Say Hello To… Karen Rao Felt Artist

Brighton, craft, Events, Fairy Tale, Hand CraftedNo comments

Today we welcome back the lovely Karen Rao and her super and very popular felt making workshop! She took part in our Christmas and Spring fairs and the workshops saw those of all ages take part all day! Don’t miss it! Find out more about Karen…

“I really love showing people the wet felting process and seeing their fascination as their pile of wool transforms into a felted work of art.”– Karen Rao

Please introduce yourself and remind what you create…

I am a Felt Artist who creates hand felted wall art and accessories, from doggy eared hats to dainty corsages, felted pebbles to cheeky monkey wall art for kids. My source of inspiration is constantly evolving with new surprises always in store! Look out for my Summer Ice Lolly Collection!

How long have you been felt making and how did you get into it?

I created my first wall hanging five years ago. After stumbling across felt making at a children’s art day in The Brighton Museum, I was inspired. I needed a picture for my living room. I created one with my kids, then made another one and another …..
I take part in Craft Fairs and hold workshops at events, schools and privately, so hopefully I too, am helping to inspire all ages new to felt making.

What do you enjoy most about your craft?

Felt is so versatile. This medium is perfect for creating the highly tactile and vivid coloured qualities that I love. Further texture can be created by blending plant and animal fibres during the wet felting stage and also after this by needle felting. I can create two dimensional and three dimensional art. The uses of felt are endless, it means I am constantly learning and experimenting …. and changing direction.

You will be taking part in a craft workshop at The Fairy Tale Fair- what will yours involve?

Mouthwatering Lolly Art! We will be wet felting our own Ice Lollies and Ice Cream Cones inspired by the Great British Summer! This involves using just wool, soap and water to create our very own works of art!

You took part in our Spring Fairy Tale Fair- did you enjoy it?

I really love showing people the wet felting process and seeing their fascination as their pile of wool transforms into a felted work of art. It’s also very relaxing and therapeutic – no rushing around at this table! At other fairs now people often come up and say they’ve taken part in one of my Fairy Tale Workshops!