Another Renegade Craft Fair find was Papaver Vert whose founder, Patty Benson, and I got talking at length about felting crochet pieces. Much like some of my own amoebas, Patty’s take the idea a step further to wet felting them, which she does in her washing machine uses a pair of jeans as agitation.
The above are two-tone little roly bowls, which, from what I can tell, she makes exactly the same way I make my amoebas – I suggested that she start sewing them together and displaying them “dots out.” It sounds like she’s interested in getting more and more into wall art so I’m hoping to see something to that effect on her site – it’d be awesome!
She makes a lot of natural items – plant holders, vases lined with glass, etc. Just like I consider some of things I make to be sort of “an item in a sweater” her works look like items in little felt cozies – such a great idea!
I love Patty’s slogan too, “Hand Felted Living.” I’d like to live in a crochet and hand felted world – I like the idea of wool as a resource being renewable and I find Patty feels the same.
It seems like her latest creations are arm pods – big bracelets that are firmly felted and elegant – I wish I’d bought a bunch while I was at her booth!
Her process involved more steps than mine, which I think is why her pieces look so much more finished. She talks about the process on her site – the molding, drying, trimming and steaming parts are the ones that are new to me – I’m excited to try them and see if my amoebas start to look nicer.
Above is an image of her pieces pre-felting. Her blog is really awesome too!
Imelda
Please forgive me for asking but a friend from SF sent me one of these and I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT IS. I feel dumb and don’t want to ask my friend. At first I thought it was a mouse warmer but nope.. Thanks. Please email me directly.