When I was a full-time musician/singer/songwriter (see this old article about INHOUSE) I had such a problem with listening to other female performers. It wasn't that I didn't like them, it was that I didn't want to be influenced by them. I didn't want to have their voice in my head when I was trying to find my own.  When it comes to needle felting, I thought I should try and do the same thing, but I can't seem to avoid falling in love with so many other felting creations. I decided instead to let them influence me. Maybe not my voice but definitely my ambition to do great work. Let them teach me that there are style choices that are original and moving. Here are some of the great pieces that have inspired me to go home each night and work on being the best I can be at this craft.  Please visit my gallery. 

 
From the minute I wake up till the minute I go to sleep I am thinking about felting. Okay, maybe not 100% of the time, but throughout the day it's on my mind. It's interesting how obsessions develop. Years ago, I never heard of the terms felting, needle felting, or core wool. This vocabulary has become such a major part of my life; I feel so blessed that I have fallen into it. 

I lead a very busy life. My "real job" balanced with being a wife, an artist, and a musician, have swallowed up most of my existence, add to that, that I love having a social life, it's a wonder I have time to breathe. I understand at this point that parents may think I have it easy, but I have the worst habit of filling every waking moment with something to do, much to my Husband's chagrin. Most of what I fill my time with is being creative. 

So how do I allot time for felting which has become a small business? In the beginning it was when I sat down. Now, I actually think about when I will work on projects. I begin promptly after dinner and wrap it up at 10:30 pm. I only felt on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays; all other time is divided with my other interests. I keep time for visiting the gallery with new works and visiting my parents for a home cooked dinner. I also teach an occasional class or two and prep time for that is necessary.  I guess I am learning that you have to create balance in your life, and although you may love to spend random moments doing things that make you happy, it will burn you out eventually if you are not careful.