I love knowing that I am part of history when I create with natural fibers. I form a link to thousands of years of tradition connecting humans, nature, and domestic animals. I enjoy seeing the complete process of wool growing on a familiar animal to a finished felting project.

I get to tend to my heritage breed Wensleydale and Karakul sheep daily, keeping them nourished and happy so they grow beautiful and healthy wool. Once a year I am able to harvest that fiber and my darlings begin to grow next year’s medium for me. What an amazing cycle!

After the fiber is cleaned and carded I am able to dye it by hand. I am always struck by the range and depth of colors I pull from my dye pot. It seems every hue of green, purple, blue can be conjured up with heat and the combination of various dyes.

I begin a felted piece by coming up with an inspiring image then choosing my colors and textures from the bags of clean, waiting fiber. For certain pieces I wet felt the wool using hot water, soap, and upper-body strength. For other pieces I use a little barbed-needle to tighten the fibers into any imaginable form. While I am working I am filled with a sense of joy and purpose.

At first I was uneasy with the imperfections that remain with the natural fibers. They are a part of nature and the natural world reveals a different perspective on perfection. I have come to embrace the rawness and charm of the handmade process. The holistic nature of my work helps me appreciate each bit of energy and feeling that the fiber carries with it.