Felting also belongs to those crafts which has been practiced for a very long time. The wool used for felting played an important role in our ancestors’ lives as it was one of the components of their “houses”, the so called yurts. One reason for that is that wool is waterproof and resistant to the challenges of the weather so it could save people perfectly. Besides this, the same material was used for shepherds’ clothes. These ways of use of wool indicates the importance of felting as this is the technique nowadays which is mainly practiced only as a hobby. Since some felting techniques are extremely time-consuming, you will need a huge amount of patience if you would like to try them. On the other hand, if you like to create nice things rapidly, look for a felting needle and let the magic begin. However, if you have enough patience, felting can become your real passion easily as it is amazing how the wool changes during the stages of it.
Fool of the Wool
Personal life of Emese Faragó
Emese Faragó is a 47 year old woman who lives in Oradea, Bihor, she has a 21 year old daughter. She started working with wool 15 years ago, now she is working in a Waldorf kindergarten and she can still practice felting because it is a principle of the institution to use natural materials for the kids’ activities. She did not have to try hard to combine felting and work in her life, she started making wool toys for/with the kids. At the end of every year, she helps children to craft their own backpack before attending primary school. Her target is not the money, but sometimes when someone orders something she is going to cost it at a minimum price. Moreover she tries to make every order unique and special. As for the items she crafts most of the orders are bags, pillows and plushes.
How to increase your income if you are felting?
- Open an e-shop where customers can create their own product. For example a customer can pick a base color of a phone case, then the decorations, design and so on.
- Sell felting kits for beginners. They include instructions and photos of each step.
- Open interactive workshops where people can make the product themselves and then just pay for the materials and a lesson.
- Participate in the festivals, seasonal fairs and flea markets.
