Melanie Perron is a fibre artist, an entrepreneur, co-owner and founding partner of Hell Bay Brewing Company, and a culinary artist. Her art is wearable and in some cases also walk-on-able. I was pleased to be invited to her Creating Space on the Brooklyn Shore Road in Queens County. Her studio is a rainbow of colour and texture, filled with making materials, frames, a loom, finished works and works in progress.
I have always been drawn to how things feel. I would pluck and pull at my baby blanky, it was well loved. Tactile. The way things feel is very important to me when choosing materials. We only had 3 channels growing up so I entertained myself drawing, sewing, making things and cooking. After high school I attended culinary school and learned the art and technique of creating with food.
We talked about how she is ever curious, and always passionate, about finding new things to do with fibre or food. Repurposing, recycling or reinventing materials and patterns to suit her artistic vision. Also how people who are artistic will always find a way to do their art. It can be an interesting path.
When I was a busy stay at home mom, living in Cherry Hill, I found my way to Riverhouse Rug Hooking and Jane Steele. Jane is so talented and encouraging. I learned a lot each time I got the chance to hang out there. Eventually drawing my own rug patterns which Jane encouraged me to sell in her store. One day she asked me if I had ever heard of Nuno felting, because she knew I would be interested. She was right!
Nuno felting was developed around 1992 by Australian fibre artist Polly Stirling. Nuno is the Japanese word for cloth. The process bonds loose fibres with a sheer fabric such as silk, wool or rayon. It results in a lightweight felted fabric. Or in Melanie’s case, a scarf or shawl.
It all starts with the scarf. Something will catch my eye in the scarf (usually from Frenchies) and I will be inspired. I place wool fibres on the base. Any colour, or amount, depending on my design. I can completely cover the base or let some show through. Natural fibres are best and you have to be careful. Many man-made fabrics can feel like silk or wool these days. Rayon is ok, I can work with that.
I was surprised to learn that rayon isn’t 100% synthetic. Technically it is a manmade fibre, but it is produced using natural-based cellulose obtained from organic material like wood pulp or cotton.
Once I have the design, I pour hot soapy water from this milk jug all over the base. Next it gets rolled up on a pool noodle! Lots of rolling, 100 times. Melanie’s Magic Number, I am very particular about that! Then it goes into water in the tub and I smush it all around. It takes a while.
Can things go wrong? You bet! When she told me that she has had several pieces completely fall apart at the tub smushing stage I was horrified! After all that work!!? She smiled and shrugged.
Oh yes. Its sad when it doesn’t felt. Seeing all that wool fluff floating in the tub because you haven’t selected the right base. So I start again. When it works, it needs to be carefully dried. Depending on my design, I have done additional fine needle felting to add detail like the feathers in this scarf. (below)
Like all of us, living in a pandemic has made for an interesting year for her and she hasn’t been working in her studio as much as she would like. Melanie has been prioritizing her time at another Creating Space, Hell Bay Brewing Company. (I will be writing about Hell Bay in a future column. ) I am thankful she made some time to talk to me.
I like talking about my work. Being self employed I can make my own schedule. But I have to prioritize and be reachable. We have a small business, so we are doing it all! We work hard. The stresses of this pandemic are real and every single person feels it. When I get to go to work in my studio I find it is a great way to recharge! My art is my passion so I try to make time, even a tiny bit of time, when I can.
Melanie’s work takes my breath away. Dreamy patterns, textures and so much colour! The Nuno felting makes a much lighter weight scarf than traditional all-wool felting might, resulting in beautiful movement and draping. Wearable art!
Whether I am rug hooking, making scarves or whatever. I like using up what I have in my studio before I go buy new. I’m often given materials to work with. Ends from rug hooking projects, fine wool clothing, silk, velvets and other fibres. When I cut wool I do it freehand with scissors rather than always using a uniform cutter. The resulting rough strands give depth to my work.
She shows me an example of creating the illusion of feathers in a gorgeous throw pillow of an owl. I ask her about having many things on the go. She laughs and shows me a rug she is also working on.
I have a lot of projects in various stages of completion. Sometimes I need a break from a piece that is frustrating me. Or I get a new idea and HAVE to start it! Like this Blue Lobster, I have been working on him for a while. Eventually he will be a 3 dimensional piece. Like a stuffy. Similar to my lifesized Blue Heron.
The pictures below are of the Blue Heron in progress. Melanie Perron created him with a mix of rug hooking, felting, sewing and sculpture. (See his majesty below)
As I say goodbye I am surprised at how quickly the time has passed in Melanie’s Creating Space! She was so interesting to chat with amongst the soft and cozy scarves, this and that rug, and the pillows. I confess I might have felt a little tipsy from drinking in all her lovely works of art.
Which is your favourite?
Interested in seeing more of her work? Want to get your hands on one of her amazing scarves? Reach out to Melanie Perron at her aptly named Facebook page Playing Hooky or via email at Melaniebaillie@hotmail.com
