We’ll start the workshop by needle-felting a simple practice piece – a colourful toadstool – during which you’ll learn techniques to work wool into three-dimensional shapes, add colour, join pieces, and how coarse and fine fibres behave differently. 

We’ll then move on to needle-felt a sculptural bear over a simple wire armature, building shape and adding colour with muted un-dyed wools, and with dyed merino. The method I teach will show you a more organic process than typically practiced, and one where the wool is allowed to find its own place, creating a sculpture with wool.

The kind of bear you choose to create is entirely up you – perhaps a grizzly, a black bear, or a fine polar bear.  If you are new to needle-felting then a polar bear is likely to be more straightforward as you can concentrate on the sculptural aspects rather than colour and shading, but a more complex bear is certainly doable if that’s where your inclination lies.

The finished piece can be free-standing, but you’re very welcome to bring a ‘plinth’ for your bear if you wish. Maybe you have a particular item such as an old carpentry or kitchen tool, a book, or small box you’d like to use? I describe my work as being made with wool and a touch of humour, and like to pair my needle-felt animals with vintage objects, which often brings an unexpected narrative.