Playing Catch-Up

 Pictured first is my latest creation, Ellie May.  She was listed on eBay and has already sold. I like how her fur turned out. I first needle felted a dark layer of llama wool and then rooted the light grey alpaca wool on top. It gave the fur a kind of tipped look.

The second picture id my Trumpet. Way back on October 25, I won a pattern from Jenny Lee of Jenny Loves Benny. I've long been an admirer of her cute little poppets. I was so shocked to learn I had won one of her prizes. Her work is just so sweet! If you're not familiar with her work, you really should check it out!

Finally, my Molly, a needle felted bull terrier, placed first last year in the Teddy Bears and Friends contest. There were several really nice entries and it was a nice surprise to see that she won.

Annual Give-Away

Wow! I can't believe it's been nearly 4 years since I first started felting and 3 years since I started this blog! So to thank you all for your support I'm hosting a give away. I just published a poll to see which little felted critter you would like as a prize. It runs starting today until the 15th at 12:28 pm PST.   After the poll closes, anyone who comments on the posts following the 15th  automatically receives one entry for each post.  The names will be drawn from a hat and the winner announced on the  January 31. 

Fred & Ginger, plus little Flurry

I just finished Fred & ginger just in time to ring in the new year. Their auction will start tomorrow night at 6:45 PM PST.  Little Flurry's auction will start the same time.  He's kind of an orphan. While I was shopping at a local thrift store, I found this little guy all cut out and ready to be sewn.  He seemed to cry out to be finished.  So here he is. He's made from very fine rayon purchased from Edinburgh. I'm not sure whose design he is.  But he's such a cute little guy. I hope he finds a home where he will be cherished.  I have two other unfinished bears from the same person. One is a powder blue rayon and the other is brown upholstery mohair material. 

Teaching and Tutorials

From time to time I receive inquiries about whether I teach, have a book or offer tutorials. I am quite flattered by the requests. But I'm really not the best at explaining things. Also, it would be a shame see a bunch of students out there learning all of my bad habits. There are a number of great felting books and teachers out there that can explain things much better than I can.  However, here are few things that I feel could help a would be felter on their way.

1.  Never give up. No matter how ugly you think it is keep poking.
2. You'll get poked a lot in the beginning. But it gets better, I swear.
3. Study the subject you  want to felt with fresh eyes. Don't just assume you know what a certain subject looks like. Look at it as if it were the first time you've seen it.
4. The library is your best friend. Next best is google. I do tons of research.
5. Find a good wool supplier and stick with them. I use weirdollsandcrafts.com for my core wool, needles and foam. Clover makes a great number of handy tools, too. I love my pink multi needle tool.
6. Don't be afraid to experiment.
7. Stay true to your vision. Although, there maybe others that inspire you, you have a unique voice to share with the world.

Here a few books and teachers that I think can teach much better than I could:

• I Felt Awesome by Moxie
• Animal Felt by Birgitte Krag Hansen
• Barby Andreson's Glory Studio tutorials 
• Kay Petal's Felt Alive tutorials
• Stephanie Metz classes offered in California
• Felting Forum

Good luck & happy felting!

Giorgio & his Circus Peanut

I just finished little Giorgio tonight.  Although his circus peanut maybe as hard as the real thing, it was sculpted from polymer clay. Giorgio stands just 3 1/2 inches tall.  Giorgio's eBay auction starts tommorrow night on eBay at 6:45 PM PST.  I haven't  decided  about the duration. I'm thinking it may be either a 5day or 3 day auction. Thanks for looking :0) 

Celeste, an Angelic Mouse

I just finished little Celeste, this morning and her eBay auction will start Sunday night at 6:45 PM PST.

Inga & her Leafy Toboggan

I just finished little Inga and her toboggan this morning and will have her listed on eBay this evening.  Her little leaf toboggan was sculpted out of polymer clay with a white wool and glitter flocking.  It really ended up looking just like frost. I hope you like her.