Felt Mama's

I've been thinking a lot these days about my “Felt Mama's” and how much they mean to me in ways that they may never understand. I want to take the time to tell you of my appreciation and admiration of them. They are amazing women. These women gave me encouragement, hints, challenges, shoulders to cry on, inspirations that I could share with them, dreams that I could tell them, goals to reach, and they gave without limits. There is no doubt in my mind that had it not been for them, I would not be making felt today. I am so honored to call many of them friends.

Barb Marr handed me my first felting needles and said go play. From that small act, came the needle felt foam forms and the beginning of my business. Thank you Barb!

When I wanted to learn to wet felt, I placed a call to Ruth Walker who told me to treat the wet wool like I was stroking a butterfly's wings, until I had a fabric that could handle the pressure of rolling. That opened up the world of felt making for me. Thank you Ruth!

Susan McFarland who has been a bouncing board for me for a good many years. She thinks as fast as I do and I love that about her!...and we can both speak at the speed of light. (I think we talk a different language when we talk together). Her efforts with the Midwest Felting Symposium have opened doors, windows and blown the roof of felting for me. Thank you Susan!

Bonnie Ahrens taught me to trust the wool...trust the wool...trust the wool. I do now. Thank you Bonnie!

Ewa Kuniczak taught me flat resist and smooth felt, good hand felt, good drape felt. Thanks you Ewa!

Rub the bump came from Sue Pufpaff. Early on I would get a crease in my felt. Sue taught me how to get it out. Rub the bump! Thank you Sue!

Pat Spark taught me to learn form everyone. What a valuable lesson that is! Thank you Pat!

My granddaughter Marie taught me that there is no such thing as too much color or texture! Thank you Marie!

Now, maybe all of these things don't seem like much to the more experienced feltmakers, but these are the treasures I take to my felting table each day. The books are great, the videos wonderful, but these women, their faces and their hearts travel with me. When I teach, each is mentioned by name, along with the felting tips they gave me. I want them to know that what they gave to me, is being given to others and their kindness toward me goes on. I think my “Felt Mama's” are the BEST!

Midwest Felting Symposium 2008

Annemie and Carol Cypher together as new friends, Pat Spark and I hugging goodbye for another year. Have I mentioned that I love this woman? She has so much knowledge, so much skill, and a great heart full of good will. Pat is an amazing resource about feltmaking, fiber, what to do, what not to do. Her passion for this medium makes her sparkle. Personally, I think it is great that Pat's last name is Spark! She strikes a spark in me each time I see her, her work, her warmth.

Susan McFarland and staff did an outstanding job for the instructors, the students, and vendors. This was a wonderful, felt-filled event. The gallery was so well done, elegant contributions from so mamny and many far away. Great blessing and inspiration to see them all. Each year, the organization gets better and better. There are a lot of balls to juggle, not all of them felt! Susan manages to keep them all in rotation without missing a beat! How does she do that?????

I love going to the events that she plans, they are so much fun! MFS is no exception. It really is my favorite though. Being in the air conditioning helps so much. Working on felt making in sweltering heat is no fun. The venue was great!!!

If you've not made plans to be there for 2009, let me encourage you to start saving 10-15.00 a week toward the event. It is worth every single penny, and then some.

Oh, my photos of Ewa will be up soon.

Shalom,
Suzanne