Nuno-felted Striped Scarves using Tape Resist

This weekend I'll be teaching a nuno-felted workshop at Grand Canyon National Park (hosted by Grand Canyon Association Field Institute). We'll be making airy silk and wool scarves and durable purses/tech cases during this two-day course. In preparation, I experimented with using masking tape as a resist. It was just one of those wild-hair ideas and I truly wasn't expecting the tape to stay in place during the wet felting stage, but it did (!) and I was so tickled about that. This striped scarf design requires very little fiber and, by exposing the silk in between, showcases the lovely silk chiffon while creating a beautiful sculptural fabric. Both samples were made using creamy white Merino wool roving and silk. Once felted and dried, I dyed one sample scarf using Lansaset dyes from Dharma Trading. I'm looking forward to sharing this new technique with my students in a few days. And, btw, if you're in the area, call (866) 471-4435 to see if there's still space available... we'd love to have you join us!

Arizona Fiber Arts Retreat (Workshops)

2018 Fiber Workshops: Sign-ups begin today for Arizona Fiber Arts Retreat held in January, 2018. You won't want to miss this fun, fiber-filled weekend hosted at the Prescott Resort, in Prescott, AZ. On Saturday, Jan. 20th, I'll be teaching two half-day workshops on wet-felting vessels. Participants will make small wool bowls or luminaria using resists — and learn everything necessary to confidently create more felted 3D pieces at home. Enroll early as space is limited... and because, come winter, there's no better place to be than sunny Arizona!

Window Shopping

West of the Moon Gallery in historic downtown Flagstaff, Arizona continues to be one of the most respected galleries in town since opening its doors in 2000. So I was thrilled when gallerist Carolyn Young offered to showcase my felted pods in her gallery window this past month. It is an honor to have my wool sculpture hanging next to the work of such amazing artists as Shonto Begay, Connie Townsend, Sarah Yeoman, Raina Gentry, and others! If you're in the area, you'll want to spend some quality time in this very special gallery!

2014 Flagstaff Fiber & Wool Festival

A darling little Navajo Churro sheep waiting to be sheared.

Great book on crochet by talented and sweet Yumiko Alexander.

Kind and thoughtful Jacque Howell had some lovely mohair, angora, and llama fiber for sale. 

This gentle shearer learned the trade at the age of 8 from watching his grandmother. He shared his wonderful stories with the crowd while taking small breaks from his hard work. 

Photos © Mike Buchheit
This year was truly an exceptional one for Flagstaff's Fiber & Wool Festival. We spent a few hours and lots of dollars at the event: beautiful fiber artist, Yumiko Alexander, autographed her book of original crochet designs for us — and we gobbled up bags of gorgeous mohair roving from Jacque Howell (Arivaca Angora Goats) including some of her award-winning curly mohair locks. My husband and I look forward to this event every year not only to purchase local fiber, but also to meet the wonderful people who work with fiber at various stages in the process: from sheep, llama, alpaca, and goat herders to spinners, weavers, and other artisans. Loretta Flatrock and Vanessa Begay-Lee were just two of the amazing weavers we chatted with, and two artists who may be collaborating with me on future fiber workshops (felting and weaving) — so stay tuned!

Felting Workshop in Sedona, AZ!

June 28-29, 2014
Wool Workshop in Sedona, Arizona
Learn to nuno felt in beautiful Red Rock Country! Join me and fellow fiber artist/art educator, Jen Marshall, for a wonderful wool workshop in one of the most inspiring venues in the world! This 2-day class will teach you the basics of felting with wool and silk so that you can confidently create even more lovely things when you go back home. Sign up now for this fun and informative workshop hosted by the Sedona Arts Center. Space is limited. Tuition: $300 (+ $30 materials fee). For details or to enroll, go to: here
or, call 928-282-3809.

2012 Flagstaff Fiber Festival

Burying hand-dyed, handspun Churro wool yarn from artisan Loretta Flatrock.

Gorgeous Churro sheep.

Gently sheering an alpaca.

Local smiley spinners (right: Kari Usher, Dancing Weaver).

Photos © Mike Buchheit
Had a fabulous time at the Fiber Festival in Flagstaff, AZ yesterday! Bought some scrumptious Churro yarn from some talented ladies including Betsy Miller, Loretta Flatrock, and Zuni Ishikawa (Wanowa Studio, Flagstaff, AZ). My husband and I so enjoy talking with the interesting people that participate in this annual event — we learn so much and are so grateful to them. The festival ends today at 4 pm so get on over there if you're in the neighborhood (learn more).

2010 Flagstaff Wool Festival

Photography by Mike Buchheit

Despite the 90 degree temps, the 19th annual Wool Festival in Flagstaff, AZ this past weekend was a hit. Handspinner Melanie Sharp had lots of her gorgeous acid-dyed skeins for sale. The friendly people of Purl in the Pines showed off their lovely wares (if you're a local, you must visit their up-to-the-minute yarn store!). Many weavers, artisans, herders, and spinners were selling their natural fibers including Kari Usher (Dancing Weaver) and Stephanie Rockford (Crazy Sexy Wool). And, of course, there were several shorn four-leggeds (Churro sheep, alpacas, and llamas) on display looking too cute for their own good.

We left the event arms loaded with Suffolk wool, Llama, and Churro wool roving, as well as three different colors of hand- and acid-dyed Rambouillet wool bats. Winter can't come soon enough!

Mark Your Calendars

Photo © Mike Buchheit
2010 Flagstaff Wool Festival: June 5-6, 2010 at the Pioneer Museum, 2340 N Ft. Valley Rd., Flagstaff, Arizona; 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. This is an event I look forward to every year! Great prices on wool and interesting people who generously share their stories and know-how. If you're in the area, you won't want to miss this.

2009 Flagstaff Wool Festival

Photos © Mike Buchheit

I spent the morning at the 18th Annual Wool Festival in Flagstaff, AZ. A fabulous event despite the unseasonably chilly weather. Shearing, carding, dyeing, spinning, and more were demonstrated by experts; llamas, alpacas, and Churro sheep mugged for the cameras; luxurious fibers of all stripes, as well as handmade knitted and felted items, were on sale at amazingly-low prices. I picked up some beautiful Cormo wool roving and a few tips on dyeing it myself using Kool-Aid — that alone was worth the $1 price of admission! If you're in the area tomorrow, you won't want to miss this. ~Kim

Felted Sculpture :: Wall Pods

Felted Sculptures © Kim Buchheit
A series of needle-felted sculptures that I've been developing. The dark brown-grey wool is 60% llama, 30% wool, and 5% silk... it's such a handsome blend! (The contributing llamas were Triumphus, who has since passed, and Charley, who now lives in Vermont. Thanks, guys.) These pieces are approximately 24 inches in height; am working on large-scale versions. ~ Kim