Delve into the art of sculptural needle felting to create wondrous wizards, ethereal elves, or hole-dwelling hobbits. Build a wire armature, add wool, and needle your way into Middle Earth – an adventure where fiber fuels your imagination.  Should fortune be in your favor, you shall have time to also create attire befitting your magical being.

Needle felting is a technique where barbed needles are used to interlock wool fibers: Poking the wool fibers with needles causes them to tangle and compact, forming a dense and solid felt. As Tolkien would say, “Needle felting affords great scope for creativity and detail, as one deftly layers and shapes the wool fibers with nimble hands and keen eyes, fashioning intricate forms and fine textures.”

Irene Heckel-Volpe has created collectible soft sculpture fiber art since 1986. She created mohair teddy bears for over 30 years until 2002 when she fell in love with needle felting from the first “poke”. Self-taught, most of her work is mixed media, embracing the best of each textile technique. Her work has been exhibited and won awards locally, nationally, and internationally, and she has taught classes all over the country. Originally from Long Island, NY, Irene relocated to the Asheville area in 2014, with her husband, Clyde, and her “fur-family”, one cat and 4 dogs who all keep her in creative mode.

$250 – $300

Additional Supply Fee: None, $25 for fiber to complete the project, wire to build the armature, and two felting needles is included in the cost of the class.

Scholarship Available: No

Level: Adventurous beginner and beyond.

Minimum Number of Students: 6 by September 20, 2024
Maximum Number of Students: 10

Required Supplies:

• Needle-nosed pliers.
• Scissors.
• Sewing kit (optional, but helpful
• A sense of humor and adventure!

Class Schedule: Class will be in-person at the SEFAA Center from 10 am to 4 pm on October 4 and 5, 2024. There will be a 1-hr break for lunch. There is a small refrigerator and a microwave available for your use at the SEFAA Center if you choose to bring your lunch.