Weltanschauung:

a particular philosophy or view of life of an individual or group

Week one was on color, referencing Josef Albers's Interaction of Color and his theory that "colors are governed by an internal and deceptive logic". 

I provided the class with some basics on the color spectrum, theory, and subtractive mixing. Some of it held, and some of it went out the window, appropriately enough.

We used kool-aid to dye wool roving and made some amazing colors. Like a nervous dummy, I forgot to take pictures, but am hoping to get some when the class is back in session.

I wanted to start with the word weltanschauung which, in terms of Josef Albers and color theory, means a common vision. In terms of the class, it's a unifying theme, propelling the trajectory towards the final technique instilling a totemic thesis.

This was my first time teaching and I'm not a super linear person. I don't know if starting with color, and a group philosophy was an appropriate jump-off, but it felt right, and we didn't dwell on it. I hoped to create an ambience, and something to reflect upon before class two. 

The entire class was spent using the different flavors to make straight colors, mixed colors, and over dyed lengths of roving. (I bet you're really wishing to see these colors....it will happen soon). 

There's a lot more to be explored in the arena of Kraft Services Kool Aid product as a dye method, but I was emphasizing the experimental aspect, the internal deceptive order of color, and for time's sake.

My instructions come from experimenting, and following other internet people's instructions, but if you have any questions feel free to  direct them my way: chyatt320@gmail.com

In the mean time, shauen and I will type out my instructions and reference links, below. 

Dyeing Wool Roving With Kool-Aid:

supplies: 1/3oz wool: 1 packet of sugar free kool aid, heat source, heat safe container, water, soap (synthrapol, or any other non-abrasive and unperfumed detergent)

directions: 1. empty packet of kool aid into heat safe container and add just enough water to dissolve the packet

2. add wool, add enough water to cover wool, and mix the two with a gloved hand so color spreads evenly (as possible)

3. heat container to boil (it doesn't hurt to leave it over, but keep an eye on it. it's non toxic, but you probably won't like the smell of burning wool). 

4. turn heat off, cover the heat safe container

5. let cool for 30 minutes *if the water isn't clearish, you may want to repeat the process from heating for the wool to soak it all in and allow to cool, again

6. rinse roving, starting with a warmer and similarly temperatured water, and working to cooler. add synthrapol and carefully wash it out, attempting to refrain from felting as much as possible (unless that's the desired effect)

7. hang to dry (or set on plastic bag)

To the right are samples of my initial experimenting and the colors I arrived at from the flavors I could obtain. 

I'm teaching a class at the Orlando Pottery Studio!

It's a class I designed based on Wool, and the many useful forms it can take. It's a six week, six session, 3 hour per session, class. Each class includes a new method, correlating with a concept and an artist. There will be dyeing, spinning, wet felting, needle felting, weaving, and repurposing...oh! and book making. The more it evolves, the more excited I am...keep reading in the coming weeks...
(link to Orlando Pottery Studio, and course description linked, below)


to the left is the cover of the packet for the class, with all the fathers and mothers of wools: angora, cashmere, mohair, qiviut from rabbits, camels, muskoxen, goats, llama, alpaca, sheep. 

where there's a wool, there's a way

Nomad 2029

Felted 3-dimensional robot. Made from 100% natural wool roving, hand carded for a mottled, green metal/marble effect. This robot was meant not to stay in one place, so he is generally accompanied by instructions on how to go about giving him away, and how to make another to also give away.

Nomad 2029

How To:
Begin with the instructions as a loose guideline. Make your own robot or revamp the one you have now. Rewrite these instructions clearly enough to get the point across. Give the robot and the instructions away.

Materials:One set of felting needles
6 oz wool roving
A soft form to felt around: Styrofoam for flower arranging, panty hose stuffed with batting, anything soft enough to poke your needle in without breaking it and that you wont mind covering (size 10x7x4)

Instructions:
Make forms into the shapes you want
Felt the pieces individually. Do this by taking wool roving and holding it against the form. Tangle the hairs of the roving by pushing them into the foam with the felting needle. Be careful, the needles are sharp. Cover the form completely. Felt around all the pieces
Connect the pieces in your desired final form by using extra roving to felt them together.
Once you have the completed form put together, you may decorate it by using wool and your needle around or through the objects you wish to add.
Once you are satisfied with the form you’ve created it, give it to anyone OR sell it to a charitable individual with deep pockets, and give the money away.