FAST Member Interview- Elaine and Elana of FELT 4U

If you’re a member of FAST and would like to be featured in the weekly interview, visit this thread in the yahoo group to get the questions, then send your answers (and a picture or two if you’d like) to me at merigreenleaf[at]yahoo.com (or a convo to merigreenleaf). These will be posted in the order I receive them.

What are your names?
There are two of us Elaine Sackson and Elana Shap. I like working with a partner and Elana started off as my pupil and encouraged me to join Etsy to sell our Nuno felted wraps.

What is your Etsy shop?
FELT 4U.

Does your shop name have a meaning?
The name in many ways describes what we make and how we feel about our craft.. We love the process of nuno felting and love the idea that our wraps envelope you and make you feel elegant, or chic or cool. So you can say that FELT 4 U is also a play on the word to feel.

Besides your Etsy shop, do you sell anywhere else?
Yes, by word of mouth. By wearing our own creations, there is always interest shown and sales are made. Occasional craft markets.
Our etsy shop http://felt4u.etsy.com
Blog: http://felt4uart.blogspot.com

How long have you been making art/crafting?
Ever since I can remember which is that I must have been about 4 yrs old.

What was the first thing you remember making?
Clothes for my doll. I think that I cut up some of my own clothes….or so I have been told..,.

What kind of fiber arts do you do?
Machine embroidery, Nuno Felting, needle felting, felted sculpture, Shibori dyeing, kintting,

What’s your favorite thing to make?
Nuno felt, collages with different materials

(Click the below link to read the rest of the interview and see more pictures)

What do you think is the strangest or most unusual fiber arts item you have made or been asked to make?
I wrote about it on our blog.
http://felt4uart.blogspot.com/2009/03/curious-conversation.html
It is called Curious Conversation. I won’t say more, but encourage you to read the story on our blog.

Where is the most interesting place you’ve ever felted?
For me as I am Jewish and live in Israel, it was in a Church Hall in Australia

What is your favorite place to work?
At home in the living room/open plan kitchen, listening to music and the sounds of children playing outside.

What inspires you?
Nature, Mountains, Sea

Where does your inspiration come from?
Once again read our blog http://felt4uart.blogspot.com/2009/06/zen-of-tides.html
This gives you the inspiration for Tidal Foam Nuno felted wrap.

What is your favorite color?
Earthy shades,

Do you tend to work with that color?
Yes. I have to push myself out of my comfort color zone.

Do you prefer a specific type of fiber?
Merino wool, silk, cotton , linen, viscose

Tell us a bit about yourself- where do you live, what’s your job, do you have a spouse/children/pets, any other hobbies, that kind of thing.
I am originally from Cape Town South Africa and moved to Israel 9 years ago. I live with a wonderful partner who is very patient and overlooks all the bits and pieces of wool around the house. He is proud of me and encourages me to be creative. I have a married son and adorable 7.5 yrs old twin grandchildren who love to come and play with me and my fibre arts.

Tell us one quirky thing about you
My partner tells me that I am completely quirky. I believe him.

Do you have any advice for other fiber artists?
Yes, you have to be very organized and tidy up completely every day. It takes time, but it really should be part of the creative process.

Tags: etsyfast, member interview

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