Felt Baubles and Beads

Workshop Dates:Sat Aug 15, 2009

Workshop Fees:$80 + $20 Materials Fee

Workshop #:WS0908-17

Workshop Times:9:30 to 3:30

Felt beads by Deb DumkaWorkshop Description:The craft of felting is an ancient one, predating spinning and weaving.  Once used for creating comfort, warmth and shelter, felt has expanded into wonderful modern and artistic spheres. 

Fibre artist Deb Dumka leads this workshop, exploring the magic of the felting process. The day will begin with an introduction to the structure of wool and the mechanics of the felting process.

Hand rolled beads, baubles, ropes and sheets will be made, transforming wool and other animal fibre into compact, solid forms.  These will then be strung into a unique, lightweight necklace with glass and other beads and metal findings.

Materials Provided by Instructor

  • Fibre – dyed wool roving, blends with silk and other exotic fibre, yarns
  • Soap
  • Thermostat controlled soup pots for bead making
  • Jewellery supplies – wire, crimps, spacer beads, clasp, tools
  • Studio tools – scissors, measuring tape, small rolling mats, felting needles
  • Books to browse

Students should bring

  • Rubber gloves
  • A couple of towels
  • A plastic basin to work over/in (dish pan or small storage box)
  • Slotted or mesh draining spoon
  • Soft sculpture needle
  • Work apron
  • Any favourite beads or items to be incorporated into the necklace
  • Small needle-nose pliers for aid in pulling needle through the felt bead

Students will be working in in hot soapy water, so bring an apron.

Location:Denman Island Arts Centre

Deborah Dumka

Fabric artist Debra DumkaDeborah Dumka is a craftsperson living and working in the spectacular natural setting of Texada Island, BC.

Her distant background in electrical engineering and more current Textile Studies at the Anna Templeton Centre (St. John's, NL) shapes her textile work, grown from a life long love of things fabric.

She is interested in landscape and creating an emotional response through colour and pattern. Inspiration for her functional felt work is taken from the stones of the shingle beach outside her front door and the colours of the west coast viewpoint containing ocean, forest, mountain and sky.