
Make Center Piece
Cut an 18-inch length of nylon-coated beading wire. String 12 beads onto the middle of wire, and thread opposite end through last bead to make the bottom circle. For middle circle, string 5 beads onto each end. Add 1 more, and thread opposite end through it. For top circle, string 5 beads onto each end. Add 1 more bead and a metal crimp, and thread opposite end through each. Close crimp with needlenose pliers; trim ends.
Step 2
Make Right and Left Pieces
Cut a 55-inch length of wire. String 7 beads onto the middle of wire, then loop in far-right bead of center piece's middle circle. Add 3 more beads to left end, and thread opposite end through last bead to make bottom circle. For second circle, add 5 beads to right end. Add 2 beads to left end, then loop in far-right bead of top-center circle. Add 3 more beads to left end, and thread opposite end through last bead. For third circle, thread 5 beads onto each end. Add 1 more, and thread opposite end through it. Repeat to add more circles to reach nape of neck, and close final circle with a crimp. To make the left piece, follow steps above. On final circle, loop in a bead from right piece's last circle as the 12th bead, and close with a crimp.
Martha Stewart always makes it seem so easy.
Check out New York based Esther K Smith's creations. Purgatory Pie Press INK is her e-shop and she has a step-by-step innovative book-making guide for all aspiring bookbinders.
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