Felting Workshops

You know how women used to gather together in quilting circles to connect, share stories, work with their hands, de-stress, and create works of art as keepsakes or gifts for others? I’m trying to revive that tradition by providing opportunities for people to experience the ancient art of felting with wool.  The sensory-rich experience of wool felting is fun, satisfying, and quite easy to learn. It boosts well-being, allows you to tap into your creative side, and fosters mindfulness through the repetitive action of stabbing fibers with special needles. In my classes, we drool over wool colors, enjoy playing with fiber, and giggle about our whimsical 3D creations or swoon over our beautiful 2D paintings. 

The magic is palpable when people gather to learn something new and take the time to tap into their creative side. I wholeheartedly believe that anyone can felt wool - it is very satisfying and often cathartic (stab! stab!), and we humans have been doing it for ages. Felting is also very forgiving with so many ways to ‘edit your work’ (ie, ‘fix your mistakes’). Most kids relish the repetitive activity; they create the cutest things, feel so proud, and love the focus required of handwork activities like this. I find that felting is a great hobby to get us northerners through our dark and long winter.

For the past 15 years, I’ve taught felting as fundraisers, for businesses, and in schools, art galleries, community centers, cafes and breweries. I regularly offer workshops at The Satellite Gallery in Lyndon, Burke Mountain Club in East Burke, Catamount Arts in St. Johnsbury and Dirt Church Brewing Co. in East Haven. I have also brought my felting supplies to private events for folks who simply want to do something fun together.

I’m continually amazed by how effective felting is as a means by which people can build camaraderie, boost their moods, slow down, practice digital detox, and be creative. A lot of times, people learn to felt with the intention of gifting their fiber art to others.  I personally create and donate items or raise money through my classes for the benefit of animal rescue organizations. 

When life feels too busy, stressful, or isolating, or you just feel like creating something to make another person smile, my recommendation always is:  “don’t just sit there, stab something!”