AND Rainbow Tie Dyed Goblins
Kasey, when did you discover the art of needle felting?
I first Discovered Needle Felting Last year when I found myself home with my new daughter Bailey. I co owned an Interior Design Firm in Victoria and before my daughter was born it did occur to me I would not be able to work all the time. Since I owned the Store Front Studio I thought I had the right to put a crib in the corner and continue on with my clients and work. Wow!, was I wrong. Bailey of course took up so much of my time that I found myself home and bored when she was sleeping. The time before I was busy opening a design studio I had sculpted Magical and Fantastical Creatures from Fimo and Sculpey. I sold these creatures to pay for Design school.So when I was now fully at home I thought I would dive back into creating while Bailey was napping. I was searching Etsy for what the market was like for Fantasy sculptures and that is when I came across Wool Balls and Beads in every colors. The colors made me want to know more...and the rest is history.
How long have you been selling your wonderful creatures?
I started selling my art in general in 2000. My very first EBay Auction was for a Hand made wooden Clock I finished and painted and sculpted mermaids on in clay. I was ecstatic when I sold it and have been addicted to selling on line ever since. I started selling my Goblins last year. I opened my Etsy Shop last March.
Morning Star Goblin
Did you have a mentor or teacher who helped you develop your style of design?
I have never taken any real courses or Post Secondary Education in art other then Interior Design. Every thing I have created has been through trial and error. Although I had a special high school teacher who was very kind to me and inspired me to never stop creating. Thank You Mrs. Rogers!
Momma & Baby Citrus Sunshine Dragons
How long does it take to make one of your creations?
Depending on the size of Creature it can take me 1-5 weeks if not more to finish. I work a minimum of 4 hours a day. When my daughter is happily playing with Dad, sometimes more. My
Chilly Down Fiery
You have a wonderful sense of color do you use anything special to pick the colors of your critters? Also do you dye your own wool?
I guess I have always had a way with color, that is what drove me to Interior/Exterior Design. I appreciate the compliment.
Yes! I started dying my own wool because I wanted control of colors, hues, shades etc.. Starting out I was using Ashford Merino and some other commercial wool. I read that they were sometimes dyed with Acid Dyes...which did not bother me until I saw both my daughter and my pug playing with and chewing on the braids of wool. So I thought it would be better to use Kool-Aid (although some would say the acid is less harmful...:) ) Wilton's Icing Dye, and Easter Egg dye. I don't use anything special other then a pot and the dye. I mix colors, and amounts to get crazy colors. I also push the wool down to the bottom of the pot and leave some above water, that way I can get a wide gradation of one color to help me "Paint" my creations. Now, with that being said, I do use a Paint Fan (a fan of paint color samples used by designers) to help me name creatures sometimes.
Are your designs colored through or do you use un-dyed wool for the inside and color on the outer layers?
When I first started I made the expensive mistake of carding a beautiful batt of magical loveliness, but then realized that was silly. Now, I card my giant bags of left over scarps and make the core from that. (When I have time I also Drum Card left over goblin wool and sell the batts on Etsy. I love doing that. It's a lot of fun!
How is needle felting done? What makes your creations stay together?
Since I have never been taught or followed a book who knows If I am doing it right. I basically wad my wool by ripping and tangling with my hands and then with a single needle I poke until my arm feels like it will fall off. The needles are barbed and when pushed in and pulled out they tangle the wool. If it's more technical then this then I don't know about it.
Can they be posed? And if so what do you use to make them that way.
Yes. A wire armature can be created and sculpted over with the wool and needle. Now, with that being said I am terrible at this, and by that I mean that I break hundreds of needles on the wire. I love the final effect of course and it's always worth it. With the creatures that are not wired I have basically sculpted with my hands and a needle until the body part stays the way I want it to. I love to wire fingers, horns, toes, and tails. I usually always wire the fins of the Dragons. You can also pose my creatures by twisting their necks and or tweaking their arms and legs.
Woolie Wog Goblin
Do you have a favourite of all the creatures you have made?
That is like asking if I have a favourite child! haha, I love my Labyrinth Inspired Chilly Down Fiery. I did not want to make him to start, but my husband George hounded me until I could not take any more and caved in. I love him for that. Although right now he won't get off my case to make a Wonderland Jabberwocky. The Fiery was such a big hit with Labyrinth fans. I am going to work a bit each day this summer to create a 3 foot standing one with removable head.
Um, no. And this is because I myself never know how or why I am doing something. I can not teach someone more then what they could already find online. George wants me to write a book all about magical fantasy felted creatures. But he's more of a dreamer then I am.
My Etsy Shop has been out of stock since I started custom orders. Now I don't have a lot of time to fill it until I am finished my commissions. I will set up my Ebay shop again too. Maybe I'll try Artfire as well...
Pop Rock Goblin
What advice would you give to someone who wanted to learn this art?
Get a wad of wool, a needle, a felt pad and start poking. even if it's a ball or a giant matted hair ball...just get a feel for it and let your imagination go. I never set out to make a goblin...He just was born...and now they won't leave me alone. My first Dragon was actually meant to be a lion and now I have not been able to move on because I get a lot of requests inspired by my first Dragon "Rainbow Sherbet".
Do you have anything you would like people to know about you and your creations?
Hmmm...well if you could not tell, I love color and Rainbows. I also love LOVE Candy. And lately when I am done a creature I pop over to www.candyblog.com to not only drool over candies, but also to find fun and appropriate names for my creatures. Like Pixie Stix and Pop Rock Goblin.
I am usually up to my waste in pounds and pounds of wool...I kinda work like a Mad Pig Pen Crazed Felter. Sometimes I create with what ever colors are within arms reach because I am buried under so much wool.
As I said I break a bazillion needles. It's almost embarrassing really. Especially in the felting community where some artists tell me they work with a single needle all the time for months on end. I literally go through 10 a week. I don't even bother with the multi needle holders...I'd be bankrupt. This is why I can't teach.
And also...I will be eventually moving onto Mermaids and Sea Monsters, Wonderland Characters, and more fairytale creations. I don't want to be thought of as a One Trick Pony.
Final question have you won any awards for your designs?
I just won Froud Artist of the Month for March 2010. That was huge for me. But other then that...I don't know what else there is to win?
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