Create a Goldfinch Needle Felted Fiber Painting
Irene will be conducting a morning and an afternoon class in needle felting. The morning will focus on creating a 2D painting of a goldfinch in a flower garden. In the afternoon, people will be creating a 3D otter, truly a playful creature.
Instructor: Irene Heckel-Volpe
Date: Mar 14, 2026
Time: 9:00 – 1:00
Class Cost: $60 CAG members, $65 non-members
Materials Cost: $15 The materials fee may be paid on the day of the class.
Location: Five Oaks Art Studio, 1247 Rural Drive NW, Concord, NC 28027
To Register: Send an email to Irene@ireneheckel.com
Payment Method: Payment in advance by check. Address will be provided qt the time of registration. Material cost to be paid on day of class.
Class Details: Adults 18 or older – Maximum number of students 12
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Learn to use needle felting wool fiber to “paint” a picture. We will be starting with a prefelt base (sheet of partially felted wool) that has a transfer of the simple photo of a goldfinch in a flower garden. Then, using our fibers and needles we will try and recreate our picture in fiber (and of course use our creative license!). We will be learning to blend fibers to get our results. Our “painting” will be an 8 x 10 picture which can easily be placed in an 11 x 14 mat and frame.
The materials will include fiber to complete the project, 2 felting needles, prefelt base with transfer of image of sleeping kitty and a foam work pad. Students only need to bring a sense of humor and their imagination!
Irene began needle felting (both 2D and 3D) in 2002 when the fiber art form was relatively unknown in the United States. Since then, she has won many awards for her work across the country. She has produced an instructional DVD and is currently working on a needle felting book.
Irene lives in Western North Carolina near Asheville with her husband and fur family.
