Needle Felting Magic

In this workshop, participants will learn or refine the basics of needle-felting, completing at least three projects.COURSE PROJECTS:

• Cookie Cutter Heart
• Acorns and Leaves
• Rose Brooch
• Tiny String-jointed Cat, Bunny, or Bear

SKILLS LEARNED:

• Safety first! How to safely handle the needles to keep your fingers safe
• Basic shapes with the cookie cutter; free-form shapes
• Neatening the edge with felting boards
• Smoothing the surface three ways: felting at an angle, wet-felting, clipping remaining fuzzies
• Adding embellishments such as seed beads, natural elements, and jewelry findings
• What to look for when shopping for appropriate needle-felting fiber and needles

SUPPLIES TO BRING FROM HOME:

• Magnifying readers for close work, if needed
• Small curved-blade craft or embroidery scissors; curved eyebrow scissors also work well

NEEDLE-FELTING SUPPLY KIT: $30 (paid with registration)

Instructor’s Bio: “I am a musician; I am also an artist. I easily embrace the title of musician, as I have my degrees and a lifetime of experience to back it up. Artist? That’s more complex: I had no formal training until coming to Whidbey Island, but rather a lifetime of fumbling, trial and error as I tried to find my way in the visual arts. Coming to Whidbey Island has helped me define my medium and my style, giving me confidence and artistic energy. I find inspiration in everything from an ant on a blade of grass, to the first timid appearance of a bunny in the spring, to the majesty of the mountains cradling Whidbey Island. What will strike my fancy next?”

Kathleen Dodge-DeHaven has had a long and rewarding career in music, but her other passion is felting: working with wool and other natural materials, she creates one-of-a-kind pieces that delight the senses. Her felted artwork is represented by Raven Rocks Gallery in Depoe Bay, Oregon. Kathleen and her husband Steve DeHaven reside in Coupeville, Washington. You may contact her at dodgedehaven@me.com, (360) 499-4553