Needle felting has become a bit of a passion after discovering the technique in 2013 while researching international art and craft markets for publishers Search Press. As their Editorial Director I had commissioned many books on different crafts over the years and had dabbled in a whole lot of everything, but needle felting offered possibilities back then that held my attention. It was a relatively new craft in terms of popularity, but it had huge potential and offered exiting challenges. So, when I retired, it happened that my 'crafty' sister, Judy Balchin, retired at the same time. We both saw the potential of needle felting, loving the versatility of wool and the magic of the craft. Happily, I have continued to work freelance for Search Press - commissioning books and researching markets, while Judy and I now work together as the Woolly Felters. The combination of skills works well. One of the most important things that we authors of practical books have to do is to keep an eye on our markets and to move with flow. We have created a whole 'Felty Towers' world which is inhabited by our woolly makes and love entertaining our social media followers with their adventures and stories. We also enjoy writing books about our craft and sharing our knowledge with others.
Poetry is another passion of mine and I have had the good fortune to be a 'published' poet. I follow dreams into myths, legends, folk lore and nature, loving the rhythms found in dancing words. Where mermaids and selkies ride the waves, you will find me. Where rags of gold dance in billowed clouds I will be there. Where nonsense poems nestle in nooks and crannies, my pen will be scribbling. www.curlymoonscribe.com - is where I dream my dreams.