FELT MAKER, FELTING INSTRUCTOR,
AND STUDIO OWNER

After twenty plus years working in high tech as a mechanical designer, Loyce Ericson took a personal and professional turn to follow her passion. She has been making felt since 1999 and began teaching in 2001. She has a private studio and classroom in Forest Grove, Oregon.

Loyce says, "I have always been a tactile person. I can't truly see a thing unless I can touch it so felt is the perfect medium for me. I get to use a wide variety of textures and colors of fibers in some very exciting ways. Felt should be seen with the fingertips. I want my art to be approachable, touchable and understandable by young and old viewers. I'm most gratified when a viewer, smiles, chuckles or sighs and then reaches out to touch one of my pieces of sculpture or art clothing."

To add to her skills, Loyce went back to college and has taken art design classes, reworking her class assignments in wool instead of the typical paper, paints and charcoal. Lately she has been adding a multi-media approach to her felt, learning to weld, making glass beads and incorporating found objects. She has taken felt making classes with local and international teachers learning a wide range of felting techniques and styles. She loves to make light weight laminated fabrics out of wool and silk as well as whimsical sculptures made with felting needles and densely packed wool.

Loyce’s pieces have taken many awards at Oregon’s Black Sheep Gathering and placed Best in Show 2000, Best in Class 2001 and 2003 at the Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival. She teaches nationally and owns the Chocolate Sheep Gallery in Forest Grove, Oregon.