Fiber Art Earrings with Precious Stones and Glass

So, I made earrings today for the craft fair in a week and a half. The problem is I  might keep them! I like these multi-green ones with aventurine the best.

Amethyst and Acrylic?!

One thing that is unique about these fiber art pieces is the fiber I used to make them---it's acrylic!

I used Lion's brand Homespun. I know quite a few knitters and fiber artists that really don't like this particular yarn, and I can't blame them, it bunches, is to textured you can't see any pattern your knit, and the tension is wacky. It also comes apart.

But wait, it also comes apart!

 

I should clean these up a bit  more.

There are three reasons why I still choose to work with this yarn:

1.Pretty colors! So many colors merged into one yarn, so bright and beautiful. And washable!!!!
2. It's very soft and warm and light
3. You can take it apart!






By gently pulling on the plying strand I can separate it from the poofy  acrylic "roving." But was surprised to find two more threads in the second ply! This took a more gentle extraction, and the leftover "roving" is very soft and easy to pull apart.

Because acrylic won't felt, the other challenge I had was how to secure the ends of the fibers after I had wound them around the eye pin. Elmer's Glue All, anyone?

Then I wrapped the same thread I had just pulled out of the yarn around the created fiber bead. It was designed to match!

Chronicles of a Beginning Spinner: Short Staple Adventures

 I am a baby at drop spinning. and that's ok, because we all have to start somewhere!

Yes, it's addicting, even when you're frustrated with the short staple. The yarn on this spindle picture is my second try with this roving, so it's a little more even.

 I started out with this roving:

I think it's actually synthetic, as it doesn't felt, squeaks when wet, and leaves a hard residue when burnt. Also, it's short staple, which is giving me quite the challenge.

And this is the $h!t that is my first spun yarn. TA DA!!
I didn't have to ply it, I could have thrown it out. But .....I didn't, ok?

Later I Facebooked my fiber art friends to ask of spinning short staple was harder. It is, it's not just me!
Apparently I like to try to do things on expert mode right off the bat. But I also want to save my good, albeit still cheap, roving for when I know a tiny bit more of what I'm doing.

If I can do it so can you! 

"The master has failed more times than the student has ever tried."

 

 

 

Another update, and I think I'm getting better at it!

See? Getting better still!