My enthusiasm for felting began in Spring 2008.  The process of taking unspun wool fibers to make seamless, colorful, functional, unique garments and other items continues to fascinate me.  Wool is a renewable 100% biodegradable material that is water repellant, warm, soft and flame resistant.  I enjoy its texture, color and its infinite possibilities as an artistic medium.  By utilizing ancient fabric-making techniques, adding my imagination and skill, the end result becomes a beautiful treasure. 

The handcrafted process I use is called “wet-felting.”  I begin with the raw material, primarily sheep wool roving. I purchase pounds of wool that has already been washed, combed and dyed.  The roving comes as one long 2”-wide strand.  From this, I pull airy short lengths and lay onto a template in thin, even, perpendicular layers.  The number of layers determines the thickness of the final garment.  Water and soap are applied to the surface.  With my hands, I will skillfully reduce the wool by 50%--turning the puffy pile into a semi-dense fabric.  The pre-felted wool, is then manipulated by hand on hat forms—shaped and further thickened. The process from start to finish usually ranges from 6-10 hours.

My current focus is hats.  I incorporate my original designs, inspired by nature, into each finished piece.  I also create scarfs, outerware, felted soaps, wool sculptures and wool “paintings.”