In my last post, I showed you Mr. Mers’ new fishy northern pike spots (in silk!) and his son’s fancy new hair, eyes and jewellery. now let’s look at Mrs. Mer.

Mrs. Mer

I have been questing for the perfect Red for her Kohaku Butterfly Koi body.  Koi-red comes in a range of red-nesses from an orange-red to a deep intense red and in various intensities of those reds. I had found a small project bag of reds in various fibre types and preparations. I had picked up a very promising red with silk top and locks to match but it had too much pink in nature light, I had another set that had too much yellowness to the red, making for more of an orange colour. The locks I found to go with it were fabulous and if I do a mermaid that is part goldfish it would be perfect.

Mrs. Mer perused my offerings and we both agreed on the deep red bat from  Alpaca Tracks T(h)read Lightly and the lustrous long locks from Monica at Olive Sparrow. So dark red it is!

3.1 Alpaca tracks small bats of red wool

Odd I was sure I had a shot of Monika’s locks, let me look a bit more…oh I have a shot from the Olive Sparrow booth at the Almonte Fiberfest on Sept 7-8th.  The bat and locks go together perfectly!!

3.2 The top row way to the left is right red Mer hair I was looking for. The are lots of different colours of locks in 2 lengths.

Ok, I have the colour of fibres I was looking for! Next where to put the fiber. Great more fun research!! (really, I do enjoy the quest. research is fun!!!)

After a lot of previous browsing about koi and butterfly koi, I decided on Kohaku (the white fish with red spots) if you are curious you can check out a brief overview here.  https://nextdaykoi.com/koi-fish-facts/many-faces-kohaku/

After looking over the options of head and body patterns, and reading up on scale types,  we decided that Yondan or Godan would likely be best. If you count the red hair as a spot she would be a Godan pattern but if the hair is not counted as a spot she has the Yondan pattern. Since go is 5 in Japaneses, I bet you can guess how many spots a Yondan koi has! (4)

3.3 this is a helpful chart showing Kohaku (red and white Koi)

I found the batt of “Canadian Wool” was an interesting springy, crimpy wool, not coarse but not as soft as merino or even corriedale. It is not a long staple and it needle felted wonderfully. I think it was the T38-333 I was using to add the red wool. (if you were curious about the needle used)

When I had started to block in the fishy parts of Mrs. Mer, Ann suggested it looked like the fish was eating her. I kept that in mind as I started to work on the spots making sure the red spot at her waist/hips were integrated with both her human and fish parts. Thinking of non-fishy parts I finally got around to adding her ears.

The long locks were the perfect colour and a lovely long wavy length. I found a small hair clip so she could wear her hair partly up.

3.4 Side view of Mrs Mer admiring her new hair in a side view.

3.5 Mrs. Mer Back view

3.6 close up of Mrs. Mer admiring her new hair

I sent Ann a picture to get her suggestions.

Ann said, “Needs Eyebrows.”

Hummmm, ok, I can do that.

3.7 close up showing new eyebrows and her new necklace

I think both Mrs. Mer and Ann should like that! Did you notice her shell necklace? Those are very tiny stone beads (one strand of Red Agate, 2mm)

I got new project bags so Mr and Mrs Mer would not get over excited and mess up their hair! (I will have to consider a non-see-through project bag if I find them cuddling again!!!) I added Shark-boy and the Mer pets, Sharkette and Miss Manta, to another project bag. I printed out a copy of their entrance forms, for each of them, ready for pick up for the Almonte show.

Item #2  Ice Dragon

I had asked Glenn what else I should send, and he suggested either the Ice Dragon or chickadee I had made for him. I went with Ice Dragon since I would need the chickadee for a workshop in December.

4.1 Ice Dragon,  ¾ view

4.2 Ice Dragon,  Back view

4.3 Ice Dragon, which I had made for Glenn ¾ view from the back

Item #3 Maureen’s Vacation

My third submission is Maureen’s Vacation which you saw earlier too. If you would like to get more information on this one look back to Summer 2024.

I chose it because it shows one of the guild members enjoying spinning outdoors. it seemed to make sense to include it in a show about the guild and its members!

5 Landscape of Maureen’s vacation

I packed everything up, Glenn lugged it all out to the car, and off we went to the guild social on Monday. Ann got to check out the Mers and their new hair and spots!

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6.1-6.3 Ann Inspects the Mer’s at the studio

6.4 some of the items ready to go to the Almonte Textile Museum

There were quite a few pieces ready to go to the Almonte show, waiting on the table for pickup. The organizing team will get them after the social. I am sure we will let you know when the show is up and ready for viewing!

Now on to moose bags again! I have one more partly 3D moose bag underway and am starting a more 2D version of the picture too. I will keep you updated on these as they progress (I hope you are not getting bored with variations on a moose!!) (I am trying to inspire more Moose augmentation!!)

Until the next time we chat, Have fun and keep felting!