SHEPHERDS PLAY - Mary Jean Pope Born in north Alabama, Mary Jean Pope spent summer weekends at the family cabin on the Tennessee River making things out of nature artifacts. She began sewing clothing at age ten and learned to hand stitch nine-patch quilt blocks from her grandmother. Mary Jean is a third generation rug braider. She was drawn to wool felting while learning to herd sheep with her Australian Shepherd, “Montana.” Fun felted toys for her shepherd dogs, inspired her business name, "Shepherds Play." Her fiber craft now includes shoulder bags, computer, iPad and phone sleeves, pet beds, felted lanterns, dryer balls and more. Mary Jean lives in Estes Park with her husband, Scott, and their family of two active dogs and two senior cats.
ARTIST'S STATEMENT - Mary Jean Pope I am fascinated by the locking of fine wool fibers into fabric. During the process of felting I control the density and texture until just before finishing a piece, that moment when the fibers seem to weave together with their own muse. White, oatmeal, cinnamon, brown, black and subtle gray fleeces, right off the sheep, are my favorite to wash and card into roving. I felt using the natural wool colors for background and moving shapes, often ornamenting with bits of dyed roving for line and perspective. Everyday functional pieces with artistic design are my purpose. I felt shoulder bags in four sizes, bowls and containers of all sizes and indestructible wool toys for your crazy and discerning dog.
