I took the “Woodsy Vessel” course by Dawn Edwards. She is a noted fiber artist and it was a pleasure to have gained more knowledge from the insights that she shared throughout the course. She gave insights and tips that were clear and well thought-out.

I learned that in using the more coarse Bergschaf fiber you have to use more soap to break the bonds of the fiber and allow the water to penetrate all the way through the fibers. Bergschaf is quite a bit more coarse than the fibers I usually use and also more “hairy”. Most of my projects to date have been comprised of Merino top and other fine fibers, so it was a really interesting experience.

I had to use a bit more muscle and time to get the fibers to create a strong bond. However, this Bergschaf offers a great deal of “integrity” and thus allows for a thick, shape-holding, solid vessel or structure. I can see that I could have felted this vessel even further and increased its structural integrity to the point of being almost inflexible! It is definitely not “thin and wispy” like Merino, camel, alpaca, viscose, silk, or bamboo. It really allowed me to create a vessel with thick walls. I can see now how this fiber will play into my future felting endeavors! I’m excited to make more vessels with it and perhaps even try it for sculptures!