Uncategorized – Nature’s Little Crafts

Local outdoor markets

handfelted figures for sale, on the move.

Midwinter is coming

Craft fair at Deelish Garden Centre in Skibbereen.

We created an apiary to keep bees. From our bees we get both honey and wax. Honey is delicious and useful in our cooking and baking, or even medicinal. Wax we can use in a multitude of ways, for example for making candles, treat wood or textiles. We only extracted about 5% of the honeyContinue reading “Keeping bees”

Ceramics

We started to work with ceramics too. The joy of making stuff from clay! So far, we’re making earthenware as our kiln works up to 1,100 degr. C Some of the pieces are hybrids, combining ceramics and wool – check out the pin cushions below. Some pieces are hanging ornaments, while other pieces can beContinue reading “Ceramics”

Making wool

Wool comes from sheep, goats and possibly some other animals with soft and curly fur. It’s normally sheared (a haircut). The wool is then cleaned and washed, which is quite a lengthy and sometimes smelly process. When the wool has dried, it’s either used as is, or dyed, preferably using natural dyes, for example, onionContinue reading “Making wool”

Needlefelting

Materials Wool Felting needle. It’s a special type of needle with microscopic barbs that help pull wool fibers back into themselves. Backing foam. A work surface that prevents you from stabbing yourself. Procedure Take a pinch of wool. Shape it with your fingers. Use the needle to work the fibers into themselves. More ideas howContinue reading “Needlefelting”

Spinning

Materials Wool There are many different tools for spinning. From a simple drop spindle to a spinning wheel. Procedure Take a pinch of wool and stretch it with your fingers. Twist the wool with your fingers. When it starts to look&feel like a piece of yarn, add it to your spindle. Spin your spindle around,Continue reading “Spinning”

Macramé

Materials Yarn or rope. Can be complemented with other things, for example beads. Procedure Macramé is probably one of the oldest form of textile crafts. It is basically combinations of knots, plaits and braids. Find some yarn or rope and try it!