Make Wool News and Felted Soap

Maria has asked to pretend we are at Maker Faire so she can practice what she wants to say and do when she is sharing her wool demonstration. She wrote step-by-step instructions for making felted wool bracelets, and yesterday we practiced felting, by felting bracelets, and bars of soap. I am so impressed by her desire to be prepared, her eagerness to have everything ready... skills, as an adult, I am still trying to fine tune. So, yesterday I was a visitor to Maker Faire, asking questions and inquiring about the bracelet making project. She managed her answers quite nicely, and then together we made bracelets. Actually there is one question we don't have an answer to: Why doesn't the sheep's fleece felt and shrink when the sheep are out in the meadow, getting damp, and rubbing itchy backs on a post?
The package from Sandie, of Wild Rivers Wool Factory, arrived and in it were at least twenty unique samples of different wools. Each sample was labeled, in a clear, sealed bag. Sandie also sent copies of "Sheep Reader," for young readers, from the American Sheep Industry Association. Maria and I read every article, and then we studied all the different wool samples from the different sheep breeds. They are so beautiful! We were loving the textures, and colors, even the smell! It was Maria that first made us realize that natural roving has a sweet-sheepy-woolly scent.
Did you know... there are more than 1,000 different sheep breeds in the world?!
Did you know... there are 40 different sheep breeds in the United States!
Did you know...some mother ewes can have as many as five lambs at once!
Did you know... the fleece from one sheep can make a full suit!
Did you know... one pound of wool can be spun into 20 miles of yarn!
Did you know... wool is flame resistant, and will not catch fire!
I did not know, until Maria read me the Sheep Reporter!
The second package to arrive from Oregon... wool roving! Maria's Grandma was visiting Wild Rivers Wool Factory, where she met Sandie, and she chose three beautifully dyed bundles of roving for Maria to share at Maker Faire.
Just look how big these few ounces of wool roving is... and it feels so light and soft and huggable!
A little wool roving goes a long way. We will have plenty to share, thanks to Delia.
Okay. At Maker Faire, Maria is going to demonstrate felting wool roving to make bracelets. But today, we are going to show how we felted these bars of soap. The process is similar... it's about measuring fibers larger than the finished project, gently pulling them apart from the whole roving, submerging them in water and then using friction to get the fibers to bind and shrink to size... that's felting!

We had some nice smelling bars of soap handy.
Do not bring out scissors!
No scissors!
Scissors.
Gently pull the amount of wool desired. The roving will separate, easily, with a tug and a pull.
Now, wrap the roving around the soap, trying to keep the roving taut, and covering as much of the soap as possible. This is not a mathematical-precision exercise, but just be aware: too much roving and it will be really hard to get it all to stick. Too little roving and the soap will not be covered. Don't get too preoccupied with making a specific pattern... things are going to get sloppy and random, when the felting gets started. This is more of a groovy-free-stylin' kind of art. It's cool.
With your hands gently cradling the soap and its blanket of roving, hold everything together and submerge your creation in water. Warm water feels better.
Everything at this point is pretty wibbly-wobbly. Be gentle, and keep your hands over as much of the surface as possible. Rubbing too vigorously will slip the roving off. Just keep moving the soap under the constant, gentle pressure of your hands, turning and squeezing as you go.
This gets slippery, sudsy, wet 'n' woolly. Every so often, when the suds were overtaking everything, I carried the bar into the kitchen and ran fresh water over the whole operation. The fibers are binding, by now, and as they cling to each other you will feel that you can rub more vigorously, now. And, yes... it's kind of weird, because the very thing you are making is kind of disappearing on you... going all to bubbles. Don't lose faith! Plenty of lovely felted soap will remain when you are done.
I made a blue and pink one, too. This is the part where you feel glad you chose a fragrance you really enjoy. Your hands are going to smell good, and feel really soft and clean!
Whenever too many suds make it impossible to see or feel what you are doing, give the bar a rinse. Soon, you reach the point where you feel the wool fits snuggly around the soap, so you rinse one last time, let it drip dry, then take it to a place where it can rest and dry completely. This is a fun project, and honestly... a bit much for our seven year old. She loves it, in theory, but Maria did need help getting the soap wrapped, because in the beginning when the wool is loose, it's not too easy to manage with small hands. Gentle guidance at this step is all that is required. Then there is the time spent felting... she was a bit impatient about her slow progress. Again, small hands are a disadvantage. We traded bars, so I could get hers caught up with mine, and she could more easily manage the one I had felted already. When I can recognize the challenges she's facing, it's easy to find solutions, and offer encouragement. The important thing is she does not feel defeated, and has not lost interest. We kept it fun.
We love how good it feels, how many suds we made, and we didn't get frustrated by loose bits and clumpy parts. In the end, taking our time, and having fun, we found this to be a project we could get our hands on, and enjoy!
Maria wants to bring her soap samples to show at Maker Faire. Then she wants to give this orange and aqua bar to her buddy, Suki... shhhhh, it's a surprise!
Well, that's our latest Wool News and Make project all wrapped up! Good, clean fun!

Make Friends With Wool

Maria's wool ventures are growing and growing!


Once upon a time, Maria and I visited the Atwood Street Festival and it was there that we learned what we could do with all the wool we had stashed at home: make wool bracelets by gently rolling the fibers, in sudsy water! It was a simple and fun project that gave us the confidence to venture into more wool felting projects. We tried making felted wool balls... small, colorful, fun, success! Then we felted a bar of soap, too. Felting soap feels really great. The texture of the wool and the suds, plus the sweet fragrance are a delightful sensory combination.


Have you ever noticed when you learn a new word, or concept, that you start to see the new word everywhere? I suppose it's simply a matter of noticing those things that are familiar... they become recognizable, and register. Well, this happened for me and Maria, and we began noticing wool everywhere! I found a very basic needle felting kit at the craft store. I did feel a bit intimidated by the idea of this craft, but it took, honestly, a matter of minutes to feel at ease and excited about needle felting. And Maria caught on real fast, too, and we started making little pictures out of wool... using the batting we had from Barcelona, and with felted wool fabric from thrift shops and bargain bins, it's an easy craft to do. Needle felting takes nothing more than full attention and some patience, and the process feels like what I imagine meditation can be. Making little projects with wool just seemed to click for us!


So, when Love and Rockets started planning its trip to Maker Faire, I asked Maria, "Is there anything you would like to share at the Faire?" And she wholeheartedly declared, "Let's show everyone how to make bracelets from wool!"

Brilliant, I thought. We filled out the Maker's application, and started preparing for this year's trek to the Faire. We even did some fundraising, and community outreach. Sharing all of our club's activities, including making wool bracelets with neighbors and friends, was a real pleasure. Maria got some practice in sharing her project, and we earned some very much appreciated gas money. Easily the best part: sharing our love and interest in Make, Craft, and Love and Rockets!

Okay... all of that was background story, and now we have a wonderful new chapter! Maria's grandmother, Delia, lives in Oregon, where there are lots of artists and farmers, and artistic farmers, and she met one such woman at Wild Rivers Wool Factory. Being a proud, supportive grandma, Delia told Sandie all about Maria's plans, including Maria's desire to meet actual sheep and learn all she can about where wool comes from and the processes involved in collecting wool, preparing it for use. Delia bought some beautiful roving for Maria to take to Maker Faire, so she can demonstrate felting, and share with visitors. And! And Sandie, from Wild Rivers Wool Factory, contacted Love and Rockets to express her interest in helping Maria!

This is what she shared, "I'm Sandie, I run Wild Rivers Wool Factory, Inc. I'm very child oriented, have been teaching wool and fiber classes to children for many years. I'd like to give Maria a few things to maybe keep her interest up, and further her education.

I have about 20 of the "Sheep Reader" publication put out by the American Sheep Industry Association, aimed at grades 1-6. I have access to over 20 different breeds of sheep, and could provide Maria with a "wool collection" to show to people. With your permission, and your home address, I'd like to send her a package."


We are thrilled to have made friends with such a thoughtful and generous wool expert. "20 different breeds of sheep?!" We had no idea! Maria was leaping, happy as a lamb, when we read Sandie's letter. Truly wonderful things can begin with curiosity, and we look happily forward to what lies ahead. Thank you Delia. Thank you Sandie and Wild Rivers Wool Factory. Thank you, everyone who came to our Lemonade-Bake Sale and Mini-Maker Demonstration. We are making friends, and we are making adventures, with wool!

Make A See-Saw

Maaaaa! Daaaaa! What are these for?

Since we started building our barn, the quantity and variety of cool construction scraps has been steadily mounting. Everyone has an interest in those scraps, including the newest Bird House kids.


Well, at first we just stacked the 2x4s and let the goats walk the planks, so to speak.


Then I rolled in a eucalyptus log I salvaged last year, and that was fun. They really do play king of the mountain. And we added wider planks from the barn siding.


Then I got extra ambitious, and countersunk some screws into scraps. I made a dandy little bridge, elevated on one end. But, you know kids... they outgrow little things so quickly, and it wasn't long before they were giving me doleful glances and pleading for something new, something challenging.


Having seen a log and plank see-saw at Coral Tree Farm, I asked Geoff if he could bring home a really long and sturdy board. Then he asked how long? and how sturdy? And I said, twice the width of a 2x4 and long enough to teeter-totter, because I am technical, and precise, and stuff. Fortunately, for me, he's even more technical and precise, and he knew exactly what to bring:

4 galvanized 1/2" x 8" lag screws
4 galvanized washers
1 2"x 8"x 12'plank


We marked the center of our twelve foot long, and sturdy board, then Geoff marked a square center for the long screws, that would go into the log. The board was pre-drilled with four holes.


Then Geoff set to pre-drilling holes into the eucalyptus log.
This is the part where my simple plan gets complicated.
Eucalyptus is hard.
Seriously.
We were astonished at the effort it took to drill those holes, and really, we were making very little progress. Do I have to clarify... "we" means "Geoff," and me, in close proximity, saying encouraging things like, "Dang, that is some hard wood." And offering thoughtful reflections, like, "Hmmmmm."

I think we all know what this means...
More Power!


At first, I was going to apologize, because I thought this might be an inspiring tutorial about how easy and simple it is to make a fun backyard play thing, then it got a bit complicated. And I feel kind of bad about that.
But. But, some people love a challenge, and even more... some people love an opportunity to bring out big tools, bigger tools, bigger, more powerfuller tools!! Bwahahahaha! Well, bigger powerfuller tool fans, this unapologetic project is for you!


It took a big drill to bore into the log. It took multiple passes to make the holes big enough.


We did not know: Goats love power tools, too. They loved checking the progress, and would run up when the drill was running. I think Ada wants to thank Geoff for persevering.


With all the holes prepped, it was time to insert the lag screws, with the washers.


And here's Ada, again, all ready to lend a hoof.


But the wood... and those eight inches of lag screw... it's a bit much to handle without... more power!


So, Alex has the compressor ready, and the pneumatic impact wrench.

Yes, you read that correctly.
Now, say it aloud, and feel the power: Pneumatic Impact Wrench!


This is getting the job done.


And while the see-saw comes together, Ada has her last bottle of the day. She'll be fueled and ready for one more romp, before her goodnight.


Can you tell, they see their new toy?
But it's too fun, just for goats... so, they'll have to wait their turns.










Goat's turn!
We have a see-saw! Teeter-totter!
Easy. Sort of.
Fun. Definitely.

Making The Most of Our Lemons!

The sun came out, and we opened for business! Maria's Lemonade and Bake Sale, with a mini-demonstration of our Young Makers Club, Love and Rockets, was a delightful success. It was fun for Maria to get this chance to explore her entrepreneurial interests and for all of us to share what we love about Young Makers, and the Maker Faire.


Thank you, generous and curious friends, and family! We had a steady stream of visitors, and it was a lot of fun sharing Lavender, the parade robot, the egg-bot, wool felting, and our hula-hoops! The fun lasted long after dark, when we lit a fire, roasted dinner, and had a live concert from Eli and Paul.

Though I was supervising activities, making shave ice, and simply enjoying everyone's company, I did manage to take a few pictures...


Chango, the cat, with Lavender!
Everyone had a chance to take over the cool controllers that turn Lavender, and open her jaws. She moves with the aid of pistons, which sound soft and hissy when they compress.


Here is the core work force behind the success of the day + Geoff keeping the egg-bot busy and operating smoothly.


Oh, one more thing: besides demonstrating robots, and selling homemade cupcakes, we were also on tooth watch. Maria had been hanging on to this loose front tooth for a really long time, but today may be the day it finally pops!


It's Corina! It's Sophie! It's Caia! And Henry, too!
It was so much fun. Every time familiar faces arrived we had a new thrill!
And I admit: we were heavily marketed. I didn't let this lemonade-stand go on chance alone, which was a good idea, because all those invited friends gave a great party-feel to the day.


Lisa, Michael, Carol, and Leo are getting a good close look at the egg-bot.


And here are Teresa, and her ducky little friend, Christina Canard-Diable.
They're Devil Duckies. It's a FIRST thing.


It's not uncommon for FIRST robotics teams to party together. FIRST 2102 Team Paradox loves getting spirited with Team San Diego, and all of their FIRST friends!


Any Dr Who fans reading this post?
Maybe you recognize that this is a Tardis?


Tooth check... oh, whoa... it's all wibbly-wobbly!


More friends, and some new helpers. Some school friends came to play!


Filippo and Karen came, and brought their children, Luca and Cecilia, and Alex C.
And the beautiful fruit pie Cecilia baked... with preserves from their very own garden! Deliziosissima!


By now, we had our fire ring lit, and the lemonade stand closed, but friends were still dropping by, and we loved the interest in Maker Faire that was building! I think we may even have won over new members!


And. You guessed it: it Popped!
What a full day!


Bambi and Alex, fireside.

We roasted hot dogs, and veggie-dogs, enjoyed salad and crudites. Then Paul arrived and he brought a Mediterranean feast. Just fyi: hot dog wrapped in warm flat bread, with fresh, leafy tabouli, and hummus = a super satisfying dinner.


Eli brought his uke, and the guitar came out, for Paul. The sun went down, we feasted, reflected, laughed at Maria's new grin and lisp, and listened to music and singing...


Max, our CFO, assures us, it was a success. And if "F" stands for Fun, he could not be more correct. The Lemonade and Bake Sale, and Mini-Make Demonstration were a huge success!