My foray into art started when I was a little girl and my mom taught me the handwork arts--sewing, crochet, knitting and embroidery. I didn't like to follow patterns, so I would just make up my own designs for doll clothes and embroidered art. I also spent hours drawing animals and people. Decades later, when my son went to Waldorf school, I rediscovered handwork. As a Waldorf mom, I loved crocheting and knitting animals and dolls out of soft, natural, luxurious fibers like cashmere, alpaca, angora and merino wool.

When I finally discovered needle felting, I knew I had found my artistic medium. The world opened up for my creative muse. If I could dream it, I could do it.

I had a long career as a journalist, but when my company dramatically downsized, I decided to throw myself into my art full time.

I love nature, adore animals and enjoy spending time in the woods. In my 20s, I spent summers working in national parks and observing wildlife. My wool animals are inspired by those I observe in nature. I also spend countless hours studying photographs of animals from every angle. This has helped me create a sense of realism in my needle felt animals.

My needle felt designs have been featured in Tiffany & Co., Bath & Body Works, on the Netflix series You and as props on NBC Making It. I was chosen as an artist in residence at Yellowstone National Park, summer 2020.

As one customer said, "When I peeled back the tissue surrounding my three brown bunnies, I gasped. These furry friends looked like they had been plucked right out of the forest. They are utterly adorable, life-like, and enchanting."

I prefer the softest, most luxurious natural fibers for my creations including alpaca, llama, yak, camel, merino wool and angora.

I also create wool paintings and book illustrations. I pioneered a style of illustrating books using wool as the medium. I have illustrated three children's books for disability advocate and author, the late Jewel Kats. My first book as author and illustrator was released in 2017—“Seasons of Joy: Outdoor Day is for Every Play.”

I hope you enjoy my wool worlds.