Felting & styrofoam

[lexis]

Hi Everyone-
I just had a quick inquiry about needle felting (or maybe even wet felting!?) on styrofoam. using styrofoam as the base to re-use, and cut down on wool.
I know GraceO has done the marvelous sculpture on a styrofoam head,
I am wondering if anyone has done smaller pieces?

And if there are any suggestions, advice, brainstorming that can be shared with me about it.

I fear it will fall apart into bits if needled too much. eep. eck.

Thanks!!!
xo

[GraceOblivious]

Hi Lexis,  you are correct about the crumbling.  Especially with the less expensive and smaller styrofoam shapes - such as balls and eggs.  One needs to either build up a thick layer of felt over the styrofoam core or simply so a very light layer of wool.

On the other hand - one can sometimes use the crumbling to good effect - that is excavate a hole/s in the styrofoam intentionally.

I can only imagine what you are up to now.  Cackles hysterically

[GraceOblivious]

Oh you can also use the soft cushy foam- that does not crumble so easily and hold the wool very well.

[ptarmic wumpus]

You can do wet felting on foam shapes - this is done when making sculptures and stuff, since you can carve up the foam and then just felt a thin layer on top. I've done a little bit, using that really stiff open cell stuff that comes in forms (cones, eggs, balls).

[Jane Doe]

Yes, just like ptarmic wumpus has said, you can wet felt over styrofoam
The book "The Weekend Crafter: Feltmaking: Fabulous Wearables, Jewelry & Home Accents" by Chad Alice Hagen, has a project where you can create a life-size cat that way

Haven't tried it though.
*sigh* so many things I'd love more time to try!

[lexis]

Thanks so much you wonderful felters!

I have a few ideas going but like Janedoe says, so many projects so little time. haha

I have a buncha junk on my storage room and that includes a few long chunks of that really hard white styrofoam. I just cant bear to throw that crap away- they dont recycle it. Oh! What to do!?!?


I wonder if a light needling on the exterior to keep it in place and then a good thorough soaking /wet felting would work. Will have to play around once I finish up a HUGE Bunch of other felt projects.

Thanks again!
tanis
xo

[radal16]

Those round Christmas ornaments I sent to you were over styrofoam balls.  The big yellow one had needle felted accents.  I can't say I'm a fan, it was pretty hard to get the wool to stay put.

[lexis]

oh yea! radal- how could I forget your awesome xmas ornaments.  did you nf- and leave? or was there wet felting too?

[chipper]

I saw some cute felted eggs here   http://www.betzwhite.com/blog/betzblog.html

she wet felted over styrofoam and then needle felted some accents on.  So cute.
--chipp

[lexis]

ooh chipper thanks for that linkage, those are so cute! Betz has some great style and a great name too. <3 love!

Did you happen to read the cashmere bunny tute underneath?
a good one for me too, as more sweaters get felted and stuffed. lol.
projects projects projects.. 
does everyone love spring or what!?
ahhhhhh...
lol

txo