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Posts: 25I did not think this could be done, but I recently saw a bear with a waxed/felted nose. It does not appear to have embroidary stitching done over the needlefelting either. Has anyone tried it? Any suggestions?
Kim T
desertmountainbearI wax my needle felted noses all the time, I have a bear on ebay now you can get a good look at his nose, all the avatar bears noses are felted. It is not an easy task, I use a kitska If you would like more details and pictures of a kitska let me know I will post them. ps. I probably spend about an hour or so per nose
Joanne
Joanne- please post pictures and give details
Hugs
Gail :hug: :hug: :hug:
desertmountainbear
This is what I use to wax noses, A kitska is a tool used to make Ukrainian eggs, (I couldn't resist posting a picture of mine) it is a brass funnel on a stick. Before I begin let me say I have tried doing it without the kitska, by brushing on the melted wax. Pure bee's wax has a high melting point, when I melted it first and then tried to brush it, it cooled too fast. The kitska keeps the wax very hot and liquid.
First I seal the nose with an a paint sealer, I use Delta all purpose sealer, its like a clear gesso, this hardens the nose and makes it easier to work with. I heat the kitska over a flame. Then I use the barrel to scoop out some wax, as you can see the flame blackens the barrel, which in turn will blacken the wax. Then I put the kitska over the flame again to melt the wax inside. I then apply the wax to the bears nose. I do this in layers till I don't see the fuzz of the felting any more, but it is not smooth. I then heat my little scissors over the flame and use them to smooth the wax. Last after it is good and hard, I use a popsicle stick that has the finest grit wet/ dry sandpaper glued to it to buff it, I buff it dry not wet. There are 3 sizes of kitskas I use all 3. I also use it to make their mouths. The needle is there to unclog the kitska.
A word of caution. kitskas can drip, hot black wax on anything is almost impossible to remove. I keep a paper towel handy to wipe the tool.
You can purchase kitskas and wax from the Ukraninian gift shop www.ukrainiangiftshop.com They sell 2 different kinds, I would only use a Delrin, The traditional kitskas drip too much. Price $4.75 for kitska $1.10 for a block of bee's wax.
If you have questions, ask I will help if I can. I don't know anyone else who waxes felted noses.
Joanne
Posts: 25Joanne,
Thank you for sharing your method and being so helpful with the pictures and everything. Your bear on Ebay is stunning...you are a truly gifted bear maker! I have been trying to figure out a method for this for some time. I love to needlefelt and hate to embroider. You are extremely generous to share your method. Thank you so much!
Kim T
desertmountainbearYou are quite welcome, glad I could help. Thanks for the compliment on my work
Joanne
Ruby Mountain BearsThat is really interesting. Not sure that I could do that looks serioulsy dangerous. Me Wax Fire, not the best idea :crackup: :crackup:
WOW Joanne!! Your eggs are spectacular!!!!! 
