Barbara Potoczny ~ Fiber Artist ~ Teacher

My daughter Stacey is taking part in the fundraising efforts of the Winston Salem Police Department which will benefit the Special Olympics.  Stacey is once again taking the Polar Plunge………..brrrrrrrrr. 

To assist her in raising funds and awareness for the Special Olympics, please check this out:   www.firstgiving.com/wspdstaceyp

I know she would like to thank you in advance for any help you would like to give.

More posts coming soon,  on this event and other recent happenings.   =-)

Here are a few photos from recent classes.

The first are from the Angels All Around.

 

 

 

      This doll class is great fun.  So many embellishing ideas to make each Angel doll unique.  Good work ladies. 

The next is a photo of some of the beautiful new journals made in class.  One journal cover is made of a variety of luxurious fabrics that were needle felted, and the other journal cover was needle felted using a variety of  fibers, including beautiful silk hankies.  All finished with handdyed and handspun yarns.  Absolutely beautiful.  I had a great time with the journals. They are so addictive.  A wonderful canvas to try new ideas in a small form.

I just returned from another week of teaching workshops  in South Carolina.  We all had so much fun.   Accent Sewing has expanded, with even larger class space.  You KNOW I love that.

I started the week teaching my Angel doll class, followed with a new needle felted journal, and finished the week with my newest addition to my needle felting workshops, the  Poinsettia wallhanging.  All of the Needle Felting workshops are my original designs, which I plan to put into pattern form.  

I was so pleased to have  several of my fabulous needle felting buddies in the workshops, as well as a few new ladies.  It’s always great to see the newest students  having a good time with needle felting.  They all did such a great job with the projects.  I am so proud to see the students working so hard  and especially, their  finished items.

Everyone did so well in class, I’m looking forward to photos of the finished projects.  I have one here to share with you already. Absolutely beautiful!!

Maxi’s poinsettia turned out great.  What do you think?   It is almost 20 inches across. 

I’ll have several more class photos to share with you  in the next few days.  Be sure to check back.

I’m back.  I have some wonderful new classes I’m teaching  this November at Accent Sewing, in Murrells Inlet, SC.  For all of you who love making needle felted flowers,  here  is my new Poinsettia Wreath.   It would look great on a front door, or anywhere.   It is made by needle felting loads of fabulous fabrics to create the petals and leaves, then 3D Effects are added, along with lots of sparkle.  I think you’ll love making this one.  Especially if you are a person who loves color and textures.  But who doesn’t!

Another great project is the Book of Secrets.  I’ll have two choices for you to choose from.  First is a White-on-White cover mostly felted with silk,velvet, and satin.  You may choose to do your felting with all fibers.  I have wonderful fall colored wool fibers that felt so easily.   To complete our projects, we will add handspun yarns, beads, embroidery stitching, and more to make them even more fabulous.  This would make a great  notebook for the college crowd, a new bride, or your best friend.   Easy to create, yet it looks very time consuming. (That will be our secret.)  Before long, you will be designing one to fit each personality on your list. 

 

Also, we can’t forget this cute little doll – Angels All Around.  This is a very easy doll to create and embellish to your hearts desire with laces, trims, beads and fibers.  I’ll share several techniques for creating hair and some great new wing ideas.  Most supplies for her are provided in this class. 

If you have any questions about these or any other classes, please email me at CountryPastimes@aol.com 

I have some wonderful photos of recent student work to share with you next time.

Here are a few more photos of the Tiger Lily class.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m back from teaching for another fun filled week in Murrels Inlet, SC.    I can’t say enough good things about all the students I have had this week.  I enjoyed seeing many of my past students and had the pleasure of meeting several new ladies.   I think they have been bitten by the needle felting bug.  I don’t blame them.  I’m hooked as well!

In my Cat Dancer class I enjoyed teaching a young lady, new to dollmaking.  She did a wonderful job, worked so hard, and left with a completed project.  All I can say is WOW.  Great Job!   

The kitty claws came out among the others trying to see just who could be teachers pet.   =-)    I think it was a 3 way tie.  (You know who you are.)  So many laughs and so much fun.  This class begins with a little sewing, then hand painting, then sewing, stuffing, more sewing, more stuffing, and finally embellishing and making their own style of hair Lots of hard work, but well worth all their efforts to create their own Cat Doll.   A memorable day for us all.  We had a great time. 

This week we also made some machine needle felted Clutch bags.  I am very proud of all these ladies.  Beautiful work.  Just a few more stitches, and they are ready to go out on the town.    Very stylish………..

 

 

 

 

 

Finishing off the week with the Tiger Lily class.  The ladies each choose a main color of fabric for their lilies.  Then added additional fabrics from a mound of silks, velvets, satins, sheers, and more.   Add in some  fibers and the fun begins.  They made the most beautiful flowers you have ever seen. 

I am to eager to see all the Tiger Lily wall hangings once they have all their finishing touches.  Beautiful!

I’m very excited to be teaching in Murrells Inlet again in July, at Accent Sewing.   I am unveiling 2 new classes, Tiger Lilies, and Needle Felted Clutch.  Here are some photos of each. 

This is a close up of the 3 dimensional needle felted Tiger Lilies.  Using a combination of fabrics to create the flowers and leaves.  Additional embellishments are used for the flower centers.

Here are 2 of the needle felted clutch bags.  Several color choices will be offered in class.  This bag is needle felted using silks, velvets, satins and more.  It has a magnetic snap closure and beaded embellishments to add that extra sparkle. 

I am also teaching the very popular Cat Dancer doll.  This is a wonderfully creative doll using several techniques, including face painting, beading, creating the mane, and many more techniques discussed in class.   Although previous doll making experience would be helpful, even beginners can create this fabulous doll.  Original pattern by Magic Threads.

Here are a few more journal covers made by Pat.  She took my journal cover class a few months ago and has made just a few more.  She has added a few shells and other sealife for some wonderful dimension.  Thanks for sharing you wonderful creations.

It’s May and I’ve been so busy designing new projects and samples.  I am teaching at Accent Sewing in Murrells Inlet SC  in July.  

I’ll be teaching workshops for two new great projects.   Tiger Lilies is another in my floral series in machine needle felting flowers.   The lilies may be done in the orange/red color as shown, or I will have other color fabrics in class for peach, yellow, or white lilies. 

This beautiful clutch style handbag is done in aqua/teal tones with beaded accents.    Additional colors will also be available in class.  It is silk lined with a pocket and a magnetic snap closure. 

 Here’s a photo of another clutch, made with greens.  This one has different embellishments,  using felted flowers, yarns, and ribbons. No beads on this one. 

For the doll makers, Cat Dancer is back.  This is a wonderful cat doll, almost human.  He has loads of personality.  This 2 day class includes face painting and several embellishing techniques.   Please check with Accent Sewing for more class info, including dates and costs.  www.AccentSewing.com

Cat Dancer is not difficult to make, if you have any sewing experience, you can make this doll. 

I have been working on several more new techniques and samples of machine needle felting.  You know needle felting  is my favorite pastime!  Wait till you see what’s coming next……… I’m so excited!

A little off my usual posts, however I have to share this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

Enjoy