Makings of Siameese Cats in Needle Felt

I took photographs during my process of making these adorable siamese cat buddies. Hope you enjoy! to see more or order your own visit my ETSY store: Matisse1968

Working on "Callie Cat" in felted wool!

My newest commission in needle felted wool..."Callie Cat." 

Photograph of "Callie Cat"

 

Photographs are nice but, inevitably there is always something left out! (details I can't see). For example what are the color of eyes without the flash, what color is on the back, tail and paws??? I was fortunate enough to have my client have on hand some photos to share with more examples but, still you just can't see it all....so I use my creative license to recreate the unknown:)

 

 

 

wool wrapped wire armature, tacking wool in place. 

Placing in basic shapes of color patches and facial details 

Here I am checking the color to the photograph

The more finalized detail of the eyes are now in place

 I start needle felting from the feet up

Here am getting the length of the wool correct and small pieces at a time get needled into the body

 

Here I have built up the layers for a couple days and finally feel it is filled in correct and looks anatomically correct or at least as close as I could make it.....and added Callie's collar.

My studio pal "Pierre" has a new buddy, "Callie" to hang with until she goes in the mail.

 This is me saying; "Nice to meet you but, it is time to send you off to your new and Happy home" :)

The cutest dog "Molly" in felt!

This little dog was a BIG challenge!
I was given a picture of this cute and loved dog, "Molly" and asked to have the dog commissioned (re-created) in "Needle Felt." It was going to be a surprise for her parents on Christmas.
I looked at the photographed and thought..."Oh good an easy one'" :)....well you know the saying; "Nothing is as easy as it looks!"..........

I began by making the wire form and all seemed great. Adding the wool wrap and laying out details on the needle felt process.... all was going well and good.... and then......IT HApPenED!

 Stressed-out!...it wasn't looking right:(
I had to walk away a day and return with a new insight. I still don't really know why but, for the longest time; the white Lab was looking like a Schnauzer!

Here, I begin sculpting in with the needle: the jaw shape, head and just kept at it until it started to look anatomically correct. There was moments I was so frustrated and wanted to give up....but, an Artist loves a challenge...It's that moment when all is wrong! ...You make one change and Ta-dah!

 

Here I started to add in the color details of the fur. I started shaping the nose and added details to the eyes and so on.......My favorite part was;  when I added Molly's red ribbon and name tag!~ I knew my job was complete and done to my best ability.....pure satisfaction! 

The client sent these photographs of her parents opening the gift. "Molly dog in felt." By the looks....I think they loved her and my heart is filled with joy that I was able to create something that someone else will enjoy for years to come!  

I carved out "the Artist's Loft" stamp today!

Well...the Christmas hustle and bustle is officially over! 

It was a wonderful season full of a lot of late night paint and craft sessions.  I had a lot of orders to fill:)...I am happy to say: 
ALL Pr0MisEd orders before Christmas were MET!!! Yeah:)

I am walking away with some good art business knowledge for next year...

*I will have a cut off date posted well in advance 

*No over-promising...this is V E R Y hard for me because I can't say NO:)

*Create felted items NoW for next year!

☆I am so ThAnkfUL and  e x h a u s t e d  at the same time.

Today...I thought I would take things easy and R E l a x  a enjoy these quiet moments.

I carved my own art stamp!!

It says, "the Artist's Loft" and I am very pleased with my SECOND attempt:) Yes...The first go was an Oopsy! .... 
I forgot with stamping...everything is backwards!!!!
Especially lettering you can't "get by" with backwards words. It is pretty obvious. OH-well.

After the good laugh.. I went for it and love the outcome! 

-CheErs to the New Year & My..New Stamp:)

makings of a super CooL cat...Needle felted by Nicole Slater

The exploration of needle felting animals. Here I am showing starting out with a pipe cleaner form of the cat. I do this so that the cats legs can move and also to reinforce the cats ability to stand up. Once the frame is complete I begin placing wool around the frame and tacking it into place with the felting needle. 

 Once I have the cat completely covered and the basic shape looks correct....I then begin to pick out colors of wool. This time I used Alpaca. I found it more difficult to work with the Alpaca because of the ultra softness...it just didn't seem to tack as easy(twice the work!)

 I use a photo to refer to and find it a bit frustrating because I can't just tell the cat to flip on it's side..LOL!! (or) check the color behind it's ear....usually the client give a few pictures and not all the information is there so....sometime I have to just guess if they don't have the pet or not enough photos.

 

The outcome is so worth the hard work! I love seeing the photos of the new owners enjoyment...Pretty Cool!!!

to order your pet in felt..visit my

 Etsy listing at https://www.etsy.com/listing/216067536/custom-order-needle-felted-pets-large

the "Artists Loft was full of CreaTive EneRgy today!

Reverse painted glass ornament workshop....9 fun fantastic ladies!

 We had a Birthday girl in the house...no candles....NO PROBLEM! Use a paintbrush and you are good to GO!!!!

We had a wonderful time discovering new ideas, textures and setting out to find our limits:)

 Art is so fun because you play until you drop...and that is exactly what we did.
 We painted a "sampler plate" which was so fun. The idea was to test colors, patterns, textures and layers all over on the reverse side of a plate and then....create our ornaments.

We discovered the sampler plates ROCKED!.....each one one so fun and unique....

When you just play in paint, without a plan.... sometimes... the best things B E C O M E.

 I took away from this a full heart, an excited group of gals ready to learn and create and some fabulous works of art!

-Cheers

Needle Felting is portable...kind-of?!

 SOMETIMES YOU JUST "have to" CREATE.... IN THE WEIRDEST PLACES!

It is funny how MOST people would look at this and say...."That is such a random place to start creating." I have discovered...an artist will work anyplace, anywhere, anytime! I love that... I went to visit my husband at work...he wasn't there...so I just took over his desk:) You should have seen a the fur balls fly...really there was wooly fuzz EVERYWHERE!

This is my cute kitty. I make them to order and can make your pet too! Just send me a photograph with paws, tail, body etc....I also make them with an armature inside so the legs can bend!

 My Wooly-Guys were a hit at my last show so....creating more family members as we speak. lol!

 Every show I tell myself I am going to be completely prepared and somehow...even when I think I am so ready....I'm NOT! There is no cure for this. I just have to remember: I have these magical friends that appear to lend a helping hand. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful support group! My friend Bill Harris took these photos and glad he did....I really like to step back after a crazy world-wind show and look back and reflect on the it.

  The moral to the story is this.....

I have learned so much about myself and how to make a living doing what I love,,,A R T ! 

It is a passion, a lifestyle, and a sure joy!

 I have moments of frustration but, when it comes to the show or end of day I am filled with a sense of accomplishment, a new understanding of how I deal under-pressure and acknowledgement of who my friends are and how much they mean to me....I am lifted by each and everyone:) THANK YOU