Hey There! Happy Labor Day for those in the U.S.!! With this weekend, we are also looking at the passing of summer and the beginning of fall. It can be a bittersweet time, but for us fiber folks, it is an awesome time because it’s so much nicer to wear wooly goodness when it’s the air is cooler and crisper.
As you know, last month, I was at Yarnival in Placerville, California and amongst many talented vendors, one of my favorite fiber artists, Melissa Nasby of SoulFibre Studio was present. Melissa was launching her line of needle felted masks for the festival. You may remember reading her Featured Artist interview here last fall. I’m so pleased to bring you this update on what Melissa has been doing since we last checked in with her!
Spin Artiste (SA): Hey, Melissa! Thanks for joining us again to share with us about your masks. Let’s start with talking about the “mask journey”. What got you into felting, and particularly felting masks?
Melissa Nasby (MN): It seems like from the moment I was introduced to wool as a medium, I was excited to explore all of it’s possibilities. I began with a few very simple 3D sculptures which were fun but did not satisfy my need to do something “different”. I researched some other sculptural art forms that I loved and tried to achieve the same effect using wool. One technique that really intrigued me was Relief. This is most common in clay or plaster sculpture. I quickly fell in love with this style, and found my brain was very happy with this challenging perspective. I created 3 large pieces: a Big Horn Sheep, a Lion and an Eagle. These lead to my love affair with seeking the “perfect wool” to mimic the animals fur/feathers. 
Next, I joined the Needle Felters Workshop with Kay Petal, and that is when my creativity with this art form was really ignited. The talent of the artists, plus the resources on this site, combined with the feedback I received on my relief sculptures, lead me straight to the wonderful world of art masks. I can honestly say that out of all of my creative journeys, this one actually felt like I had finally arrived at my destination. 
There is something magical about masks and I love the rich history and cultural diversities that masks represent all over the world.
SA: Please describe your mask-making process.
MN: Sure! It is a six step process –
WOOL: For me, the process begins with the wool. I have always collected as many different types of wool as I can to appease my need for texture. The moment I see a certain fleece, I know what it must become, whether it is a lion’s mane, owl feathers, rat fur or the scruff on a billy goat’s chin.
REFERENCES: Next, I collect reference material, usually a combination of photos, sketches, cartoons and animations.
SKETCH: I then sketch out a template that I will draw onto a flat sheet of prefelt. This is my base from which the relief begins.
PRE-SHAPING: This stage is the most critical and difficult to explain as it is mostly instinctive. It involves the “pre-shaping” of the core wool. This is where you have to visualize your final shape and determine how much wool is needed. There is no recipe, it is a learn as you go kind of thing.
SCULPTING: Definitely the longest phase, hours and hours of sculpting the core wool until it is almost to the shape you desire.
FINISHING: By adding the finishing layer of coloured wool, I continue to sculpt, shape and shade the final shape. I then add any finishing touches like whiskers, eyelashes, teeth etc. 
If I use any pigment powders for shading, I will also spray seal the finished piece. Finally I add the elastic strap.
SA: You say you’re a lover of texture. How do you incorporate texture in your masks?
MN: Texture determines my masks! Perfect examples of this are the Creepy Old Man, the Rat, and Big Foot. The Navajo Churro fleece used for the old man’s beard is so realistic it is hard to remember it is from a sheep.
I used Angora rabbit fibre for the pure white hair of the rat, and the semi-felted chocolate mohair was screaming to become Big Foot’s fur.
SA: If there is such a thing, how would describe your “average” mask client, and what do you find people usually use them for?
MN: There is only one way to answer that question…my clients are awesome, fun, creative, highly intelligent people!
Some uses for my masks include:
- Theatre/Performances
- Daycares/Schools
- Festivals/Carnivals
- Halloween
- Collectors
- Masquerade/Parties
- Armed robbery…Just kidding!
- Good old fashion make-believe
SA: You have such a variety of masks. Where do you get your ideas for each mask you make?
MN: Mostly from the wool itself, but sometimes I will ask my fans on Facebook to challenge me with a new mask, and of course I am happy to do custom requests as well.
SA: You put so much detail and expression into the masks, they seem like true characters. I noticed you name the mask. What goes into giving them names?
MN: Thank you! Something I am striving for with my masks is believability, not necessarily realism. This is why I collect many resources including sketches & cartoons as well as real life photos. I often combine elements of each to make it my own. I also over emphasize one or two facial features like the nose or the teeth, therefore they really are “characters”. I usually name the animals very generally, as I want the adoptive parent to name it and love it as their own. Most of my fairies have names specific to the look they portray, like “Sorcha, the dark princess.” I feel that really adds to the character of the more whimsical masks.
SA: I know this may not be a fair question, but do you have a favorite mask?
MN: I do fall in love with each of them for many different reasons, but two really stand out to me: The Wolf and the Rat. The wolf was my first mask that I captured an expression on, and the rat because of his realism, he actually creeps me out.
SA: Your love for textures really shine through with your pieces; your texture work truly is amazing! How do you decide on wool as the base texture when creating your masks?
MN: As far as the mask world is concerned, latex and leather are the most common materials used. While both are very sculpt-able and beautiful in their own ways, wool offers a whole new mask experience. 
Wool is lightweight and breathable, not to mention the eco-factor. People are shocked and delighted to discover that my masks are made from wool and fibre only…no forms or molds are used. 
The very nature of a wool mask guarantees that each piece is a true one of a kind. Wool speaks to us on a very organic level, and to see it used in this way really reminds us of it’s importance and versatility.
SA: What new mask are you currently in the process of creating?
MN: It’s Halloween already at my house, so next up is an ugly witch. I have not yet done a female face, so it should be interesting.
SA: It must take you hours to complete a mask! Which one has been the most difficult to make so far?
MN: It’s funny, because again it comes back to the wool. Some fibres felt better than others, so while some take longer in terms of sculpting like the Bengal Tiger and Big Foot, the more difficult masks were the Fox, Billy Goat and Skunk, as the wool I needed to use was much more difficult to felt with.
SA: What is the feel of the masks when wearing them?
MN: Very surprising! The masks are very light. I try very hard to work with air and density to make the masks as lightweight as possible. I also try to design most masks away from your mouth. 
I am very claustrophobic so I take that very seriously. I also want people to be able to drink or eat while wearing the masks. As far as the “heat” factor, I feel that these masks are considerably less hot than latex or leather. So not only can you wear one of a kind art on your face, but you will also be more comfortable doing so!
SA: In the beginning of your mask making venture you said ” I think I am really onto something new… these masks just explode my mind with possibilities.” What are your thoughts now over 30 masks later?
MN: I am still just as excited, as each mask I make is unique, I feel like I am always learning and breaking new ground. I continue to search for interesting textures that will lead to new masks. I am excited to explore more 360 degree masks, as well as venture into the world of puppets. I grew up pretty quickly and didn’t play “make believe” much as a child, so I think I am making up for some lost time! I am having so much fun with these, and my wish is for that feeling to come through the mask and into the new owner.
SA: If you were one of the masks which one would you be?
MN: Without a doubt…the Unicorn! Who doesn’t want to be a unicorn?
SA: If you could make a mask of any person in present time or history who would it be?
MN: I so badly want to make the entire cast of the show Community. I am a huge fan of the show, not just for the amazing entertainment and acting, but for the absolute creative genius’ writing, directing & producing that show. They inspire me, while making me laugh. The message I get from it…no matter the medium, take it to new heights, push the boundaries and let your creativity set you apart from all others.
SA: Thanks so much, Melissa!
Readers, more exciting news about Melissa’s masks — she’s just released a video series that demonstrates how to make needle felted masks using her techniques. Wow, what an incredible opportunity!! It is also an excellent tutorial that can be used to learn how to needle felt. This three hour series is available with “pay what you can afford” options. I cannot wait to watch it. Click here to get to the link.
Melissa has a second yummy thing to share with us — she has created a special coupon for Spin Artiste readers — Save $10 on a mask from her etsy shop by using the coupon SPIN10MASK. I’m wanting the unicorn…
And, finally, Dear Readers, Melissa has a BIG surprise for you…Melissa is going to make one lucky Spin Artiste reader very happy because she has offered to make a custom animal mask as a giveaway! To enter, please leave a comment below with suggestions for a Halloween-themed animal mask for Melissa to make for you. Extra entries for sharing about Melissa’s blog on Facebook, Twitter, etc. Just leave an extra comment letting us know you did. A winner will be selected at random after next Sunday, September 9th, 5:00 PM. Best of luck to all — you will love it — I know cause I have two of them!
{ 119 comments… read them below or add one }
How AWESOME! Thank you to both Arlene and Melissa. The masks are gorgeous.
I shared the blog on both my personal FB page as well as on my fan page.
Your work is really beautiful and amazingly inspiring! Keep up the fabulous creations!!
I’ve admired Melissa’s masks on facebook for a while! My mask vision: a mermaid; beautiful of form, with iridescent blue/green skin and sinuous eel-like hair, intertwined with shells and colorful fish.
Melissa’s artistry always leaves me with my mouth agape, stunned by the beauty and skill she displays in her work.
I would diiiiiiiiiiiiie for a Raven mask, for rapping on chamber doors and quoting “Nevermore” – and because I’d love to see her interpretation of The Raven. Thank you, Melissa, for the amazing giveaway and generous coupon!
love. Love. LOVE.
Truly inspiring work.
Felt is my main fibervein, and I love to see folks on the edge of high art. These works of fine art raise the bar for all of us in the fiber art world.
Bravo.
Niish-
I suppose one of our Alpaca’s wouldn’t be Halloween related so I think a creepy cool looking Bat would be great. You do wonderful work.
I know it seems obvious, but a black cat would be really cool.
Oh, WOW! I already shared this on my Facebook page before reading the rules, so hope that counts.
Anyway, a Halloween mask. What about a sci-fi mask, like one of the Star Wars aliens? Greedo would be fun, or the one that looks kind of like a hammerhead snout with the eyes on top.
Facebooked too!
incredible masks….I know and love Kay Petal. She herself is an inspiration to us all…..I would love a doe mask…..the large brown innocent eyes that are the mirror of the soul…..the soft fur, the innocence…..That is what I wish for us all…..
I have to go with a black cat with green eye’s. Not very original but it always makes me think of Halloween.
Greetings from California! I met Melissa at Yarnival in July and was stunned by her creativity and beauty of her masks! I must admit, I have never seen anything quite like it thus loving the ‘uniqueness’ of her craft.
One of my favorite all time movies is ‘American Warewolf in London’ thus, I would love to see and have a really crazed Warewolf mask complete with glaring glow in the dark green eyes and narly canine teeth…. Perfect for howling at the moon and scaring tricksters on Halloween Night!
Thank you so much Melissa and Arlene! I have loved these masks since the first one I saw Melissa post on FB, total genius and now wonderful to read about the process and creativity behind them
If I could have my choice of mask.. well we have a wonderfully creepy ‘plague doctor’ mask from a Venice trip, it would be amazing to have a felted interpretation of that by Melissa, I bet she would make something incredible!
WOW!!!! These are absolutely amazing!!!! I am sooo inspired. I have been wanting to make reliefs for a while (not got round to it yet!!), and I’m also always trying to think of USES for needle felted stuff. And I love the way you describe your processes as well – just what I would like to say (except I haven’t ever made a mask), beautifully phrased.
What a talented person you are Melissa – thank you Arlene for sharing her with us!
i would love a kitty mask!
These are so amazing!! What a talent she has. Bring a bird lover I would really like a fanciful bird mask. Thank you.
Thanks again Arlene for another great artist story! The video seems a must for my library! I’ll never felt like Melissa but it’ll sure be fun to be a student through her video! I’ll share all this great info.
Ahh for a holloween mask I’d say an awesome curly locked sheep with crazy dyed locks!
The masks are wonderful. My daughter is planning her Sweet 16 and she is having a mascarade ball for it and we have been looking for totally different types of masks for her and her friends for this evening. These are incredible.
These masks are amazing! Needle felting gives my a headache, so I find Melissa’s talent completely breathtaking. I would love a frog/toad Halloween mask.
Posted to Facebook
Tweeted
I have so enjoyed following your mask making career, Melissa. I am totally captivated by them and it’s hard to wait to see the next one you come up with. Being the small time farmer I am, I look at the animals we have here…and what stands out in my mind is a rooster. Smiling & Waving, Sharon
I love the masks, though the clown creeps me out…
I think a great mask would be a platypus. They’re such unique, strange creatures, but very cute!
Wow – I mean WOW! How incredibly detailed and fabulous. Such a talent. Each mask is so beautiful – I want to touch them all
I am so happy that your brain found something to challenge it because you have definitely pushed the boundaries and brought fiber art to a whole new realm.
I am an avid fisherwoman and love the beauty and power of rainbow trout and steelhead. I am catch and release only so aside from photographs and awesome memories I have no trophies of my adventures on the water. A beautiful rainbow or steelhead mask would be so amazing as I could wear it as part of a super fun costume and then hang it on the wall as my trophy.
Shared her blog on my FB page too!
Awesome Article, So much appreciation in your work. Love your eye for art and creativity that goes into every piece. WOW. So realistic as well. If I had to choose a mask, so many to choose from since I LOVE Halloween!!! Being able to dress up and step out of my comfort level and be someone else for one day is epic… I would go with Gizmo from The Gremlins or Let’s Go Scary with Medusa.
Melissa, as always what an inspiration. Your work is just incredible and what a wonderfully written piece.
The masks are stunning and so lifelike. You really feel like you just want to reach out and grab one. Kudos to you and your amazing talent!
I have been in awe of Melissa’s masks since i saw the first one in the fiber artist forum on facebook. I would LOVE to see a french bulldog mask, I have 2 of them and they are such clowns I would love to be one for halloween.
Your art is absolutely amazing! Soooo talented. Seeing your masks in person, I could not keep my eyes off of them! My fav is the brown fairy w/ the dreds and the bindi.
Incredible talent! And amazing works of art. I saw your work first in the documentary about Yarnival! Still blown away!
I have watched Melissa transform from a fiber junky like the rest of us, to a fiber artiste! Truly an amazing woman who inspires others to greater creativity. Wonderful masks!!
I met Melissa and was privileged to see her masks at Yarnival this year. I loved them all, the unicorn and the fairies in particular. I would love to have a fairy, I love the way she captures the character, very beautiful and slightly frightening at the same time, otherworldly. It would be fun to see more foxes, wolves, big cats (panthers, jaguars, leapards.)
I love my axolotl mask!!! I shared on my Neauveau page on FB! I think it would be neat to have a mask of a Cuttlefish!
Wonderful masks, wonderful woman….I have two masks in the shop and love them….
All Melissa’s masks are fantastic, a Cheetah mask must be wonderful as well.
Dracula would make a fantastic mask for halloween, although I’d not mind a wicked witch one either… hrm….
tweeeted (I’m @spinheartspin )
And facebooked her blog (which I follow, of course, because she does amazing work)
shared on facebook
I’d love to see a wicked witch or a cat for Halloween. But my top choice would be a pumpkin head, evil with teeth of course. Sort of reminding me of the story of Sleepy Hollow.
I am lucky enough to have seen all of Melissa’s masks in person. Her work is awe inspiring! The possibilities are so endless that I would have to really think on it before deciding on what to get. Shared on Facebook!
Melissa and Arlene, you’ve both done an incredible interview! Long enough to be truly informative and short enough to read in less than 10 mins!
I love Melissa’s masks, and her relief animals. My favourite is her Eagle…. I am quite fond of pointing out that Melissa started her Eagle at my house! If I could have a custom mask made I would be torn between two choices: Tinker Belle for my daughter, and Queen Elisabeth I for me….
Thanks Melissa for sharing your creativity with us
PS. I have taken an Art Yarn workshop with Melissa, and she is a great teacher. If anyone is thinking about taking her Mask Making workshop, GO FOR IT! you won’t be disappointed.
Melissa you are a beautiful person not only in the talents you have but in every way. I will send this off to all my friends.
The masks which she makes are work of art!!!
I am a fellow felter on the needle-felting Facebook page.
Here is an interesting challenge: a mask of a mud puppy, this cute animal that is a combination of a fish and a salamander.
http://ladylavona.blogspot.ca/2008/09/audrey-kawasaki.html
i am new to felting and have much appreciation for your skill and artistry <3 awesome!
How fabulous!!! I would LOVE a unicorn, but a black cat would also be über cute for Halloween!
Beautiful masks! Not sure what I’d want if I win, too many tempting ideas
I am a flabbergasted fellow but fledging needle-felter! I have done a small Sloth in roving but I had this grandiose vision of either a fierce sloth face or a cuddly one or a hybrid like Chewbacca the Wookie from Star Wars done in a mask. Granted it would take a lot of wool materials for all the strands of fur hanging off the face; but I think it would be novel…. Keep up the fabulous posts and faces!!!! Thanks.
JESSICA (:
WOW! Every mask you create just is so amazing. I mentioned this before and I will mention it again and I do believe everyone will agree “Melissa YOU are the MASTER of the MASK….. Of the needle felting world” Continue to stab away my friend, because there is no doubt in my mind that your work will be on a Hollywood Screen!
one word-INCREDIBLE! these masks jus blow me away with each new one she makes. i think it would be a challenge to make a desert tortoise, a snake or a lizard. i work with a reptile rescue and would love to see one of these guys created. Melissa does such incredible work. I will be sharing this on FB too!!
You’d have to get permission – but I’d lovelovelove to see a 3D mask version of Blues Traveler’s Smokin’ Cat. I think the guys in the band would be WAY cool with it. They’re my favorite band, and I love that cat. And it’s a black cat, so it would work for Halloween.
Also posted to my Facebook page.
Your work is incredible! I love it so. I hope I get to see it in person one day. For me I think I’d love to wear a Hare mask or Fox.. I’m torn. I also love the sheep and unicorn just because of the curly locks.
Such beautiful work and so inspirational to other fiber artists!
Incredible! You are an awesome artist. Thank you Arlene for opening my eyes to this work.
I think you would make a lovely Devil mask because you have the ability to capture character and emotion in your work.
Gorgeous work
You have patience of a God 
Love it all 
Couldnt leave this alone ;P Just posted on Facebook too! Good luck everyone!!
You are so talented!!! Magnificent sense of 3d and also whimsical view of the animal and/or person you want to represent.
I love your masks…and I have shared on FB and also on my page.
Would be interesting to see a woman tree mask….
I’m very lucky to know you thru your art one of a kind gorgeous masks!!! Merci!
I would love to see your handy work on a Totoro mask! You are one of my biggest inspirations as an artist, mom and human being <3
WOW!! Amazing, amazing, amazing! I’m in awe of your talent!
Shared! Got fingers and toes and my childrens’ fingers and toes crossed, too!
These are breath taking! I think a Great Horned Owl would look amazing!
I read this earlier and missed the mention of a contest! Loved the sheep!!!!! I would ask for a dia de los muertos mask. Perhaps a skully feline or goat!
Your art is amazing. It would be very hard to pick one favorite.
I am posting on FB.
As for what mask I would want: I am so drawn to elves, fairies, gnomes, trolls, witches, santas, leprechauns. Your old man mask actually makes me think Witch.
I also think your lion mask is amazing, beautiful and so life like
Wow you are extremely talented i think a unicorn for my daughter would b spectacular.
The masks are so beautiful…magic – it was so nice to see the process of how the wonder is all put together.
Love this article, shared it to the fibre art week event page happening in St.Catharines, ON in September. Great inspiration and I love your work!
Melissa has the unique ability to breath life onto her art and create such life-like interpretations of the animalistic, fey, Sci fi, creatures of the night and downright creepy (the clown) iconic masks! Such admirable work and such patients. I would love to see a mask of a Llama with the classic banana ears!
Unicorn would rock!
Facebooked. These masks are AMAZING!
Melissa,
You already know how talented I think you are! You are absolutely incredible. Amazing art. If I could have a mask from you.. I’d pick a “leaf-man” Or leaf-woman, rather.
I admire the workmanship. You have a gift.
The masks are utterly amazing.!
Im on Facebook. I would love to see a scarecrow,
Or a peacock, a gobbling would be super grand as well.!
Keep up the great work.!
Awsome work. I’m gonna see if I can make one, just a small one. I am quite sure they will not come out looking anything like y ours. Your workmanship is super and details amazing. I like the Unicorn you did. keep it up. Please!
Great masks Melissa, very inspiring from a another Needle Felter & student of Kay’s, would love to learn some of your techniques as would make a great resource in my Early Childhood job with dress ups & story telling!! I’d love to see a Trollic out of Lord of the rings, that would make a scary Halloween mask!!
These masks are incredible! You are extremely skilled, and I am impressed.
Melissa, I just can’t stop looking at your work. Absolutely incredible!!!!
Every time I see one of your masks I’m blown away by your talent. Your work is unique and executed with such skill and creativity. I look forward to see what you do next!!!
Love your masks so much they are amazing! My daughter LOVES the unicorn! So much fun!
Her work is absolutely stunning! My dream mask would be something reptilian or amphibious that was feminine with features that were hideously gorgeous. I am obsessed with finding the golden spot that is ugly-pretty/ twisted-lovely. That both draws you in with beauty, but frightens all at once.
What a great article on Melissa and her beautiful, and whimsical mask’s! She is a true talent with incredible skill and attention to detail. I have admired her work for quite some time. Very excited to purchase her video tutorial . <3 ox
I shared on facebook too. I forgot to add what my dream Halloween mask would be. If I could have a custom mask made by Melissa it would have to be Pee Wee Herman.
What a great feature – I’ve always wondered what sort of process she goes through to create the masks, how inspiring!
I would love to wear one of these for Halloween! I would love to be a rodent, any rodent really, preferably a hamster or guinea pig! How cool.
Melissa, I love all your masks ( well the clown one sort of scares me). I am amazed and inspired by your creativity!
Absolutely stunning!!! Thank you so much for sharing your amazing creations!
So glorious! I’ve been working with felt for a few years now and I am amazed at the possibilities that you can create with hand felting. These are beautiful and such a great combo with locks and art yarn. I’d love to see a mouse or a rabbit. My favorites are the faerie masks and the sheep, I love the locks!
What an awesome article. Melissa, your masks are truly amazing and very unique. Wish I had thought of it, LOL! I think a Jack-O-Lantern mask with a little ghost coming out of the top would be a cool Halloween mask.
WOW! These are amazing. Just. Amazing.
I am temped to also say plauge mask, as another reader mentioned…as that would be insanely cool! But…I think it would be fabulous to have a Jacob sheep mask. Big felted, swirling horns would be really lovely…and after Halloween it will totally work for fiber-lovers wall art.
Thanks for the interview!
This work is so devastatingly gorgeous. Every piece is beyond amazing. I am in awe of the talent.
Mind-blowing talent. And, I am enthralled by Melissa’s desire to do masks for the COMMUNITY cast of characters. She would do an amazing job with that and I would LOVE to see those masks! : )
Absolutely stunning masks…I’ve purchased the video and love it…can’t wait to give it a go. I would recommend Melissa’s video to everyone you will not only learn how to make a mask but have the opportunity to be serenaded by her pet bird. Loved it! I would love a mask of a geisha. Good Luck Everyone!
Just love your masks! You are one talented lady! Would love to see your interpretation of one my little Papillon dogs. Shared on facebook.
I love your masks! Showed my 11 year old daughter your pig mask and she fell in love!!
These masks are just magical! I have done a tiny bit of felting, and stabbed the heck out of my fingers! If I could have any custom mask…I would have to go for a snow leopard. Your big cats are amazing, and the snow leopard is my favorite! Good luck to everyone!
Oh, and shared on Face book
I met Melissa at Yarnival. What an inspiration and talented artist!
I dream about the masks! They are so incredible. Thank you so much for making the tutorial. I will definitely purchase it (my next stop after this posting).
I am a face painter (in addition to being a fiber artist) and would love to have a mask to use with some of my costumes. A fairy or unicorn would definitely put me over the edge at some of my corporate gigs. The kids would really love it. Thank you so much for all you do, and for the opportunity to own one of these masks.
I hope to see Melissa next year at Yarnival!
Love all your mask but the clown disturbs me!
Your needle felting work/masks are absolutely awesome. I am in awe every time I see one posted!!! Your work is amazing!!!
these are really FAB! I work with fiber myself and your work is awesome! I think a possum would be quite nice..;)
Great article on a very talented lady! How about this for a challenge, Melissa… my son really wants a “Master Chief” mask from the game Halo for a Halloween costume. It would need to look like a sculpted metallic helmet…haha I have no idea how you could pull that off, but that is my suggestion!
Every time i see your masks i am like ….WOW!
It’s all amazing and one day i hope to be as good with needle felting as you are….you are such a talent……truly an inspiration to me…thank you xxx
My son and I saw your masks at the Caravan Farmer’s Market and were both awe-struck by your beautiful work!!!
Well done Melissa! It was great to see the masks in person at the fair yesterday. I think a prince(ss)/frog mask would be fun and my son votes for a boar!
Melissa,
I am so very happy for you and all the success you’ve had with your masks…. And as you know, I’m partial to the Rat. Cheers
You already know how fabulous I think you and your work is
I can’t tell you how much I enjoy seeing every new creation. It blows my mind even more than the last. So much talent and creativity! I love my fox mask so much, if I were to win one, I’d love a little deer friend up on the wall.. I’m all about the woodland creatures
What an amazing opportunity, thank you Melissa for sharing your art… LOVE LOVE LOVE!! XO
these are wonderful and even better seeing them in person. The craftsmanship is amazing and they have such a personality to them! Real Characters for sure.
I think your masks are such an amazing piece of art. They blow my mind every time you post something new. I don’t think I would use the mask if I won. I would hang it on my wall like a piece of art that it is! I think I would love a sheep mask it I won. I would be happy with anything you made really!
Great interview! I love the masks Melissa (some are kind of creepy…….) I saw them all together at a local Fall Fair yeaterday and I must say they did cause a bit of a ruckus! I think I would like an owl or maybe a coyote.
I don’t think I have the right words to describe the feeling these masks invoke in me! I eagerly wait for each new one yo be posted on my facebook! The Big Foot is my absolute favorite as I grew up in Washington state and camped in the Cascade mountains so I literally was raised with BigFoot stories! I believe he exists somewhere in those mountains!
I love all of the masks though and can see the butterfly on my beautiful daughter!! I see each one on someone in my life!
Forgot to mention the interview…..go figure, it was an exceptional interview!! If I was not already a fan this interview would have sent me off to explore Melissa ‘s website! I plan to purchase her tutorial so I can pretend I can be creative, who knows I might finally find a use for all of the raw fleeces I have collected in the last 3 years!
I would love to see what masks she could come up with using the ideas of fire and water…or the 4 seasons! A little random I suppose, but i think the possibilities for something incredible are there! As for creatures I am rather drawn to the idea of a frog prince.
Melissa is an inspiration to so many, she keeps amazing us with her talent!! Keep it coming. Cant wait to see what you come up with next….
Wow! I think I would want something pretty and with sparkle and flowing hair….How about something like a Fairy Rapunzel? That would be amazing!
I am so inspired & awe struck by your work, you will never know how much it fits my ideas 7 desires within the art field, thanks for sharing. looking forward to more
You’re a rock star in fibre Melissa. I’ll enjoy watching your creations on this heartfelt journey you are on.
Warm regards
Gwen
I am so shocked! These masks are amazing!!! I have to share this with my friends and happy December
Hello, I love your masks !! Have you ever done an antlered animal ? elk, moose, deer? That would be cool.
Thanks
Aiko
My husband loved your site because it made me speechless , the first time in our 43 years of married life. I must say Wow,Wow,Wow and again Wow. I am just finding out about needle felting and I must say, I am going to have one fun ride. Thank You for sharing. Sandy
I just bought your download for how your witch mask was made. I have alway, loved masks. I enjoyed your video a lot. I hope you will be making another video soon. I am just in the beginning stages of learning how to needle felt. I have needle felted a rabbit and a pumpkin, but it was pretty dense. I watched Kay Petal and found it a big help, also along with your video. I now realize keeping the air in my felting will save time. I applied what I learned from you and kay on an owl, and I was very pleased with the results. So thank you again and I will be waiting and watching for your next video.