Felted Bead Bracelet

Materials:

raw wood roving
slow cooker with hot water
dish detergent
towel
bar of natural soap
felting needle
assorted pieces of wool yarn
nylon beading thread
assorted glass seed beads
tiger tail
crimp beads
wire cutters
pliers
toggle clasp

Steps:

1. Prepare a felting solution of hot water and approximately two tablespoons of dish detergent in a crock-pot set on high.

2. Select colors of wool to be used in felting.

3. Gather piles of wool of equal sizes before the felting process begins. This will ensure the beads will be similar in size when felted.

5. When it has formed a loose ball shape, dip it the hot, soapy water in the crock-pot (figure A) and roll between palms to help the fibers shrink.

6. Continue rolling the wool, pushing your palms closer and closer together, to shape it into a tight ball (figure B).

7. If the fibers are not merging, immerse the ball into hot water for a few seconds. Squeeze out the water and continue rolling.

8. If your palms become dry, use a natural bar soap to keep them lubricated. Do let the wool get sudsy as this will trap air bubbles in the ball.

10. Finish felting the remaining wool.

11. Place all the beads in a knee-hi hose and tie it shut with yarn. Put the hose in the dryer for approximately 20 to 30 minutes to dry the beads or air-dry the beads overnight.

12. Using an awl or pearls reamer, pierce each bead to create a hole (figure C).

13. Attach a clasp to one end of the tiger tail with a crimp bead (figure D).

14. String the wool beads onto the tiger tail until attaining the desired bracelet length (figure E).

15. Attach the other end of the clasp with the crimp bead (figure F).

16. Embellish each wool bead with glass seed beads (figure G).

E-mail: shstallings@charter.net

Website: www.beadedartdolls.net