Writing my first book was a dream come true. One of the best parts was getting to meet and work with contributors from around the globe. I want you to meet two of the international contributors to Feltique, and two very inspirational wet felt makers.
Ray Reynolds lives Southampton, England, and she has one of the most unusual perspectives on fiber arts. She says it best in her own words: “I use felt and stitch as a way of painting. Colours of felt can be layered in very subtle ways, which reminds me of watercolour painting. It is also a joy to stitch into as it seems to soak the stitches into it, enhancing the colours of the wool and the thread. I also enjoy using different fibres such as silk threads and bamboo within my felt along with hand-spun yarn. My work is about colour, light, texture, and space. When I am out walking on the South Coast of England (either along the River Hamble, Keyhaven, or along the Dorset Coast), I have this urge to wrap up all the colours, textures, sounds, and atmosphere of a place and keep them with me.” I discovered her work on Flickr, and asked her to participate in Feltique mainly because of her clear tutorials and devotion to teaching. Her contribution is a nuno scarf, and it is mind blowing. Please visit her blog, www.textilecabin.co.uk, where you can watch her felt slipper video tutorial and more.
Tanis Alexis Laird lives in British Columbia, Canada, where she creates textiles with lots of color and bold graphic designs. She contributed three projects to the book: the Spiral Bead Bracelet, that uses the classic “sushi” wet felting technique; Wild Flower Pin, a project that encourages massive amounts of creative thinking; and Artful Vessels, a bowl that is wet felted over a balloon (when the balloon is popped, a felt bowl remains). Her contributions demonstrate her range of work, and her serious creative flow. Tanis’ Etsy shop is packed with paintings, multimedia designs, and plenty of beautiful wet felt. My personal favorite piece is a stunning nuno wrap scarf in turquoise and pink, with a bronze ribbon. She and her husband are expecting their first child soon, and I can only imagine that her work will begin to blossom like never before. Check out Tanis’ Etsy page, and be sure to visit her Flickr sets, where you can find her first felted rug.
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