What’s wonderful about wool? Everything! It’s pliable, puffy perfection. It’s durable and wearable. And as a needle felter, I get to stab, stab, stab my art to life.
Patchwork
Needle-felted Wool Appliqué
Some people suggest attending mixers or networking events to make new connections. I prefer wearing very loud, puffy patchwork in public. People are drawn to it, surprised by it, and usually very respectful when asking to touch it — which I’m happy to oblige!
“Wild Ones”
Mobile
When special people create special people, it’s nice to make them special things. This menagerie of colorful Colorado creatures hung above the head of one of those babies. I had lots of fun researching the wildlife and designing playful characters to dazzle the little kiddo. When she grew a little older, these were snipped off their strings and set free to play make believe.
Concept sketch
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Fox
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Big Horn Sheep
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Bobcat
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Buffalo
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Cutthroat Trout
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Black Bear
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Marmot
“The Feels”
Wall Hangings
What’s a good way to manage the ruckus within? Whenever I’m feeling everything all at once, needle felting gives me cathartic relief and a calm place to put my focus. All of these pieces were improvisational — drawing random shapes, filling them in with color, and entertaining myself with whatever faces oozed out. I’ve always been a doodler, so letting myself loosen up with an arguably tedious technique was freeing.
Included with each piece: agonizing uncertainty, unyielding joy, and all the muppety mush in between.
“Sarah’s Day”
Bridal Crown
Why toss the bouquet when you can wear it? Adding the (literal) crowning touch to my sister’s wedding attire was as simple as combining her nature-loving spirit with her fairylike effervescence. Each flower was crafted by hand from wet- and needle-felted wool, sewn onto a comfy base made to last from saying the vows to dancing the night away. I couldn’t resist a mini boutonnière for her hubby, too!
All wedding photos by Preston Utley
