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For artists and collectors sponsored by Intercal...your mohair supplier and Johnna's Mohair Store
Guess what! Deborah and I went to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival for the first time. This is the largest and premier sheep and wool event in North America. It is the must attend show for felters, knitters, crocheters, spinners, weavers, breeders, etc. We entered five of our pieces in competition and all of them won awards.
I will be posting a complete review of the weekend with pictures of the cutest sheep ever on my blog in the next couple days. I'll let everyone know when it's posted.
Hi Bobbie,
The "awl" I use is actually an ice pick so it's about 6 inches long. When I've needed to go deeper I've used a wooden screwer with great success. They are about 10 inches long and come in two thicknesses. They are cheap and readily available at the grocery store.
Have a great day!
Laura
Deborah and I usually make all the body parts separately and then string joint. We use fabric coated floral wire in the parts we want to have poseability. Felting over the wire is possible but we've found it difficult to keep the wire centered in the limb and to felt as firmly as we like. Breaking needles has not been a problem. The alternative and our favorite way is to make the limb; then use an awl to bore down into the wool. The wire then slips down into the limb. The we go back and do any contouring that might be necessary. This little panda was done with this method. He is five-way string jointed and the arms have wire so they can be bent however you like.
Hope this helps.
Laura
Hi Jane,
I live about 40 miles from D.C. It will be 85 to 95 degrees during August and undoubtedly very humid. However, it is not unheard of for the temps to reach almost 100 degrees. Everything here has air conditioning so you should be able to stay out of the heat especially if you stay at the hotel holding the event. You'd probably have to stay outside the Washington Beltway in order to get a better hotel rate, but then you'd have to deal with transportation which is pretty much the Metro (subway). If you are unwell and unfamiliar with the area this probably isn't a good idea.
I hope you are able to visit the USA!
