Felt succulents, my gateway felt flower. About 3 years ago, I began making felt ornaments for my Halloween and Christmas trees. I loved looking online for ideas for ornament patterns, and that was where I began to see some beautiful work from other felt artists. When my daughter asked me to make her a felt flower wreath, I asked her where she got the example photo from. She said Target. I was amazed Target had felt wreaths for sale! I had no idea there was an interest in felt flowers! I began to explore more examples online and found a whole community of talented people making art with felt. And so I was hooked. My first felt flower attempt was when I was back east, spending time with my Mom in Hospice care. I had brought felting supplies with me to help pass time, but did not bring a glue gun. So I hand sewed petals together and made my first rose. Which looked a LOT like a succulent. Around that time I discovered Benzie Design, and their precut felt ovals for making succulents. Again, I liked the results and kept going.
As I made more and more felt succulents and flowers, I got the idea to make all the flowers for my wedding. Succulents were (and still are) very popular for weddings, and being the person I am, I wanted something different. So I stopped making succulents and concentrated on flowers. But that's another Post.
Fast forward 2 years, and my dear friend asks me to make her a felt succulent candle ring for a hurricane glass for her dining room table. I hadn't worked with succulents for several years, and had forgotten how much fun they are to make.
I look back now on these simple little flowers and succulents I started with, and see how far my persistence in improving has taken me. I hand cut every piece and petal, and use pastels, fabric markers and embroidery to add texture and detail. I hope to keep improving and creating these little pieces of soft art.
So my point? Start small. But start somewhere, with something you think you may love. And persist. You will get better. I can't wait to see what I'll be making 2 years from now.
