Tell us The Story

Welcome to my new blog feature: Tell Us The Story. Every week (or so) we'll be reading about the story behind an handmade item, told to us by it's creator.
Last week we read the story behind azulado's flower bowls and today we're hearing about Inger Maiike, a wool felting amazing smiling artist.

Here is the story of a wrap I made for me. Truth be told I make them all for me, but most I sell after having convinced myself it really will not do to keep all I make as there would be no space for us humans..



From the very first day I started felting my main goal was to make felt as soft as possible, first I bought my wool locally, then found softer wool on the net. Still always small amounts as it was just for myself. Then I started selling and needed more and larger amounts. One day I found 2 things that to this day are the basis of all I make. I found a wholesaler selling the very softest merino wool I had ever felt and soon after I found something called silk lap. Silk lap is pure silk, the very long fibers. These are not spun but stretched cocoons over huge frames. The silk laps are mainly used as filling for silk duvets. But in combination with supersoft merino wool oh boy what delicious soft warm luxury!

These silk laps are not easy to find and now after 2 years scouring the net I found a wholesaler who is willing to send me not 100 kg at a time but one kilo increments. So here we have it. Many years of research, building skill and finding just the right supplies have led to this scarf.

There is even more to it, the wool I use does not come dyed, so that I had to learn too. At first I started with premixed colors, then from there progressed to making my own colors. Blue,red,yellow and black give me all I need.



These skills I learned so I could have the softest, warmest, prettiest and along the way I picked up several more skills of a fibery nature. Wich also led to selling what I make for myself to people who share my love for beauty.

Oh Inger, and beauty you give us! Make sure you drop by her shop and be amazed by the uniqueness of her creations!
Would you like to tell us a story? Mail me with it: nanouke [at] yahoo.com