Nuno Felted Vest Workshop - Spring 2016

Creating a Seamless Nuno Felted Reversible Jacket

The intensive four day nuno felted butterfly jacket workshop in beautiful Portland, Oregon was fun, rewarding and a real learning experience. It was a joy to meet and hang out with Kristy Kun, the owner of Opulent Fibers; Jean Gauger, our inspirational instructor; and the ten other amazingly talented classmates some of whom were locals, most from out of State and one from Canada. 

I flew up to Portland directly from Long Beach on Jet Blue which was easy peasy.  I picked up a taxi from the airport which took me to the Evermore Guest House recommended by Kristy and although I never saw a worker there for the first three days, the victorian house built in 1909 was beautiful, clean and homey. My spacious room with a king size bed was luxurious(especially without my three dogs) and the old claw foot tub (there was also a shower)offered a much needed nightly soak after walking several miles to/from the workshop and standing on my feet all day.

 The finished jacket used about 12 yards of silk fabric and about 6 oz. of wool roving.  I eco printed and dyed most of the fabrics with eucalyptus prior to the workshop.  Also used a vintage sari fabric and some silks including the black and white polka dot that I purchased on our field trip to the Mill End Store in Portland.

The sari fabric contained little beads which felted in beautifully. 

The back of the jacket.

This is technically the inside of this reversible jacket.

The back of what is technically the inside of the jacket.

Working from the inside out, I first laid out silk hankies on my plastic resist.

Jean and I discussing the direction for laying out the wool roving.

The back layout is complete except for the last layer of silk which will be put on after the front is complete.  Here I have flipped it and will now work the front of the resist.

I add silk fabric to the left front flap which will be the inside flap.  Now I'm laying down the wool roving.

I finished laying out the roving on the left front which will be the inside flap.

 Then placed another resist over the inside front flap.

Working the outside front flap with silk fabric.

The final layout is the outer most layer of the back.

And then lots and lots of rolling.

Throwing and slamming -  a great way to release those frustrations!

Keep working it, it hasn't shrunk enough yet.  

My home away from home for 5 nights.  I enjoyed the walk to/from the workshop either via Division Street or Clinton Street. And what awesome eateries along the way not to mention fun funky shops and the fab New Seasons Grocery Store.

Stop to smell the roses along the way.

Forming an Artist's Collective

Another exciting evening spent brainstorming about organizing an artist's collective in one of the several spaces at Claudia Grau's Grau House at the historic Hollywood Crossroads of the World Shopping Center. The brainstorming session generated inspiration and ideas that would not have been possible, without the contribution of muttiple minds.  Of course it's not easy to solidify such an undertaking, but it's so exciting to be part of this innovative concept.  First step for me will be teaching a NUNO FELTING WORKSHOP on Sunday, June 24, 2012.   Even Claudia is going to be one of the students!  Click on the Events page and scroll down to Workshops to register.  Space is limited to eight students so sign up soon.

Upcycled garments by Claudia Grau

Me behind the lens

Claudia's B&W

My friend Linda from Long Beach

Ever the artist - Susan

Dying to have fun

Another Linda we'll call Linda Lu

Claudia and Linda admiring one of Claudia's designs

Claudia does amazing work.  Come see at the Grau Haus at 6671 Sunset, Hollywood, CA  90028

Linda admiring one of Claudia's bags

Nuno Felting Workshop - Lanai, Hawaii

Thank you to the  Lanai

Arts Center for inviting me to teach a two day sustainable professional development weekend workshop in nuno felting preceded by a artist's reception on the Friday evening.  The island of Lanai is beautiful and the people are gracious and caring.  The workshop was a huge success and very fulfilling to me.  I already got notice that one of the newly made scarves just sold in the gallery.  Adding nuno felting to the repertoire of the fiber artists will be a huge kudo to both the artists and the Lanai Arts Center.

Rona modeling her newly made nuno felted scarf

Day 1 - Nuno Felted scarves hanging to dry

DAy 2 - hand dyed nuno felted scarves

Harriet modeling her periwinkle dyed nuno felted scarf.

Nat modeling her nuno felted scarf.  Started out with black silk gauze.

Nat modeling her hand dyed nuno felted scarf.  Started with white prefelt and white silk gauze.

Joy felted in fringes from an old scarf to add some pizazz.

Dr. Sharie and Eric collaborated to make this gorgeous scarf which they gave to me.  I am so jazzed!

Alicia felted this to look like Van Gogh's Starry Night - great job and it already sold in the gallery.