2017 Nuno-Felting Workshop at the Grand Canyon

 

We just wrapped up an incredible weekend of nuno-felting and dyeing at the Grand Canyon! Workshop participants really pushed themselves, outlining challenging design projects on day two with fabulous results. Special guest Mary Rooney showed everyone how to use acid dyes to color their wool and silk fiber in preparation for the class's second project. If you're interested in coming to the canyon next year, please join us for a Felting Vessels course. Details on Grand Canyon Association Field Institute's website.

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!

Flag Wool & Fiber Festival :: 2017

My felting assistant (Libby) and I enjoyed giving a felting demo yesterday at Flag Wool & Fiber Festival. Lots of great questions from the audience as well as interest in our fall workshop at the Grand Canyon. The festival keeps growing and getting richer and more exciting under the visionary leadership of Andrea Greene (of Spinup Yarns) and her impressive team. Thanks for all who came out this weekend to support the fiber arts, crafts, and traditions in the Southwest!

New Felted Work :: Botanical Series

I just completed another piece in my "Botanical" series utilizing pre-felts. It's really fun to work with pre-felts as one can achieve an almost cut-paper-like design (ala Matisse!). With this botanical series, I like to work spontaneously laying down the cut-outs as I make them. However, I have also sketched out in advance ideas for other pieces and, while some details are blurred and/or lost, it's amazing how much the final felted work resembles the pencil skecth. I'll try posting samples of that soon so you can judge for yourselves. Cheers!

Nuno-Felting Demo & Workshop :: 2017

Dear Fiber Friends, I want to announce two upcoming nuno-felting events as follows:
1. FREE nuno-felting demo at Flag Wool & Fiber Festival in Flagstaff, AZ (Sat., June 3, 2017; 10 a.m.). Details here.
2. Weekend nuno-felting workshop at the Grand Canyon this fall (Oct. 7-8 , 2017). More info and sign-up here.