Art at the Farm: Needle Felted Wool Daisy Brooch

Art at the Farm: Needle Felted Wool Daisy Brooch

April 18, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

$105 per person

Create a cheerful handmade accessory in this Needle Felted Wool Daisy Brooch workshop led by acclaimed artist Billie Theide. In this hands-on class, participants will learn how to sculpt and “paint” with wool fiber using needle felting techniques to create a colorful daisy-inspired pin.

This beginner-friendly workshop introduces the fundamentals of needle felting while allowing plenty of time to experiment with color, texture, and form. By the end of the session, you’ll have a finished brooch and the skills to continue exploring needle felting at home.

What You'll Do

During this guided workshop, Billie will demonstrate how to shape wool fibers with specialized felting needles and layer colors to create dimension and detail. Participants will work step-by-step to build their own daisy brooch, learning how wool can be used as a sculptural and painterly material.

The class combines instruction with hands-on studio time, allowing you to develop your brooch while receiving individual guidance.

You'll Learn

• Fundamentals of needle felting with wool fibers

• Techniques for shaping and layering wool

• How to “paint” with fiber to create color and texture

• Methods for finishing wearable felted pieces

What's Included

• Needle felting toolkit to take home

• Wool fiber in a variety of colors

• Felting needles and work surface

• Step-by-step instruction throughout the workshop

• Finished daisy brooch to wear or gift

Who This Workshop Is For

• Beginner crafters interested in fiber arts

• Artists curious about sculpting with wool

• Anyone who enjoys hands-on creative projects

• People looking to learn a new textile technique

About Your Instructor

Billie Theide is Professor Emerita and former Chair of the Crafts Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She is a metalsmith, jeweler, textile artist, and ceramicist whose work appears in major public collections around the world, including the Smithsonian Institution, the Museum of Arts & Design in New York City, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and the Racine Art Museum.

Theide is the recipient of a Visual Arts Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and five Artists Fellowship Grants from the Illinois Arts Council. She is widely recognized for her excellence in teaching and is a Distinguished Member and Past-President of the Society of North American Goldsmiths.

Event Details

What to Bring: A pair of embroidery scissors

Experience Level: Beginner-friendly, no previous experience required

Takeaway: A finished needle felted wool daisy brooch and a take-home felting toolkit

Location: Prairie Fruits Farm Classroom

4410 N Lincoln Ave, Champaign, IL

Parking: General parking is available in the gravel lot. ADA parking is located south of the farmhouse. The classroom is in the white building with black trim west of the gardens. Check in at the farm store at the front of the building.

Tickets: $105 per person

By attending, you consent to your image being used in Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery marketing, social media, and publications. Please notify the photographer if you prefer not to be photographed.