Little ballerina

Jetting off already to her new home, this is my latest hare - somewhat more feminine than Harris and Bracken.

She is named after Gelsey Kirkland, the American prima ballerina. I'm not a ballet buff and I'd already mostly made her when my lovely customer asked for this name. Would she resemble her namesake?

When I did some Google image searching, I was pleased to see that they share the same poise and haughty nose-in-airness - true divas of their art.

Her shoes are worn out from too much dancing and...

...instead of putting my usual needle felt heart motif on her, I simply incorporated a 'gold' heart charm into her pearl bracelet. I seem to be veering towards making little clothes now, rather than needle felting them, something I've not been keen on in the past, but this tutu worked so well (simple as it is) that I'll be trying it again.

I have another workshop locally, on April 7th at Chipping Norton, at the hugely popular Fibreworks, details on their classes page here. Starting off with something nice and quick we will be making little birds, as featured in my Puddletown books. Limited spaces!

Little Hare

Several weeks ago one of my collectors asked if I would consider a hare commision. Oh dear. I have been trying to design a hare ever since I took up needle felting over three years ago and have failed.

As shy and hard to catch as the real creature itself, I have been unable to visualise a satisfactory toy version, despite it being one of my favourite animals.

But I've broken the hare curse at last! Maybe it was because someone actually requested one, but I finally saw how it would be done. He has glass eyes, a waxed cotton nose and thread jointed arms -

Even underneath, where it won't be seen, attention to detail is paramount.

At my client's request, he was named Harris. Of course, now I've cracked the hare code, I have all manner of similar characters in mind, but they will have to wait until my present orders are fulfilled.

I get many enquiries about when I am going to update my Etsy shop with more needle felt things; I seem to work mostly to order now, but I have two little toadstools looking for homes and who knows when I'll have time to make more...

I am having another 'Puddletown Tales' book signing, this time in central Oxford, at Waterstones bookstore on the corner of Broad Street - very soon! In fact, this Saturday the 27th of August, 1.30 - 4.30. If it's possible for you to make it (and help me break the last record of one book sale) I'd love to see you there and put names to faces.