Press

Art Doll Quarterly Volume 16 issue 1

Hello! My name is Margret-Ann

Featured in Art Doll Quarterly's Volume 15, Issue 1

Hello! My name is Margret-Ann, and I was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, where I still reside. I am a self-taught needle felt artist. I started experimenting and teaching myself in 2013. I like to create one of a kind pieces of art to enter into competitions and exhibit in galleries and museums.

In 2017 I had my first feature story in the spring issue of Art Doll Quarterly, and in the spring of 2018, my Janis Joplin was published in Art Doll Quarterly as part of their Age of Aquarius challenge. I have read that magazine for years, long before I was a needle felt artist. It is a thrill beyond words to see my work published in this magazine!

 In December of 2017, I had a month-long exhibit at the Lea Gallery in Findlay, Ohio in conjunction with the Mazza Museum. The Mazza Museum has the world's largest collection of children's illustrations. I was invited to speak at their December Funday Sunday event that year, and they carry my children's book, Artie the Needle Felting Dragon, in their gift shop. I am still blown away by the honor.

I participated in ArtPrize 2015 in Grand Rapids, Michigan with my Smaug the Dragon and Balin the Dwarf King. They were covered by local media in both Grand Rapids and Toledo. I participated again in 2016 with my children's book, Artie the Needle Felting Dragon, turned into its own world in 2016. My work was well received and covered yet again in Grand Rapids and Toledo.

I participated in ArtoMatic419 for the first time in 2013, and again with the making of Smaug in 2015. The Toledo Blade covered our debut several times along with our local 13 ABC news channel, and we had a ball with visitors. Many of them followed us to ArtPrize to see Smaug finished. I am sorry to see this show end in Toledo.

2017 brought health and back issues that slowed me down, but I am creating daily and staying the course. 

What is needle felting?

 Needle felting creates felt without the use of water. The notches along the shaft of the needle grab the top layer of fibers and tangle them with the inside layers of the fibers. The notches face down towards the tip of the needle so that they do not pull the fibers out as you pull the needle out of the wool.