In 2003, I naively attended a needle-felting workshop with
the Bragg Creek Artisans. Much to my surprise, I churned out several furry
friends. I have been addicted every since (concerned friends have suggested
that I look for a Needle-felters Anonymous support group). Thus came to be a
growing population of Bragg Creektures - which I have been selling over the
years. I have an upcoming show for these beasties at the end of April so I am
busy felting away.
Needle felting is like sculpting in wool. Starting with
unspun wool, you "sculpt" with a barbed pin. Wool fibers have
microscopic scales that cause them to hook together. Repeated piercing with the
barbed pin cases the fibers to matt much like what happens when a favourite
wool sweater mistakenly goes into the dryer.
It isn't long before glimpses of faces, toes, and tails
start appearing. Then it is just a matter of helping them emerge. Sometimes it
takes a while to figure out who is emerging.
 |
| Lambert - Sold |
Lambert, the friendly lion, one of
my first beasties, started out as a mountain sheep, but refused to be sheepish.
We have both come to terms with him being a sheep in lion's clothing.
While totally different than painting, the creative
experience is surprisingly similar albeit with a lot more "cuteness"
in the equation.
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