Take some much needed time to craft a new little guy for your collection of desk buddies, or turn a felted turtle into your copilot for your car. The world is in great need of your whimsy, and what better way than to gather with a small group of creatives and learn the meditative practice of needle felting. Your instructor, Paige, is well versed in the properties of wool and can help guide you as your new fuzzy creation is realized. Maybe your frog wizard has a side kick or a silly mode of transportation. Tell a story with your creations and reap the benefits of mindful making along the way. Together we will learn how to give structure and support to our creatures. Then we will use barbed felting needles and handfuls of soft colorful wool to give our sculptures a sturdy form. And finally we will add details that will bring them to life.

The format of the class is loose, but guided in technique. What you create is ultimately your choice. Each class will begin with a brief demo and then it is up to you how you will apply what you’ve learned to your creative vision, whether from a photo or your imagination. Clear step by step processes are also provided for those who appreciate more structure on their journey. Whatever your vision, we will break it down together and find opportunities to add unexpected flair with some playful, simple techniques.

Please be advised that this craft demands a lot of repetitive wrist movement when working with the felting needles. If you have limited movement or pain here, this craft may not be for you.

About the instructor: Paige Quinn-Vasic (she/her) is a local professional artist who is well-versed in many mediums such as oil painting, printmaking, ceramics, and sewing. She completed her bachelors in fine arts and art education at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, which drove her to explore an interdisciplinary practice. Her medium of choice in the last few years has been collage with painted paper, but recently got back into oil painting. Her practice tends to hop between mediums as she follows the whims of her creative inner child, exploring whimsy, peculiar curiosities, and confronting microaggressions. Since moving to Northampton in 2023, she has earned a LCC grant for her community project, Noho Art Club, around which she curated a group show in November 2025. Her focus lately has been teaching and planning creative classes and events, one recently being held at The Smith College Museum of Art. She has been exhibited in Art For the Soul Gallery in Springfield, Jackson Junge Gallery in Chicago, Sip 413 in Florence, and The Northampton Center for the Arts. You can see more of her work at www.paigesquinn.carrd.co or instagram.com/paigesquinn and instagram.com/nohoartclub on Instagram.