The commission process begins with an exchange of emails introducing the project and working out the details of size and general direction on color and materials.
When all parties are in agreement on fabrication details, price and timeline, Kristy will prepare a contract for review, changes and approval. The contract outlines specific elements of the work as well as scheduling for payments, samples and completion. It is a helpful record of the client/artist agreement and is binding to both parties.
Textured Works Design: Textured works can be sketched for client approval prior to production. The timing for a sketch may be at sample approval or after.
Amplified/ Sculpted Works Design: The sculpting of Amplified works happens organically and rather spontaneously. It can take take about six weeks to fabricate the textiles and sculpting occurs when they are finished. I do not sketch these pieces, but will work to achieve a finish based on our discussions and inspired by movement from previous works we have referenced.
Rough Timeline: six months from contract for completion
Schedule: contract and deposit
Six weeks: Samples to client for approval
Eight Weeks: resample if requested. Second deposit. Materials ordered
Third to fifth month: Production
Fifth to sixth month: Photographs to client. Package. Final Payment. Ship.
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About Wool Felt
Characteristics include an inherent durability and resilience as the crimp or bend in the fibers gives it a natural elasticity. Such flexibility makes it durable and the outer skin of the fiber acts as a protective film, providing soil and abrasion resistance. Plus, because wool retains moisture in every fiber, it resists flame without chemical treatment. Instead of burning when touched by flame, wool chars and self-extinguishes when removed.
How is felt made?
Wool felt is one of the oldest man-made textiles. The surface of wool fiber is covered with microscopic scales called cuticles that open and close in response to changes in temperature. Wetting wool with hot water causes the cuticles to open. Agitation and pressure, in combination, cause the fibers to tangle and interlock irrevocably- creating the matted material we call felt. The more the felt is manipulated, the more it shrinks and condenses, increasing its structural integrity and durability.
QUALITIES OF WOOL FELT
A biodegradable and renewable material, wool felt is moisture resistant, self-extinguishing, and known for its thermal and acoustic insulation properties and its highly saturated and lightfast colors.
- Breathable, provides thermal and acoustic insulating properties
- Self-extinguishing and inherently flame retardant
- Naturally repels soiling and moisture
- Nonwoven, therefore non-fraying
- Biodegradable
- Renewable resource!
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Applications for Wool Felt
Felt can be fabricated into aesthetically beautiful sound abatement treatments for walls, ceilings, and windows for commercial or private use.
SOUND
Current architectural styles frequently overlook the effect of sound reflection and reverberation created by hard surface building materials i.e.: glass, cement and metal. As a result, interior spaces can be cold, noisy and unfriendly - both visually and aurally. Creative applications of handmade felt on interior walls can provide significant sound absorption and thus dramatically improve the acoustic nature of the environment.
WARMTH
These hard surface materials also contribute to another energy disequilibrium phenomenon...
Interior/exterior walls typically remain considerably cooler than room temperature due to thermal conduction and radiation when outside temperatures are considerably lower than interior temperatures. The cooler exterior walls create a net thermal radiation sink, requiring the ambient air in the room to be warmer to enable occupants to feel comfortable. Consequently, energy requirements increase to maintain a comfortable environment. The addition of wool, a natural insulator and a material with lower emissivity, provides better radiation equilibrium, allowing a lower interior air temperature to be maintained for the same comfort level. -
Maintenance + Cleaning
Like any natural fiber, a minimal approach should always be taken to clean wool felt since the cleaning method could potentially do more damage than the stain. The cleaning approach should be (1) vacuum with a clean, soft brush, (2) clean with water and mild detergent, 3) clean with chemical spot remover. Always test any cleaning method first in an inconspicuous area.
Wool has a low degree of dry soil pick-up compared with other fibers. However, to remove the accumulation of general airborn debris, wool felt may be cleaned with a vacuum equipped with a hose and nozzle. It is best to hold the nozzle just off of the surface of the felt. It is always a good idea to use the lint roller first in any area intended to be spot cleaned. Once per year, it is recommended that the entire surface is given a light vacuum with a clean, soft horsehair upholstery brush. In a clean office environment, it may not be necessary to do this annually. Please note that slight shedding of wool fibers is normal and not indicative of any defect. These loosened fibers are easily vacuumed away and will decrease over time.
If a wet spill should occur, blot up the liquid as soon as possible with a dry cloth to avoid absorption. Avoid aggressive rubbing. For removal of minor stains, a mild enzyme-based detergent (such as Tide Free) is recommended. Create a dilute solution by adding three parts water to one part detergent in a clean container. Use a clean paper towel to gently blot the detergent into the stain. Press and release, press and release. Using a separate container of just clear water, use clean, moist paper towels to blot more water into the stain. Press and release, press and release. Finish by blotting firmly with clean, dry paper towels until the area is nearly dry.
Water RepellencyWhile the core of the Merino fiber is capable of absorbing up to a third of its dry weight in moisture, the surface has a waxy coating that repels liquids. Water droplets on the surface will bead and roll off instead of being absorbed into the felt.Mildew ResistanceWool fibers have a natural water wicking property that prevents moisture from being retained in the felt and naturally inhibits mildew. Wool also has natural anti-microbial properties because bacteria tend to be attracted to smooth positively charged surfaces like those of synthetic fibers rather than the scaly, neutrally charged surface of the Merino fiber.Stain ResistanceLanolin, the naturally occurring waxy coating on wool fibers, makes wool water repellent and provides an inherent stain resistance. This allows time for liquid spills to be blotted away before permanent staining can occur.