Felted Wool Handbags with coordinating Felted Wool Scarfs

Creating new felted wool handbags has been fun.  While shopping at the thrift store, I was lucky to find some wool sweaters with embroidery.  After these sweaters were felted the design was kept pretty much intact.  Using the embroidery in the felted wool was somewhat of a challenge but I am pleased with the results.

Pink Black and Red

 A fun fabric for the lining...it had all the colors I needed, black, red and pink!

 With the leftover felted wool material, I created extra rose pins.

 This is the other sweater with embroidery. A scarf ready for Christmas.

 The coordinating handbag -- one side has a rose pin on the corner.  Since it is a pin it is removable.

 The other side of the bag.  I really liked this handbag.  If I don't sell it at today's craft show (Bear Creek High School Craft Show), I think I will be keeping this bag for myself.

 I used fabric with text.

Felted Wool Sweater Scarf with Flower Pin

Creating these scarfs from felted wool gets easier as I sew more.  Basically, I used two coordinating sweaters to create this scarf.  I had fun with the flower pin by adding extra trim like ribbon and an embroidered fabric button for the center. 

Back to Creating Handbags...and Scarfs from Felted Wool Sweaters

I have been working so hard on my felted wool pins, I have neglected to make any new handbags and totes!  With my  last craft show of the season this Saturday and Christmas it has motivated me to create more felted wool handbags.  It had been so long, I forgot how much fun I have creating these one of kind handbags. 

About a year ago, I  cut many felted wool sweaters to create scarfs but did not do any sewing on them.   My friend Staci has made the scarfs for two years now and I hoped to make some but it is not until now that I actually made them.   I found them a little tricky but in the end I was happy with the gathered edges and creating coordinating pins to go along with my scarfs.

My goal is to post all my new handbags and scarfs in the coming weeks.  So, today I will start with a black and white handbag with a coordinating scarf.

 

A closeup of the two flower pins on the scarf.  

 A black and cream handbag.  I added a scallop edge to the side.  The cream sweater was difficult to work with but I really wanted to use it on a handbag -- the sweater has a lace within that I wanted to use. 

 The lining of the handbag, I found the fabric in the remnants bin at JoAnns.

 

 My friend Lisa had an old wool/blend sweater ....now it has been converted into a handbag.  I added the rose pin to the bag.

 The lining was fun, it's the first time I combined different coordinating fabrics into the lining of the handbag.  Since I did not have enough fabric I had to combine the different patterns...now I am glad that was the case because it allowed me to explore a different technique.

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect and give thanks.  I am grateful for so much, but above all, I am grateful for my family.  I thank God that my husband, kids and I are healthy and content.  I am also grateful for my extended family and all our wonderful friends, many of whom are like family.

Columbine High School Craft Show

Staci and I participated in this year's Columbine Craft Sale on Saturday, November 13th.  This is our third year...we continue to create items with felted wool sweaters, paper, fabric and beads.  We always have fun at these craft shows, mostly because we get to hang out.  We also get a chance to see friends and visit with them when they come see us at our booth.  

We are both  happy with our sales.  We look forward to our next craft fair on December 4th at Bear Creek High School.  The Bear Creek Craft Fair is very popular in our area and had been a goal of ours to be accepted into this craft fair.  

Here are some photos of items for sale in our booth:

 Staci created these wonderful snowman earrings:

 More of Staci's work:

 The display board with my felted pins...we also make use of the school lockers to showcase the variety of magnets that we have created:

 More items created by Staci:

 Felted wool handbags and totes created by Staci:

 

Handbags created by me and more of my pins:

Denver Handmade Alliance's Market Day at Denver's Museum of Contemporary Art

Saturday, October 30th was a busy day.  Thankfully my family helped me out by helping me set up my table at MCA.  My daughter Laura was great.  She helped me so much and best of all, she kept me company during the entire day.  We arrived at the museum shortly after 8:00 a.m. and were ready for the 10:00 a.m. opening.  Soon after the market opened, Lisa and Sophie surprised us and since it was actually pretty busy at the time, we put them to work!  Lisa was a great help and I was thankful she was there because I was feeling a bit overwhelmed.   Things slowed down considerable by late morning and into the afternoon.  

This was a great experience.  My booth did well... I was pleased with my sales.  Again, the best part was the time spent with my daughter Laura.

 

 My felted wool, fabric yoyo's, tulle and button pins/clips(combo).

 Text, Music and Atlas Paper Flower Magnets:

 My booth space was basically one 6 foot table.  David, my husband, built my display board for my pins -- I was able to display lots of pins so it worked great.

This was truly a family effort.  I am grateful for their support.

Art by Craft by The Denver Handmade Alliance

I will be a part of this event.  I will be a part of the exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art in downtown Denver, at 1485 Delgany.  I will also be one of the vendors on October 30th Market.

Here are more detail about the event:

The Denver Handmade Alliance presents Art by Craft celebration of craft-based works in a fine art setting.

Art by Craft Exhibition, Events Space at 1490 Delgany
Featuring the work of 44 local crafters


Opening Reception Friday October 15th 7pm-10pm
Food available at the Deluxe food truck and beverages from Izze
Live music from Crows, Vultures, Bulls (members of Matson Jones)
Interactive crochet tagging station from the Ladies Fancywork Society
Crafted based activities for all ages in the Idea Box at MCA Denver

The Museum of Contempory Art has two exhibitions opening that same night, Isca Greenfield-Sanders and Robert Gober. http://www.mcadenver.org/index.php/exhibitions

Regular Exhibit hours:
Thursday – Sunday 12pm-4pm October 15th – 30th
+ Saturday October 30th (Closing Reception/Craft Market) 10am-6pm

Art by Craft Market Saturday October 30th, 10am-6pm
MCA Denver, 1485 Delgany
Featuring the work of 30 plus local crafters for sale
FREE admission as part of the MCA Denver’s Family Free Day
The first 50 people in the door get a swag bag full of goodies from local crafters
Crafted based activities for all ages in the Idea Box at MCA Denver

Information regarding swag bag donations for the market can be found here: call-for-swag-bag-donations
The event posters and logo was designed by Matt Scobey. You can see more of Matt’s work at mattscobey