Felt is the oldest form of fabric known to humankind. It is produced by interlocking and compacting wool fibers either by using a combination of hot water and pressure or by using pointed, barbed felting needles. Although an ancient fabric which is sometimes associated with pool tables and hats it has found an important place in contemporary art. Famously felt played an important part in the work of the influential artist Joseph Beuys.
Artists use these barbed needles as something of a sculpting tool. Using a single needle or a small group of needles (2-5) in a hand held tool, the needles are used to sculpt the wool fiber. The barbs catch the scales on the fiber and push them through the layers of wool tangling them and binding them together. Fine details can be achieved using this technique.
My work is constructed with the natural colors of the wool or wool dyed with vegetable dyes. For available felt work email me at nancyherman6@comcast.net.