What is felting?

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One of the methods of hand-making jewelry is felting. It is one of the oldest methods of fabric creation, consisting of combining fibers into a compact mass, from which a wide spectrum of handicrafts can be created. This method has become popular in recent years, becoming a willingly practiced artistic form of hand-made jewelry, clothing, a wide range of accessories, as well as decorations

Types of felting

We distinguish 2 type of felting:

wet: using warm water and natural soap,
dry: using a special felting needle (with burrs) and pads in the form of a brush or (a cheaper version) a sponge with a height of approx. 5cm.

Felting is an extremely grateful handicraft technique that does not require special predispositions – the only thing you need for a start is wool, the aforementioned soap and water or a sponge with a needle, a few details and a piece of the table. Well, maybe a little bit of patience! The felting technique has been very widely used for different types of creations.

Wet felting will allow us to create flat and spatial forms, such as: ball,dreadlocks flower, bracelet, earrings, pendant, necklace – which we can then further use to create jewelry.

Dry felting involves the formation of worsted wool using a special needle, which is punctured by wool, creating a variety of shapes and patterns. Using this method, we can also create spatial forms, however, compared to wet felting, we have more control over the shape and distribution of colors and patterns.

As a recommendation, combining both methods is used to create more and more sophisticated specimens.

Open ear wire

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Bail sterling silver

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Headpins wire lenght 20mm

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Felting materials

Worsted wool works best in felting, which we usually buy by weight. We can get it in stationary shops or online, as well as on allegro.
Worsted wool from Polish sheep is available on the market, but also much more expensive from Australian Merino, New Zealand, Spanish, Peruvian, Alpine, South American, as well as alpacas and camels.
Today’s handicrafters more often combine felt with silver, crystals and other decorative elements, thanks to which the jewelry gains value and finds an increasing number of recipients. You can find decorations on the 925CRAFT website in the form of GAVBARI crystals, semi-precious stones, precious stones, cultured pearls and Swarovski crystals.
For example, after creating felt balls, we can combine them with various silver components like headpins and then mount on the earwires. After creating a beautiful felt pendant, we can mount it on a silver chain using a silver bails. Individual felt elements can be separated with decorative bead spacers as well as silver balls. In contrast, necklaces or bracelets created, for example, on dreadlocks felt, can be mounted on silver ends and fastenings.

For example, after creating felt balls, we can combine them with various silver jewelry findings like headpins and then mount on the earwires. After creating a beautiful felt pendant, we can mount it on a chain using a bail. Individual felt elements can be separated with decorative silver spacers as well as balls. In contrast, necklaces or bracelets created, for example, on dreadlocks felt, can be mounted on silver end caps and fastenings. For felt jewellery, pear-shaped crystals work well. And for more demanding creators I recommend ready pendant settings dedicated to Rivoli. Watch how to place stone in a silver setting: How to make DIY earrings.