DIY Network

Felt Bead Necklace From "Jewelry Making" episode DJMK-212

The vibrant felt beaded necklace.

Guest Artist Rory Valentine shows host Jackie Guerra (and you!) how to create a felt ball necklace.

Materials:

3-4 colors of wool roving ("tops")
Bar of pure soap
Spray bottle of water
Bowl of water
Towel
Colored bead string size #4
Seed beads
Magnetic necklace clasp
Sewing needle (thin enough to go through seed bead)

advertisement

Keep rolling until you've achieved the size you want.

To create felt beads:

1. Pull small amount of fleece from the roving and form into a round ball shape. Pull another small amount of fleece in a different color and layer thinly around fleece ball. Continue winding thin pieces of fleece around ball in differing colors and directions until desired size is reached. (For this project,t make the ball approx. 3 inches in diameter.) You want to make sure the ball is light and fluffy like a cotton ball because the air trapped inside helps it to felt.

2. Use spray bottle to wet hands, then soap up hands and begin to very gently roll fleece ball between them. Don't use to much pressure or squeeze the ball too hard at this stage because it will cause folds in the fleece that are difficult to get out. You want to wind up with a smooth surface.

3. Keep rolling ball in hands adding slight amounts of pressure until desired size in reached. For this project the ball should be approx. 1/2" in diameter. During this process if the ball gets too dry simply apply more water with the spray bottle. If the ball becomes too wet and/or soapy roll the ball on towel to remove excess moisture.

4. Once the ball is the desired size, rinse it in the bowl of water squeezing out the soap.

5. Allow felt bead to dry overnight. To fast dry, place beads in a sock tied at the top and put in dryer.

A closer look at the seed beads.

RESOURCES :

Wool Roving/Tops
Outback Fibers
Web site: www.outbackfibers.com

GUESTS :

Rory Valentine
Ten Women
Website: www.tenwomengallery.com