Felting trials and tribulations

So, the weekend was mixed with VAT returns, but hey, I nearly finished it a week early, and I did it all on my own with no help, so I am just a little bit chuffed today, also I did some felting with the wooden shoe lasts, and well lets just say I am still learning!

I searched the internet for 3d felting, and well, there isn't loads of info, so if anyone can suggest a site or info without using needles, I would be grateful, although I may have to get some needles I think.

So I tried all sorts of things to make the stuff felt, and developed what I like to call the 'bog brush method', (I didn't actually use a bog brush) I used a washing up brush, but 'bog brush method' makes me laugh, so I am keeping that name. And well, it was all looking rather good, I mean the fabric was really quite felted, or at least I thought it was, so I let them dry, and this is what they looked like.....

Then I cut them of the lasts, and well, they weren't quite as felted as I thought, lol, so I thought, oh, I wonder what would happen if I put them in the machine, and this is why polystyrene shoe lasts exist, obviously I can't put the wooden ones in the machine, as they would completely destroy it, lol.

It was a mistake to put them in without any shrinkage restriction......

Now they are suitable for a 5 year old, and lets be honest the shape is rather odd, lol.
So that was felting learning curve number one. and I learned ALOT, and I am sure the second attempt will be better, its blimin good fun though.

So this week is sorting out the unicorn club, and dyeing my 65 kilo's of wholesale, which kind of shocked me, lol, never realised I had quite so much!

:-)
xx