2025 Artist: Sue Carey

As Arts Marathon artists we will send a different example of our creative process and work to everyone who sponsors us, five days per week during April. We invite our friends, family, colleagues and anyone else who cares about art and wants to support Bridge to Rutland’s important work to sponsor us. Together we will help welcome new Americans who, in turn, will add immeasurably to our communities.

Sue‘s Arts Marathon Goal

DIY Felting: This year, I am going to post information about working step by step from the processed wool fiber until the finished product. What I mean by processed wool fiber: it is after the wool is removed from the sheep by shearing, processed by scouring, picking, and carding, then dyed or not dyed. For people who like to try needle felting, I make DIY kits. For the marathon, I am creating new kits with step by step directions. My kits directions are much more detailed than ones found in commercially bought kits. Maybe it is because I tend to dwell on details such as life sparks and field markings. Consequently with the many details, I may only display one or two of my finished creations during the month.

Sue‘s Background

My family and I have been raising Cotswold sheep for many years. At the end of the last century, the price for wool fell and never recovered. We were left with pounds of beautiful Cotswold fleece with nothing to do with it.
Then, a needle felting class was taught in my sheep 4-H club. A new world opened up to me! I envisioned making a full sized polar bear to use up my entire stockpile of fleece.
Reality struck and I never made a full size polar bear. Instead, I decided to make a full size barn owl. The owl is crouched in a wooden wine crate with 2 owlets and an extra egg. It was sold to a lady who has a place in Vermont and a castle in England. We are proud to think that our wool, in the shape of barn owls, is displayed in a castle.

Art Samples