Recently, I had the absolute joy of sitting down with Christie Lower, the warm-hearted creator behind Rustic Fiber. Our talk unfolded so naturally, traversing creativity, loss, inspiration, teaching, and the gentle wisdom that comes from a life touched deeply by art.
So, pop the kettle on, settle into your favourite chair, and join me as I reflect on our lovely conversation…
When Dreams Become Reality
Christie’s journey into the world of fibre art began quietly, evolving from a whisper of an idea into the vibrant reality of Rustic Fiber Art. For Christie, the turning point came with motherhood. She’d stepped back from full-time work, but knew she still needed a creative outlet. After dabbling in various crafts, she discovered needle felting—and something clicked. The desire to contribute financially, even in a small way, led her gently but firmly down a path of creative business ownership. She didn’t plan every step, but as Christie beautifully said, each new opportunity felt like a quiet blessing guiding her forward.
Grief, Solace, and the Gift of Needle Felting
Our chat took a tender turn as Christie opened up about losing her grandmother—a profound personal loss that coincided closely with becoming a mother herself. Needle felting became her solace. In fact, Christie described needle felting as a gift from her grandmother—a kit ordered but only arriving after her grandma’s passing. In a moment of serendipity, Christie found herself using her grandmother’s gardening gloves to protect her hands from the felting needle. With each gentle poke, grief softened into comfort, transforming loss into artful memories.
Birds: A Loving Legacy
Birds are not merely subjects for Christie; they’re her heartfelt tribute to her grandmother. Though her grandma wasn’t a formal birdwatcher, she had a special connection with birds—feeding them daily, chatting away to them like old friends. In Christie’s stunning series of North American birds, each creation honours this quiet legacy. Birds have become Christie’s way of keeping her grandmother’s spirit alive, filling her art and her studio with gentle whispers of shared memories.
The Birth of an Academy
Launching her Rustic Fiber Art Academy wasn’t initially in Christie’s plans—it evolved organically from her love of sharing knowledge. People kept asking, "How did you do that?" Her first tutorials were humble Facebook groups, gradually merging into a bustling creative community. Christie believes deeply in teaching from multiple perspectives, encouraging everyone to develop their unique creative voice. And I wholeheartedly agree—creativity thrives best in the rich soil of collaboration not competition.
Teaching from the Heart
Among all the teaching projects Christie’s undertaken, her time in Mexico teaching needle felting to local mothers holds a special place. It began as an artist residency but blossomed unexpectedly into an emotional and deeply rewarding teaching experience. Christie shared the magic of needle felting with women who’d never encountered the craft before—women who discovered joy, confidence, and possibility through her guidance.
The Challenges of a Solo Journey
Christie candidly spoke of loneliness as her greatest challenge—a sentiment many of us who work alone can resonate with. Without colleagues to celebrate or commiserate with, running a creative business can sometimes feel isolating. But Christie also shared how online communities, and local groups slowly forming around needle felting, have become her lifeline, reinforcing the importance of connection in our creative journeys.
Encouragement for the Hesitant Felter
For anyone feeling hesitant to start needle felting—due to doubt, busy lives, or fear of failure—Christie’s advice was refreshingly simple: Just do it. Don't overthink or over-plan. Let your hands play with wool and trust the creative process. And don’t worry about the occasional stab—it's part of the adventure (though a good pair of gloves helps!).
Celebrating Fellow Fibre Artists
Christie recently began showcasing the work of other fibre artists on her platforms—a wonderful gesture of support that deeply resonates with my own beliefs. She shared how discovering talented yet overlooked artists inspired her to offer her own audience as a stage. This initiative quickly filled up, revealing a vibrant community eager to celebrate each other's creativity.
New Horizons and Fresh Projects
Looking ahead, Christie shared her excitement about an upcoming gallery show—a project pushing her artistic boundaries into fresh and intriguing directions. Alongside this, her heart remains dedicated to creating new tutorials, growing her Academy, and nurturing her local community. The variety keeps her inspired and excited.
Imagining the Future
When asked about the future, Christie laughed gently—she prefers not knowing exactly where she’ll be in a few years. Embracing the unknown allows her the freedom to follow where creativity naturally leads her. Christie reminded me that creativity is not about reaching a fixed destination—it’s about the joy of the unfolding journey itself.
Final Thoughts Over a Virtual Brew
Wrapping up our chat, Christie offered gentle wisdom for all of us: trust your creative voice, share your journey openly (the good, the ugly, and the downright odd stages), and remember to support one another along the way.
Our conversation left me feeling warmly inspired, reminding me yet again why I adore these moments of creative connection so deeply. Creativity, after all, isn’t just about making beautiful things—it’s about finding our stories, sharing our hearts, and remembering who we truly are.
So, here’s to Christie, her beautiful birds, her grandmother’s gloves, and to every creative soul brave enough to pick up a needle, add a tiny detail, and whisper, "Oh hello," to whatever emerges.
With love,
Sally x
You can listen to the Podcast I made with Christie here
You can find Christie here
https://www.facebook.com/rusticfiberart
instagram.com/rusticfiberacademy
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565848614873
https://arttoincome.learnworlds.com/pages/home