Wool and a Beach Ball

Dear Reader,

Pairing some wool fiber and a beach ball is an odd choice. Odd, but fun. Who would have guessed how much fun you can have indoors with a ball, some soapy water, and a pile of colorful wool? My friend, Beth Beede, developed this technique after studying felt-making in Hungary.

After lots of trial and error, including experiments with ace bandages, Beth figured out that you could cover a beach ball—you know, the kind you find in big bins in the grocery store—with wool; surround the wool with the seats from old panty hose; wet the whole thing with soapy water; bounce the ball; peel the panty hose off, and keep on working the wool until you have a hat or a bowl or a vessel or…

When I first heard about this technique, it sounded odd, artsy and intriguing. I invited Beth to come to Houston to share felt-making with my weavers and spinners guild. I thought it would help us understand wool fibers better. Little did I know that I’d be captivated by the technique. You know you’re hooked, when you look at something and say, “I bet I could make that in felt.” Or you say to your kids, “You could do that school project with handmade felt.” Yep, one kid did a felt portrait of Joan of Arc, and another kid created a felt solar system—that project didn’t come back home.

Odd and intriguing. It’s amazing what happens when you follow your curiosity. Learning about felt-making led to so many possibilities for me. Among other things, I went to a Fiber Forum in Australia, became an artist in residence at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, hosted a medical doctor from Oaxaca, Mexico, and discovered that I didn’t have to know how to draw in order to be creative.

What might you discover if you follow your curiosity?

If you’re intrigued by this “wool and a beach ball” idea, I’d love for you to join me at the Jung Center of Houston on Saturday afternoon, June 22. It’s fun, magical, and no talent or experience is required. Making Space: Felting Around a Ball is an in-person workshop.

If you’d like to explore how movement or conversation can change—meaning improve—your life, check out these possibilities:

Our weekly online Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement lesson is Free/Pay as You Wish, and it’s an easy, gentle way to get moving.

Again, at the Jung Center of Houston, we’ll spend a Saturday afternoon exploring movement. Finding Your Footing: a Feldenkrais Mini-retreat is another in-person experience—on June 29.

Oddly enough, I arrived at Coaching and Feldenkrais indirectly from my exploration of felt-making and other fiber arts. It’s such a delight to see what happens as my clients explore their lives and possibilities through coaching or Feldenkrais. You never really know what might emerge. If you’re curious about working with me privately, Book an Appointment or reply to this email and we’ll get started.