ART-ful Interview: Miranda Rommel’s Fiber Friends!

I have worked as a children’s book illustrator since 2005 but never did much work in the third dimension. I had seen felted animals in books and online and wanted desperately to try the art out for myself. A friend of mine who raises sheep let me dive into her fiber stash; I experimented by felting a tiny Pocket (my Pembroke Welsh Corgi). It was hideous! A total failure. I picked up the book Wool Pets and did some research online, including the blogs by Living Felt and Gourmet Felted, and as soon as I figured out the basics I was off and running! 

My illustrative style heavily influences my work, but I’m also driven by my desire to make each Fiber Friend look as much like a “real dog” as I can, from coat to personality. 

My Friends aren’t truly realistic portraits. They are more illustrative, but I have a knack of understanding what gives an animal its animal-ness, so they’re a true blend of my illustrative style and realistic portraiture. I think that makes Fiber Friends stand out from other needle-felted animals. 

My Pembroke Corgi girl Pocket is my number one muse and daily inspiration, but I’m also inspired by all the animals on my farm, from the chickens and rabbits to wild birds. All the little muses.

My absolute hero as an artist, homesteader, lover of old fashioned things and Corgis (of course) is Tasha Tudor! I grew up reading her books “A is for Anabelle” and “1 Is One“. I got Tasha Tudor’s Garden recently. So awesome. I’m exactly the same person — or strive to be!

Tell me about the creation process: how long does it take to fashion these items? Do you have a studio or space dedicated to your work? How does the business fit into the rest of your life? 

I work mostly in a large studio upstairs with a (sometimes distracting) view of our farm. It’s a dual studio for Fiber Friends and my illustration work, including a packing and shipping area, computer desk, etc. I do have a part-time job that I go to once or twice a week, otherwise I make art for a living. 

My “normal” day starts with farm chores, feeding the rabbits and chickens and enjoying a cup of coffee while watching the swallows dive for bugs outside. Pocket is always by my side and enjoys tidying up after all the animals with me. Then it’s time to work on custom Fiber Friends orders. I usually have a waiting list, especially during the holidays, some Friends to keep “in stock” at my Etsy shop and for special events, or illustration projects. I try to stay fairly organized and usually work about 6-7 hours a day in the studio. 

Each custom pet takes me 4-10 hours to complete, depending on the complexity of coat pattern or texture. Fluffies and woolies take about 3 times as long as short-coated animals. The animal mobiles can take several days to complete. 

At the end of the day, Pocket and I take a brief “frap” break and then do the evening chores, feeding and monitoring the animals again. I also believe in “real food” and take the time to cook dinner for the family every night — recipes that I occasionally post to my blog!

When I first started out, I used a bright orange, cartoon-ish color for Pemmies and other “red and white” dogs and most Fiber Friends. Now I’m blending this color with more natural tans to create a much more realistic hue for all colors of dogs. Bright orange is still available on request, otherwise I’ll try to match the dog’s natural coat as closely as possible.

My price points are based mostly on labor. A little bit of wool goes a long way and I have access to really great materials. My Fiber Friends are truly pieces of art and take a long time to get strongly felted with the level of detail I’m looking for. My earlier work wasn’t quite as “refined” and only took about 2 hours to complete. As my labor has increased, so has my pricing, but I ALWAYS strive to populate my shop with Fiber Friends at all price points, starting at $30 to $40. 

Mobiles are the most expensive items in my shop, but should be considered an investment in a new family heirloom. And they really are totally cool! (Ed. note: Agreed!) My animal mobiles are priced based on the components involved; all the FAQ on how I price them can be found here. 

I work on each piece in the order received. Sometimes I have a long waiting list, other times not so much. Each custom pet has a minimum 3 day work period, plus shipping which is 2-5 business days. Orders for a special event or holiday should be placed several weeks in advance to be sure that deadline is met. The holidays are very busy and all gift orders should be placed as early as possible. I can arrange shipping directly to your recipient and even offer gift wrap!

Yes. I give a portion of every Corgi-specific purchase to CorgiPals, always have always will. I sometimes contribute items for auctions or fundraisers too.

Miranda, thanks so much for taking the time to share all of this with us. I’ve been such a fan for a long time, it’s a huge pleasure to be able to give so many people a glimpse into your world and a chance to experience the special magic of Fiber Friends … maybe even commission one of their own!