Each month at The Home Crafters we spend some time with one of our crafters, getting to know them a little bit better, finding out more about their craft and sharing their story with you.!
August 2023, our Maker of the Month is Faye from Fairy Fae - Needle Felted Fantasy
Since Faye joined us back in February she has created hundreds of needle felted creations that have gone down a storm with our customers!...
Here's her story:
"So, who is Faye?…"
I am Faye, the creator of Fairy Fae, I live near Wotton under Edge in the Cotswolds. I have two children aged 7 and 10 and three dachshunds. I work for the Open University as a psychology lecturer, when I’m not needle felting.
“and... how did you start needle felting??"
I started to needle felt during lockdown, most as a way to deal with stress. My first make was a polar bear, called Charlotte. I found that needle felting was a very mindful activity and helped me cope with my chronic health conditions, it soon became part of my daily routine. I expanded my skills and was soon designing my own projects. My favourite makes are: hares, foxes and fairies, hence the name fairy fae. My favourite time of year in Halloween and I love making
needle felted Halloween creatures. My most popular make has been a witch mouse.
"It's quite a talent you have, what's the most recent thing you've learned about needle felting?"
The last skill I learnt was reverse felting. This is about using a special needle with the barbs facing in the opposite direction. So when used on a felted creation it pulls the wool out instead of felting it together. It's great for giving a fluffy and furry finish to an animal.
“Have you ever gone wrong with a piece you're creating?"
Sometimes when I work on a project, it does not go to plan. Often the size is off, or it does not look as it should. But I never throw these mistakes away. I often find that if I come back to them after a while I can change them into something better.
“So what do you do when you've put the felting needle down?"
I love to walk my dachshunds. I have a very special bond with one of them called Dash, he works as my support dog when my health is poor. We enjoy the beach together very much.
"You have produced so many different creations over the past few months for us, how do you plan what you're going to make next?”
I am always planning. I started working on Christmas stock in June. I am creating felted baubles in the form of foxes, penguins, robins and sprouts. These are a lot of fun to make. I am also working on winter fairies. But my favourite time of the year is looming and I love thinking up
new Halloween ideas. So far I have created witch fairies and mice in different costumes: devils, pumpkins, skeletons and witches.
“So, what's the biggest thing you've ever made?"
The biggest item I have made is a life size barn owl, which is one of my favourite pieces. The smallest are miniature robins sat on thimbles that I am working on for Christmas.
"Wow! where do you find the space to practice your craft?"
I am lucky enough to have a summerhouse dedicated to crafting. It gives me somewhere to store all my materials and a place escape to and focus on my craft
"You must need several tools to make these brilliant creations, is there anything you couldn't be without?"
My biggest tool is wool. I have boxes and boxes of it. I only use ethically sourced wool, and mostly British wool. There are two main types of wool used in felting: batts and tops. Tops are silky and good for adding detail or creating a fine fur. Batts are good for building up a shape and structure. There is a specific type of batt called core which is usually rich with Lanoline and is
good for creating the structure of a make, often wrapped around wire to create the skeleton of an animal.
“Amazing, that's a great insight to the craft of needle felting! what would you say is the best part of what you do?"
Creativity has always been an important part of my life but discovering needle felting was like coming home. It feels like the craft that I was meant to do and I never get bored of it!
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If you are interested in starting a hobby business, are looking for an outlet for your handmade products and maybe would love to be featured as our next Maker of the Month please do get in touch with us either in store at our craft shop in Yate Shopping Centre or via our contact us page here. We would love to hear from you!
