More Flower Shower Ideas

I stand completely in awe of all the amazing things people can do with wool felt. If you think of only penny-rugs and country inspired projects when you hear about wool felt, you've never dipped into the amazing online community of crafters out there.

Today I'd like to introduce Thine-Marie Van Blommestein. She has lived in Texas, Colorado, California, North Carolina, England and Denmark in the past ten years. Wool felt has been the perfect, portable project to take along on all her moves.

Thine-Marie shares her answers to our interview:

1. What inspired you to start creating with wool felt?

Well, I am kind of lazy and felt is really easy to work with. It doesn't fray or require any special treatment. I prefer wool felt to acrylic because of the superior quality and appearance, and the fabulous colors wool felt is available in. Acrylic felt is also glossier and does not photograph as well.

2. Tell us a little bit about the diverse array of wool felt projects you create.


I make hair accessories like hair clips and headbands, brooches, vase fillers, cake toppers, Christmas decorations, "disco" balls and wall art. I have two shops on Etsy where I sell accessories (shoozieshoes.etsy.com) and home decor pieces (heymiemie.etsy.com).


3. Where do you find inspiration for your projects?

Fashion magazines, home decor stores, flowers, nature, colors, fabric and Children's books. And sometimes the buyers themselves come up with the most amazing projects. One of the biggest and most challenging pieces to date is the necklace wreath I made for a large toy animal in a baby nursery. It is made up out of clusters of over 20 individually handmade felt flowers. The piece is finished with hand-embroidered leaves and is made to tie around the neck of the animal with a satin ribbon bow.

Hope you've been inspired by all of Thine-Marie's creations.

Another Bit of Inspiration

How are your flowers coming along for our little flower shower challenge? Don' know where to start? Here's another bit of inspiration to get you going.


I'd like to introduce Amanda Rosander of Berkley's Clippies. I met Amanda online as a customer of our shop. Her adorable clippies makes me want to have a little girl to dress. (Well, almost anyway) (I have a 6 year old boy). I think I'll just admire her creations and save them for all the mommies of little princesses out there.


Here's a little interview with Amanda to give you a behind the scenes peek at her designs:



1. What lead you to start creating wool felt flowers as a business?



My designs have taken a very long but fun road. When my daughter was born, I really, really loved the typical "big bows", but thought they looked ridiculous on my daughter's tiny head. She had a darling dress with a fabric flower attached to it and I remember thinking, "that would make THE cutest hair clip!" After a few months of playing around with fabric, I tried wool felt and fell instantly in love! The versatility, the wide array of colors to choose from, and most of all, the uniqueness of the fabric just sold me!


2. Where do you find inspiration for your creations?


Inspiration comes from 2 areas: my daughter's clothes for the most part and then also little spurts of color combinations "come" to me at random times.


3. I noticed that you had been featured on several blogs and even a magazine. Any tips for other crafters on getting their products noticed?



Being featured by magazines and/or blogs has been THE best part of it all! I love it when someone takes a second to let me know that they truly enjoy my little creations. Getting your product "out there" takes a lot of time and even more patience. If you are taking your creations to a "business level", you must invest your time in multiple areas and just hope that 1 or more get noticed. Marketing has been the biggest challenge for me. I'm not by nature a sales person and I literally have to force myself to make those calls and send those types of emails. The best tip I can pass on would be to offer samples of your product to a wide assortment of bloggers, shop/boutique owners, and websites.


4. Where can fans find your creations online?

Berkley's Clippies are available at http://www.berkleysclippies.com/ and also on Etsy at: http://www.berkleysclippies.etsy.com/


Thanks for sharing with us, Amanda!

A Little Inspiration . . .

One of the best parts of owning Prairie Point Junction is all the opportunities to meet fantastic people that are using wool felt in extraordinary ways.

Here's a little inspiration to get you started thinking about using wool felt for flowers. Amber North is one of those super talented gals that I happened to "meet" through our website. I asked Amber to share a little info about herself and her creative projects:

1. What lead you to start creating with wool felt?

I first started making felt play food for my daughter who was 4 at the time. She was my muse but as she got older and my skills became more refined, I began to create "plushies" and appliques with embroidery. I enjoy teaching my children about our natural world and we spend loads of time outside collecting and inspecting bugs, their favorite being the "Roly Poly" bug or "Pill Bug"....which led to the creation of "Charles Chuggypeg".

2. What other types of creative projects do you enjoy?

I also enjoy making fabric and felt flowers (http://www.rebloom.etsy.com/) . My grandmother was a floral designer who was my inspiration for these "Reblooms". They are even more special if they are made with a piece of fabric that one is sentimentally attached, like a child's favorite outfit that has been outgrown.

3. Where can fans find your work online?

I have 2 Etsy shops online: http://www.rolypolyplanet.etsy.com/ and http://www.rebloom.etsy.com/

Thank you for your interest in my creations and I hope you have a great day!


Sincerely, Amber North

Thanks for sharing your work with us, Amber.

Hope you've inspired everyone to try their hand at our little wool felt flower challenge.

Wool Flower Shower Challenge

We’re going to shower the web with flowers! Wool flowers that is! And, one of our lucky readers will have the chance to win a FABULOUS prize from Prairie Point Junction.

Drum roll . . . and the fabulous prize is . . .
Your choice of 12 wool felt 12” x 18” pieces & a wool felt swatch cardTotal value: $27.80

Use your garden for inspiration or go for a walk in a nearby park to check out the gorgeous lilies and daisies in bloom. Not only will you find it inspirational, but it’s good for your heart too! I’ll also be posting some works from other artists to showcase their talents and to help get the creative juices flowing.

Here are the challenge guidelines
- finished project must include a least one flower and incorporate wool felt
- embellishment with stitching or beading is encouraged
- a photo of your completed project must be submitted by Friday, July 17
- please email photos to ppjguestblogger@yahoo.com
- include a brief description of your item along with your name and location (Example: Julie G., Cozad, NE) with your email
- only one entry per person
- The winning entry will be randomly selected and posted on the blog the weekend of July 18th
- The winning entrant will be notified by email

Craft on!
Kelli
aka The Guest Blogger