A lasting memory I have from my childhood, and I do not have many, is being interested in touching everything to feel its texture, softness, coarseness, fuzziness, etc. I hadn't realized what it meant to be a tactile person, but truly I was at an early age.

Drawing and painting captured my original artistic endeavors, and I was always found with a crayon or pencil in my hand. I pursued the “fine arts” for my years in high school and college, and was thwarted by my own mother who proclaimed one day that, “You'll never be an artist, but you will be a great sign maker!” What is a sensitive, fragile daughter to think? I gave up my dream pretty quickly after that, and became a teacher and a crafts person, engaging in weaving mostly. The idea of being a fiber artist was not yet part of my vocabulary and the long standing internal struggle of “Art vs. Craft” plagued me.

But it is true, that I am a maker, and over the years have become accomplished in many crafts including, knitting, spinning, weaving, crocheting, ceramics, stained glass, and embroidery. A real Leslie of All Trades. And then I met felt! It rocked my world, and gave me the creative outlet I was looking for. It seemed to be the medium that would allow me to express myself in a free and liberated way. And, despite my mom, I feel that I have evolved into an artist, who can play, and create, and make pieces of art.