I have had an unseemly amount of enjoyment with this new needle felting lark. I used to make a lot of things, which is why I have so much textile-y stuff gathering dust in corners of my studio, but I had to bite the bullet and concentrate on becoming a vaguely competent painter. However - being a typical Cancerian - I hung on to everything, as sewing paraphernalia tends to be beautiful as well as (eventually) useful. In fact - and I am somewhat horrified to count back the years - it has been about a decade since I crafted anything. This month I have other publishing work which must be completed, so grabbing a precious hour or two with my felting needle has been a very guilty pleasure, hence keeping the curious waiting for my initial efforts. As well as waiting for delivery of little ribbons with my logo on, which are obviously being hand embroidered by Mongolian elfs, they are taking so long to arrive.
My first tentative stabs were loosely based on an old artwork, Mr Apricot -
- he started off like this...
- and ended up like this. Amazingly after all these years of non-sewing, I can still just about embroider a nose and managed to make halfway decent French knots for eyes.
At this point Andy's mum should not be reading, as he is her (very late) birthday present. He was missing something though...and unexpectedly, the wonderfully kind and very wool-centric Border Tart sent me a gorgeous collection of bright fluffy 'accents', all wrapped up in a fairy tale.
Funnily enough, I had just been looking through her shop to see if she sold these self same articles. Thank you so much Lindsay! Now my rabbit has what every bunny needs; a carrot.
Many years of painting and drawing 2D toys means that I am not at a loss for designs...in fact I wish I could sprout extra limbs, in order to be able to work, spider-like, on several projects at once.
The next idea was unashamedly inspired by a story from a favourite childhood Enid Blyton book, (and from where many early ideas and images fixed themselves in my imagination, still resurfacing in my work today).
Using a cotton wool base, she started rather bizarrely; a miniature yeti-like creature.
But several thousand stabs later, a bit of embellishment and a pink heart on her posterior she emerged looking plumply cute and rather like a Japanese crafted toy.
Wanting to move back to a more vintage style, I ransacked my Moleskine again -
- and started to roll, mould and stab again. Using cotton wool in the kitten saved on actual felting wool, but I seem to get a more satisfactory, organic shape with 100% wool top. So far she is eyeless and wingless. Does she need a crown or a frock? Or both?
I find it hard to believe there was life before needle felt.
No time to sit quietly under the stars and think beautiful thoughts; things to do, felt to stab, paintings to finish, paintings to start, book-job to get on with. Thought for the day - needle felting - please don't anyone let the Government know how much fun it is and how addictive. They would either ban it or tax it.
I love this little film so much and the comte is so handsome with his fine plumage and noble head - wonderful, inspirational work Gretel
Oooh this is LOVELY G, what a sweet little film, I love the music, what is it? and the bird is just fantastic, you certainly have taken to needlefelting - like a duck to water I was going to say...oh well.
Hope you sell lots in your Etsy shop, your creations are brill.
P.xx
Brilliant! Really loved this.
Now can you do a video on how you actually needle felt as I haven't the foggiest idea!!??
What a brill bird, a noble beast indeed! I wanna see how you do your needle felting too! Pleeease!
Nice little movie, lovely bird...great for kids like me..
Have a great day,
Milou
Hello Gretel... lovely little bird and video... if you fancy hopping over to my hermitage a minute I have written a word or two about you :)
XX Happy day
Perfect Gretel! Perfect music, colours, oh everything really! The bird has the quiet dignity of your illustrations too :)
Wow he is gorgeous Gretal!
All your needlefelt creations are gorgeous...3D versions of your artwork...stunning.
Take care,
Alison x
You make such wonderful drawings and felted creatures. Thank yu so much for sharing!
Really magical, Gretel. I went in feeling a little cynical and you charmed it right out of me. I also want one of your creations now.
I can't believe you have not needlefelted before, this is so beautiful! I am not surprised someone snapped him up.
You are so talented. Even right down the the video clip, everything you do has that expert touch.
I hope you dont mind but
I tagged you with a meme thing on my blog, hope you can play :)
cheers
melanie
I love it!!!
And for me is still a mistery, how do you needle this material!!
Ités like magic!!!
keep needling!!!
Utterly fantastic .... I'm speechless with awe ..
utterly utterly brilliant, seeing your characters come to life is awesome!
Just absolutely fabulous!
Gretel he is just so fabulous, it makes me want to give it a go myself! xx
Absolutely lovely!
Hope you`re safe over there. I read that there is a hurricane coming :(
tea
xo