Description
In this Workshop, Learners will make a felted bar of soap! They will learn how to ‘wet felt’ over a bar of soap and how to needle felt designs onto their felted soap.
Felt art is one of the earliest techniques of Turkish handicrafts. Felt art came to Anatolia from Central Asia along with other art by the Turks who migrated to the west in the 11th century. Felt is obtained by interlocking animal fibers, especially sheep wool, rabbit wool, camel wool, mohair and goat sheep with heat, moisture, soap, oil, acid, etc. under pressure. With felt you can make patterns - in Turkey these patterns often include geometric ornaments and motifs from nature. We will use the Turkish Evil Eye motif for this workshop. For centuries, it was widely believed that charms with evil, blue eye symbols would protect you from malevolent glares and envious eyes. Blue eye beads bring the holder of the charm luck, health, fortune and wealth.
Felt art is a very popular craft in Turkey. Turkish people often use felting wool on their accessories, clothes and especially soaps. In Turkey, people love these kinds of crafts and make projects with felt craft all year around.
We will use 2 techniques in this Workshop. We will use wet felting and needle felting. We will use warm water and soap to stick felting wool together.
When I was younger, my Grandma used this technique to make me a vest. The women of her time would make their own soap and then they would design their own motif on their soap with felting wool.
Join me and learn this incredible process and make some beautiful felted soap!
Note: needle felting is not difficult, but does include the use of a needle. It is recommended that students be comfortable handling a sharp object, or participate with a parent.