Bringing Creativity to Life: A 3-Week Felting Workshop Experience
This April, I had the opportunity to teach a felting series at The Mountain School at Windhall—and it reminded me exactly why I love being a teaching artist.
There’s something special that happens when kids are given the space to create with their hands. Away from screens and schedules, they slow down, explore, and discover what they’re capable of making. Over the course of three weeks, this group of young artists explored color, texture, and fiber art through hands-on felting projects designed just for them.
Week 1: Color, Wool & Felted Flowers
We started at the beginning—where wool comes from and how it’s transformed into fiber for felting. The students learned about color mixing using the color wheel and had the chance to dye wool themselves. Watching them experiment with color was one of my favorite moments—there’s always a bit of magic in that first transformation. (Thanks to Gail Callahan of @the_kangaroo_dyer who taught me acid dyeing many years ago.) From there, we moved into wet felting techniques and created bright, beautiful, felted flowers.
Week 2: Finishing Techniques & Felted Coasters
In week two, students built on what they had learned by turning their felted flowers into something wearable—a barrette, pin, or pony holder. We talked about simple finishing techniques and knots, helping them see how their artwork could become something functional. They also created their own felted coasters, exploring layering, texture, and pattern. Each one was completely unique, which is always the goal.
Week 3: Felted Acorns & Advanced Techniques
By week three, the confidence in the room had shifted. Students shared their work in a show-and-tell, which is always such an important part of the process—celebrating creativity and seeing what others have made. We introduced more advanced wet felting techniques to create wool balls, which were then transformed into felted acorns. These small pieces are simple, but they carry so much personality.
What They Really Learned
While each project was fun and engaging, what mattered most was what was happening underneath it all. The students were learning:
- Patience and process
- Color theory
- Problem-solving
- Confidence in their creativity
And maybe most importantly, they were learning that they can create.
Why This Kind of Creativity Matters
In a world where so much is digital, working with your hands offers something completely different. Felting is tactile, sensory, and a little bit magical. You start with loose wool and, through movement and intention, transform it into something solid and lasting. That experience stays with people—whether they’re children or adults.
Interested in a Workshop?
I love bringing these kinds of creative experiences to schools, community groups, and small gatherings. If you’re interested in hosting a workshop or joining an upcoming class at my studio, I’d love to connect.
Explore upcoming classes: Art Experiences