Wool-Alchemist In reply to cutekirby [2017-01-23 22:44:21 +0000 UTC]

Hi there, sorry this is so late! I check back here pretty infrequently, but I come with answers (if you still need them)

The base I use is lambs wool, it's useful for 2 reasons: it's cheaper than the wool top, and it felts faster so it speeds up the project time. 

Over-felting is when you have felted so much the area can no longer be shaped or manipulated, there is also much more resistance when you use the needle. To be honest I have never really had an issue with over-felting, so I can't be 100% what you can do to avoid it, I think it's more of a problem with smaller projects.Usually when I am done with a project they still have a little give to them (if you squeezed them firmly you could partly distort their shape).

I hope you do give felting a go! It's very relaxing and is super easy to pick up. 

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

cutekirby In reply to Wool-Alchemist [2017-01-24 03:08:26 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for your input, I don't know if the type of wool i started with is lambs but I have broken a few needles in the process. I'm still learning and just trying to work small for now so i don't waste anything. I started using yarn as a base at first and so far its worked in terms of keeping stiff but i realize if i wind it up too tightly it gets too stiff so much that it shows resistance, I've also heard some people use stuffing as a base so maybe I'll try that

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Wool-Alchemist In reply to cutekirby [2017-01-24 07:41:31 +0000 UTC]

Hmmm, I think you might be making it a bit harder for yourself by using yarn. The type I use looks like this (people sometimes use it as stuffing): www.worldofwool.co.uk/products…

I have felted over a crocheted base before, but that was filled with stuffing. Seems like you are currently playing on hard mode. If you have a craft store you use, you could try searching/asking for carded wool/core wool/wool batting. Hope this helps

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Wool-Alchemist In reply to Shevmo [2016-07-26 22:24:15 +0000 UTC]

Thanks so much! I do drive myself a little insane trying to get things just so

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Shevmo In reply to Wool-Alchemist [2016-07-27 00:23:15 +0000 UTC]

Oh goodness I know a thing or two about that. Usually whenever I finish something I'm satisfied with it for all of about two seconds before I start to notice all the little things I could have done better. Projects that probably should only take a couple hours stretch into a couple days. Haha!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Wool-Alchemist In reply to Shevmo [2016-07-27 09:44:11 +0000 UTC]

That's a step better than me, usually I get halfway through something before it gets tossed into the pile of abandoned projects 

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Wool-Alchemist In reply to Peluchiere [2016-04-07 09:30:10 +0000 UTC]

Thanks, so much! I am totally in the plushie give away now, fingers crossed  

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Peluchiere In reply to Wool-Alchemist [2016-04-07 13:01:56 +0000 UTC]

Yaaay !

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Wool-Alchemist In reply to Kasai-no-Kage [2016-01-15 21:13:47 +0000 UTC]

Hi back! Sorry for my lateness.
It's the single needle for the smooth finish I am afraid. I only use the multi tool if I am roughly shaping a large base. Otherwise, while one needle is doing what you want, another needle might be messing up a part that you had how you liked. After if there are a few odd hairs you can whiz them off with a sweater debobbler. I also find it is easier to get a smooth finish if you have a very dense core- which can be made faster by rolling up your wool very tightly. 

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Wool-Alchemist In reply to EmilyTheMeowth [2015-09-15 10:55:35 +0000 UTC]

Thanks so much! Needle felting does take a lot longer than making a plush for the same size, but when I am into a project it doesn't really feel like work . Although I do fall out of projects all the time, my house is littered with half finished things

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

EmilyTheMeowth In reply to Wool-Alchemist [2015-09-16 00:02:48 +0000 UTC]

Well,keep it up!I love this work.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Wool-Alchemist In reply to Karingurumi [2015-08-18 11:02:52 +0000 UTC]

Thanks , your amigurumi is adorable  

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Wool-Alchemist In reply to animeotaku0321 [2015-08-10 12:13:48 +0000 UTC]

Awww thankyou! It's really nice to know that the tutorial had helped someone. You must have really been trawling through the internet to find that, it was ages ago .

No plans on making anymore tutorials. I made that one to share some of the things I would have found useful when I was starting out, but it was more to illustrate technique than to confine people to making Mudkips. I always find I work best when I am invested in what I am making and that means I have be able to have free pick of my subject (that's why I am not taking commissions any more). Any more tutorials would just be showing people how to make specific pieces, and I would rather leave that up to their imagination.

PS Your Pikachu needle felt is super cute  

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Wool-Alchemist In reply to CreationsbyFrost [2015-05-30 23:41:08 +0000 UTC]

He was a great heatmor! Yeah I have been crazy busy at work for a while and have had barely any time for anything other than eating and sleeping (and stressing). Trying to get back to some semblance of work leisure balance at the moment.  I am should be posting some pictures of the few projects I have managed to do since Christmas in the next few days or so (but at the moment they are in semi complete states so I need to add bits and pieces).  

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

CreationsbyFrost In reply to Wool-Alchemist [2015-05-31 06:40:23 +0000 UTC]

It'll be cool to see em when they are done.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Wool-Alchemist In reply to CreationsbyFrost [2015-02-10 12:51:19 +0000 UTC]

Thanks so much! It seems like yesterday when I started :/.
It is pretty soothing, once you have stopped stabbing yourself . I usually use a carded lambswool base (because it felts faster), followed by a merino top in whatever brand has the right colour. I have started to try and avoid blending colours because its just such a faff! I don't know if you have tried it, but if there is a knack to it I don't have it! If I am making something super small I use wool candy, it seems to down felt faster than standard merino tops (but I could just be imagining it). 

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

CreationsbyFrost In reply to Wool-Alchemist [2015-02-11 05:43:54 +0000 UTC]

Yeah, still the occasional stabbing every now and then let's you know your alive!   Thanks for responding, your work is beautiful. I have tried blending colors it takes FOREVER!  I didn't have quite the right color for Vaporeon.  I'm just starting out selling my items, do you have any tips on how to price items? 

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Wool-Alchemist In reply to CreationsbyFrost [2015-02-11 11:40:32 +0000 UTC]

Oooo you should put up a picture of your Vaporeon! Really love your sea dragon btw!

Ugh tips  . I haven't really been selling or making things very long (less than a year). I guess I set the price based on the minimum I would accept without feeling insulted (you can't really go by the time you put in, even on minimum wage a small piece for me would be about £200). It can be a bit difficult meeting people expectations- because they look like plushes they expect them to be priced the same way. The second time you make a plush you will have the pattern you made before which speeds things up. We never get that benefit. It can make things look really expensive. I try to explain it's more like a squishy sculpture. I am always surprised and delighted when someone likes my work enough to commission me. 

Having said that it the flip side is it's a bit hard not be insulted sometimes when people contact you who seem to expect things to be priced like they find them in a store. I had someone once who said they were way too expensive, and I felt the need to defend myself. I can't sell stuff at prices of things that have been batch manufactured. Even now I get something like £1-2 an hour tops. And to sell something that took me 30 hours of work for £15 is really depressing. That's why initially I only ever made things for friends as presents- when you give things away you don't feel like people are judging you.

Another thing difference between this and plush making is the down cost. Custom plush makers often ask for a upfront deposit to cover the materials. I never ask for this. With felt you often have the materials you need anyway left over from other projects, plus wool tops are MUCH cheaper than fabric. If someone falls out on you (which I haven't had yet) I figure all I am out is time, and I could probably try and sell it on ebay or etsy, something like that. 

You actually got more of a rant than tips  

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

CreationsbyFrost In reply to Wool-Alchemist [2015-02-13 03:56:33 +0000 UTC]

Love the rant, I feel the same it's funny though lately I have been asking a certain price and the people look at me like I'm crazy for asking for too LITTLE!  LOL, so when they pay me they actually give me more then my asking price makes me feel good, but these are people I see on a daily bases most times, so strangers I'm sure it's a whole lot different experience.   Love talking to a fellow felter BTW.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Wool-Alchemist In reply to G-Chan0nly [2014-10-20 09:00:44 +0000 UTC]

Thank you ^^. Patterns? I didn't know you could get needle felting patterns :/, you just poke the wool till you are happy right? Have I been doing this wrong?  

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

G-Chan0nly In reply to Wool-Alchemist [2014-10-20 19:51:09 +0000 UTC]

Lol i don't know what you would call them really.  That's the great things about needle felting. There is no exact right or wrong way to make things.

I'll be looking forward to more pictures of your felts!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

G-Chan0nly In reply to G-Chan0nly [2014-10-18 13:21:13 +0000 UTC]

Lol, never mind, I see the tutorials. 

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Wool-Alchemist In reply to Pwyllo [2014-09-16 08:44:31 +0000 UTC]

Thanks so much   I love your fwoxes, they are ADORABLE  ! I am working on a fox right now, well a Zorua. Basically a fox.... 

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Pwyllo In reply to Wool-Alchemist [2014-09-18 22:58:56 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome! And thank you! I look forward to seeing your newest creation!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Wool-Alchemist In reply to RetroRuby [2014-09-08 11:12:16 +0000 UTC]

Your welcome! Your plushies are sooo cute ! Thank you for the watch too  

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Wool-Alchemist In reply to Sotkettu [2014-08-04 11:01:12 +0000 UTC]

Thank you! I always trying to improve, so you might be seeing some more ambitious projects soon .  

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Wool-Alchemist In reply to starrley [2014-07-30 18:15:01 +0000 UTC]

Oh wow , thanks so much! I am pretty new to DA and felting in general (I started in March O.o) so this really means a lot to me. 

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

starrley In reply to Wool-Alchemist [2014-07-31 19:27:25 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome! Everyone likes them! I'd never be able to tell you just started.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Wool-Alchemist In reply to Hamtaro919 [2014-05-08 19:58:10 +0000 UTC]

Thanks so much got to fill my spare time in some way

👍: 0 ⏩: 0