Karen Engelbretson – a graphic designer and botanical art instructor – created KJE Felties in a response to a move from city to country. The artists’s new home and studio near Stillwater, MN affords closer proximity to birds and small creatures and a greater creative space for Karen and her family.

Karen explains her process: Felties birds and snow people are dry needle felted wool roving. A long, extremely sharp and barbed needle is stabbed repeatedly into the roving to connect the fibers, build density and thus create shape. The wool is soft and luxurious and as the bird takes form it seems to come alive in my hand. Then I have to work quickly, because soon I begin to feel bad about poking it with a sharp needle. I leave the eyes for last.