Goodbye 2019 and Welcome 2020

Hello felter friends.  Long time, no blogging.  Guess I have been busy felting and doing other things and neglected this site for awhile.  But I'm back.  I traveled quite a bit in 2019, both internationally and domestically, as well as spent a lot of time felting...creating, teaching and being a student. 2019 was a stellar year for my growth as a felter. 

Throughout the year, I taught several private and semi-private workshops in my studio (aka Studio 907).  In June, I hosted the uber talented Nancy Ballesteros from Australia for a five day workshop where she taught us how to use the Fibonacci principle to create sensational stripe patterns. Everyone learned so much and each of us came away with a gorgeous and unique creation.   
Natural Rhythms Workshop - June 2019 from Beth Marx on Vimeo.


In 2019 I was contracted again to create yet another felted costume for a character at that famous theme park in Florida (can't say, mums the word).  And I was delightfully again invited to sell my felted wares at the the two day December holiday faire at the Chemers Gallery in southern California which is a high end, fun and absolutely fabulous event.  

But the absolute best of the best in 2019 was partaking in the felting retreat on Gambier Island in British Columbia. For four days 24 of us lucky felt makers gathered on Gambier Island BC, Canada to be part of a felting retreat that Fiona Duthie incubated and executed by randomly selecting us from over 150 applicants.  For a few hours each day, we shared techniques via mini presentations and then had day and night to felt and try out what we learned. Everything about this retreat was outstanding.  I have gained so much from the experience, the least of which is a whole lot of new felting techniques.  Fiona made this all happen and brought us together for a slice of heaven on earth, living in the moment and experiencing such sisterhood.
Felting Retreat with Fiona - Sept 2019 from Beth Marx on Vimeo.

In May and June, Joe and took a three week trip in N7542N with Mackinac Island being our "destination" although there were several shorter stops both coming and going.  We took our bikes in the plane and daily road around the island; it was heavenly.  I found all kinds of rusty metal and driftwood along the shore of Lake Huron and gathered them up in my bike basket.  By the time, I was finished collecting I had a large garbage bag full of these treasures.

Once home, I created some felted wall hangings using the rusty metal and drift wood that I had found.  One of my favorite pieces I aptly named “The Quest for Sunken Treasure” relative to my perpetual hunt for man-made or natural items to repurpose in my felt projects. This piece includes some of the rusty metal as well as beach glass, seaweed, pearls, cocoons, twine, jute, yarn, tubing, cording, plant based fibers and of course wool roving and silks.

My travels and love of felting will continue in 2020.  I'm excited to be registered for several creative events including silk painting in Salt Spring Island with Ellen Bakker and Fiona Duthie's spring felting retreat in Shetland.  I'll be teaching a four day nuno felted vest workshop at Felter's Rendezvous in March, 2020

https://www.thefeltingsource.com/The-Felter-s-Rendezvous-2020/ and hosting the acclaimed felting master Catherine O'Leary for a felted jacket workshop in October 2020....stay tuned for more on that.  

I welcome in a safe, happy and creative 2020 to all.  Goodbye 2019 but savoring my memories including wearing my felted garments around the world.

And of course, my dogs Kiza and Oliver are a huge part of my life.  I love these guys.