Thanks to Jen Cameron for picking out this month’s Art Elements Blog Hop Theme: Luna Moth.
With an Entomology background I am fascinated by the scientific approach, but can get way too involved in the details. So this month I thought that I would just go along with what attracts me to these lovely creatures: The color and that long wing that looks like tail feathers…
First I began to make the wire form with pipe cleaners.I wrapped Sarafina Off White Chunky Core Roving around the wire and stabbed it a bit to get it to hold. I used Gold core wool to wrap the antennae and left the pipe cleaner legs alone.To get the right shade of green, I mixed gold and green, a bit of blue and a lot of sage green.I felted the wings onto the wool wrapped wing wires and added some extra brown wool along the top of the wings and yellow wool on the top of the thorax (wings and legs attach to the thorax).I tried to remember to get photos, but once you start going with needle felting, it’s hard to stop all that bit of stabbing and the instant gratification.I added a little wing detail and would have worked a bit more on the long extension of the hind wing, but though this would do for a first try.I love seeing photos of moths resting on human hands. There is something about how tender they are and often how large and fragile that gives a sense of awe.Getting back to the scientific side of things – it is SO important to make sure to get the next generation involved with nature. And to provide habitat for these critters.This is a Spicebush Swallowtail (left), an actual Spicebush plant (center), and the wee little Spicebush Caterpillar rolled up in a spicebush leaf that it had been munching on earlier in the day.
Luna moths and many other winged insects overwinter in the leaf litter in wooded areas. Please keep this in mind for your “clean-up” and maybe consider how your keeping things tidy may actually be doing harm to our natural populations.
I love your approach, both from the inspirational side as well as from the material you used! I especially love the last image with the felted moth on your hand where you can see the fluffy belly and legs! 🙂
I love seeing your photos of how the piece came about. I have wanted to try needle felting, but I am afraid of what the texture of the wool would feel like (I don’t like the feel of somethings). I love what you can create from the needle felting – and your piece is perfect!
What a fabulous felted moth! I think seeing moths or butterflies on people’s hands is so lovely. I have never had the pleasure of having it happen to me though;-( I love seeing process photos and the armature you created has really given me lots of ideas for future projects-thanks!!
Oh my goodness, I am in love with this moth you’ve created. It is gorgeous in every detai, but I really think it’s the fuzzy pipe cleaner legs that get me. I am a big advocate of leaving the leaf litter alone. Mostly because it is beneficial and necessary for so many things. And also because I hate the sounds and smells of leaf blowers. What a horrid invention.
Beautiful blog post! I loved seeing the process photos of your piece and how you constructed your felt moth. It is gorgeous and has a magical quality to it. Very inspiring piece!
Love the needle felted moth, it looks so sweet and fluffy! I’ve been wanting to try needle felting for years, so thank you for the tip about using pipe cleaners!
Marsha, I mentioned the ‘clean up’ not being a good idea also! At home I don’t clean up leaves, etc. until maybe April. But Sis has a gardener (in North Georgia where Luna Moths live) and 2x a week he’s cleaning up everything! And the sprayers come for the lawn :(( and that’s what prompted me to include that thought. OK, rant over 🙂 .. I love your felted Luna Moth and your steps in creating it. Fascinating!
I adore your felted Luna moth! So cute! I love your scientific and artistic approach to this project and the reminder on how to be an ally to all butterflies and moths.
Oh I understand how you made that! Thanks to Sara’s goldfish tutorial. Wow. I may start felting yet! Its perfect. I see it perched jauntily on Chloe’s head!
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I love your approach, both from the inspirational side as well as from the material you used! I especially love the last image with the felted moth on your hand where you can see the fluffy belly and legs! 🙂
I love your wooly moth Marsha – he really has a light and airy feel to him as if he could literally just flutter away on the breeze.
I love seeing your photos of how the piece came about. I have wanted to try needle felting, but I am afraid of what the texture of the wool would feel like (I don’t like the feel of somethings). I love what you can create from the needle felting – and your piece is perfect!
What a fabulous felted moth! I think seeing moths or butterflies on people’s hands is so lovely. I have never had the pleasure of having it happen to me though;-(
I love seeing process photos and the armature you created has really given me lots of ideas for future projects-thanks!!
Oh my goodness, I am in love with this moth you’ve created. It is gorgeous in every detai, but I really think it’s the fuzzy pipe cleaner legs that get me. I am a big advocate of leaving the leaf litter alone. Mostly because it is beneficial and necessary for so many things. And also because I hate the sounds and smells of leaf blowers. What a horrid invention.
Beautiful blog post! I loved seeing the process photos of your piece and how you constructed your felt moth. It is gorgeous and has a magical quality to it. Very inspiring piece!
I love your felted moth. He (she?) Would look lovely mounted on the wall somewhere in your house.
Love the needle felted moth, it looks so sweet and fluffy! I’ve been wanting to try needle felting for years, so thank you for the tip about using pipe cleaners!
ooo he is fabulous!!
Marsha, I mentioned the ‘clean up’ not being a good idea also! At home I don’t clean up leaves, etc. until maybe April. But Sis has a gardener (in North Georgia where Luna Moths live) and 2x a week he’s cleaning up everything! And the sprayers come for the lawn :(( and that’s what prompted me to include that thought.
OK, rant over 🙂 .. I love your felted Luna Moth and your steps in creating it. Fascinating!
I adore your felted Luna moth! So cute! I love your scientific and artistic approach to this project and the reminder on how to be an ally to all butterflies and moths.
Oh I understand how you made that! Thanks to Sara’s goldfish tutorial. Wow. I may start felting yet!
Its perfect. I see it perched jauntily on Chloe’s head!
Your work is so great! Needle feeling fascinates me and you showcase it so beautifully. Wonderful color mixing!
Marsha, it was so cool seeing your adorable luna moth from start to finish! Thanks for sharing your fascinating process with us. He is wonderful!
Love your post Marsha, really enjoyed seeing the process of how you created your moth, he’s wonderful!
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