My absolute favorite fiber craft, and quite possibly my all time favorite craft, is Needle Felting. What exactly is Needle Felting you ask? It’s sculpture using wool. Taking a very sharp, barbed needle you stab carded wool fleece, also known as wool roving, over and over and over. The barbs on the needle weave the fibers tighter and tighter together, allowing you to sculpt the wool into practically any shape you can think of. You can create sculpture, jewelry, décor, embellishments, and more. It’s a time consuming process, but it’s incredibly satisfying. There is nothing quite like the feeling of taking tufts of loose wool fleece, stabbing it, and watching it slowly take the shape of the creature I picture in my mind. It’s almost magical, except for when I accidentally stab my finger, then momentarily it’s not quite so magical.
Recently I have been given the opportunity to share my love of this wonderful craft by teaching a class on it through Main Line School Night, a great place offering a wide variety of courses to the local community. I’m incredibly excited to teach this class. Here is the information on the course:
Needle Felting: From Fleece to Fantastic
Date: Saturdays: April 14th & 21st, 2012
Time: 12:15-3:30pm
Fee: $89 (Includes Materials)
Location: Creutzburg Center
260 Upper Gulph Rd
Radnor, PA 19087
I will be teaching the basic techniques, with which you’ll be able to create almost anything, and talking about the many applications of needle felting. You will come away with your own felted sculpture or ornament and everything you need to continue felting. The course fee includes a felting kit, sourced from a fellow artisan, containing a foam working surface, felting needles, wire for feet, ribbon for hanging, and an array of colorful fleece. Registration opens today! There’s 12 spots in the class, so register soon. Feel free to send me a message with any questions you have.
I am hoping for a full class and if there is enough interest I may be able to run the class a second time, so please spread the word. Post it on Facebook, tweet it, blog it, and shout it out your window! If you have a favorite spot with a notice board, let me know and I will mail you a poster to hang up. Every little bit helps.
If you would like to see a few more examples of my needle felting check out my Handmade folio. I will also be making many more samples for the class over the next few months so stay tuned for more pictures!
Keep Crafty
– Joules
