Forest Edge Fox (Art)
This is shared as a personal creative work. Poetry and artwork communicate lived experiences in unique ways, and each piece reflects the individual voice and perspective of its creator.
Forest Edge Fox
My journey as a fiber artist is one shaped by resilience, curiosity, and the healing power of creativity. Inspired by the natural beauty of Western North Carolina, I see fiber not merely as a material, but as a medium for storytelling and connection. Each piece I create—whether a felted landscape or a three-dimensional sculpture—invites viewers to experience the texture, color, and spirit woven into its form.
Through the challenges I have faced, from physical setbacks to unexpected pauses in my artistic practice, I have discovered that art is a lifeline—capable of adapting, evolving, and finding new expressions. My work combines Merino, Corriedale, silk, and rare wools, often blending techniques and unconventional materials to create pieces that celebrate both imagination and craftsmanship. Every creation is a testament to the joy of making and the possibility of reinvention, and I invite others to share the tactile and visual stories spun from fiber.
—
A young fox sitting in the safety of a tree at the edge of the forest pondering the new day.
Fiber Content: 99% Fiber - 1% wire. Fiber blends of Merino, Corriedale wools; Mulberry and Tussah Silk; Blue Faced Leicester (BFL), Teeswater, Wensleydale, Angora and assorted locks.
Techniques: Hand and drum carding, needle felting. Leaves are a blend of fibers using a plume pallet which resembles a comb. Fiber is arranged and twisted over a wire spine, pressed, trimmed then finished with Powertex.
Awards:
• 1st Place and People’s Choice at the 2022 Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair
• 1st Place and Best in Show 2022 Mountain State Fair
• People’s Choice – Art League of Hendersonville August 2024 Member Show
• People’s Choice Co-Winner - Art League of Hendersonville February 2025 – Fiber Art Focus Show
Written by: Stephanie Williams
Person living with a brain injury
-
Stephanie Williams (b. 1963) grew up against the scenic backdrop of Western North Carolina, where her earliest creative memories were stitched together while sitting on her mother’s lap, learning to sew before her feet could reach the pedal. Driven by an innate curiosity and a love for making, Stephanie’s artistic ambitions led her to the study of commercial art. However, in 1984, a devastating car accident would dramatically alter her life’s path.
Enduring severe injuries and a long recovery, Stephanie faced temporary paralysis in her right arm and a profound shift in her dexterity and abilities. With remarkable resilience, she adapted—earning degrees in mechanical drafting and design, and manufacturing engineering technology. For over three decades, her career flourished in the automotive industry, even as she quietly mourned the loss of her original creative pursuits.
In 2015, a spark reignited: the simple purchase of a wool brooch from a Welsh artist became the catalyst for a passionate exploration of fiber art. Determined to learn felting during an upcoming ankle surgery recovery, Stephanie immersed herself in online tutorials, Etsy kits, and the welcoming world of fiber enthusiasts. She learned that artists can do a lot with simple tools: for needle felting, just a foam or wool base, felting needles, and wool; for wet felting, all you need is an old towel, bubble wrap or a bamboo mat, soap, water, and wool fiber. She uses hand carders and drum carders to blend materials for bigger projects, similar to mixing paint. Everyday items like toothpicks, skewers, rolling pins, and thinning shears are common in her creative process, along with a few specialized tools made to create shapes with consistency and ease.
With support from local and international fiber artists, Stephanie learned many techniques and discovered that even materials not typically used for felting can be incorporated. Through sampling and experimentation, the versatility and forgiving nature of fiber, its tactile joy, and endless creative possibilities provided the expressive outlet she had longed for—and with every new technique, she stitched together a new artistic identity. Stephanie’s art celebrates texture, color, and storytelling. She often combines Merino, Corriedale, silk, and rare wools in her works, that invite viewers to look more closely—and reach out to touch. Her award-winning “Forest Edge Fox,” a felted fox perched in the safety of a tree, exemplifies her signature approach: 99% fiber, 1% wire, and a generous measure of imagination and skill. This piece garnered multiple accolades, including 1st Place and People’s Choice awards at the 2022 Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair and Mountain State Fair, as well as “Best in Show” honors and repeated recognition by the Art League of Henderson County, North Carolina.
Stephanie’s journey has not been without further challenges. In 2024, a sudden health crisis stemming from a vaccine reaction and the discovery and impact of past head trauma forced her to pause her artmaking. Yet, her spirit remains undaunted. Her fiber art is celebrated locally, featured in magazines, and cherished by collectors—including a special wool tribute of her mother’s dog, Jake. Stephanie’s story is one of resilience and reinvention, a testament to the healing power of creativity and the enduring belief that art can always find its way through the challenges of life.
Even as she focuses on healing, Stephanie looks forward to returning to the studio—her hands once again bringing to life the dreams and stories spun from fiber.
Specializing in 2D and 3D Fiber Art Creations – Needle and Wet Felting Art Wearables, 2D landscapes and animal paintings, 3D sculptures, Commissions welcome!
Creativity brings hope to life.
In 2025, we invited those living with a brain injury from our community to share their artwork for the first-ever Hope Survives Greeting Card Collection. This piece is part of the featured gallery which highlights the artists whose work was selected for our printed cards, available as part of this fundraiser.
Click here to see our current gallery.
More inspiring artwork:
