Playing in wool by adding needle felted mushrooms was just one of the ideas for new garland scarves. I have been playing with needle felted birds and fungi. Exploration has led to unusual wool rolls and organic details.

In planning for a project involving wool & books, I have been cutting out owls and clothes. It reminds me of the “quiet books” my Mum would make for us. There were fruits and foods, and the 12 Days of Christmas. The 100% reclaimed wool seems perfect for a quiet book.

These birds are addictive to make. There a 3 labels- Evan Picone, NIKE, and UGG that are calling my name to make them a special bird. This cold rainy weather is an ideal time to felt.

We have a new Joann’s store here. Saturday, I walked the fabric aisles (overwhelming choices). The creatives process rarely involves new fabric. The strawberry flannel was calling to be the back fabric of an owl. The colors are so vibrant. Looking forward to stitching colors and making a stuffed owl with a new material prompts more experimentation with unusual combinations.

It is cold and a cloudy on an October day. This cashmere sweater is felted and full of warmth for reclaiming. It is so cozy. Can you imagine a blanket of reclaimed cashmere squares? Yum! The peach mother of pearl buttons and label will be used in an idea of wool design.

The needle felted brooches were inspired by wool sweater labels. The idea was to make a neck band for the bird with the label and vintage buttons. I made 12 brooches in all.

These small bags of handwork are packaged for me to sew when I travel, go to games, or simply need sewing therapy. I put these together in July and since school started I am trying to make time to sew and explore different bags. This week I need to make more felt birds and put together 2 garland scarves. when I start pulling each package from the baskets it is like a small surprise gift that inspires me all over again to hand stitch and make fiber art.

Relaxing in stitching and the feel of wool fibers is therapeutic. Sometimes, just being able to put 2 pieces together in a basic running stitch soothes me into a rhythm of repetitive movement and calm. Layer upon layer adds to the unwinding of creativity.

Pieces that were cut and planned change into other directions as the embroidery unfolds on their layers. The details of vintage buttons and special stitches giving them character. This piece is angora and cashmere.

+Dearest Observer,

+ Starting over is like reclaiming a sweater. I have learned from cutting and the different types of wool what will felt and sew while holding up to use and wear. This beginning is like a return to the design problem and ideas. What started as an experiment has become art therapy and the joy of sharing creations to wear or play.

+ Graphic design was my background before I became a visual art teacher and the challenge of technology and a business logo with a personal symbol for my work has been – well – a long process. I have written 100s of names and researched 100s more words related to a fiber artist. Some were great and some were lovely, but taken. I have landed on birdashery.

+It came from haberdashery, in Britain, it means notions, buttons, and thread (all those petit items used for sewing)… and since my fiber art contains many of theses things and more in exploring the reclaiming process and the new process, and the combination of both, this seemed to fit. I love birds and they appear in work of fiber and design or painting. The cross is from symbols of healing and help in my work.

+The feel of linen, silk, and any wool fiber is a sensory experience that would take more than words to describe. The pleasure of a cashmere scarf or the fun of a stuffed owl reflected on the face of a purchaser makes me smile. I am excited to share how to’s and made objects.

+Michele