Hailing from Tucson, Arizona USA in the Sonoran Desert, fiber artists, Sally Hall and Susan Thompson, bring many years of joyful exploration and teaching to the felting table.This mother and daughter team work with a variety of hand-dyed natural fibers, including wool and silk, to create felt forms that have integrity of function as well as richness of hand and eye.Utilizing wet-felting resist techniques they enjoy pushing the envelope of possibilities and applyingtried and true methods in new ways. Sally and Susan wish to share their own love of fibers and provide instruction to those on a fiber journey through classes that are organized, informative, and FUN.
What is FELTING?
Felting is an ancient technique that utilizes the naturally intertwining properties of individual wool fibers to come together and form a cohesive and durable piece of fabric.Throughout the centuries, many cultures have felted clothing, vessels, blankets, rugs, and even walls for homes using the process of felting individual fibers into an array of fabric.Depending on the intended use, a piece may be small or large, thick or thin, rough or smooth, delicate or tough, intricately designed or simply unadorned.The versatility of felt encourages the maker to experiment with texture, color, elasticity, and dimension much as a painter or sculptor would.Depending on the degree to which the piece is felted, the product can range from fluid and free flowing to hard edged 3-d angles and curves.
At SPIRITED HANDS STUDIO, our pieces are created using a wet felting process.A water/soap solution is applied to the dry wool fibers and rolling, dropping, and throwing ensue! Then, MAGIC happens…those fibers do their job and transform themselves into the beautiful piece of art they were just waiting to be. We invite you to try it...you 'll like it! --Susan and Sally
