NotSoShabbyChic: Introducing Myself (Finally!)

Hi!

I am very new to felting as well as to blogging and to Etsy. This is a whole new world that has opened up to me in the last month and a half or so.

I got into felting as soon as I saw other Etsy sellers' felted items -- I just fell in love with it all: the toys, the handbags, the home decor, all of it.

My favorite technique so far is needle felting. It is the only one to which I have devoted much time. Below are a couple pics of some of my completed items as well as works in progress:




My favorite materials are wool in any form. I especially love the silkiness of mohair:


My favorite colors/color mixes are usually pink and green, but with felting I'm also enjoying using lots of different colors together, and bright ones too:


My biggest challenge when it comes to running my shop is sales. I am still fairly new and therefore not that many people know I exist yet. I do tend to do better with sales when I'm actively promoting, but lately I've been slacking. The lack of sales also tends to do a number on my self-esteem. :(

There are SO many other shops that I love!!! It will be hard to narrow them down! But I will try: raewadolly.etsy.com (amigurumi, kawaii), TotusMel.etsy.com (tatted accessories), michaelarras.etsy.com (woodworking), gotcrowcreations.etsy.com (needle felted birds), feltmeupdesigns.etsy.com (needle felted birds), thedryingrack.etsy.com (needle felted houses), and mincingmockingbird.etsy.com (sarcasm + bird paintings!!!!... best combo ever lol...).

The item in my shop that I would most like to receive as a gift if someone were shopping for me would be either my needle felted duckling or my needle felted rabbit:




My future plans concerning felting include doing more of it, getting better at it, and trying new things -- not just in needle felting, but also with other methods. My future plans with my shop include trying to promote it more and to also include more felted items.

Thanks for taking the time to read this! :)

--Rebecca (NotSoShabbyChic)

kokonok: Let me introduce myself

Hi,
my name is Olga, or kokonok (in the virtual world).
Kokonok (russ.) means a tiny cocoon, this cosy name was invented by my sons, reflecting my love to fibers and probably some introversy :).
I am living in romantic Heidelberg (South Germany).

I grew up in Moscow, where I studied art and then biology, the latter being my main profession. I am working as a research stuff in academy, but every minute of my free time I dedicate to crafts, playing with jewelry making, silk painting, knitting, etc.
But it was before the FELT BUG got me...not kidding. Felting is my element...
Currently, I am exploring a couple of techniques:
- shibori felting, creating 3D structure using knots, etc during felting process,
-embellishment with seed beads and pearls,
- nunofelting,
-creating lace structure by cutting patterns,...

- "organic" direction that is in fact not linked to a certain technique. I mean works inspired by nature: floral patterns, etc.

and, last but not least, vintage...

Wearable felted art "Ariane et Lulu "







I'm very happy to participate in the ETSY Feltingg Team and I would like to introduce myself in this first post. My name is Ariane and I'm German but I live in France (so I speak better German and French than English). Before "falling in love" with feltmaking I studied architecture, and worked as an texile graphic designer. As I'm always 100% applied in what I love, I quit my designer job 6 month ago. (Hopefully I have a husband who loves me enough to support!!).
My main interest in the felting process is mixing wool fibers with other fibers and materials. My project for 2009 is to experimente how to combine paper and wool in the felting process. If you tried already I would be very pleased to share experience with you. An other point I will focus on is how to create 3d felting textures.
If you are interested on my work, please visite my webside http;// ariane.lulu.free.fr (only aviable in french for the moment) or my etsyshop arianelulu.esty.com.
If you starting feltmaking and need help I'm always pleased to do my best (but you have to support my english...)
See you and happy holidays !!!
Ariane

Images are showing a combination of different "natural" wools with handmade silk paper, silk chiffon, wool locks and handspun yarn. First image shows the piece before felting. Second and third are details of the vest after felting. It's the symbioses of different materials fusing to something new that passionate me. Felting means for me to be a designer and a discoverer in same time.