Learning how to Needle felt

After scrolling through Instagram, I came across Audrey Montoya, an artist who focuses on needle felting, and I immediately was drawn to it. She creates fun and disturbing surrealist pieces that catch the eye and make you do a double take. 

I decided after that, that I wanted to learn this new skill, in hopes of it being of use to myself in future projects: So, I went scouring the internet on how to learn the basics. I came across many videos on YouTube and tutorials online. This was the video I found most helpful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnkVLApVejc. After going over this video, and others multiple times, I decided to buy the equipment and materials that I needed to start. 

I started with making some basic birds. A basic solid shape, with other single layers of colours added to it. To needle felt, you use needles with little ‘teeth’ on them, so when you push the needle through the wool and pull back, it catches the wool and felts it. The more you felt it, the harder and more solid the piece gets. Once you have the main body of the piece. You then start adding detail with fine strands of wool.  

Surprisingly, this is quite relaxing and repetitive; other than getting stabbed if you’re not careful of course! (I recommend buying some leather finger guards. It's surprising how much your finger will bleed from just a light prick). 

I really liked needle felting!  I've tried it a few times so far (as seen in the pictures above) and I plan to keep going with it, and hopefully I'll get better and make progress!  

Check out Audrey Montoya: https://www.audreymontoya.com/