I have had a life-long fascination with little things and needlework. At the Rhode Island School of Design, I rediscovered my childhood delight in sewing and creating miniature scenes. Manipulating materials in my hands with a needle and thread was so much more satisfying than rendering with a pencil or brush. I found that I could communicate my ideas more clearly and that my hands would direct me in a compelling way. Finding no descriptive term for what I was making, I named my technique Fabric Relief 35 years ago.
Today, I sew different materials together to create fanciful scenes in relief, much like miniature, shallow stage sets, with figures imposed on embellished fabric backgrounds. My work is decorative and detailed, full of patterns from nature and found objects, all sewn together by hand with a needle and thread. The original fabric relief sculptures have been photographed and used to illustrate 10 children’s books, including the award-winning Pocketful of Posies: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes. Original illustrations from Pocketful of Posies are touring the country into 2014. My how-to book, Felt Wee Folk: Enchanting Projects is still being discovered, after almost 10 years in print. I work in my home studio on Cape Cod, in Falmouth, Massachusetts.
Please note: Wee Folk Studio has discontinued the Ltd. Edition dolls and Blossom Fairy Kits.
Contact me at weefolk@cape.com or P.O. Box 152, Woods Hole, MA 02543
Visit my Facebook Page.
Posters, autographed books, and cards are available at my Etsy shop.
See a series of pictures of my studio on my Etsy About page.
To see a list of all of my books, go to My Books.
See a short documentary film Rabbitat.
See Aleksandr Smolyaninov’s Video of my artwork.
Read my acceptance speech for the 2011 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award
Read an interview with Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast
Read in interview with Living Crafts.
Poster of Self-Portrait: A Personal History of Fashion available at my Etsy shop.
Your work is enchanting and appeals to the child in me. After purchasing Felt Wee Folk/Enchanting Projects the years have slipped by with no time to try any handwork at all. It has provided enjoyment, however, and my goal now is to collect all of the children’s books you have illustrated. So glad you stuck to your own vision through school and didn’t get swayed towards someone else’s idea of what is art. All the best to you in your delightful work. It is so appealing. Sincerely, Cate Jones
I found this blog via Maya*made giveaway post and your work is wow! I cannot put my excitement into words and you’re so amazing! What are your hands made of? I love your work so much! I am new to crafting world and really thank you for sharing your story.
Dita
http://handmadenest.blogspot.cok
i am so charmed, enchanted and pleased to find your lovely site and work through the maya made blog! your work is exquisite and i can’t wait to sit and sift through all your charming pages. please stop by my crazy life which you can see at farmandfrufru.blogspot.com. i live on a dairy farm and write about crafting, farming and whatever trivial thing stikes my fancy at any give time…you are always welcome…in the mean time, know that you have gained not only a new reader, but a new fan and admirer as well…
Hi Salley, ever since you mentioned Lazure painting in the Waldorf blog I have been interested in trying it. Any chance you could give a few tips on how to do it your way? I’ve seen all the stuff online, but your technique/colors appealed to me. I don’t want to do a mural, just a verrrry subtle and gradual color gradation on my walls, definitely not as intense as the coral walls in the classroom picture. Do you use the ‘figure 8′ brushstroke technique??- thanks, Jules
I am so taken by your work! Last Saturday (Feb 5), I chanced upon your book while at Michael’s looking for some yarn. I put it back on the shelf but the images stayed with me so I wound up ordering your book from Amazon last night. I’m an artist and a crafter and all my life, I’ve dabbled in doll-making (I cultivated a friendship with a doll maker from the Netherlands–Marleen Engeler when I was in my 30′s so we’ve been exchanging cards and mail for a good 20 years), I’ve loved miniatures and fairies and such. Somehow, painting them just didn’t do it for me. I think you’ve introduced me to an art form I’d like to try although I know I don’t have the patience it needs. Thank you for being an inspiration!
Hi Salley,
Do you photograph your own work, or have someone else do it? Good lighting is critical to getting the right colors without unwanted indirect shadows. Congratulations on your Golden Kite citation! Cheers, Joy Chu
Wow! I’ve just found your book Felt Wee folk at my library and i am blown away by your little folk! There’s something about making something so tiny and cute that really appeals to me. I’m going to have a go at making these as soon as possible. You are such a creative and clever person,thankyou x
Salley,
I love art, and am so very impressed by you and your work.
So excited, honored and happy to know you:)
How wonderful to be able to read about the woman who is behind such exquisite work.
Has anyone ever approached you with the suggestion that you design children’s clothes? The sweet simplicity, lines and nourishing colors that your little people wear would do so well on little people everywhere.
May your heart and hands continue their magic for years to come.
Hi Salley, your work is lovely! Keep it up. Wonderful.
I recently found your book Pocketful of Posies and I love it so much!
I enjoy working with felt, but most of my work has been 2 dimensional. Your book has inspired me try creating 3 dimensional characters. Your little people are so precious!
Hi Salley, I discovered your site whilst looking for nut hutch information, I have a workshop next weekend on birds. What wonderful work you do, I love the birds! Do you make your own felt? What is matt board? I would love more information please!
Many thanks.
Outstanding! Found you thru a pinterest. Love your work. How fun it must be to live on the Cape. Became engaged on the Cape! Cheers!
Hi Salley…name is Gina I am very interested in purchasing your “Blossom Fairies Kits”. Do you still sell these? I purchased a Miniature Collector Book at a Miniature show in Syracuse, N.Y. dated December 2000…..Booooo! I really really hope you have kits available I am so very excited about these. Hope to talk to you soon.
Sorry, Gina, but I haven’t made the kits for about 5 years. My how-to book, Felt Wee Folk, has patterns and directions for making a variety of wee folk and fairy dolls. You can find it in my Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/listing/102316811/autographed-how-to-book-and-poster-felt
I have admired your work since finding your Felt Wee Folk years back. Saw your incredible piece in the LaConner show today with my quilting buddies and fellow admirers and was awestruck. My friend Linda summed it up when she said she never thought she’d be lucky enough to see your work in person. It made our day to say the least. So amazing. The attention to the tiniest detail is amazing and truly transports me. Thank you.
Trabalhos maravilhosos!
Parabéns pelas obras que revelam uma grande sensibilidade artistica, primando pela perfeição e preciosismo.
Obrigado por me conceder a honra de apreciar a sua ARTE.
Certamente a mais bela arte que já vi! Encantadora!
Parabéns!
Um dos trabalhos mais lindos que eu já vi ( via internet ). perfeito e cheio de Amor!
Salley sou do Brasil, moro em SC, no interior, estou realmente encantada, maravilha com o seu trabalho encontrei seu site no face ,Parabéns por tanto don que fazem qualquer umperder o folego diante de tanta beleza
Oh, Salley, your works are a Fairy Tale World, where’s good to live!
If you don’t already have this, I just nominated you for the Kreativ Blogger Award.
http://abstractlucidity.com/2012/11/30/kreativ-blogger-award/
I came over from Stitching Fingers.
Visiting your website really made my day!!
You sent my mind on a fantastic journey. Thank you and keep up the good work!
Happy New Year wishes from Germany.
Kirsten
How beautiful… I am so glad to meet your creative amazing world.How I wished to have all your little friends… Thank you, Blessing and Happiness, with my love, nia
Dear Sally,
Your work takes me back to a time in my childhood when it was still possible to be an independent, imaginative child who roamed the neighborhood and woods with abandon. There is a magic in childhood and you capture it in the most enchanting manner with your beautiful works.
You are singly responsible for inspiring my 17yr old daughter to sculpt and make unique dolls which she now also sells on Etsy. She always mentions how grateful she is to you for writing your books – you are her heroine!
Thank you
Marie
Hearing this makes me feel like it is all worth it!
Seu trabalho é arte!!!!! Lindo de viver, tem uma ternura, eu amo conhecer arteiras do mundo, me surpreendo sempre, e isso é muito bom. Me escreva falando mais de você e seu trabalho. Espero que venha ao Brasil qualquer dia!!! beijos Suzy
Your work is beautifull, we feel inspired, thank you for sharring it us.