I started needle felting around 2012 after I spotted someone at a booth at a fair, demonstrating the craft. I bought a small kit of some colored wool and tried it out.

My girls sat by with bandaids as I kept stabbing myself, asking why I kept needle felting. It was fun from the start! 

From there it was a steep learning curve for me and quite the evolution from play sets with little mice to now, faux taxidermy, lifelike animals.

I just love animals so very much! To me, there was no question I was going to needle felt them. Also, it is in my nature to be quite literal although I admire artists who create fantastical creatures as well.

The challenge to be able to create bird feathers as closely as possible with wool fiber is especially interesting to me and I have become known for my owls.

It really depends on how long it takes me to finish an animal sculpture. I can finish a baby bunny faster than a barn owl, but each owl also takes a different amount of time depending on their markings. Tiny insects or animals also take an amazingly long time because you have to be so careful around the wires and you stab yourself much more often. So I would say anywhere between 2 days to several weeks! 

I love the texture of the wool fibers and by their nature, how organic my art looks. 

The challenge to create the essence or spirit of the animal or insect will never get old for me and as the years go by, I’ve discovered that you are never done learning and growing. I just love it!