“My name is Angélique Verdel and felting is my passion. I started felting some years ago and now I can’t imagine living without it.
“What started as a passion project has become something deeper. I’m proud of the journey so far, and even more excited for what’s to come.”
My Felting Story
When I arrived in the Azores in 2021, I learned that farmers were using wool only as fertilizer. I asked a few sheep owners for freshly shorn fleece. The wool arrived wet and dirty. I selected the best pieces, washed them at least six times, and dried them—here the humidity makes drying take about a week. Once dry, I pulled the fibers apart and stored them in large paper bags.
After hand carding proved too slow, I bought a carding machine. Donations of wool kept coming, and I nearly couldn’t keep up with washing by hand. I often dye the wool before carding, which adds another week of drying and requires pulling the fibers apart again.
In fall and winter I finally have time to be creative.