Nuno-Felt Scarf with Prefelts

© 2011 Kim Buchheit. Nuno-felt scarf.

I made some prefelts the other day and cut out several circles to include in this lively design. I used only kool-aid dyed merino wool and silk in the piece. The kool-aid bled a bit during the hot water stages (meaning the dye was not completely "colorfast") — the bleeding came mostly from the silk scarf, I think. However, by the time I did the final warm-water vinegar rinse, the water was running clear. Regarding the prefelts: I loved working with the prefelt cutouts and am surprised how well the cut pieces retained their shape during the felting process!

Nuno-Felt Scarves

© 2011 Kim Buchheit. Nuno-felted scarves.

In preparation for a nuno-felting workshop that I'll be co-instructing this fall through the Grand Canyon Field Institute, I made some drapey wool scarves over the weekend. I love the fringe on the blue one, and the lightweight red one is much more vibrant than comes across in the photo; Canon seems to have trouble capturing reds. If you're interested in learning how to nuno felt, consider joining me and my fiber friend Jen Marshall, for a fun 2-day workshop at the Grand Canyon. All supplies included in the cost of the class, and the location is simply sublime!

The Fall :: Felted Wall Sculpture

© 2010 Kim Buchheit. Wall sculpture; wool, wire mesh, wood frame; ~32" (h)
I showed this work at a felting show in Tucson last year, but had intended it to be a part of a triptych. My hope is to create 2 more identical pieces and hang them vertically — but I dread having to make 200 more wool dreadlocks (okay, cheap pun). The title, The Fall, suggests waterfalls, hair pieces, and the fall of man (hah!).

3-Season Scarf

Handcrafted by Kim Buchheit © 2010

Lightweight and silky next to the skin, this hand-crocheted scarf can be worn all year round, indoors and out. This is the first item in my new Wildly Woven collection; made of non-wool fibers for wool-sensitive types. I love the feel and drape of this bamboo/acrylic fiber — sumptuous: it's like giving your neck a spa day! You can grab a cozy custom scarf for yourself — just go to my Etsy shop. Currently available in light taupe, periwinkle, and butter.

Woolly Bangles

Handcrafted by Kim Buchheit © 2010

Cozy wrist-warming bangles hand-felted from spicy-speckled wool. The intertwined design means the bangles fall just so, while the yummy fall colors mean you fall in love. This one-of-a-kind set is waiting for you in my Etsy shop.

Wool Hanging Cluster Sculpture

© Kim Buchheit. Hanging sculpture; 100% wool, 42" (h)

Lots of places for little critters to hide and nest! I think this piece was inadvertently inspired by cliff swallow mud nests. I did some research on them today, and there's much similarity. The cliff swallow's nests have slight bottle-necks at their openings, however, and are usually clustered horizontally-ish under a cliff or eave. Okay, now I've got my next project outlined :D

2010 Flagstaff Wool Festival

Photography by Mike Buchheit

Despite the 90 degree temps, the 19th annual Wool Festival in Flagstaff, AZ this past weekend was a hit. Handspinner Melanie Sharp had lots of her gorgeous acid-dyed skeins for sale. The friendly people of Purl in the Pines showed off their lovely wares (if you're a local, you must visit their up-to-the-minute yarn store!). Many weavers, artisans, herders, and spinners were selling their natural fibers including Kari Usher (Dancing Weaver) and Stephanie Rockford (Crazy Sexy Wool). And, of course, there were several shorn four-leggeds (Churro sheep, alpacas, and llamas) on display looking too cute for their own good.

We left the event arms loaded with Suffolk wool, Llama, and Churro wool roving, as well as three different colors of hand- and acid-dyed Rambouillet wool bats. Winter can't come soon enough!

Summer Giveaway!

© Kim Buchheit

PRIZE

Vintage-style Rose Hair Clips :: Set of 2
(as shown above; view detailed pics here)

HOW TO WIN

4 Ways to Enter: Be sure to leave a comment here and let me know which way(s) you entered.

1. Twitter this giveway — copy/paste: Win Vintage-Style Hair Clips from @wildlywoolly. To enter, visit: http://www.wildlywoolly.com

2. Heart my Etsy shop

3. Follow me on Twitter (@wildlywoolly)

4. Follow me on Facebook (Wildly Woolly)

WINNER ANNOUNCED

Entries will be accepted through Tuesday, June 8, 2010. Winner announced Wednesday, June 9, 2010. UPDATE: The winner of the give-away is Joyce Ramsey. Thank you Joyce and all for participating!

Mark Your Calendars

Photo © Mike Buchheit
2010 Flagstaff Wool Festival: June 5-6, 2010 at the Pioneer Museum, 2340 N Ft. Valley Rd., Flagstaff, Arizona; 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. This is an event I look forward to every year! Great prices on wool and interesting people who generously share their stories and know-how. If you're in the area, you won't want to miss this.

Vintage-Style Hair Clips

Hand-crafted by Kim Buchheit; © Kim Buchheit

On my upcoming summer get-away, I want to just pull my hair back and not spend time fussing with it. To that end, I created these romantic vintage-style rose hair clips. The rich sable color keeps them "grown up" — and the snug alligator clip keeps them in place (even in my fine hair!). If you'd like a set for summer, you can order them in my Etsy shop!

Felted Amigurumi :: Woodland Pals

Design and hand-crafted by Kim Buchheit; © Kim Buchheit

Wee bear and his woolly owl pal have teamed up to enliven my Etsy store. They were first hand-crocheted in the Japanese amigurumi style using my own pattern. After being felted in a hot bath, the facial features were applied via needle felting and the safety eyes were added. Come visit them for tea and snacks — you might just find yourself adopting them on the spot.

"2000 Breaths" Meditation Mats

Design and hand-crafted by Kim Buchheit; © Kim Buchheit

In my on-going effort to live more in the present moment, I recently incorporated breath work into my textile making process. While creating these thick warm-and-woolly meditation mats (or table accents), I made two stitches on the in-breath and two on the out-breath. The total number of breaths per 20-inch round mat is about 2000. My hope is that this practice not only makes me more conscious, but also imbues my work with some sense of peace that is bestowed on others. My 2000 Breaths® felted wool textiles will soon be available in my Etsy shop.