Many of Patti and Nan's friends ask how their business began and how they arrived at the name FiberAntics. Actually, it's a story how God brought together two strangers with a common love of animals and fiber.
Patti and her husband Joe have been raising Alpacas and Llamas for 12 years; they have a small farm in Whiteland, Indiana. Currently they have 17 Alpacas and 8 Llamas. On a similar farm near Greenwood, Indiana, about fifteen minutes from Patti, Nan and her husband John raise quality show Llamas and one Suri Alpaca. (Nan just "had" to have some suri fiber to work with). About 7 years ago Patti and Joe were exhibiting their animals at a local Llama and Alpaca Show show. There, they met Nan and her husband John. Nan and Patti immediately expressed there love for fiber animals and working with fiber. In the spring, when it was time to shear their animals, they teamed up and each couple helped the other with the shearing duties. Now....what to do with all that fiber!
Nan and Patti began meeting each week to exchange ideas and experiment with their fiber. To the table, Nan brought her experience in oil painting. Patti brought her love of crafts and her experience of designing and creating exceptional bears and dolls. Nan and Patti combined their knowledge and experimented with different ways to use the fiber. It was not long before they realized they had a passion for wet and needle felting. They agreed to continue meeting weekly to design and create wet felted clothing, accessories, and items for home decor and to prepare for upcoming art fairs. Since so much time was spent laughing as creating and felting, they decided that all their antics needed to be reflected in the name of their business.... thus the name FiberAntics.
Patti and Nan have been privileged to study under nationally and internationally known wet felting instructors. They continue to meet one day a week to create, felt and laugh. Even, their mistakes were used to make something even better than what they had planned. They found that listening to what the fiber wants to be is vital. They love the creating part; nothing is safe from being felted. They have felted kitchen and dining chairs and the china. Be sure to visit the gallery to see some of their work.
At present, they do not have a store. They work out in Nan's studio located in her home. They offer classes to a limited number of people thus assuring each student gets individual attention. These classes are located at either the studio or at the choice of a guild or group of friends. Contact Patti and Nan for further details.
Patti and Nan believe that their beautiful Alpacas and Llamas are a gift given from God, and He has given them the opportunity to be shepherds of His animals. They do not take the responsibility lightly. Their artistic ability is another blessing that at times even amazes them and they give thanks to God for their talent. They hope that their creations are a source of pleasure to all who view.