An Attempt At Felting

One of our most favorite finds since we moved into Placer County is the High Hand Nursery in Loomis, CA.  Situated at the site of an old fruit packing company, the place includes a dreamy nursery, a wonderful cafe in a conservatory and a few shops and collaborative art gallery.  We were out there on Friday night for the grand opening of their Flower Market. 

We also stopped in at the Tin Thimble and I spotted an interesting class being taught the next day to make a Wet Felted Vessel or Purse. 

They still had an opening for the class so I signed up for a new adventure.

Well, adventure it was.  Not sure that it's my thing - the process included seemingly labor intensive efforts in wetting the wool and then later working it, and working it, to get the fibers to mesh together. 

The class was taught by Carin Engen and the wool that I purchased for the project was all Corriedale Wool that she had hand dyed.  She had some wonderful samples of projects and fun stories shared throughout the workshop.

I started out with the intent of making a purse yet that would have been more wet rubbing and after 3 hours I was tired - I settled for a "vessel" - an end result that only a mother (and loving husband) could appreciate.

I don't think I'll be making any other felted items anytime soon.  Certainly not something as creative as Carin's garment featured below - what fun!