felt wee folk

this past fall, i came across the book, Felt Wee Folk, by Salley Mavor. this book is incredible and Sally Mavor is so talented. the book has many different patterns and ideas for making "wee folk". i started out by making a couple just as the book says, and now i am branching off and adding my own style to these little friends. it's so much fun! 

i started calling them "bend friends". i find it wonderful that they are appealing to all ages. my mom loves them (i actually gave her one for christmas), and they are wonderful for children as well. even our ten-month old daughter loves looking at them. she will certainly have her own collection when she is older! i look forward for making them for her for special occasions as little gifts.

their arms and legs are made out of pipe cleaners wrapped tightly in embroidery floss, so they are fully bendable. the one pictured is about 2.5 inches tall, but the book shows how to make several different sizes. i freely cut out the flower petal skirt and the shirt, and added the embroidery to the shirt. i use wool felt for the clothing when i make these little friends. the head is simply a wooden bead. i always leave the faces blank in waldorf style. the hair is made out of naturally dyed wool roving. this is the first little friend i have made who doesn't have hair that is a natural color. i like the natural colors and plan on usually using them, but i think the blue hair fits this little one.

 this is the back. for other dolls, i have used artificial flower petals for the skirt and wings and i really like that look as well.

it is so much fun for me to make these little people. i will definitely be sharing other ones here as i make them.

some friends are coming over for craft night in a couple of hours. i'll be back in the next day or two to show you what we made!