I started needle felting about five years ago, and it quickly turned into a passion, then a full-time job, and now, a hobby that's a bit of a compulsion. I'm a full-time mom now, so needle felting and my other creative hobbies happen during naptimes and in the evenings, sometimes even during lunch. But I can't seem to stay away; I've always got a few ideas for new characters that I want to try.

Animal welfare is extremely important to me; it's something I try to bring attention to with my felting, and it's something I think about daily, in all my choices of what I consume. I purchase my wool from a number of wonderful suppliers who are committed to loving, ethical treatment of their animals and more sustainable, small-scale farming practices. My core wool and most of my basic colors are sourced from a small sheep farm in Missouri, which is owned by Kristin, of MyLittleSheep, here on Etsy. (https://www.etsy.com/shop/MyLittleSheep?ref=search_shop_redirect)

I like to find inspiration and brainstorm ideas when I'm out on walks with my daughter. And I often look to my favorite children's books as well, especially Wind in the Willows, Beatrix Potter, and a special favorite in my family's traditions, The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes, by Du Bose Heyward.

My Etsy shop gives me a forum for criticism and feedback, as well as inspiration and community. I believe the synthesis of nature, art, and spirituality is critical to living a joyful, fulfilling, and thankful life. I believe in being thoughtful and conscious about what we consume, be it what we eat, what we read, or what we decorate our homes with, and all of my art is an attempt to convey what I find beautiful and precious in the world around me.