Needle felting, for me, is a way to stay connected to the land, the animals,
and the generations who came before me.
Every time I pick up a felting needle and a handful of wool, I’m not just creating art; I’m continuing a story that began generations ago, a story written across the prairies of North Dakota where I grew up.
While I didn’t grow up on the very farm I live on today, I was raised nearby, on a farm surrounded by the wide skies, golden fields, and the steady rhythm of farm life. I come from a long line of people who worked the land and raised animals—my parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents all poured their lives into this way of living. Their deep connection to the land and to their livestock is something I carry with me every day.
The wool I use in my needle felting comes from my own flock of sheep, raised here on the prairie. Each fleece is more than just fiber—it’s a collection of memories and moments. When I work with the wool, I know that I have touched each and every sheep that produced it. I was there to help many of them into the world, cared for them through sickness, and carefully selected breeding lines to improve the quality of their fleece. As I handle the wool, I often find myself smiling at the funny memories—playful lambs bounding through the pasture—and feeling the weight of the sad times too, those moments that inevitably come when you raise animals.
My husband and I are also committed to nurturing the land itself. Beyond caring for the flock, we are working hard to improve the soil, ensuring that this land not only supports the life it holds today but flourishes for future generations. Every step we take is rooted in respect for the cycles of nature and a hope for a sustainable future.
Working with this wool grounds me. It keeps me tethered to the seasons, the land, and the creatures that depend on it. It reminds me that the art I create is not separate from my life but deeply intertwined with it.
This connection isn’t just personal; it’s part of a wider community. Needle felting links me to artists, farmers, and shepherds across North Dakota and beyond—people who understand the value of craftsmanship, sustainability, and tradition. Together, we are weaving something timeless.
I believe deeply in passing this knowledge on. Sharing the art of needle felting is my way of honoring the agricultural roots that shaped me, elevating a humble craft into something extraordinary, and inspiring others to find their own connections to the land, the animals, and the stories that surround them.
I invite you to experience the heart of the farm in every fiber. Whether you’re crafting with wool from my flock or simply exploring the art of needle felting, there’s a deep, timeless connection waiting to be discovered. You can explore my wool, learn more about this craft, and even join me for an in person retreat where we’ll gather around the art, the land, and the stories that shape us. Together, we’ll create something that connects us all to the earth, to our past, and to each other.
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