18.09.2020 It has been far too long since my last post and I will not go into detail, but suffice it to say it has been a roller coaster ride through the summer.
I returned from the Tapestry Felted Traditional Mongolian Yurt Workshop in Bemidji, Minnesota on September 12. Linda asked me months ago to do artwork depicting the steps to making felt for a Mongolian yurt. The tapestry felting workshop (to make the felts for the yurt) was made possible with the Sustainable Sheep and Fiber Community of Northern Minnesota (SSFC) through a grant from Region 2 Arts Council.
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When I arrived for week 2, Linda had me needle felt my initials on the last panel.
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The first of two roof panels. The last layer is mohair, which will peek through a layer of black and a
starry night sky.
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| Measuring the edge thickness. |
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Rolling and getting rid of excess water.
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After each rolling in the field, the felt is checked, measured, rolled up and the rolling
process repeats until the proper level of felting is achieved. |
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| Taking the roll back to the truck for another go around the field. |
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| I enjoyed riding in the back of the truck on a sunny day through the field of wildflowers. |
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I spent a couple of days spinning up some wool/alpaca batts to be made into rope.
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| Plying singles... |
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Rope-making. Hold on tightly, Linda!
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The handspun wool/alpaca turned into lovely rope.
13.10.2020 The yurt was set up for the first time at the Farm to Fiber Festival in Bemidji, Minnesota on October 3. Jim and I camped at Itasca State Park and the weather was beautiful for the weekend. We went into town on Friday to help to a set up in the parking lot across from the Bemidji Woolen Mills. It took a bit of time, but once the wood frame was fitted together in the correct size the rest of the set up went smoothly.
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It is bigger on the inside.
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I love the finished yurt and was proud to be part of the project. It is bigger on the inside!
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Linda makes some last minute adjustments to the felt walls.
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| We added a starry sky to show on the inside. |
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A state map with initials of those that donated wool and worked on the yurt. Note the stars felted
onto the night sky.
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A room with a view.
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