I've been blazing a path in novel sculptural techniques in fiber for nearly 20 years, playing and experimenting with the weird and wonderful process of needle felting. Fiber work is often steeped in tradition, but hand needle felting is only about 50 years old, and I came to it with fresh eyes from a background in figurative art in clay, metal, and stone. When I stumbled across needle felting I started applying the same approaches I had used with other media. I didn't take it too seriously and enjoyed exploring something totally new to me, slowly gaining mastery through hands-on experience. I keep creating new challenges for myself and pushing the limits of the process.

Much of what I create grows out of curiosity about what I can make the material do or look like. There's never just one 'right' way to approach a problem, there's no 'official' way to do it, no method that's 'cheating.' There's trying things, seeing how it goes, and sharing the results so we can all keep elevating our skills. There's a real joy in making things you want to make--even if you're still figuring out what that is as you go.

I'm a little irreverent in my approach to life and art making, and that comes through in my teaching-- humor and a lighthearted spirit permeate my workshops. I take what I do and what I know seriously, but I don't take myself seriously.

Over my years of teaching in-person workshops I've developed varied ways of explaining and demonstrating to try to reach every kind of learner. All my practice with needle felting made it seem intuitive; teaching has made me get really clear on how and why this works, and how best to help others get the results they want.

I love the satisfaction I feel when my students' work transforms over the course of a workshop. It feels so good to know that what and how I'm teaching is positively affecting not only the outcomes but the creative experience for my students.

Although nothing beats working with someone in person, this online video-based workshop format aims to bring you the best of the workshop experience-- with the added benefits of having the best seat in the house, and having the content available for life. I'm starting with a comprehensive introduction to sculptural needle felting, and I'll add specialized in-depth workshops later down the line.

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Past Student Testimonials

"Sometimes, we can fall into a trap of assumptions. I knew a couple of friends who had crafted cute felted objects, and without much thought I assumed that must be about the extent of felting. Then I met Stephanie Metz. Her quick wit and sly sense of humor underpin a transformative approach to felting. Through her lens, it suddenly becomes possible to envision the vast and exciting potential of sculpting with wool. Her technique is disciplined and sophisticated, her attitude is playful and inventive, and her results are powerful.”

- Benjamin Mefford

“Stephanie was a patient and warm teacher and she taught techniques that I haven’t seen elsewhere. But more importantly she taught me that felting could be an art form capable of a range of expression. She is a very talented artist and her class changed my perspective on fiber arts. I have continued to use the techniques she taught me, even years after taking her class.“

- Fiona Carswell

“I was a confirmed wet felter before taking Stephanie's class. I soon realized that more potential for creating detailed, high quality felt objects and sculpture was possible through using the barbed needle. Now I combine both techniques. Stephanie is very patient, kind, and fun. She knows that anything is possible to make from wool and is willing to share her wealth of experience, skill, and knowledge.”

- Susan Walker

“Stephanie is a wonderfully inspiring teacher. She is patient, clear, supportive, fun—she makes the whole learning process exciting rather than painful (except for the needle pokes, of course).” 

- Laura Schwartz